Nutrition Interventions Go Global: Collaborations for Community Health

Approximately 150 million children, or approximately 22% of children worldwide, experience stunting (low height-for-age). This number is rising quickly due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which include disruptions to food systems and decreased access to nutritious foods. The burden of malnutrition is significantly higher in certain parts of the world, such as Guatemala, with prevalence as high as 70% in certain parts of the country. Organizations on the ground, such as Maya Health Alliance (MHA), provide health care and nutrition services to Maya populations in Guatemala.

The Academy, MHA and other partners have collaborated to build the evidence-base for nutrition interventions to address stunting. Current projects are evaluating the impact of home garden and complementary feeding egg interventions, combined with a clinical nutrition intervention, in rural Guatemala.

Speakers will discuss how this collaboration has evolved before and during the pandemic and how it has made a difference in historically marginalized communities in Guatemala. Learn more about the methods, lessons learned, and results of these culturally sensitive interventions, and how program delivery and data collection were adapted to unexpected challenges.

CPE Level: Level 2
CPEU: 1.0

Performance Indicators

• 1.3.8 Initiates collective efforts with others to implement resources to support culturally diverse customers.
• 12.4.4 Identifies and implements strategies for reaching individuals and populations in collaboration with stakeholders.
• 6.3.9 Disseminates research or performance improvement outcomes to advance knowledge, change practice and enhance effectiveness of services.

Learning Objectives

• Identify how collaborations between organizations can lead to effective global nutrition projects.
• Describe different nutrition interventions/methods to address chronic malnutrition in young children.
• Understand the importance of conducting culturally appropriate interventions and research in Central America.

Speakers

• Andrea Guzman
• Stephen Alajajian
• Gabriela Montenegro