LITERATUR REVIEW: FAMILY-BASED NUTRITION INTERVENTION STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING CHILDREN’S NUTRITIONAL STATUS

Abstract

Background: The family forms the foundation for providing the best possible care, particularly in terms of improving children’s nutrition; consequently, mothers play a crucial role in providing nutrition, as do other family members. Objective: To analyse family-based nutritional intervention strategies to address wasting, stunting, and underweight in children under five years of age. Methods: A PRISMA-based systematic review (2021–2026) utilising the Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed databases. Article quality was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal tool, resulting in eight final articles for analysis. Results: The implementation of Family-Centred Care (FCC) education involving all household members (including husbands) significantly improved child feeding practices ($p=0.043$). Integrated growth monitoring programmes (GMP) proved effective in improving children’s anthropometric Z-scores. Furthermore, expanded access to healthcare empowered mothers economically to provide a more diverse diet. Conversely, low income, low parental education, and the tendency of poor families to prioritise harmony during meals over nutritional value were the main barriers to the intervention. Conclusion: Sustainable improvement in infant and toddler nutrition requires strengthening mothers’ economic capacity and active support for the family ecosystem through community-based health policies.