Promoting Physical Growth and Positive Development in Severely Stunted Guatemalan Children

Crowd Funding and Social Networks as a Novel Mechanism to Promote Sustainable Physical Growth and Positive Psychosocial and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Severely Stunted Guatemalan Children

This study seeks to evaluate the impact of an intensive home-based education intervention targeting severely stunted Guatemalan children for catch up growth and improved development. Half of the children in the study will receive standard of care, which includes micronutrient supplementation and a food ration. The other half of children in the study will receive, in addition to the above, home-based dietary assessment and individualized parental nutrition education.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Child aged 6-24 months at time of enrollment
• Height/length for age Z score of less than -2.5
• Child lives with parent/legal guardian

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of acute malnutrition (weight for length/height Z score of less than -2)
• Presence of other severe medical illness (e.g. congenital heart disease, genetic abnormality)