A review of policies for improving human nutrition in Uganda and the use of evidence for making policy

Abstract

Nutrition has benefited recently from a global surge in interest following the publication of influential papers in The Lancet in 2008 and 2013 and the analysis of the impact of malnutrition on economic development led by the Copenhagen Consensus. This has led to the recognition of the need for a multi-sectoral approach to preventing malnutrition centred on the development of policies to incorporate the best evidence and practices for improving human nutrition in all sectors that can influence nutrition outcomes including health, agriculture, food security, social protection, water, sanitation and education. However, the use of evidence in developing countries for policyand decision-making for nutrition is not well understood. In order to understand and then strengthen this process, the factors that influence policy-making for nutrition and the sources and use of evidence to help formulate those policies, need to be analysed and understood. This Brief is summary of a review of policy making for nutrition in Uganda, one of several countries participating in the National Information Platforms for Nutrition (NIPN) Initiative.