Nutrition Security
Nutrition security is a critical pillar of human development – shaping health, cognitive capacity, and economic potential across generations. Yet, millions continue to face undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and emerging challenges like obesity, all of which have deep social and economic consequences. Our services in the nutrition sector are designed to inform evidence-based policies, strengthen program implementation, and catalyse behavior change at scale.
We combine rigorous research methods with participatory and gender-sensitive frameworks. By working closely with frontline workers, community stakeholders, and policymakers, we ensure our insights translate into actionable solutions thereby creating healthier individuals, resilient communities, and stronger generations.
Projects
Landscape Study for Preconception Nutrition Policies and Programming in Eight Countries of the South Asia Region
Preconception nutrition refers to the nutritional status and dietary habits of individuals especially women, before conception. It plays a critical role in ensuring a healthy pregnancy, reducing the risk of complications, and supporting optimal foetal development. Preconception nutrition is a critical, yet often overlooked, window of opportunity to ensure better outcomes for mothers and their future children.
PopulationCouncil Consulting conducted a comprehensive landscaping study on maternal and preconception nutrition policies and programming across eight South Asian countries namely, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The study assessed the alignment of national health and nutrition policies with global guidelines, including WHO (2013) and UNICEF (2022), focusing on delivering nutrition interventions, including nutritious foods, services, and practices for women during pregnancy and preconception.
It also examined inequities in maternal survival, birth outcomes, malnutrition, food, services and practices during pregnancy and preconception period along with identifying programmatic interventions and systemic bottlenecks across the region. Additionally, it mapped gaps in routine data systems and national surveys that hinder effective monitoring of proven antenatal and preconception nutrition interventions. The findings were shared through country factsheets at the 2023 regional conference Nourishing South Asia: Scaling-up Equitable Nutritional Care for Girls and Women, organised by UNICEF ROSA, providing critical evidence to inform regional strategies for advancing maternal nutrition. This work recently culminated into four publications in THE LANCET Regional Health Southeast Asia, 2025.
Dietary Diversity and Undernutrition Among Mothers and Children in Mizoram
In collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare, PopulationCouncil Consulting conducted a focused study on dietary diversity and related nutritional outcomes in Mamit, a tribal-dominated and Aspirational District of Mizoram. Recognising the district’s unique challenges, the study aimed to generate evidence on the nutritional status of children (0–60 months), pregnant women, and mothers through a comprehensive primary survey. It also included interviews with frontline service providers to assess service delivery and gaps.
Data was collected using MQUAD, an innovative digital platform developed by PopulationCouncil Consulting, ensuring high-quality and efficient data capture. The study findings were launched by the Hon. Minister of the Department of Women and Child Development (DoWCD). The insights from the study plays a vital role in addressing the nutritional vulnerabilities of the population in one of India’s most underserved regions; and inform policy decisions and support the development of a targeted Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) roadmap.
Tribal Health and Nutrition Factsheets: Supporting Data-Driven Action
PopulationCouncil Consulting developed district-level factsheets on tribal health and nutrition for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) with the purpose of supporting MoTA in tracking progress and identifying gaps in tribal health and nutrition programming. These factsheets provide a comprehensive situational analysis of key health and nutrition indicators in districts and states with significant Scheduled Tribe populations. They offer critical insights into demographic trends, service coverage, and nutritional outcomes, aligned with national health and nutrition goals, and focusing on tribal communities.
By offering an evidence-based overview, the factsheets were a valuable resource for policymakers and program implementers to reassess and refine tribal-centric schemes and interventions. This initiative contributed to enhancing data-driven decision-making and fostering more inclusive, targeted strategies to improve health outcomes among tribal populations across India.