Project 459700

The health and economic burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing rapidly worldwide particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where ~75% of global deaths from NCDs occur. Undernutrition is a significant problem in India, and low birthweight occurs in ~25% of the 26 million babies born each year. Further, the prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight and anaemia is very high in children under 5. At the same time, obesity is increasing in India, with ~12% of children and adolescents, and ~21% of women of overweight or obese. An estimated 65 million people live with diabetes and a further 77 million are pre-diabetic. The rising burden of cardiometabolic disease is accompanied by a growing recognition of the burden of neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders in India, which occur in ~13% of children aged 1-16 years. Maternal undernutrition and low birth weight have a detrimental impact on development of the fetus, leading to an increased susceptibility to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and impaired learning in later-life. A multidisciplinary team of experts from India and Canada are investigating whether interventions addressing multiple domains including nutrition, mental health, physical activity and early child development can improve health and development in Indian children. The interventions will start before women become pregnant and continue during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood. The research team are recruiting married women from Mysore who intend to have a child within the next two years and evaluate the impact of this package of interventions on children's health, cognitive and behavioural outcomes. Sex and gender considerations are integrated into the study at all levels. The EINSTEIN Team will engage with community and policy makers to ensure that the information generated can be applied to policies and practices in India and potentially other LMIC to enhance the health and well-being of children.