Peer-reviewed article
Maternal and Child Nutrition Interventions to Improve Child Nutritional Status: A Literature Review
Yania Febsi, Sanya Anda Lusiana, Khaerul Fadly, Windy Rizkaprilisa, Rosmauli Jerimia Fitriani ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This literature review examines evidence from 42 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025 on nutrition interventions to improve child health. Three types of interventions were identified: maternal nutrition support, infant and young child feeding programs, and integrated programs combining both. Maternal counselling and micronutrient supplementation reduced low birth weight and stunting, while breastfeeding promotion and complementary feeding education improved child growth. Integrated programs that support pregnant women through early childhood showed the most consistent benefits across multiple nutritional outcomes.
Key points
- Maternal nutrition counselling and micronutrient supplementation reduced risks of low birth weight and stunting
- Exclusive breastfeeding promotion and complementary feeding education improved dietary diversity and child growth indicators
- Integrated maternal-child nutrition programs demonstrated the most consistent improvements across multiple nutritional outcomes
- Stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies remain persistent challenges in low- and middle-income countries despite ongoing programs
- The review emphasizes strengthening community-based nutrition programs that support care from pregnancy through early childhood
Limitations
This is a narrative literature review that synthesizes existing studies rather than presenting new primary research, so it cannot provide definitive causal evidence. The review does not present detailed comparative effectiveness data, cost-effectiveness analysis, or implementation evidence needed to guide large-scale program decisions.
Abstract
Maternal and child malnutrition remains a major global public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies persist despite ongoing nutrition programs. This narrative literature review synthesizes evidence on the effectiveness of maternal and child nutrition interventions implemented between 2015 and 2025 to improve child nutritional status. A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar following general PRISMA principles. A total of 42 peer-reviewed articles were included and analyzed using thematic synthesis. Data extraction focused on study design, intervention components, target populations, and nutritional outcomes, including stunting, wasting, breastfeeding practices, and dietary diversity. Three major intervention themes were identified: maternal nutrition interventions, infant and young child feeding (IYCF) interventions, and integrated maternal-child nutrition programs. Maternal nutrition counselling and micronutrient supplementation were associated with improved birth outcomes and reduced risks of low birth weight and stunting. IYCF interventions, particularly exclusive breastfeeding promotion and complementary feeding education, improved dietary diversity and child growth indicators. Integrated maternal-child nutrition programs demonstrated the most consistent improvements across multiple nutritional outcomes. The findings emphasize the importance of strengthening integrated, community-based nutrition programs that support the continuum of care from pregnancy through early childhood. Further longitudinal and cost-effectiveness studies are needed to support large-scale implementation.