 The study will be conducted as a community-based, randomized, placebo-controlled, trial with four study groups. The overall objective of the study is to determine the optimal method for delivering zinc to young children, both for the prevention of zinc deficiency and treatment of diarrhea. In particular, the investigators plan to compare the impact on physical growth, morbidity, micronutrient status, immune function, environmental enteric dysfunction, parasite burden and hair cortisol concentration of: 1 daily preventive zinc supplementation as a micronutrient powder MNP; 2 placebo powders; 3 daily preventive zinc supplementation as dispersible tablets; 4 therapeutic zinc supplementation as dispersible tablets given in relation to episodes of diarrhea. 