The impact of innovative evidence to policy approaches on accelerating nutrition related SDGs: Can the NiPN model lead the way

Evidence-based policymaking is crucial for developing cost-effective strategies that address the root causes of food insecurity and malnutrition around the world. However, significant gaps exist between research and policy, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). More evidence does not always lead to better policies. Often, translating evidence into action is hindered by cognitive, institutional, and logistical barriers.

Overcoming those barriers is an urgent challenge as the global nutrition and food security crisis reaches alarming levels, with millions of people worldwide suffering from various forms of malnutrition ranging from undernourishment to obesity, along with growing food insecurity. Ethiopia is a case in point. The latest national survey revealed that 37% of children under 5 had stunting (low height for age), 11% had wasting (low weight for age), and 22% were underweight. These statistics reflect a broader trend observed in many LMICs, where malnutrition manifests differently across rural and urban populations. In rural areas, the triple burden of undernutrition-stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies-remains more prevalent, while urban centers grapple more with rising rates of overweight and obesity. These are complex problems, presenting major challenges for policymakers.