The Praana Foundation Inc.

Educating mothers about nutrition

Nutrition is considered a major missed opportunity for improving global health. Childhood undernutrition has long-term consequences, including higher early mortality, poor physical and cognitive development, lower educational achievement, and reduced productivity.

The problem is especially severe in South Asia, particularly in India, which has one of the highest numbers of malnourished children,¹ despite recent economic growth. The causes are complex. Immediate factors include poor diet and frequent infections. Deeper issues include poor sanitation (like open defecation), weak health services, ineffective nutrition programs, economic inequality, governance challenges, and the low social status of women.

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals emphasize the need for better solutions. One emerging factor is maternal health literacy: how well mothers can understand and use health information.

Improving maternal health literacy about childhood malnutrition in a village setting in India works best when it’s practical, community-led, and culturally familiar rather than top-down.

We used existing local systems, like the Anganwadi centers under the Integrated Child Development Services program. Supporting these workers to deliver simple, consistent messages has been impactful since they’re trusted and already embedded in the community.

Our goals are to keep communication simple and visual. Many mothers may have limited formal education, so we use pictures, demonstrations, and storytelling instead of written materials. Pamphlets are distributed once every 4 months, nudging toward better nutrition using affordable local foods, explaining breastfeeding and complementary feeding, and teaching how to recognize early signs of malnutrition or illness.

We have also learnt that group-based learning is very effective. We have organized two mothers’ meetings and cooking demonstrations, and also support a local leader to whom women can turn for more advice. Involving grandmothers and other family decision-makers helps, since they often influence feeding practices.

At the local government-sponsored clinic, we installed posters that reinforce the education these mothers received. Small incentives (like food supplements and recognition) at the clinic have encouraged participation.

We hope to support local NGOs and other non-profits to empower women by improving their mobility and access to resources, because literacy alone isn’t enough if mothers lack control.

Stevens, Gretchen A., et al. “Trends in mild, moderate, and severe stunting and underweight, and progress towards MDG 1 in 141 developing countries: a systematic analysis of population representative data.” The Lancet 380.9844 (2012): 824-834.