The essential role of communication in behavioural change

Abstract

The use of a processed weaning food in a public health programme should never proceed without an effective programme of communication for behavioural change. There is a long and largely unsuccessful history of public health-oriented weaning foods. Most of the problems have been due to the lack of attention to behaviour, which is not a priority for most nutritionists. Food consumes programmes and consequently uses most of the economic and human resources devoted to the programme. A food programme is not a nutrition programme, and processed weaning foods are not always necessary and are not a priori the best food. The trade-offs between promoting processed foods versus promoting local foods must be considered. It is important not to let the scientifically perfect weaning food stand in the way of practical, sustainable solutions for improving the nutrition of infants and toddlers.