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PR, IFPRI3; ISI; DCA; 2 Promoting Healthy Diets and Nutrition for all; IFPRIOA, PHND, Background: Millions of children fail to meet their developmental potential and experience mental health concerns globally. Evidence is mixed on whether growth beyond the first 1000 d of life influences intellectual functioning and mental health in school-age children. Objectives: We examined associations of childhood growth before and after the first 1000 d of life with child intellectual functioning and mental health at age 6–7 y. Methods: We used data from a follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of preconception supplementation (PRECONCEPT study) in Vietnam. A total of 5011 women participated in the study and 1579 children were born during 2012–2014. At age 6–7 y, child intellectual functioning was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, and mental health concerns were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multivariable linear models were used to examine the independent association of child size at age 2 y [height-for-age z-score (HAZ) and body-mass-index z-score (BMIZ)] and conditional measures of linear and ponderal growth between the ages of 2 and 7 y. Results: HAZ at 2 y was positively associated with the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (β = 1.4; 95% CI: 0.5, 2.2 points) and its subdomains, namely Perceptual Reasoning Index, Working Memory Index, and Processing Speed Index (β = 1.0–1.4 points). Higher HAZ at 2 y was associated with lower overall mental health concerns (β = −0.24; 95% CI: −0.47, −0.01) and peer problems (β = −0.08; 95% CI: −0.17, −0.01). Faster height gain between 2 and 7 y was associated with higher total intellectual functioning (β = 0.9; 95% CI: 0.02, 1.8) and fewer emotional issues (β = −0.09; 95% CI: −0.18, −0.01). BMIZ at 2 y was not associated with intellectual functioning but was marginally associated with higher conduct and peer problems. Conditional weight gain between 2 and 7 y was not associated with child intellectual functioning or mental health in young school-age children. Concl

PR, IFPRI3; ISI; 2 Promoting Healthy Diets and Nutrition for all; Capacity Strengthening; DCA; CRP4; IFPRIOA, PHND; A4NH, CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH), Growth faltering is associated with adverse consequences during childhood and later life. However, questions remain on the relative importance of preconception maternal nutritional status (PMNS) and child growth during the first 1000 d of life.

PR, IFPRI3; DCA; ISI; CRP4; 2 Promoting Healthy Diets and Nutrition for all; IFPRIOA, PHND; A4NH, CGIAR Research Programs on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH), Although there is growing evidence on the role of preconception nutrition for birth outcomes, very few studies have evaluated the long-term effects of nutrition interventions during the preconception period on offspring cognitive outcomes.

Non-PR, IFPRI5; CRP4; DCA, PHND; A4NH, CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH), While there is growing evidence on the role of preconception nutrition for birth outcomes, very few studies have evaluated the effects of nutrition interventions during the preconception period on child development. This study evaluates the impact of preconception weekly multiple micronutrients (MM) or iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation compared to FA alone on child growth and development at age 6–7y.