HMHB Coffee & Chai Chat on Balanced Energy and Protein (BEP) Dietary Supplementation
The Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Consortium (HMHB) will host its first Coffee and Chai Chat of the year on 5 March, 9 – 9:45 a.m ET | 3 – 3:45 p.m. CET | 7:30 – 8:15 p.m. IST on Balanced Energy and Protein (BEP) Dietary Supplementation. Featuring Rimu Byadya, Technical Officer, World Health Organization, and Ranadip Chowdhury, Deputy Director and Scientist, Society for Applied Studies, India, this virtual session will delve into the latest evidence on the impact of BEP on maternal and infant health. Mihaela Ciulei, Program Manager, BEP Technical Advisory Group will host the chat.
A woman’s nutritional status before and during pregnancy is critical for fetal growth and development. Undernourished pregnant women face a higher risk of adverse outcomes, including low birth weight. BEP supplementation—where protein makes up less than 25% of total energy—has been shown to support gestational weight gain and improve pregnancy outcomes. Evidence suggests that BEP can enhance fetal growth and reduce the risk of stillbirth, low birth weight, and small-for-gestational-age births, particularly in undernourished populations. The WHO recommends BEP supplementation for pregnant women in undernourished populations to help lower the risks of stillbirths and small-for-gestational-age newborns. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about WHO guidance on BEP and ask questions in real-time.
The Indian government, through initiatives like the POSHAN Abhiyaan and the Supplementary Nutrition Program under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), has been working to improve maternal nutrition. BEP supplementation, often provided through locally available fortified foods or take-home rations, is being integrated into antenatal care services to support optimal fetal growth and reduce the risks of stillbirth and preterm birth. In this chat, Ranadip Chowdhury will share real-world insights from India’s experience in BEP implementation, offering lessons for countries around the world.
