Promoting child quality : issues, trends and strategies

It reviews in broad terms what is known about micronutrient deficiency disorders, helminthic infection, protein-energy malnutrition, and short-term hunger in relation to school achievement. This evidence is analyzed in the context of a conceptual model that links health and nutrition status, active learning capacity (ALC), and school achievement. A chapter is devoted to the identification of significant, ongoing or proposed investigations, extant networks and programs, as well as recent meetings that bear on the issues under discussion. While the listing of initiatives is not intended to be comprehensive, it is illustrative of policy, research, and field work currently in place or planned for the near future. In a final section the monograph analyzes initiatives described in an earlier chapter in order to identify salient trends, issues, and future research needed. A list of recommendations addressed to A.I.D. proposes next steps it should take to advance the child quality agenda. (Author abstract)