Use of nutrition data in decision making: a review paper

Overview

Nutrition programmes are more successful when they are designed based on robust evidence and knowledge, implemented through multisectoral collaboration, and sustained by increased political commitment and investment.

A review was conducted by the Research Priority Working Group of the WHO-UNICEF Technical Expert Advisory group on nutrition Monitoring (TEAM) to examine the information available about how nutrition knowledge and evidence derived from various sources of nutrition data are used by decision-makers in countries.

This review paper identifies that to make decisions based on nutrition data, the information must be credible and valid and properly communicated among the users. There is a critical need for developing cost-efficient methods of generating a range of nutrition data in resource-poor countries. Evidence from multiple initiatives to improve nutrition in different countries shows that nutrition data presented in persuasive and interpretative ways developed awareness among the key stakeholders and influenced the decision-making process.