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Digest No. 1177

11 June 2015

Discussion 116



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What are Latin American countries doing to tackle the double burden of malnutrition effectively?

until 2 July 2015

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[cid:image004.png@01D0A467.3902DCA0]How to participate

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in collaboration with

Red ICEAN<http://www.fao.org/red-icean/es/>


Dear Members,
We are happy to invite you to the joint FSN Forum-Red ICEAN online discussion "What are Latin American countries doing to tackle the double burden of malnutrition effectively?<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/forum/discussions/double-burden>"
The double burden of malnutrition refers to the coexistence of under- and overnutrition, occurring simultaneously within a population. It is the result of the pace of the nutrition transition and socioeconomic factors, among others, and it is a growing concern in many Latin American countries as well as in many other parts of the developing world.
Rubén Grajeda<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/es/Ruben-Grajeda-Toledo>, Senior Advisor in Nutrition and Social Determinants at the Pan American Health Organization and facilitator of this exchange, invites you to discuss how nutrition problems are being dealt with in your countries and to reflect on ways to effectively prevent all forms of malnutrition. He also invites you to suggest how nutrition education can better play its important role in addressing this challenge.
In order to stimulate a true global exchange we welcome experiences and contributions from all parts of the world.
Please read the full topic below. To take part or to access the Spanish<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/es/forum/discussions/double-burden> and French<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/fr/forum/discussions/double-burden> versions please visit the FSN Forum webite<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/forum/discussions/double-burden>.
As always, please feel free to share this invitation with your friends and colleagues.
We look forward to an exciting discussion.
Your FSN Forum Team




The Red ICEAN<http://www.fao.org/red-icean/es/> and the FSN Forum<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/forum/discussions/double-burden> are partnering for the second time in order to host the online discussion “What are Latin American countries doing to tackle the double burden of malnutrition effectively?” to be held from June 11th to July 2nd, 2015. The main purpose of this joint effort is taking stock of and capitalizing on what countries in Latin America are doing, to effectively address the double burden of malnutrition. Other regions are also welcome to share their experiences and contributions in this matter.
Background and justification:
Latin America has experienced a significant, though uneven, economic growth in the past few decades. Overall, it has made great strides in reducing food insecurity and the number of hungry people (see for example the latest issue of the Panorama report<http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4636s.pdf>). However, the rising levels of overweight and obesity and its associated chronic diseases constitute a major public health concern across the region, while some countries are still dealing with an unacceptably high, persistent prevalence of undernutrition.
The double burden of malnutrition, defined by the coexistence of undernutrition and overweight and obesity (both of which frequently occur together with micronutrient deficiencies), has been dictated by the pace of the nutrition transition<http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3862e.pdf> and other socioeconomic factors in many countries of the region. Most recently, the figures of the double burden (as determined in women and children) of 7 countries were documented in a supplement series of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition<http://www.insp.mx/suplemento-acceso-abierto.html#sthash.p8e3uY0y.dpuf> , showing important differences at national and household level. For example, Chile has one of the lowest levels of stunting and highest of obesity in the region, while Guatemala and Ecuador showed the highest prevalence of the double burden of malnutrition at household level.
Consequently, policy advisors and programmers are faced with an evolving, multifaceted problem, which varies considerably at regional, national and household level. There is therefore a pressing need for preventive strategies that can tackle all forms of malnutrition concurrently in a coordinated way, and adapt them to context and target group as needed.
These, among other concerns, led the international community to call on Heads of State and Governments to agree on a new global framework to adequately address major nutrition challenges over the coming decades at the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) held in Rome between 19-21 November 2014.
Tackling growth failure, micronutrient deficiencies and overweight simultaneously requires coherent efforts and policies that focus on promoting healthy diets and adequate growth and development among children. At the same time there is a pressing need to shape the food systems and the food environment to favour healthier food choices, and make them affordable and available to the public.
Most countries in Latin America have ongoing programmes and legal instruments that aim to tackle and prevent undernutrition, and many have begun to implement measures to curb the rising levels of obesity, however these are rarely linked.
Nevertheless, progress has been made, by means of programmatic adjustments towards more integrative approaches, and in the implementation of public policies that promote healthy diets, while lessons have also been learned from past programmes. At present, there are many experiences and insights to share, which can contribute to the development of successful integrative policies and strategies.
The Red ICEAN in collaboration with the FSN Forum is therefore launching this online consultation which is proposed in the light of “Recommendation 6 of the ICN2 Framework for Action”, which intends inter-country collaboration and information exchange on nutrition, food, technology, research, policies and programs.
Discussion questions:
We would like to hear your comments on the following guiding questions:
1.       Which nutrition problem (s) does your country prioritise? (undernutrition, overweight/obesity, micronutrient deficiencies, all forms of malnutrition)
2.       How is this/are these problems tackled? Please let us know if they are tackled independently or as part of a comprehensive strategy, through policies and programmes that focus on prevention and promotion of adequate, healthy diets. Have these efforts been evaluated? ‎
3.       What in your view could be done more effectively to prevent all forms of malnutrition? Please elaborate on the mistakes to be avoided and what needs to be done to ensure that the policies and programmes in place, if any, will succeed in the long term?
4.       What in your view is the role of nutrition education in addressing the double burden of malnutrition?
We hope this discussion will result in a rich sharing of experiences! We also look forward to your active participation and support to circulate this opportunity to the appropriate stakeholders in your country as well as your invaluable contributions to this online discussion.
Sincerely,
Rubén Grajeda and the Red ICEAN coordination team







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