Dear Moderators,
First and foremost, I would like to thank for this opportunity to exchange opinions on how to maximize the impact of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition.
Herewith, please find below the comments on behalf of the Nutrition Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia.
Thank you.
- What are your expectations for the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition and how could it make a significant difference in improving nutrition and food security of the people in your country within the next 10 years?
Despite significant progresses on nutritional status of the population since the first Rome Declaration on Nutrition in 1992, there is still a lot more to be done to improve and strengthen the global nutrition as multiple threats of malnutrition. The burden of NCDs continues to rise in Malaysia. Although the causes are complex, unhealthy diet is one of the major risk factors. On the other hand, under-nutrition continues to be a problem in certain segments of our population. Tackling the double-burden of malnutrition is central to ensuring the achievement of the global nutrition targets, the diet-related global targets on NCDs and the recently endorsed SDGs, which will lead to a more resilient, equitable, economically stable and healthy population. The declaration of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition will help better garner all the commitments from all sectors to end all forms of malnutrition.
- What critical activities need to be included in the Work Programme for the implementation of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition to reach the 2025 global nutrition targets? Which activities would need to be accelerated in your country to reach these targets? How could these activities be funded?
Some of the critical activities that need to be included in the UN Work Programme are the integration of nutrition considerations in all development policies, making agriculture more nutrition-enhancing and advocating for school/urban farming. It is also important to give focus on strategies for behavioural change in transforming unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle which contribute to obesity problem among the population. To emphasise on nutrition promotion for the first 1000 days of life, effective strategies to address stunting and obesity problems among children also need to be highlighted.
Malaysia has reviewed its National Plan of Action for Nutrition of Malaysia (NPANM) for the time frame of 2016-2025 to be in line with the global targets in addressing the current nutrition situation of our population. The strategies of a whole-society and whole-government approach to address unhealthy eating and inactive living have been incorporated in this plan. Life-course approach has been implemented for nutrition programmes and activities in the country. In order to transform the population to eat healthily and be more active, the implementation of ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ policies towards this agenda are given greater emphasis.
The increase prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children is an emerging issue in Malaysia. Several strategies and activities to halt this problem have been identified such as the implementation of the Policy Options to Combat Obesity in Malaysia, the revision of the School Canteen Guidelines by banning unhealthy food item to be sold in the school canteen, expansion of nutrition promotion activities and strengthening monitoring and surveillance system for school children. Obesity and NCD problems are advocated to all school children, parents and teachers through the empowerment of Parents-Teachers Association (PTA).
To support the ICN2 Framework of Action towards Sustaining Food Systems for Healthy Diets, Malaysia has elevated the component of food and nutrition security as one of the objectives in the NPANM III, 2016-2025. Thus, to reshape food system to promote healthy diet needs a coherent policies from all stakeholders throughout the supply chain. Close collaboration with the food producers or food industries as well as the agriculture sectors are crucial in ensuring availability, accessibility and affordability of safe, nutritious and healthy foods in a sustainable and resilient way. Government should take the leadership to mobilise all the relevant stakeholders.
- What can be done to accelerate and improve the quality of commitments from the various actors? What role(s) should public and private actors play in monitoring their implementation?
To accelerate and improve the quality of commitments from various actors, continuous engagement and involvement of the relevant sectors should be ensured. Trans- and multi-sectoral collaboration and coordination is needed to successfully tackle malnutrition in all its forms. Coordination and commitment among different stakeholders are crucial. Strong and continuous inter and intra-sectoral coordination and engagement are essential at all stages, from the formulation of the policies and specific plan of actions as well as the implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Accountability and ownership of the activities/ programmes are very important to ensure all activities are being implemented.
Therefore, the roles of non-health sectors have to be clearly defined and well explained in the various nutrition and nutrition-related platforms. The integration of nutrition objectives and consideration into their policies is pivotal. Strong political commitment such as the Cabinet Committee on a Healthy Environment chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister will strengthen and mobilise the collaboration and involvement of various sectors in achieving nutrition agenda and targets.
- How can other relevant forums, such as the CFS and UNSCN, contribute, and how can other movements (e.g. human rights, environment) be involved in the Decade?
Other relevant forums such as The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and the United Nations Standing Committee on Nutrition (UNSCN) can significantly contribute to the Decade in line with their functions which providing and strengthening strategic guidance and advocacy in nutrition at the highest level. They can also facilitate dialogues as well as engaging the relevant stakeholders/sectors for strengthening nutrition action and mainstreaming nutrition into development policies.
Ms. Khairul Zarina Mohd Yusop