Methods	Study design: Quasi‐experimental study
	Unit of randomization: Nonrandomized
	Type of study: Balanced Energy Protein
Participants	Location/Setting: Keneba, The Gambia, West Africa
	Population: Not specified
	Sample size: 385
	Drop outs/withdrawal: Not specified
	Socio‐demographics
	Mean (SD) age: Not specified
	Occupation: Not specified
	Race: Not specified
	Education: Not specified
	Family income: Not specified
	Inclusion criteria: All pregnant women in Keneba
	Exclusion criteria: Twins were excluded
Interventions	Intervention (sample size):
	Post‐supplementation: Supplementation consisted of locally formulated biscuits and tea. The biscuits were composed of 468 kcal energy, 17.4 g protein, 25.5 g fat,180 mg Calcium, riboflavin 0.23, 0 μg vitamin A, 0 mg vitamin C. The tea was composed of 78 kcal energy, 2.9 g protein, 1.6 g fat, calcium 95 μg, vitamin C 10 mg. Maximum intake of the biscuits was limited to three 65 g biscuit and 380 g tea in the dry season and four 65 g biscuits and 380 g tea in the hungry season. Supplementation was provided every morning besides Sundays and public holidays. In Ramadan, the supplementation was carried out at night. Women were enrolled into the program as soon as their pregnancy was discovered and so the average duration of supplementation was 24 weeks. The supplements in the intervention arm were delivered by villagers (n = 200)
	Control (sample size):
	Pre‐Supplementation group: All subjects had daily access to a sophisticated level of healthcare provided by a resident midwife and paediatrician. All women were provided 6 weekly follow‐up at antenatal and postnatal clinics. This care included: monitoring of vitals, fetal growth, fetal heart rate, fetal presentation, immunization against tetanus, screening urine for infection and screening blood for anaemia and malaria. All women were also provided with 47 mg ferrous sulphate and folate. Major obstetrical difficulties were referred to the hospital for delivery. The supplements were delivered by villagers (n = 185)
	Concomitant interventions:
	All healthcare provided to the control group was also provided to the intervention group as a baseline
	Training: Midwives were trained to assist traditional birth attendants
	Follow‐up:
	All women were provided 6 weekly follow‐up at antenatal and postnatal clinics. This care included: monitoring of vitals, fetal growth, fetal heart rate, fetal presentation, immunization against tetanus, screening urine for infection and screening blood for anaemia and malaria
Outcomes	Primary outcomes: None
	Secondary outcomes:
	Low birthweight
	Small‐for‐gestational age
	Birth weight
	Timing of outcome assessment: Birth weights were recorded within 24 h of birth
Notes	Study start date: 1976
	Study end date: 1984
	Time period: 8 years
	Study country: The Gambia
	Study limitations:
	The authors used retrospective controls. Also, the effect on neonatal mortality cannot be assessed directly due to small numbers
	Funding source: Not specified
	Conflict of interest: Not specified