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With research staff from more than 60 countries, and offices across the globe, IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.

researcher spotlight

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

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

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Journal Article

Prevention of wasting and nutritional oedema: Evidence gaps identified during WHO guideline development

2025Ruel, Marie T.; Ashorn, Per; Berkley, James A.; Dewey, Kathryn G.; Golden, Kate; Huybregts, Lieven; McCaul, Michael; Naude, Celeste E.; Prinzo, Zita Weise; Daniel, Allison I.
Details

Prevention of wasting and nutritional oedema: Evidence gaps identified during WHO guideline development

Inclusion of prevention in the 2023 WHO guideline on wasting and nutritional oedema is a significant and timely addition, aligning with the global development goal of reducing current wasting prevalence from 6.6% to less than 3% by 2030. We identified three key evidence gaps in wasting prevention: Limited evidence on the effectiveness of wasting prevention interventions. Poor understanding of the challenges in implementing wasting prevention programmes. The absence of effective criteria for targeting wasting prevention interventions. As for stunting prevention, wasting prevention programmes should adopt multisectoral strategies that address the root causes of the problem. These programmes should integrate interventions from health, food, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and social protection, and be rigorously evaluated to inform on what works, how and at what cost. Embedding implementation research within effectiveness studies is crucial to identify and resolve operational bottlenecks that may hinder programme effectiveness. This is particularly important for complex, multisectoral programmes in resource-poor settings, where most of the wasting occurs. Research is needed to develop and test simple criteria for targeting wasting prevention programmes, including household, individual, or seasonal or community factors associated with high wasting rates. While continuing to target areas with a high burden of wasting, wasting prevention programmes should be tailored to address context-specific drivers of wasting. Programme design, including targeting criteria, should consider available resources and the capacity of health, food, water, sanitation and hygiene, and social protection systems to support wasting prevention.

Year published

2025

Authors

Ruel, Marie T.; Ashorn, Per; Berkley, James A.; Dewey, Kathryn G.; Golden, Kate; Huybregts, Lieven; McCaul, Michael; Naude, Celeste E.; Prinzo, Zita Weise; Daniel, Allison I.

Citation

Ruel, Marie T.; Ashorn, Per; Berkley, James A.; Dewey, Kathryn G.; Golden, Kate; Huybregts, Lieven; et al. 2025. Prevention of wasting and nutritional oedema: Evidence gaps identified during WHO guideline development. BMJ Global Health 10 (Supplement 5): e016314. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-016314

Keywords

Wasting Disease (nutritional Disorder); Nutrition; Oedema; Stunting; Who

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open Access

Links

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-016314 Source record

Record type

Journal Article

Resource thumbnail

Journal Article

Addressing prevention and management of wasting and nutritional oedema in children requires an improved evidence base on resource use and cost-effectiveness of interventions

2025Huybregts, Lieven; Berkley, James A.; Castro, Mary Christine; Dewey, Kathryn G.; Golden, Kate; Jemutai, Julie; Naude, Celeste E.; McCaul, Michael; Daniel, Allison I.
Details

Addressing prevention and management of wasting and nutritional oedema in children requires an improved evidence base on resource use and cost-effectiveness of interventions

Effectiveness studies on the prevention and management of wasting and nutritional oedema should ideally include the evaluation of resource use and cost-effectiveness (CE) to allow future guideline development to appreciate this dimension. Research focusing on resource use and CE should comply with health economic evaluation reporting standards. Reports should aim to present data on resource use and CE disaggregated by cost input and present data using different costing perspectives, such as provider and beneficiary. This enhances cross-study comparability and increases their relevance for guideline development. The inclusion of standardised health outcomes, such as disability-adjusted life years, which allow policymakers in resource-limited settings to compare a wide range of available interventions, is useful.

Year published

2025

Authors

Huybregts, Lieven; Berkley, James A.; Castro, Mary Christine; Dewey, Kathryn G.; Golden, Kate; Jemutai, Julie; Naude, Celeste E.; McCaul, Michael; Daniel, Allison I.

Citation

Huybregts, Lieven; Berkley, James A.; Castro, Mary Christine; Dewey, Kathryn G.; Golden, Kate; Jemutai, Julie; et al. 2025. Addressing prevention and management of wasting and nutritional oedema in children requires an improved evidence base on resource use and cost-effectiveness of interventions. BMJ Global Health 10 (Supplement 5): e016220. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-016220

Keywords

Nutrition; Wasting Disease (nutritional Disorder); Oedema; Data

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open Access

Links

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-016220 Source record

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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Events

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

 | 

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
IFPRI at External Event

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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

 | 

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.