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Abstract

Malnutrition continues to threaten child health globally, with Thailand mirroring this trend: in 2022, 12.4% of children under five were stunted, 7.2% wasted, and 10.9% obese. While the country’s First 1,000 Days initiative—targeting pregnancy to age two—yielded early success in reducing undernutrition, emerging gaps among 3–5-year-olds prompted a policy shift toward a broader 2,500-day framework. This approach, launched in 2022, extends care from preconception through age five and integrates multisectoral action involving five key ministries. Anchored in the “Power of Three Pillars”—policy, partnerships, and resources—the initiative strengthens local governance, enhances service delivery, and fosters family and community engagement through sub-district Child and Family Development Teams and Village Health Volunteers. Key interventions include micronutrient supplementation, exclusive breastfeeding promotion, nutrition education, and digital support tools. By 2024, the initiative had reached all 76 provinces, improving stunting, wasting, and obesity rates to 10.2%, 5.5%, and 8.3%, respectively. Thailand’s experience demonstrates the importance of continuity of care, multisectoral collaboration, and community empowerment in addressing early childhood malnutrition. The 2,500-day model offers a promising framework for countries aiming to meet global nutrition targets and achieve long-term health outcomes by embedding child nutrition within holistic, life-course development strategies.

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