Abstract
Malnutrition and poor diet are the largest risk factors responsible for the global burden of disease. Therefore, ending all forms of malnutrition by 2030 is a global priority. To achieve this goal, a key element is to design and implement nutrition policies based on the best available scientific evidence. The demand for evidence-based nutrition policies may originate directly from policymakers or through social actors. In both cases, the role of research institutions is to generate relevant evidence for public policy. The two key objects of analysis for the design of an effective policy are the nutrition conditions of the population and the policies and programs available, including the identification of delivery platforms and competencies required by personnel in charge of the provision of services (social response). In addition, systematic literature reviews about risk factors of malnutrition, as well as the efficacy and effectiveness of policy actions, lead to evidence-based policy recommendations. Given the multifactorial nature of malnutrition, the drivers and risk factors operate in several sectors (food and agriculture, health, education, and social development) and may be immediate, underlying or basic causes. This multilevel complexity should be considered when developing nutrition policy. In this article, we show two models for the evidence-based design of nutrition policies and programs that may be useful to academia and decision makers demonstrated by two examples of policy design, implementation and evaluation in Mexico.
Highlights
Like many countries in Latin America, Mexico experiences a double burden of malnutrition, including undernutrition such as micronutrient deficiencies and stunting, in addition to overweight and obesity [1]
2 of malnutrition had decreased to 4.4%, the burden of dietary risks, high Body Mass Index (BMI), and physical activity malnutrition had decreased to 4.4%, the burden of dietary risks, high BMI, and physical activity increased to 37.4%, 12.3%, and 5%, respectively
The examples presented in this paper for Mexico show that the political context can enable or prevent a favorable interaction between academia and decision makers
Summary
Like many countries in Latin America, Mexico experiences a double burden of malnutrition, including undernutrition such as micronutrient deficiencies and stunting, in addition to overweight and obesity [1]. Both conditions are related to poor quality diets and imbalances in energy intake, while overweight and obesity are associated with low physical activity [2]. Both diet quality and physical activity are determined by a wide range of factors at different levels of the social-ecological model. Ending all forms of malnutrition by 2030 is a global priority
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