Community-based nutrition programs

Abstract

Community-based food and nutrition programs (CBNPs) have been implemented in many countries. They have in common nutrition or nutrition-related objectives, be they the broad objectives of reducing the prevalence of malnutrition or improving household food security, or more specific objectives related to a single micronutrient or a single nutrition activity such as the promotion and protection of breast-feeding. CBNPs, which in essence evoke scope for community participation, must be facilitated by effective policy implementation. In order to be both effective and successful in reducing malnutrition, CBNPs require appropriate institutional arrangements, mechanisms, methods, and services planned from the grassroots along with support from policy makers to the implementers, who are actually those at the grassroots. There are now a number of successful programs, and a close examination and analysis of these can help us to understand the process of achieving success. This chapter examines the role and scope of the community-based programs in nutrition, health, and other development issues, processes and systems of the community-based programs, and some experiences and applications from Asia with relevance for future work in developing countries. © 2008 Copyright © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.