What could infant and young child nutrition learn from sweatshops?
2011

Lessons from Sweatshops for Infant Nutrition

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Peter A Singer, Sean Ansett, Isabella Sagoe-Moses

Primary Institution: McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health, University Health Network & University of Toronto

Hypothesis

Can lessons from the sweatshop debate improve cooperation between public and private sectors in infant and young child nutrition?

Conclusion

Improving cooperation and trust between public and private groups can enhance infant and young child nutrition.

Supporting Evidence

  • Eight million children die each year before their fifth birthday due to malnutrition.
  • The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.
  • The Ethical Trading Initiative has improved cooperation between companies and civil society in labor standards.

Takeaway

This study suggests that if companies and governments work together like they did in the sweatshop debate, they can help babies get better food and nutrition.

Potential Biases

There may be mistrust between public and private sectors that could hinder collaboration.

Limitations

The application of the sweatshop model to infant nutrition has limitations due to different social phenomena and factors influencing each issue.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2458-11-276

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