We aimed to examine the current policy guidance for ICDS SNP and operationalization of these at the state-level. To do so, we compared India’s SNP guidance for THR with global guidelines for infant and young child feeding (IYCF). Additionally, the current state of the take-home ration supplied for infants and young children across India was reviewed and summarized. Findings on state- and district-specific coverage of services is described elsewhere.

A notable approach to addressing maternal undernutrition during pregnancy in India in recent years has been the integration of hot-cooked meals (HCM) for pregnant and lactating women together with the provision of other health/nutrition services. Called the One Full Meal (OFM) program, these efforts aim to improve maternal nutrition and health across India by bundling center-based HCM with other nutrition services and behavior change communication implemented through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. The program is offered at anganwadi centers (AWCs) and has been implemented in eight states in India, including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Although the OFM program has been implemented since 2013, there is limited consolidated insight on its effectiveness or on broader lessons for implementation. The objectives of this evidence review of the OFM program are, therefore, to (1) compare the different state OFM program models on their objectives, implementation elements, cost norms and monitoring mechanisms; (2) develop program impact pathways on the potential ways in which the program could influence intended outcomes; and (3) examine the availability of evidence underpinning the program’s intended pathways to impact.

The evaluation of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) by the Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (DCP3) focuses on maternal conditions, childhood illness, and malnutrition. Specifically, the chapters address acute illness and undernutrition in children, principally under age 5. It also covers maternal mortality, morbidity, stillbirth, and influences to pregnancy and pre-pregnancy. Volume 3 focuses on developments since the publication of DCP2 and will also include the transition to older childhood, in particular, the overlap and commonality with the child development volume. The DCP3 evaluation of these conditions produced three key findings: 1. There is significant difficulty in measuring the burden of key conditions such as unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion, nonsexually transmitted infections, infertility, and violence against women. 2. Investments in the continuum of care can have significant returns for improved and equitable access, health, poverty, and health systems. 3. There is a large difference in how RMNCH conditions affect different income groups; investments in RMNCH can lessen the disparity in terms of both health and financial risk.

This review is intended primarily for health professionals and others concerned with nutrition, health and well-being of children. The objective is to provide the background information that is necessary for the development of scientifically sound feeding recommendations and appropriate intervention programmes to enhance children's dietary intake and nutritional status. Although much of the information may be relevent for young children in industrialized countries, the review focuses on the particular needs of children in low-income sttings, and the recommendations hve been formulated with consideration for the economic and environmental constraints that are common in developing countries. [Author] The review is organized in nine sections : 1. Introduction. - 2. Breast-feeding and complementary feeding : a continuum. - 3. Energy required from complementary foods and factors affecting their intake. - 4. Protein and micronutrients required from complementary foods. - 5. Caregiver feeding behaviours. - 6. Food processing safety and quality. - 7. Global data on child-feeding practices. - 8. Programmatic interventions to improve complementary feeding. - 9. Conclusions