Nutrition
For the last 40 years, a major focus of The Manoff Group has been improving the nutrition of children and their families. The Manoff Group believes that successful nutrition programs must actively engage communities and families in the process—from assessment through implementation. Nutrition is a key determinant of health at any age, and successful nutrition interventions require an understanding of the scientific reasons for the nutrition problem and knowledge about the culture and practices of the community.
Manoff Group president Marcia Griffiths discussed recent developments in the field of nutrition in "The HOW: Focusing on Operations in Global Nutrition" for "Controversies in Reducing Nutrition: A debate on The Lancet series on Maternal and Child Undernutrition" at IFPRI on February 25, 2008. [slide show with notes] [audio of full speech]
Child Feeding Bowl: Improving Young Child Nutrition
Developed and introduced by The Manoff Group in Nicaragua, El Salvador and, most recently, Bolivia (PROCOSI Network Technical Assistance Project), the child feeding bowl has shown to be a simple, low-cost, and effective tool in improving young child feeding practices. The bowl features measurements denoting the appropriate amount of food for each age, addressing the persistent problem of caregivers’ reluctance to increase the amount of food they feed their young children. Learn more about the Bolivia research.
The Weaning Project
The Weaning Project was undertaken to find low-cost, nutritionally sound and sustainable solutions to nutrition problems of the weaning age child. The project developed a protocol for exploring young child feeding practices and refined it in six countries. The protocol was first implemented in Indonesia and Cameroon; then Swaziland, Ecuador, and Zaire; and finally in Ghana. As the project progressed and the protocol was refined, each host country relied less on foreign technical assistance, so that by Ghana, the last country, the protocol was implemented with only a brief orientation from expatriate consultants. more...
Nicaragua: Strengthening Breastfeeding Promotion
As part of work with the Wellstart Expanded Program on Breastfeeding, the Manoff Group managed the social marketing component to develop a communication and training strategy to strengthen breastfeeding promotion in two health districts. The first step was in-depth, qualitative research including focus group discussions, household trials and observations of provider and client interactions in health facilities. Based on this research, a comprehensive communication strategy was developed. An advertising firm was hired and materials were developed, pre-tested and produced. Videotapes on various breastfeeding topics were produced for use in medical facilities and for television. Topics included mothers' testimonials about breastfeeding, how to express breastmilk and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).
El Salvador: National Nutrition Education Program
Under a contract with the government of El Salvador (1993-96),
the Manoff Group assisted the Nutrition Department in the
design and implementation of an innovative national nutrition
education program that included formative research, advocacy
at the policy and program-manager levels, community mobilization
and individual counseling of improved nutritional practices.
Major program components included establishing and developing
support for volunteer community nutrition workers and activities
in growth promotion, maternal nutrition, breastfeeding, young
child feeding and micronutrients.
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