Open AccessMultidisciplinary intervention for reducing malnutrition among children in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Author(s) -
R Sheikholeslam,
Masoud Kimiagar,
F Siasi,
Zahra Abdollahi,
Ali Jazayeri,
K Keyghobadi,
M Ghaffarpoor,
Farzaneh Noroozi,
M Kalantari,
N Minaei,
Fatemeh Eslami,
H Hormozdyari
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
eastern mediterranean health journal/eastern mediterranean health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.442
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1687-1634
pISSN - 1020-3397
DOI - 10.26719/2004.10.6.844
Subject(s) - malnutrition , underweight , anthropometry , intervention (counseling) , islamic republic , environmental health , psychological intervention , medicine , multidisciplinary approach , rural area , pediatrics , geography , islam , body mass index , nursing , political science , overweight , archaeology , pathology , law
A multidisciplinary intervention to reduce protein-energy malnutrition among children in rural areas was piloted in 3 provinces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Based on an initial situation analysis, a range of interventions were implemented through local nongovernmental organizations, including nutrition, health and literacy education for mothers, improved growth monitoring and fostering rural cooperatives and income generation schemes. Malnutrition before and after the intervention [in 1996 and 1999] was assessed using anthropometric measurements of r and om samples of children aged 6-35 months in control and intervention areas. Three years into the intervention, all indicators of malnutrition had consistently decreased in all intervention areas and the prevalence of underweight and stunting was significantly lower. Control areas showed a mixed pattern of small increases and decreases in malnutrition indicators