Laos is one of the poorest countries in southeast Asia, 135th out of 177 countries evaluated according to the human development index.10 11 It is a multiethnic and multilingual country with more than 45 languages spoken. The average official literacy rate in Laos (73%) does not reflect the disparity between the rate in urban areas (89%) and that in rural areas (54%), which can be assumed to be overestimated in remote areas.12 The documented high prevalence of stunting (41%) and wasting (15%) among children (0-5 years) has not improved over recent decades.13 14 Stunting rates reach up to 65% in children aged 12-23 months and in some ethnic groups.15 Up to 74% of children aged over 5 in northern rural areas are stunted.16 In Laos, 95% of the mothers breast feed their newborn children but the rate of exclusive breast feeding is below 28%.17 Food taboos during the postpartum period and inappropriate early supplementary feeding in infants are common nationwide.18 19 Inadequate breast feeding and weaning practices contribute to high rates of malnutrition and infant and child mortality.20 21 Micronutrient deficiency, beri-beri (clinical vitamin B-1 deficiency), and a high incidence of children with bladder stones have been associated with a diet with low diversity and consumption of glutinous rice.