Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread among pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and lead to potentially adverse effects for mother and baby. In Bangladesh, maternal malnutrition remains a severe problem, with high rates of anemia (49.6% of pregnant women and 47.8% of lactating women are anemic) and other nutritional deficiencies. A Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) study was conducted to assess Bangladeshi pregnant women’s perceptions and related behaviors, as well as awareness and knowledge among pharmacists and healthcare professionals concerning prenatal multivitamin supplements. This was done in both rural and urban areas across Bangladesh. A total of 732 quantitative interviews were conducted (330 with providers and 402 with pregnant women, with an equal split between urban and rural areas for both sets of audiences; 200 women were users of prenatal multivitamin supplements, while 202 women were aware non-users). The study identified a few findings that can guide further research or market-based interventions to reduce micronutrient deficiencies. These include most pregnant women not knowing the right time to start multivitamin supplements (56.0%, [n = 225], stating that a woman should start taking supplements ‘after the first trimester’), not knowing their benefits, and how they help both the mother and baby–only 29.5% [n = 59] stated that they believed the supplements helped their baby to grow well). Further, barriers to taking the supplements include women believing a nutritious diet is a substitute (88.7% [n = 293]), and a perceived lack of support from other family members (21.8%, [n = 72]). This suggests that there is a need for further awareness-raising among all pregnant women, their family members, and providers.

Climate change, rapid urbanization, war, and economic recession are key drivers of the current food systems’ disruption, which has been exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. Local, regional, and global food systems are unable to provide consumers with nutritious and affordable diets. Suboptimal diets exacerbate the triple burden of malnutrition, with micronutrient deficiencies affecting more than two billion people, two billion people suffering from overweight, and more than 140 million children who are stunted. The unaffordability of nutritious diets represents an obstacle for many, especially in low- and middle-income countries where healthy diets are five times more expensive than starchy staple diets. Food system transformations are urgently required to provide consumers with more affordable and nutritious diets that are capable of meeting social and environmental challenges. In this review, we underline the critical role of innovation within the food system transformation discourse. We aim to define principles for implementing evidence-based and long-term food system innovations that are economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable and, above all, aimed at improving diets and public health. We begin by defining and describing the role of innovation in the transformation of food systems and uncover the major barriers to implementing these innovations. Lastly, we explore case studies that demonstrate successful innovations for healthier diets.

To Improve Nutrition and Healthy Eating, We Need to Generate Demand

Filipino women and children face many nutrition challenges. The Joining Forces for Last Mile Nutrition (JF4LMN) is a public-private partnership among World Vision, Sight and Life Foundation and Royal DSM N.V. that aims to develop scalable and inclusive business models which increase the availability and consumption of nutritious foods and improve livelihoods at the last mile. The partnership’s latest program is in the Philippines, where the aim is to strengthen the affordability and sustainability of the MMS value chain to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women in four pilot locations: Tacloban City, Bulan, Pio Duran, and Pasacao. This is translated into the co-creation of a viable, replicable, and scalable MMS project model by the JF4LMN partners with support from local and national Philippine Government bodies using pilot design and testing. This article presents findings from a consumer research study used to inform the social marketing campaign to be launched during the pilot.

There is much scope for clarifying when to start taking multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) during pregnancy. This articles presents the results of a knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey conducted in Bangladesh to better understand consumer's and provider's understanding of when and how to consume MMS; as well as their reactions to the introduction of the FullCare MMS brand.