Indicators and actions to address stunting across multiple sectors relevant at subnational level
1
Division of Human Nutrition, Department of Global Health,, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Parow, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Shool of Public Leadership, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
3
Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania, United Republic of
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2250
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Sustainable Development Goal 2 calls for the end of all forms of malnutrition, with a key target to reduce the number of stunted children under five by 40% by 2030. Combating malnutrition, in particular stunting, is challenging, since it is a cross-cutting issue which spans nutrition, health, agriculture, livelihoods, economic development, education, water, sanitation, and hygiene. While biological and environmental factors contribute to stunting, political commitment plays a fundamental role in driving policy implementation and resource allocation. Achieving impact consequently necessitates a multisectoral approach, coordinated and coherent policy action across several sectors.
METHODS:
This qualitative study aimed to draft a set of indicators and actions for subnational level governments to address childhood stunting. It spans three domains: law, policy, and finance. Sub-domains include food control, political economy, agriculture and food systems, education, nutrition, water, sanitation and environment, health, social protection, and finance and governance. Provincial officials, responsible for child wellness policies, were interviewed in the Western Cape (n = 7) and Gauteng (n = 8), South Africa, and Bulawayo (n = 10), Zimbabwe.
RESULTS:
Findings revealed that data needed to populate the indicators and identify actions were mostly available, but not always easily accessible. Findings further suggest that a well-developed set of indicators and actions can inform advocacy, improve data collection, enhance monitoring, inform policy, and drive governance improvements for stunting reduction.
CONCLUSIONS:
The developed set of indicators and actions offer potential, with further development, to track political commitment, and advance multisectoral actions to address childhood stunting at subnational level.
Sustainable Development Goal 2 calls for the end of all forms of malnutrition, with a key target to reduce the number of stunted children under five by 40% by 2030. Combating malnutrition, in particular stunting, is challenging, since it is a cross-cutting issue which spans nutrition, health, agriculture, livelihoods, economic development, education, water, sanitation, and hygiene. While biological and environmental factors contribute to stunting, political commitment plays a fundamental role in driving policy implementation and resource allocation. Achieving impact consequently necessitates a multisectoral approach, coordinated and coherent policy action across several sectors.
METHODS:
This qualitative study aimed to draft a set of indicators and actions for subnational level governments to address childhood stunting. It spans three domains: law, policy, and finance. Sub-domains include food control, political economy, agriculture and food systems, education, nutrition, water, sanitation and environment, health, social protection, and finance and governance. Provincial officials, responsible for child wellness policies, were interviewed in the Western Cape (n = 7) and Gauteng (n = 8), South Africa, and Bulawayo (n = 10), Zimbabwe.
RESULTS:
Findings revealed that data needed to populate the indicators and identify actions were mostly available, but not always easily accessible. Findings further suggest that a well-developed set of indicators and actions can inform advocacy, improve data collection, enhance monitoring, inform policy, and drive governance improvements for stunting reduction.
CONCLUSIONS:
The developed set of indicators and actions offer potential, with further development, to track political commitment, and advance multisectoral actions to address childhood stunting at subnational level.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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