News
Events
2009 Conferences
Below you will find updates and materials from IYCN's participation in past events and meetings.
19th International Congress of Nutrition (October 2009)
Africa Forum 2009: Sharing Integrated Solutions for HIV/AIDS & Food Insecurity (June 2009)
Global Health Council’s 36th Annual International Conference (May 2009)
Brown Bag: Improving Nutrition in Zambia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Lesotho (May 2009)
MIYCN Satellite Session at the Second International Meeting of the Micronutrient Forum (May 2009)
19th International Congress of Nutrition
Bangkok, Thailand, October 4 to 9, 2009
The 19th International Congress of Nutrition (ICN), themed “Nutrition Security for All,” featured the latest research and news from the world of nutrition in a series of plenary sessions, symposia, workshops, and presentations. IYCN participated in the following panel:
Communication and Partnership Building to Improve Child Nutrition
Thursday, October 8, 2009, 9:30 am
IYCN sponsored a panel examining the role that communication, behavior, and partnership play in nutrition programming. Panelists shared experiences of how communication and partnership building has been critical to the successful implementation of programs in diverse contexts. Marcia Griffiths, The Manoff Group, presented Enabling Community Workers and Mobilizing Communities: Communications Strategies of the AIN-C Health and Nutrition Programme.
Dr. Frances Davidson, Health Sciences Specialist, Global Health Bureau, US Agency for International Development, and Dr. Suttilak Smitasiri, Head, Division of Communication and Behavioral Science, Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University Thailand co-chaired the session.
Visit the ICN website to learn more about the conference.
10th Commonwealth Association of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (CAPGAN) Congress on Diarrhoea & Malnutrition
Blantyre, Malawi, August 12-16, 2009
This conference featured optimal infant feeding practices and other solutions to prevent malnutrition and address diarrheal disease in the developing world. Visit the CAPGAN website to learn more.
Highlights included:
New IYCN research in Malawi reveals barriers to feeding infants during illness
August 14, 2009
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As part of a panel on infant feeding, Dr. Beatrice Mtimuni from Bunda College of Agriculture presented the findings from a recent research study which aims to understand infant feeding practices in Malawi. In collaboration with the IYCN and World Bank, Bunda College just completed the first phase of the study. Results revealed how mothers feed their babies during and after illnesses such as diarrhea, when children’s needs for food and fluids increase. IYCN and its partners will use the findings to advocate at the country and international levels for increased attention to practices that ensure adequate nutrition for infants and young children.
IYCN promotes emphasis on prevention of severe acute malnutrition
August 15, 2009
During a poster presentation, IYCN’s Albertha Nyaku made a case, based on published literature, for investing in prevention of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) rather than in the universal introduction of SAM treatment. The presentation highlighted how investing in resources to fight common childhood illnesses could save more lives at a lower cost than SAM treatment. Redoubled efforts to prevent and manage diarrhea, measles and malaria, coupled with preventive nutrition interventions to reduce chronic and moderate acute malnutrition, are preferable investments on epidemiologic, economic, and ethical grounds.
PATH highlights integrated approaches to diarrheal disease
August 14, 2009
PATH participated in a panel on "Diarrhoea Prevention and Surveillance." Evan Simpson presented on the Enhanced Diarrheal Disease Control Initiative and PATH's collaborative efforts to control diarrhea and its leading cause of childhood death, rotavirus. Simpson discussed controlling diarrheal disease with a comprehensive strategy, including breastfeeding and improved nutrition, and the need to raise awareness around this global health issue as well as the policy and implementation challenges associated with it.
PATH calls for action to stop diarrheal disease
Also at the conference, IYCN’s partner, PATH, featured its Call to Action to raise awareness and catalyze momentum during a panel discussion on vaccines and integrated approaches to address diarrheal disease. On August 13, a forum of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Blantyre featured the Call to Action as well, while bringing local NGOs together to discuss how to increase uptake of infant feeding, water and sanitation, and treatment efforts that can defeat diarrheal disease. To learn more about the Call to Action and projects aimed at building healthier communities by fighting diarrheal disease, please visit PATH’s Resources for Diarrheal Disease Control website.
5th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention
Cape Town, South Africa, July 19-22, 2009
Infant Feeding and HIV: Science and Practice
Sunday, July 19, 2009, 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Margaret Waithaka, from the PATH Kenya office, participated in this IAS 2009 satellite session, hosted by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and sponsored by USAID. Panelists discussed the science of infant feeding within the context of HIV, examined the current global recommendations, and reviewed practical experiences from the field. Ms. Waithaka presented the findings from the Kenya Infant Feeding Assessment conducted by IYCN and PATH. The evaluation was conducted in Kenya’s Western and Eastern Provinces to assess infant feeding practices and counseling, specifically focusing on the transition period from exclusive breastfeeding to replacement feeding, a period of high risk to the infant.
View Margaret Waithaka's presentation, Observations of Infant Feeding in Kenya.
Africa Forum 2009: Sharing Integrated Solutions for HIV/AIDS & Food Insecurity
Mangochi, Malawi, June 21-26, 2009
Helping HIV+ Mothers Make Good Infant Feeding Choices
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Dr. Hortense Angoran-Bénié, IYCN Country Coordinator, Cộte d'Ivoire, facilitated this skills building workshop on the risks and benefits of breastfeeding versus formula feeding for HIV-positive mothers and their infants. Group activities helped participants understand AFASS criteria (acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable and safe) used to determine whether or not replacement feeding is a good option. Participants discussed infant feeding decision-making and role plays will be used to practice counseling skills.
Back to Basics: Optimizing Infant and Young Child Feeding in the Context of HIV/AIDS
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Makatleho Masoabi, IYCN Country Coordinator, Lesotho, participated in this panel discussion on challenges and opportunities for strengthening basic infant and young child feeding practices. Ms. Masoabi presented her experience developing a multi-sectoral approach to improve infant feeding in Lesotho.
Please visit the Project Concern International website for more information.
Global Health Council’s 36th Annual International Conference
Washington, DC, May 26–30, 2009
Improving Complementary Feeding for Children: New Products and Effective Behaviors
Tuesday, May 26, 1:30-3:15 pm
IYCN’s Rae Galloway hosted this panel discussion on new developments to improve complementary feeding for children 6–24 months old. Panelists:
- Kathryn Dewey, University of California, Davis: Home Fortificants for Complementary Foods Improve Child Growth
- Margaret Bentley, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: An Integrated Child Feeding Intervention Improves Nutritional Status
- Mark Beinner, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil: Efficacy of Iron-Fortified Ultra Rice® Compared to Supplemental Iron Drops in Infants and Young Children
- Emmanuel D’Harcourt, International Rescue Committee: RUF and Ready: Helping Ready-to-Use-Foods Get to Scale
Feeding the Future: Preventing Malnutrition in Infants and Children
Thursday, May 28, 3:30-5:15 pm
IYCN’s Tom Schaetzel hosted this panel discussion which included a presentation by Kiersten Israel-Ballard. On behalf of IYCN and PATH's PMTCT Program, Dr. Israel-Ballard presented exciting new research on feeding HIV-exposed infants in Kenya. The research is informing IYCN’s new activities in the country. Panelists:
- Kiersten Israel-Ballard, IYCN Project, PATH: Feeding of HIV-Exposed Infants in Kenya
- Elviyanti Martini, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health: Sprinkles® Plus Effectiveness Program in Rural Maharashtra, India
- Victoria Vivas de Alvarado: Child Feeding Bowl: Low Tech, High Impact
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Aminuzzaman Talukder, Helen Keller International: Homestead Food Production Programs Improve Household Nutrition Security
Visit the Global Health Council website for more information about the Annual Meeting.
Brown Bag: Improving Nutrition in Zambia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Lesotho
PATH, Washington DC, May 21, 2009, 1:00-2:00 pm
IYCN hosted a brown bag discussion on the latest approaches to improve maternal, infant, and young child nutrition. IYCN team members from Zambia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Lesotho shared challenges, good practices, and lessons learned from their countries.
Presentations by:
Dr. Catherine Mukuka, IYCN Country Coordinator, Zambia: Responding to a Nutrition Emergency in Lusaka, Zambia
Dr. Hortense Angoran-Benié, IYCN Country Coordinator, Côte d'Ivoire: Enhancing Support for Infant Feeding and Postpartum Follow-up in Côte d'Ivoire
Makatleho Masoabi, IYCN Country Coordinator, Lesotho: A Multi-sectoral Approach to Improving Infant and Young Child Feeding in Lesotho
MIYCN Satellite Session at the Second International Meeting of the Micronutrient Forum
Beijing, China
May 11, 2009, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Scaling Up Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) Programming
More than 85 people participated in Scaling Up Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) Programming, a satellite session at the Micronutrient Forum in Beijing, China, on May 11, 2009. The meeting, sponsored by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN); the University of California, Davis; the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); and the Infant and Young Child Nutrition (IYCN) Project, led by PATH, brought together a wide range of conference participants and members of the MIYCN Network, a group of individuals working toward integrated programming for MIYCN.
The MIYCN Satellite Session emphasized the importance of an integrated approach for addressing nutritional needs during the important life cycle window from preconception through two years of age. Speakers representing government, nongovernmental organizations, universities, and the private sector shared successful approaches to identify and address the problem of malnutrition through the life cycle. Presenters discussed a wide variety of integrated solutions that have achieved results in Thailand, Bangladesh, Honduras, Malawi, and other countries.
Speakers:
Mr. Dominic Schofield, Manager of the Infant and Young Child Nutrition Program at GAIN; Opening remarks: The Importance of MIYCN Programming
Dr. Kathryn Franko of the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland; Keynote speech: Scientific Evidence for the Outcome Synergies from Integrating Programming in Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition
Dr. Pattanee Winichagoon, Associate Professor at the Institute of Nutrition at Mahidol University in Thailand; Case study: How Thailand Reduced National Rates of Malnutrition: The Behind-the-Scenes Story
Panel discussion: Best Practices and Barriers for Integrated MIYCN Programming in Bangladesh, Honduras, and Malawi
Panel presentations by:
- Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed, Head, Nutrition Programme, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) (Presented by Dr. Sandra Huffman, GAIN): Maternal Nutrition in Bangladesh: Achievements and Challenges
- Dr. Gustavo Corrales, formerly with the Ministry of Health, Honduras (Presented by Dr. Tom Schaetzel, IYCN Project): Change of Paradigms: From Clinical Treatment Approach to Prevention
- Dr. Mary Shawa, Permanent Secretary for Nutrition and HIV/AIDS, Office of the President and Cabinet, Malawi (Presented by Ms. Maureen Mazuga-Tembo, Chief, Nutrition Programmes Office [Community Nutrition], Office of the President and Cabinet): The Essential Nutrition Actions (ENA) Approach: The Way to Improved Women and Child Nutrition
Dr. Kathryn Dewey, professor at the University of California, Davis: MIYCN Network discussion
Dr. Frances Davidson, Health Science Specialist at the United States Agency for International Development; Closing remarks: Accelerating At-Scale MIYCN Programming: What Have We Learned and What Do We Need To Do Now?
Visit the Micronutrient Forum website for more information.
Photos: Aurelio Ayala III, Philippe Blanc, Richard Lord
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