First of all, thank you for this invitation where all of us were able to take part in this reviewing progress and planning forward of the "Nutrition Decade" actions, participating in the online survey, and offering here more suggestions besides everything was already presented by you.
I would like also to express all my gratitude and congratulations to UN NUTRITION while a Clinical Dietitian/Nutritionist who collaborates in Health Care and Public Health Nutrition and Food Systems because we can see closer how much everyone is engaged, how much was done and has been doing until this mid-term point.
Nutrition needs to be recognized as a Human Right in all countries, ensured by law, constitutions. The right to have access to SAFE FOOD and WATER, free of all hazards (especially chemicals, such synthetical pestides, food additives and microplastics, and other toxins) going beyond Food Security, would help us to ensure more and quick actions toward changes in agriculture and better practices like agroecology, biodynamic, including the role of the microbiome, important in our gut health, and soil, and food. And also FOOD SAFETY in all food chain, in all establishments that deal and offer nutrition, food, food products, and meals.
We need to bring more our society closer, and all big and small farmers, chefs, producers, big and small retails, educators to understand the importance of nutrition and healthy food.
We need more and more Dietitians /Nutrition Scientists in all scenarios and places where food is, more investments toward capacitation and research, especially in Public Health Programs to prevent and control NCD, and Malnutrition and at the end in all 3 levels of Assistance. Everyone should have access to a professional Dietitian for some guidance. Investments in Personal Nutrition especially for those under Chronic and Metabolic Diseases should be accelerated.
The presence, participation, and consultation of Dietitians in public policy development are also important.
An integrated System of Nutritional Status Screening, Surveillance, and urgent Basic Interventions should be implemented in schools and communities, in all 3 levels of Assistance, and made by professionals, or even be made as an Extension Project from Universities or Internships.
Nutrition must become a permanent discipline in all schools. Have a school garden and understand about real food. And culinary skills with real food should be also taught at schools. Respecting cultural, seasonal, variety, and basics of Nutrition and Health.
More policies toward to ban certain unhealthy food products from the Market. More regulation that moment to allow a product to go to the public. We need more surveillance about production, Industries. Move or not allow children and adolescents to have access to unhealthy junk food and beverages. Marketing must be banned everywhere. People need also to understand why these actions and taxes are important. Massive Education to the population and awareness about what is unhealthy. Minutes of nutritional education should be offered by all journals, TV, Radios, and Social Media.
Social Responsibility and Ethics must be required from all actors. More regulatory as well.
And at the end of the next 5 years, I hope all goals of this "Ten Years " become reality and not only a Decade of Nutrition but a permanent Mission until that moment all people and all systems ensure that all kinds of malnutrition and hunger are solved.
Wishing a lot of success to all. We are together.
Suzana Mantovani
Dr. Suzana Mantovani Cerqueira