Since its foundation in 1984, Nutrition Third World (NTW) has supported applied scientific research by emerging researchers from the South. In 2007, researchers that benefited from NTW grants were contacted to get feedback on NTW's support and to review the actual impact their research had. A questionnaire-based survey was carried out to see how the research results have been applied and what the benefits there were for the target population.

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Recent developments

- In the last 10 or 15 years, applied nutrition research has undergone quite a promising development, thanks to the increasing involvement of established researchers from both the North and the South.

Areas covered

• the prevention and treatment of child malnutrition;
• micronutrient deficiencies (mainly iodine, iron, vitamin A, and zinc);
• young child feeding;
• the “food based” approach in tackling nutritional deficiencies;
• the planning and evaluation of nutrition interventions;
• the promotion of growth and development of young children;
• maternal health and nutrition;
• the prevention of intra-uterine growth retardations;
• the “nutritional transition” phenomenon;
• the training and management of village level workers;
• etc.

- NTW's efforts also contributed successfully to the strengthening of research capacity in the South.

- Lastly, substantial progress was achieved in the development of methodologies for studying nutritional problems and for assisting operational agencies methods.

• for conducting applied nutrition research;
• for training doctors and other health personnel;
• for planning and implementing interventions;
• for evaluation.

- This is documented in the 2007 Evaluation Report, the “Annual report 2006”, “Lessons from the Symposium”and “Round Table Summary”.