title: Multidisciplinary intervention for reducing malnutrition among children in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
abstract: 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 random 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sheikholeslam
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kimiagar
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Siasi
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Abdollahi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jazayeri
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Keyghobadi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghaffarpoor
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Noroozi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalantari
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Minaei
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Eslami
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hormozdyari
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009938:Organizations / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors