The preventing malnutrition in children under 2 approach (PM2A) is a food-assisted approach that targets health and nutrition interventions to all pregnant women, mothers of children 0–23 months, and children under 2 years—during the critical 1,000-day window of opportunity—in areas that are food insecure. FANTA research in Haiti showed that PM2A is effective in preventing child malnutrition by targeting all children under 2, regardless of nutritional status. However, questions remain concerning the size, composition, and duration of the ration that should be provided in a PM2A context to achieve optimal impact on children’s nutritional status. To further examine these aspects of PM2A, FANTA, in collaboration with its partner IFPRI, is conducting two cluster-randomized trials—one in Burundi and one in Guatemala.

• In Burundi, the research is looking at the effectiveness of various durations of preventive ration distribution and whether the provision of the ration during pregnancy affects the impact on children’s nutritional status.
• In Guatemala, the research is examining the impact of different sizes of protective household rations, as well as the impact of different compositions of individual rations for pregnant women and children, including specialized foods, such as lipid-based nutrient supplements and micronutrient powders.