Welcome to the first edition of South Asia Nutrition Knowledge Initiative’s (SANI) Abstract Digest! In each issue, we aim to curate a selection of the latest and relevant studies on maternal and child nutrition for the South Asia region. We conduct literature search across peer-reviewed journals and identify studies of relevance. The abstracts in this document are reproduced in their original form from their source, and without editorial commentary about specific articles. In this first edition, we include global studies on trends in malnutrition, health inequalities of common nutrition deficiencies in children and the importance of gender-sensitive social safety nets and nutritionspecific and -sensitive interventions in the low-and middle-income countries. There are interesting studies from South Asia with a focus on Bangladesh, India and Nepal on topics including geospatial and environmental determinants of undernutrition, dietary diversity assessment of pregnant adolescent girls and nutrition interventions such as mid-day meal program in India and Suaahara in Nepal. Below is the list of peer-reviewed articles. Please click on the title if you wish to go straight to the article or scroll down to explore the abstracts in the pages that follow. Happy reading! If this Abstract Digest was forwarded to you, we invite you to subscribe.

Issue 44 of the POSHAN Abstract Digest, brings to you yet another collection of articles on various topics pertaining to maternal and child nutrition. This issue features several studies on the nutritional status of adolescents and the relationship between maternal dietary diversity and body composition with children’s health. A few studies look at coverage of nutrition and health interventions in the country, including the Anemia Mukt Bharat program and the National Rural Health mission.

The 41st issue of POSHAN Abstract Digest brings to you yet again a tailored set of articles on malnutrition in India. This issue features a studies examining trends in nutrition outcomes, inequities associated with anthropometric failure, and role of WASH in addressing undernutrition. In addition, this issue also features articles on the intergenerational benefits of India’s national school feeding program, effect of women’s labor force participation on nutrition, and the role of maternal empowerment and paternal gender-equitable attitudes on stunting.

Issue 37 of the Abstract Digest brings to you a set of global, regional, and India-focused articles on issues pertaining to undernutrition and its solutions. Global studies include the Optima Nutrition modelling assessing the likelihood of 129 countries reaching the global nutrition targets by 2030, a systematic review of economic evaluation of interventions to address undernutrition by scaling up proven interventions and identifying priority interventions, a study that identifies research priorities for social, behavioral and community engagement interventions for maternal and child health, and a review of literature on social accountability approaches. India-specific studies examine inequality in child undernutrition among urban populations, the economic feasibility of nutritionally adequate diets, and two studies focusing on frontline workers time use and factors influencing their performance. In this edition we have also included implementation research focused articles relevant for maternal and child health programs.

This synthesis report is the result of close, collaborative research initiated by the Asian Development Bank in partnership with Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada; the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation; and the Liu Institute for Global Issues at the University of British Columbia. Fourteen background papers were commissioned to investigate food security issues particularly pertinent for Asia and the Pacific. The report synthesizes and collates the primary findings from these papers to articulate key policy challenges and opportunities related to food security in the region.

Studies that assess and analyse people's nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) are a useful method for gaining such an insight into peoples' personal determinants of their dietary habits. The manual offers guidance and practical steps for planning and conducting a KAP survey, and for analysing and reporting the survey findings

This publication demonstrates the benefits of neglected and underutilized species, including amaranth, sorghum and cowpea, and their potential contribution to achieving Zero Hunger in South and Southeast Asia.