In the setting of thriving economic conditions, increases in both undernutrition and obesity (the “double burden of malnutrition”) are causing public health concern in SEA. Early life undernutrition has a high prevalence, along with childhood obesity and chronic diseases. Thailand and Malaysia are increasingly urbanized (50.4% and 74.7% now live in urban areas, respectively) and a shift from infectious diseases to a “western” chronic disease pattern has been observed (UN, D.o.E.a.S.A., Population Division 2014, Urban Population 2015; Deloitte, Health Care Outlook SEA, 2015). Research has shown that early life nutrition, starting in the womb, contributes to this shift, through a “programming” effect on the later risk of non-communicable diseases, with major economic and societal consequences.

There is an urgent need to reverse the alarming trends. One effective measure is providing health care professionals with up-to-date/evidence-based knowledge on early nutrition/lifestyle recommendations, to enable effective counselling in their contacts with (pre-) pregnant women, infants and young children. Nutrition related health problems including low birth weight, protein energy malnutrition, iron deficiency anaemia and micro-nutrient (e.g. iodine, vitamin A) deficiencies can be tackled by consultation with educated health professionals.

Such education can be achieved through effective CME and CPD programmes, using e-learning formats to increase reach. The WHO has set SEA region CME/CPD guidelines, emphasizing maintaining professional competence (WHO, Regional Office for SEA, 2010). Lack of motivation, absence of needs–based accredited CME/CPD programmes, incentives and legal bindings has led to unsuccessful mandatory programmes in Thailand and Malaysia. No programme is yet available for SEA doctors working in the field of early nutrition and lifestyle: the ENeASEA project will provide this.