Mapping of nutrition policies and programs in South Asia towards achieving the Global Nutrition targets

Nidhi Wali; Kingsley Emwinyore Agho; Andre M N Renzaho

doi:10.1186/s13690-023-01186-0

Mapping of nutrition policies and programs in South Asia towards achieving the Global Nutrition targets

Arch Public Health. 2023 Sep 19;81(1):171. doi: 10.1186/s13690-023-01186-0.

Authors

Nidhi Wali¹, Kingsley Emwinyore Agho^{2

3}, Andre M N Renzaho⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Social Sciences, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia. N.Wali@westernsydney.edu.au.
² School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2571, Australia.
³ African Vision Research Institute, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
⁴ School of Medicine, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2571, Australia.

Abstract

Background: South Asia continues to host the triple burden of child malnutrition with high levels of child undernutrition, hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiencies) and childhood overweight/obesity. To combat malnutrition, the international community along with the National governments have launched initiatives to track the country's progress towards achieving the Global Nutrition targets by 2025. This review captures the country-specific efforts of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive sectoral programs and policies towards achieving these targets for eight South Asian countries.

Methods: A systematic internet search was undertaken to search relevant policies and programs from Government websites and twelve International Organisations working in the region. The authors developed a template to map the policies against the following criteria: (i) enabling supportive environment; (ii) Initiatives targeted at nutrition-specific interventions; and (iii) Initiatives targeted at nutrition-specific interventions that impact child malnutrition. A narrative descriptive approach was used to present findings.

Results: All eight countries had relevant policies and programs to address child malnutrition and macronutrient deficiencies with targets for significant reductions in stunting and improved breastfeeding. However, despite the outlined there are major challenges of implementation, monitoring, evaluation and quality that persist with increased dependency on international donors and organisations for funding and/or implementation of nutrition plans.

Conclusion: There is a need to contextualise efforts designated to donors and governments to improve the tracking of efforts that impact nutrition.

Keywords: Global nutrition targets; Nutrition- sensitive; Nutrition-specific; Overnutrition; Policies; Programs; South Asia; Sustainable development goals; Undernutrition.