A new longitudinal study published in the Journal of Global Health has validated what we have long believed: early nutrition interventions have lasting impacts on child development.

The study, conducted in partnership with researchers from Johns Hopkins University, followed 5,000 children enrolled in our nutrition programs over a five-year period.

Key Findings

The research revealed significant improvements in children who received nutrition support during their first 1,000 days of life:

• 35% improvement in cognitive development scores
• 28% reduction in stunting rates
• 42% decrease in hospital admissions for malnutrition-related illnesses

These findings underscore the critical importance of investing in early childhood nutrition. The first 1,000 days—from conception to age two—represent a unique window of opportunity to shape a child's future.

What This Means

This evidence strengthens the case for scaling up early nutrition interventions across all our program areas. It also provides valuable data for advocating with governments and donors for increased investment in child health.