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Elodie Becquey

Elodie Becquey is a Senior Research Fellow in the Nutrition, Diets, and Health Unit, based in IFPRI’s West and Central Africa office in Senegal. She has over 15 years of research experience in diet, nutrition, and food security in Africa, including countries such as Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, and Tanzania.

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Nutrition, Diets, and Health

Lieven Huybregts

Senior Research Fellow

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Bio

Lieven Huybregts is a Senior Research Fellow in the Nutrition, Diets, and Health Unit, and is the acting chair of IFPRI’s Institutional Review Board. He is a nutrition epidemiologist with expertise in maternal and child malnutrition in developing countries. His current research areas include: the impact of prenatal and postnatal balanced energy and protein supplementation on birth outcomes and early postnatal growth (Burkina Faso); the impact of cash transfers on human capital (Burkina Faso and Mali); integrating preventive interventions into the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition program to tackle child undernutrition using community and health facility-based platforms (Mali, Burkina Faso, and Senegal); the impact of social protection strategies on pregnancy outcomes (Bangladesh); and the determinants of treatment coverage and relapse of child acute malnutrition (Mali and Burkina Faso).

Prior to joining IFPRI, Lieven was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Ghent University and Visiting Scientist at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Belgium. He was Project Leader of the Maternal and Child Nutrition project embedded in the institutional collaboration framework between Jimma University (Ethiopia) and Ghent University (Belgium). He has also conducted several randomized controlled trials in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Chad, and Ecuador in collaboration with NGOs and local research institutes. Lieven holds a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences and an MS in Bioscience Engineering (major Food Sciences) from Ghent University, Belgium.

Languages Spoken: Dutch, English, French, Italian, German

Publications

Publications

Resource thumbnail

Journal Article

Prevalence of large‐for‐gestational age and macrosomia among livebirths in 23 low‐ and middle‐income countries between 2000 and 2021: An individual participant data analysis

2025
Kirakoya‐Samadoulougou, Fati; Ukwishaka, Joyeuse; Ngwasiri, Calypse; Subedi, Seema; Hazel, Elizabeth A.; Erchick, Daniel J.; Wu, Lee Shu Fune; Grandi, Carlos; Lachat, Carl; Toe, Laéticia Céline
…more Roberfroid, Dominique; Huybregts, Lieven; Labrique, Alain B.; Rashid, Mabhubur; Shaikh, Saijuddin; Haque, Rezwanul; Baqui, Abdullah H.; Saha, Samir K.; Khanam, Rasheda; Rahman, Sayedur; Silveira, Md Mariângela F.; Buffarini, Romina; Shapiro, Roger L.; Zash, Rebecca; Zhu, Zhonghai; Zeng, Lingxia; Qiu, Xiu; He, Jianrong; Gebreyesus, Seifu H.; Tesfamariam, Kokeb; Chan, Grace; Bekele, Delayehu; Adu‐Afarwuah, Seth; Dewey, Kathryn G.; Gyaase, Stephaney; Wylie, Blair J.; Taneja, Sunita; Chowdhury, Ranadip; Babu, Giridhara R.; Deepa, R.; Rishard, Mohamed; Lazzerini, Marzia; Rodriguez‐Sibaja, Maria J.; Acevedo‐Gallegos, Sandra; Ashorn, Per; Maleta, Kenneth; Mullany, Luke C.; Jehan, Fyezah; Ilyas, Muhammad; Rogerson, Stephen J.; Unger, Holger W.; Ghosh, Rakesh; Musange, Sabine; Mongkolchati, Aroonsri; Keentupthai, Paniya; Fawzi, Wafaie; Wang, Dongqing; Schmiegelow, Christentze; Minja, Daniel; Hjort, Line; Lusingu, John P. A.; Smith, Emily R.; Masanja, Honorati; Kabole, Fathma Mohamed; Slim, Salim Nassir; Kakuru, Abel; Kajubi, Richard; Walker, Dilys; Waiswa, Peter; Ramokolo, Vundli; Zembe‐Mkabile, Wanga; Semrau, Katherine; Hamer, Davidson H.; Chico, R. Matthew; Chaponda, Enesia Banda; Manasyan, Albert; Pry, Jake M.; Musokotwane, Kebby; Banda, Bowen; Prendergast, Andrew; Chasekwa, Bernard; Katz, Joanne; Lee, Anne C. C.; Black, Robert E.
Details

Prevalence of large‐for‐gestational age and macrosomia among livebirths in 23 low‐ and middle‐income countries between 2000 and 2021: An individual participant data analysis

Objective To examine the prevalence of large‐for‐gestational age (LGA) and macrosomia in 23 countries between 2000 and 2021. Design Descriptive multi‐country secondary data analysis. Setting Subnational, population‐based cohort studies (k = 45 for LGA, k = 25 for macrosomia) in 23 low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Population Liveborn infants. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of individual‐level data from the Vulnerable Newborn Measurement Collaboration, using INTERGROWTH‐21st standards to define LGA (> 90th centile for gestational age and sex) and macrosomia (≥ 4000 g, regardless of gestational age). We included LMIC population‐based datasets with reliable gestational age and birthweight data, excluding studies with small sample sizes, high missing data, or implausible measurements. Prevalence estimates were stratified by region, study period and gestational age, and results were summarised as medians and interquartile ranges (IQR). Main Outcome Measures Prevalence of LGA and macrosomia. Results Among 476 939 live births, the median prevalence of LGA was 5.1% (IQR: 2.9%–9.6%) and was highest in Latin America and the Caribbean at 9.6% (4 studies, IQR: 2.7%–16.1%) and lowest in South Asia at 2.7% (13 studies, IQR: 2.3%–3.7%). Over time, the median LGA prevalence increased from 4.9% (12 studies; IQR: 4.1%–7.9%) during the period from 2000 to 2010 to 5.9% (33 studies, IQR: 2.7%–11.2%) from 2011 to 2021. Term LGA was more common at 3.2% (0.9–5.1) than preterm or post‐term LGA. Among 313 064 live births, the median prevalence of macrosomia was 1.3% ( n  = 313 064, IQR: 0.2%–2.4%), which was highest in Latin America and the Caribbean (4 studies, 3.1%, IQR: 0.7%–6.8%) and lowest in South Asia (8 studies, 0.1%, IQR: 0.0%–0.7%). The median prevalence remained stable over time: 1.1% (8 studies, IQR: 0.2%–3.1%) in older studies (2000–2010) and 1.3% (17 studies, IQR: 0.5%–2.4%) in more recent studies (2011–2021). Term macrosomia was more common at 1.2% (0.2–2.0) than preterm and post‐term macrosomia. Conclusions The overall prevalence of LGA and macrosomia was lower in these LMIC studies than is reported in high‐income countries. The prevalence of large babies was highest in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Year published

2025

Authors

Kirakoya‐Samadoulougou, Fati; Ukwishaka, Joyeuse; Ngwasiri, Calypse; Subedi, Seema; Hazel, Elizabeth A.; Erchick, Daniel J.; Wu, Lee Shu Fune; Grandi, Carlos; Lachat, Carl; Toe, Laéticia Céline; Roberfroid, Dominique; Huybregts, Lieven; Labrique, Alain B.; Rashid, Mabhubur; Shaikh, Saijuddin; Haque, Rezwanul; Baqui, Abdullah H.; Saha, Samir K.; Khanam, Rasheda; Rahman, Sayedur; Silveira, Md Mariângela F.; Buffarini, Romina; Shapiro, Roger L.; Zash, Rebecca; Zhu, Zhonghai; Zeng, Lingxia; Qiu, Xiu; He, Jianrong; Gebreyesus, Seifu H.; Tesfamariam, Kokeb; Chan, Grace; Bekele, Delayehu; Adu‐Afarwuah, Seth; Dewey, Kathryn G.; Gyaase, Stephaney; Wylie, Blair J.; Taneja, Sunita; Chowdhury, Ranadip; Babu, Giridhara R.; Deepa, R.; Rishard, Mohamed; Lazzerini, Marzia; Rodriguez‐Sibaja, Maria J.; Acevedo‐Gallegos, Sandra; Ashorn, Per; Maleta, Kenneth; Mullany, Luke C.; Jehan, Fyezah; Ilyas, Muhammad; Rogerson, Stephen J.; Unger, Holger W.; Ghosh, Rakesh; Musange, Sabine; Mongkolchati, Aroonsri; Keentupthai, Paniya; Fawzi, Wafaie; Wang, Dongqing; Schmiegelow, Christentze; Minja, Daniel; Hjort, Line; Lusingu, John P. A.; Smith, Emily R.; Masanja, Honorati; Kabole, Fathma Mohamed; Slim, Salim Nassir; Kakuru, Abel; Kajubi, Richard; Walker, Dilys; Waiswa, Peter; Ramokolo, Vundli; Zembe‐Mkabile, Wanga; Semrau, Katherine; Hamer, Davidson H.; Chico, R. Matthew; Chaponda, Enesia Banda; Manasyan, Albert; Pry, Jake M.; Musokotwane, Kebby; Banda, Bowen; Prendergast, Andrew; Chasekwa, Bernard; Katz, Joanne; Lee, Anne C. C.; Black, Robert E.

Citation

Kirakoya-Samadoulougou, Fati; Ukwishaka, Joyeuse; Ngwasiri, Calypse; Subedi, Seema; et al. 2025. Prevalence of large‐for‐gestational age and macrosomia among livebirths in 23 low‐ and middle‐income countries between 2000 and 2021: An individual participant data analysis. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 132(S8): S97-S108. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.70044

Keywords

Children; Infants; Maternal and Child Health

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.70044 Source record

Record type

Journal Article

Resource thumbnail

Journal Article

Neonatal mortality risk of vulnerable newborns by fine stratum of gestational age and birthweight for 230 679 live births in nine low- and middle-income countries, 2000-2017

2025
Hazel, Elizabeth A.; Erchick, Daniel J.; Katz, Joanne; Lee, Anne C. C.; Diaz, Michael; Wu, Lee S. F.; West, Keith P.; Shamim, Abu Ahmed; Christian, Parul; Ali, Hasmot
…more Baqui, Abdullah H.; Saha, Samir K.; Ahmed, Salahuddin; Roy, Arunangshu Dutta; Silveira, Mariângela F.; Buffarini, Romina; Shapiro, Roger; Zash, Rebecca; Kolsteren, Patrick; Lachat, Carl; Huybregts, Lieven; Roberfroid, Dominique; Zhu, Zhonghai; Zeng, Lingxia; Gebreyesus, Seifu H.; Tesfamariam, Kokeb; Adu-Afarwuah, Seth; Dewey, Kathryn G.; Gyaase, Stephaney; Poku-Asante, Kwaku; Boamah Kaali, Ellen; Jack, Darby; Ravilla, Thulasiraj; Tielsch, James; Taneja, Sunita; Chowdhury, Ranadip; Ashorn, Per; Maleta, Kenneth; Ashorn, Ulla; Mangani, Charles; Mullany, Luke C.; Khatry, Subarna K.; Ramokolo, Vundli; Zembe-Mkabile, Wanga; Fawzi, Wafaie W.; Wang, Dongqing; Schmiegelow, Christentze; Minja, Daniel; Msemo, Omari Abdul; Lusingu, John P. A.; Smith, Emily R.; Masanja, Honorati; Mongkolchati, Aroonsri; Keentupthai, Paniya; Kakuru, Abel; Kajubi, Richard; Semrau, Katherine; Hamer, Davidson H.; Manasyan, Albert; Pry, Jake M.; Chasekwa, Bernard; Humphrey, Jean; Black, Robert E.
Details

Neonatal mortality risk of vulnerable newborns by fine stratum of gestational age and birthweight for 230 679 live births in nine low- and middle-income countries, 2000-2017

To describe the mortality risks by fine strata of gestational age and birthweight among 230 679 live births in nine low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017.Descriptive multi‐country secondary data analysis.Nine LMICs in sub‐Saharan Africa, Southern and Eastern Asia, and Latin America.Liveborn infants from 15 population‐based cohorts.Subnational, population‐based studies with high‐quality birth outcome data were invited to join the Vulnerable Newborn Measurement Collaboration. All studies included birthweight, gestational age measured by ultrasound or last menstrual period, infant sex and neonatal survival. We defined adequate birthweight as 2500–3999 g (reference category), macrosomia as ≥4000 g, moderate low as 1500–2499 g and very low birthweight as <1500 g. We analysed fine strata classifications of preterm, term and post‐term: ≥42+0, 39+0–41+6 (reference category), 37+0–38+6, 34+0–36+6,34+0–36+6,32+0–33+6, 30+0–31+6, 28+0–29+6 and less than 28 weeks.Median and interquartile ranges by study for neonatal mortality rates (NMR) and relative risks (RR). We also performed meta‐analysis for the relative mortality risks with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by the fine categories, stratified by regional study setting (sub‐Saharan Africa and Southern Asia) and study‐level NMR (≤25 versus >25 neonatal deaths per 1000 live births).We found a dose–response relationship between lower gestational ages and birthweights with increasing neonatal mortality risks. The highest NMR and RR were among preterm babies born at <28 weeks (median NMR 359.2 per 1000 live births; RR 18.0, 95% CI 8.6–37.6) and very low birthweight (462.8 per 1000 live births; RR 43.4, 95% CI 29.5–63.9). We found no statistically significant neonatal mortality risk for macrosomia (RR 1.1, 95% CI 0.6–3.0) but a statistically significant risk for all preterm babies, post‐term babies (RR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.5) and babies born at 370–386 weeks (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0–1.4). There were no statistically significant differences by region or underlying neonatal mortality.In addition to tracking vulnerable newborn types, monitoring finer categories of birthweight and gestational age will allow for better understanding of the predictors, interventions and health outcomes for vulnerable newborns. It is imperative that all newborns from live births and stillbirths have an accurate recorded weight and gestational age to track maternal and neonatal health and optimise prevention and care of vulnerable newborns.

Year published

2025

Authors

Hazel, Elizabeth A.; Erchick, Daniel J.; Katz, Joanne; Lee, Anne C. C.; Diaz, Michael; Wu, Lee S. F.; West, Keith P.; Shamim, Abu Ahmed; Christian, Parul; Ali, Hasmot; Baqui, Abdullah H.; Saha, Samir K.; Ahmed, Salahuddin; Roy, Arunangshu Dutta; Silveira, Mariângela F.; Buffarini, Romina; Shapiro, Roger; Zash, Rebecca; Kolsteren, Patrick; Lachat, Carl; Huybregts, Lieven; Roberfroid, Dominique; Zhu, Zhonghai; Zeng, Lingxia; Gebreyesus, Seifu H.; Tesfamariam, Kokeb; Adu-Afarwuah, Seth; Dewey, Kathryn G.; Gyaase, Stephaney; Poku-Asante, Kwaku; Boamah Kaali, Ellen; Jack, Darby; Ravilla, Thulasiraj; Tielsch, James; Taneja, Sunita; Chowdhury, Ranadip; Ashorn, Per; Maleta, Kenneth; Ashorn, Ulla; Mangani, Charles; Mullany, Luke C.; Khatry, Subarna K.; Ramokolo, Vundli; Zembe-Mkabile, Wanga; Fawzi, Wafaie W.; Wang, Dongqing; Schmiegelow, Christentze; Minja, Daniel; Msemo, Omari Abdul; Lusingu, John P. A.; Smith, Emily R.; Masanja, Honorati; Mongkolchati, Aroonsri; Keentupthai, Paniya; Kakuru, Abel; Kajubi, Richard; Semrau, Katherine; Hamer, Davidson H.; Manasyan, Albert; Pry, Jake M.; Chasekwa, Bernard; Humphrey, Jean; Black, Robert E.

Citation

Hazel, Elizabeth A.; Erchick, Daniel J.; Katz, Joanne; Lee, Anne C. C.; Huybregts, Lieven; et al. 2025. Neonatal mortality risk of vulnerable newborns: A descriptive analysis of subnational, population-based birth cohorts for 238 143 live births in low- and middle-income settings from 2000 to 2017. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 132(S8): S48-S59. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17743

Keywords

Southern Africa; Eastern Africa; Latin America; Low Birthweight; Newborn; Preterm Birth; Vulnerability; Obstetrics; Mortality; Low Income Groups

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17743 Source record

Record type

Journal Article

Resource thumbnail

Journal Article

Preventing relapse from wasting: the role of sociodemographic, child feeding, and health care determinants and of wasting prevention interventions in Burkina Faso and Mali

2025Brander, Rebecca L.; Toure, Mariama; Becquey, Elodie; Ruel, Marie T.; Leroy, Jef L.; Huybregts, Lieven
Details

Preventing relapse from wasting: the role of sociodemographic, child feeding, and health care determinants and of wasting prevention interventions in Burkina Faso and Mali

Background Relapse among children treated for wasting is a major concern. We estimated the frequency and determinants of relapse to wasting in two populations exposed to PROMIS, an integrated wasting prevention and screening program. Methods Using longitudinal data from PROMIS trials in Burkina Faso and Mali, we calculated the incidence rate and period prevalence of relapse to wasting within 6 months in children who had ≥1 wasting episode ending when they were ≥6 months old for which they were treated and recovered (NBurkina Faso=247; NMali=220). We used backward elimination to select a multivariable model of sociodemographic, nutrition- and health-related determinants of relapse. We also evaluated if prevention interventions (behavior change communication (BCC) and/or small quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) were associated with relapse, adjusting for confounders and trial arm. Results Relapse incidence was 2.6 per child-year in Burkina Faso (N=291 episodes) and 1.6 per child-year in Mali (N=300 episodes). In both countries, being fed the recommended food frequency or iron-rich foods after recovering from wasting was associated with lower risk of relapse. In Mali, longer wasting episodes, lack of minimally diverse diet consumption, and several caregiver/household characteristics were associated with lower risk of relapse. In both countries, receipt of BCC after recovery from wasting was associated with lower risk of relapse (Incidence rate ratio [IRR]Burkina Faso = 0.51 [95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.30, 0.86]; IRRMali = 0.26 [95% CI = 0.11, 0.65]), as was receipt of SQ-LNS (IRRBurkina Faso = 0.33 [95% CI = 0.16, 0.70]; (IRRMali = 0.43 [95% CI = 0.19, 0.94]), after adjustments. Conclusion Children being discharged from wasting treatment are a well-defined vulnerable population who stand to benefit from targeted post-discharge preventive interventions. BCC that includes advice on optimal infant and young child feeding practices and SQ-LNS may help prevent wasting relapse in at-risk children.

Year published

2025

Authors

Brander, Rebecca L.; Toure, Mariama; Becquey, Elodie; Ruel, Marie T.; Leroy, Jef L.; Huybregts, Lieven

Citation

Brander, Rebecca L.; Toure, Mariama; Becquey, Elodie; Ruel, Marie T.; Leroy, Jef L.; and Huybregts, Lieven. 2025. Preventing relapse from wasting: the role of sociodemographic, child feeding, and health care determinants and of wasting prevention interventions in Burkina Faso and Mali. Journal of Nutrition 155(9): 2945-2954. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.06.019

Country/Region

Burkina Faso; Mali

Keywords

Africa; Western Africa; Northern Africa; Child Feeding; Nutrition; Recuperation; Wasting Disease (nutritional Disorder)

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.06.019 Source record

Project

Agriculture for Nutrition and Health

Record type

Journal Article

Blogs

Closing the knowledge gap: Research priorities for preventing child wasting
IFPRI Blog
 | 
August 18, 2025

Closing the knowledge gap: Research priorities for preventing child wasting

By Marie Ruel and Lieven Huybregts

Reaching those at risk.

Estimating the burden of child acute malnutrition accurately
IFPRI Blog
 | 
December 03, 2020

Estimating the burden of child acute malnutrition accurately

By Francisco Barba, Lieven Huybregts, and Jef Leroy

Current global numbers are likely undercounts.

Incorporating prevention into community-based management of acute malnutrition: Insights from Mali and Burkina Faso
IFPRI Blog
 | 
October 04, 2019

Incorporating prevention into community-based management of acute malnutrition: Insights from Mali and Burkina Faso

By Lieven Huybregts, Elodie Becquey, Jef Leroy, and Marie Ruel

Studies show mixed results for a program that coupled acute malnutrition screenings with dietary supplements.

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23rd International Congress of Nutrition (ICN)
IFPRI at External Event

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August 24 to 29, 2025

23rd International Congress of Nutrition (ICN)

IFPRI is participating in the 23rd International Congress of Nutrition (ICN), hosted by the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) on August 24-29 in Paris, France.  The theme of this year’s congress is “Sustainable Food for Global Health,” bringing together experts to discuss evidence and innovations in nutrition, sustainability, food science, and public health. IFPRI […]

Micronutrient Forum: 6th Global Conference
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October 16 to 20, 2023

Micronutrient Forum: 6th Global Conference

Hybrid Conference: October 16, 2023 – 8:30 AM to October 20, 2023 – 5:00 PM CEST. IFPRI is pleased to participate in this year’s Micronutrient Forum 6th Global Conference, being held at the World Forum in The Hague October 16–20, with a focus on “Nutrition for Resilience (N4R).

Irrigation sensible à la nutrition au Mali : un guide pour progresser en matière de sécurité hydrique, alimentaire et nutritionnelle au Mali
IFPRI Policy Seminar

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August 2, 2023, 9:00 – 10:30 am

Irrigation sensible à la nutrition au Mali : un guide pour progresser en matière de sécurité hydrique, alimentaire et nutritionnelle au Mali

Virtual Event: August 2, 2023 – 9:00 AM- 10:30 AM EDT. Irrigation contributes to agricultural intensification and farm profitability, helps farm households extend the growing season, and is increasingly important for farmers’ resilience to climate shocks and stressors. Please join us for a webinar to discuss this important topic on August 2 at 9:00 EST and 13:00 GMT (Bamako time).

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News

July 31, 2025 | Press Release

New study finds behavior change communication and nutrition supplements can help prevent relapse from child wasting

The study, published in The Journal of Nutrition, used longitudinal data from two cluster-randomized trials in Burkina Faso and Mali, the PROMIS project.