Globally, children with disabilities and children without family care are more likely to be malnourished and less likely to get the nutrition and feeding support they need. Poor nutrition can also contribute to family separation, especially for children with disabilities. However, good nutrition support can help children grow, thrive, and stay together with their families.
In February 2025, SPOON, Access to Health Zambia, and the Government of Zambia convened a series of events focused on improving nutrition in these groups of children.
Data demonstrate the need
SPOON partnered with Access to Health Zambia and the University of Colorado to understand the risk of malnutrition among children with disabilities and children without family care in Zambia. We used SPOON’s digital health app, Count Me In, to assess nearly 400 children at 22 residential care facilities (read our paper at Frontiers in Public Health) and nearly 500 children with disabilities at 3 health centers and 10 community-based rehabilitation clinics. Both groups of children had rates that were much higher than national levels. For example, 63% of children with disabilities were underweight, and nearly all (98%) were at risk of feeding difficulties.
National dissemination event
The team presented this research to more than 120 people from the government and social service organizations at a national convening in Lusaka. The event also featured health and child protection workers who use Count Me In to mentor families of children with disabilities; a panel of government and civil society experts discussing how to strengthen systems to nourish vulnerable children; and a lively discussion on how to improve nutrition and feeding for children with disabilities and children without family care in Zambia.
Action planning
Access to Health Zambia and SPOON, in partnership with the Zambian Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, and the National Food and Nutrition Commission, also hosted a meeting of the Technical Advisory Group to plan the way forward. The Technical Advisory Group includes experts from across government and civil society as a shared platform for learning, collaboration, and advocacy. Their recommendations included prioritizing children with disabilities and children without family care in policies; expanding training and use of tools like Count Me In to improve services; and supporting families and communities to include all children.
The way forward
SPOON and Access to Health Zambia continue to expand our work to reach more children at risk of malnutrition. Together with a newly trained group of National Trainers in Zambia, we are increasing the number of health and child protection workers across the country who can provide inclusive nutrition support to children and families so that all children can thrive. We will also continue to share data and evidence from our work to inform action. Everyone has a part to play in improving nutrition for all children, and we are grateful to be part of a collective commitment towards inclusive nutrition in Zambia.
Learn more
Read more about the event, and our work in Zambia, on the Access to Health Zambia blog.
