Linear growth faltering (stunting) between conception and 2 years of age is associated with increased child mortality, long-term cognitive deficits, fewer years and poorer performance in school, lower adult earnings, and (for women) a greater risk of stunting in their offspring, perpetuating an intergenerational cycle of poverty and low human capital. Additional research is needed to update our understanding of the long-term consequences of childhood stunting and the long-term impact of complementary feeding interventions for at least three reasons. The proposed study will contribute to this knowledge gap by following up children who participated in the Sanitation Hygiene Infant Nutrition Efficacy (SHINE) trial. Primary findings were published in January 2019: the IYCF intervention increased LAZ at 18 months by 0.16 LAZ and reduced the proportion of stunted children from 35% to 27%. The WASH intervention had no effect on linear growth. The goal of the current project is to determine the effect of the early-life SHINE infant and young child feeding (ICYF) intervention on cognition and health at 6 years of age when the children are entering school. We will follow up 1000 children who participated in the SHINE trial (500 randomized to receive the IYCF intervention, 500 randomized not to receive the IYCF intervention) at the age of 7-8 years to assess cognition, physical function, growth and body composition.
Study Location: Shurugwi District
Sample Size: 1000 children who participated in the SHINE trial (500 randomized to receive the IYCF intervention, 500 randomized not to receive the IYCF intervention).