Nutrition

The nutrition and well-being of children and their families is the target of numerous global goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals, and remain a key focus of our work. Good nutrition supports literacy targets, as children who are not anemic may have better mental development, concentrate better in school, and are better able to fight infection — leading to fewer absences and better learning outcomes. The link between nutrition and reductions in infection and disease is clear: Well-nourished children are at reduced risk of falling ill. For example, zinc deficiency increases the duration and likelihood of recurrence of diarrhea and deaths due to pneumonia and diarrhea, and vitamin A deficiency impacts the immune system. Proper nutrition during pregnancy reduces the incidence of stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, and small size for gestational age.

World Vision contributes to global nutrition goals through effective community-level programming and strategic national and international policy engagement. Our broad geographic reach and focus on preventive, community-based health interventions for mothers and children — integrated with other sectoral efforts — enable us to address the root causes of malnutrition. Recognizing the far-reaching benefits of good nutrition, we continue to leverage our investments in agriculture, food security, WASH, education, gender equality, and economic development to drive sustainable nutritional outcomes.

World Vision works to drive positive behavior change and strengthen the systems that directly impact the nutritional needs of households and communities. Behaviors are shaped by social and cultural norms, practices, and knowledge, and are often impacted by dynamics of power and trust. But we know positive change is possible.

Our approaches catalyze behavior change among caregivers of children, household members, and communities to promote practices that improve nutrition. We conduct formative research to identify context-specific enablers and barriers of behavior change, which inform our programming. By engaging key influencers and individuals, we help drive sustainable improvements in food security and nutrition.

The households and communities that World Vision serves exist within a range of complex and interconnected systems. In vulnerable and nutrition-insecure areas, especially fragile contexts, these systems can be ineffective, serve only a few, or both. Achieving transformational, sustainable change requires addressing systemic weaknesses and imbalances so that the most vulnerable can access the support they need. That’s why World Vision works across sectors to support the nutritional needs of children and their families. Our nutrition programming focuses on reducing childhood wasting, childhood stunting, childhood anemia, and maternal anemia.

Zimbabwe: ENSURE
In Zimbabwe, World Vision’s Enhancing Nutrition, Stepping Up Resilience and Enterprise project (2013-2020), funded by USAID, aimed to sustainably address food insecurity among vulnerable households in the Manicaland and Masvingo provinces. The maternal and child health and nutrition portion of the program provided key health and nutrition information through Care Groups and targeted supplementary food rations to children under 2 and pregnant and lactating women. Stunting decreased from 28.1% to 19.7%, and exclusive breastfeeding among children under 5 months increased from 35.8% to 60.6%.

Bangladesh: Nobo Jatra
World Vision partnered with USAID and the Government of Bangladesh through the Nobo Jatra (New Beginnings) project to strengthen nutrition and resilience in vulnerable communities. Between 2022 and 2025, 15,645 children under five and 12,127 pregnant women were reached with nutrition-specific interventions. To support behavior change, the project developed gender-inclusive communication materials to promote equitable access to health, nutrition, and hygiene among marginalized communities. Strategic partnerships with private sector actors improved access to essential products in hard-to-reach areas, while trained Gold Star Members — community-based nutrition champions selected from among mothers and youth — and Village Agents — trusted local volunteers trained to support last-mile service delivery and facilitate behavior change — supported early detection and referrals. Regular coordination with local health departments and community volunteers also strengthened the timely identification and treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) cases.

Ethiopia: Strengthen PSNP Institutions and Resilience (SPIR) II
In Ethiopia, the SPIR II project, funded through U.S. foreign assistance, aims to improve food security, nutrition, and resilience among vulnerable households. SPIR II’s Nurturing Care Groups are transforming child health and household resilience. Trained health workers and community volunteers support local mothers to model optimal infant and young child feeding practices — such as early breastfeeding, proper hygiene, and the preparation of fortified porridge. Caregivers also learn to produce and sell nutrient-rich flour made from milk legumes, grains, and sesame seeds—nourishing their children while earning income. The groups lead community-based screenings, promote exclusive breastfeeding, and identify and refer malnourished children for additional care. In FY24 alone, we reached nearly 50,000 children under five with core nutrition services — demonstrating the power of simple, community-driven solutions to create lasting change.