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in India, the effect of family planning indicators on
nutritional outcomes, and regional variation in India. For
conducting secondary analysis, data from the recent
National Family Health Survey was used.

The study revealed that FP affects nutrition in myriad
direct and indirect ways. By helping women and
couples have the number of children they want at the
healthiest times in life, family planning can benefit
mothers, infants, and children. Well-spaced births allow
women’s bodies to recuperate and replenish essential
nutrients and lead to better nutritional outcomes, such
as healthy birth weight for their infants. The benefits of
optimal birth spacing also have far-reaching effects in
childhood, reducing the prevalence of one key measure
of malnutrition—stunting—among children under five.
Also, family planning can help women avoid high-risk
pregnancies and have children at the healthiest times
in life. Thus, national and local programs aiming to
improve nutrition may benefit from strengthening FP
services and integrating FP strategies into multisectoral
development policies and implementation plans.

Studies have also shown that the first 1,000 days of a
child are the most critical as infants and young children
are exceptionally vulnerable to poor diet and infection
during this time. There is a need for strong advocacy
for empowering women through programs, which can
improve maternal, infant, and young child nutrition
(MIYCN). Integration of family planning (FP) services
(to avoid unintended pregnancy and choose whether
or when to have a child) and MIYCN programs have a
crucial role to play.
nutritional status of mothers and children, birth
In 2011, the National Rural Health Mission launched order, and nutritional status of children. When
the Healthy Timing and Spacing of pregnancies Initiative births are well-spaced, mothers have more time,
in three districts of Bihar using the behaviour change energy, and resources to adequately breastfeed
communication model developed by Pathfinder’s and feed their young infants and children.
PRACHAR program. Although NGOs have had some Research studies showed that breastfeeding
success with spacing, they have found it much more practices improve, leading to improved nutrition,
difficult to persuade couples to delay the birth of their leads to empowerment, allowing them to make
first child until the mother was 18 due to strong social better choices that ultimately benefit the health
pressure on newly married couples to demonstrate and nutrition of children and families.
fertility by producing a child, especially a son.

Dr. Sujeet Ranjan is a public health professional and heads the Nutrition theme
Most fundamentally, spacing affects people in myriad of Tata Trusts. Dr. Ranjan’s key focus is on social impact, establishing strategic
ways and it advances human rights. The knowledge relations and alliances with government, civil society, and social & private sectors.
His core interest areas are strategy, innovation, and organization building.
and use of family planning methods can regulate Dr. Ranjan has also worked as Executive Director – CFNS and Director – CARE
the planning of birth in terms of birth interval and India.

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