A conceptual model and framework of nutrition-sensitive and specific interventions across Life stages in India

A large segment of the maternal and child population in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is malnourished. There has been a considerable amount of literature on different evidence-based actions that work well with pregnant women or lactating mothers. However, we lack a comprehensive framework of evidence-based nutrition interventions for LMIC that endorse actions along the life course, that is, from adolescence to lactation and childhood, for improved child health and nutrition. Considering the need, this study aimed to explore and design a model and framework for improving maternal and child nutrition. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify evidence-based interventions that reduce malnutrition and improve maternal and child health and nutrition. The literature search was made using Google, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The search of the literature in the last 5 years was made. Our conceptual model illustrates key nutrition approaches at different levels (from individual to system levels). The promotion, prevention, monitoring, and management framework (based on nutrition-specific interventions) sorts out actions across each set of the population (pregnant, lactating, and newly married women and adolescent girls) for improved nutrition and health. Our nutrition-sensitive intervention framework, in the way to target basic causes of undernutrition, highlight actions that may result in improved maternal and child health and nutrition in the long run. Encapsulating the wide array of interventions across the life course, our model and framework hold importance as they contain evidence-based actions as suggested by the international agencies and are contextualized for India.