Crucial role of the parent-child relationship to maximize community based nutrition programs during the first three years of life

ChildFund International has made a commitment to integrate early child nutrition programming with documented child development practices which directly contribute to physical growth and development during the first three years of life. Initial activities have included a thorough review of literature on growth and development during this life stage, a review of current related ChildFund International activities and products, and the preparation of pilot test designs and supporting materials for integrated growth promotion programming. The author will describe the underlying empirical data that support the causal model, the global context in which this initiative is being introduced, and how local cultural and contextual factors are being built into project adaptation. The key elements of the program are described, and the challenges and opportunities of this approach are considered.