Community-Centred Nutrition Engagement for Prevention and Management of NCDs – An Initiative by IAPEN India

1. Area of Involvement

• Community Engagement
• Training
• Decision-Making

2.Summary of the Initiative

IAPEN India implements a community-centred nutrition engagement and counselling initiative that actively involves school-going children, college students, and community members, including individuals living with or at risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.

The initiative emphasises meaningful involvement by integrating lived experiences, peer-led approaches, and community feedback into the design and delivery of nutrition education and counselling services.

3. Description of Activities

• School-Level Engagement
• Conducts interactive nutrition education sessions focusing on:
• Healthy eating habits
• Prevention of childhood obesity
• Develops student ambassador programmes to:
• Promote healthy food choices within schools
• Encourage peer-to-peer learning
• Incorporates student inputs to adapt programme content and delivery
• College Student Involvement
• Engages college students as:
• Peer educators
• Community outreach volunteers
• Provides training on:
• Fundamentals of clinical and community nutrition
• NCD prevention and behaviour change communication
• Supports students in co-designing awareness campaigns and outreach activities
• Facilitates youth-led discussions on lifestyle challenges and solutions
• Community Engagement & Nutrition Counselling
• Delivers individual and group nutrition counselling for:
• Obesity
• Hypertension
• Diabetes vOrganises community dialogue sessions where participants:
• Share lived experiences
• Identify barriers to adopting healthy diets (economic, cultural, accessibility)
• Integrates community feedback into:
• Personalised nutrition recommendations
• Programme strategies
• Encourages family and community participation in sustaining behaviour change

4. Meaningful Involvement in Practice

This initiative demonstrates meaningful involvement through:

• Co-creation: Community members and students contribute to programme design
• Voice and representation: Lived experiences inform counselling and intervention strategies
• Peer leadership: Students and community participants act as health champions
• Responsive systems: Continuous feedback mechanisms guide programme improvements

5. Outcomes / Impact

• Increased awareness of nutrition and NCD prevention across schools and communities
• Strengthened engagement and ownership among youth and community participants
• Improved relevance and acceptability of nutrition counselling services
• Early positive shifts observed in:
• Dietary behaviours
• Lifestyle practices

6. Challenges / Barriers

• Resource and time constraints for sustained engagement
• Variability in participation and long-term adherence
• Cultural and socioeconomic influences on dietary practices
• Need for ongoing training and support for peer educators

7. Lessons Learned

• Peer-led and participatory approaches enhance effectiveness and reach
• Integrating lived experiences strengthens programme design and delivery
• Continuous engagement is essential for sustained behaviour change
• Youth engagement is critical for long-term community impact

8. Future Directions / Recommendations

• Strengthen formal mechanisms for community participation in decision-making
• Expand structured training programmes under IAPEN India
• Leverage digital platforms for wider outreach and follow-up
• Advocate for embedding meaningful involvement within nutrition and NCD policies

9. Relevance to the Global Charter

This initiative aligns with the Global Charter by:

• Promoting dignity, respect, and inclusion
• Ensuring people living with or at risk of NCDs are actively involved
• Advancing people-centred, participatory approaches to nutrition and NCD care