Improving Maternal and Infant Nutrition: A Framework for Action
Improving Maternal and Infant Nutrition: A Framework for Action
Improving Maternal and Infant Nutrition: A Framework for Action
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Research, Monitoring <strong>and</strong> Evaluation sub-group – Terms of Reference• Identify current sources of in<strong>for</strong>mation to assess <strong>and</strong> monitor maternal <strong>and</strong>infant nutrition in Scotl<strong>and</strong>;• Identify potential indicators to assess the outcomes of the <strong>Maternal</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Infant</strong><strong>Nutrition</strong> <strong>Framework</strong>;• Recommend future research required to improve our underst<strong>and</strong>ing ofmaternal <strong>and</strong> infant nutrition in Scotl<strong>and</strong>.Development of the <strong>Maternal</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Infant</strong> <strong>Nutrition</strong> Logic Model5.7 The Strategy group agreed that development of a logic model would provide auseful tool to identify key outcomes <strong>for</strong> improving maternal <strong>and</strong> infant nutrition <strong>and</strong>specify the activities that should be undertaken to achieve them. The aim ofdeveloping the <strong>Framework</strong> in this way was to make it more systematic, explicit <strong>and</strong>targeted. Outcomes frameworks are currently being created <strong>for</strong> other ScottishGovernment priority areas including alcohol, physical activity, tobacco, food <strong>and</strong>healthy weight <strong>and</strong> mental health. The approach used to describe the developmentof the maternal <strong>and</strong> infant nutrition logic model is based on that used in the‘Outcomes framework <strong>for</strong> Scotl<strong>and</strong>’s mental health improvement strategy’ (2010). 73What is a Logic Model?5.8 A logic model is a visual <strong>and</strong> systematic way of presenting how it is believed aprogramme will work <strong>and</strong> describes the sequence of activities thought to bring aboutchange <strong>and</strong> how these activities are linked to the results the programme is expectedto achieve. Logic models also map out the time sequence in which the outcomesneed to be achieved. Most of the value in a logic model is in the process of creating,validating <strong>and</strong> modifying the model. The Kellogg Foundation states “The clarity ofthinking that occurs from building the model is critical to the overall success of theprogramme.” 74Evidence Underpinning the Activities5.9 The logic models help us to underst<strong>and</strong> two broad questions. The first can beloosely categorised as the “whats” <strong>and</strong> incorporate issues such as the identificationof the determinants of maternal <strong>and</strong> infant nutrition. Evidence of association <strong>and</strong>causation are normally the key evidence types here. The second set of questionscan be loosely categorised as the “hows” <strong>and</strong> help us to identify areas <strong>for</strong> effectiveintervention or action.5.10 Evidence from NICE Public Health Guidance 11 ‘<strong>Improving</strong> the nutrition ofpregnant <strong>and</strong> breastfeeding mothers in children in low-income households’ (2008) 75<strong>and</strong> the Scottish Perspective on NICE Public Health Guidance 11 (2009) 76 has beenused to in<strong>for</strong>m the development of the <strong>Framework</strong>’s activities. Full details about thisprocess is presented in the supplementary document ‘Rationale supporting the<strong>Maternal</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Infant</strong> <strong>Nutrition</strong> <strong>Action</strong> Plan’ accompanying this <strong>Framework</strong>.5.11 The in<strong>for</strong>mation drawn on can be described as highly-processed evidence.Additional sources of evidence <strong>and</strong> theory have been drawn from relevant Scottish
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