Pratiti Haldar, Lekha Viswanath, Ashok Kumar Srivastava, Hem Chandra Sati
Background: Undernutrition among children in rural India remains a major public health challenge, causing impaired growth, developmental delays, and increased illness susceptibility. Family-centered interventions that improve maternal knowledge and feeding practices may offer sustainable solutions. This study assessed the effectiveness of a Family-Based Intervention Programme (FBIP) in improving nutritional status among malnourished children aged 1–3 years and enhancing maternal nutrition-related knowledge and practices in Haldwani block, Uttarakhand. Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted among 149 mothers of malnourished children in selected villages. The intervention group received the FBIP, while controls received routine care. Children's nutritional status was assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 9 months; maternal knowledge and practices were evaluated at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. The trial was registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2021/01/0308205). Results: The intervention group showed higher mean child weight than controls at 6 months (10.79 ± 0.8 vs. 10.32 ± 1.0 kg; mean difference = 520 g; 95% CI: 0.04-0.99; p < 0.05) and 9 months (11.32 ± 1.5 vs. 10.68 ± 2.2 kg; p < 0.05). Repeated measures ANOVA showed significant time, group, and interaction effects (p < 0.05). Mothers in the intervention group also showed greater improvement in knowledge and practices. Conclusion: FBIP improved child nutritional status and maternal knowledge/practices, supporting family-based approaches using affordable, local foods to reduce rural childhood undernutrition.