The department

Today the world faces a double burden of malnutrition that includes both undernutrition and overweight. Malnutrition is also characterized by a lack of several essential nutrients in the diet, particularly iron, folic acid, vitamin A and iodine.

Malnutrition, in any form, presents significant threats to human health. Undernutrition contributes to about one third of all child deaths. Growing rates of overweight and obesity worldwide are associated with a rise in chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. These conditions are affecting the poor and most vulnerable in escalating numbers.

WHO response

Effective nutrition actions to improve health have been identified and WHO is working with Member States and partners to scale-up interventions, particularly for the most vulnerable, and starting from the earliest stages of development.

Strategies include helping to develop sound food and nutrition policies in countries with the greatest burden of malnutrition; monitoring global trends in nutrition to inform decision-making; providing scientific advice for actions to intervene; and leading global collaboration to improve nutritional health.

The department is organized into four areas of work, with the following objectives

1. Nutrition policy and scientific advice

• help regions and countries address nutrition challenges through evidence-based policies and actions
• develop user-friendly databases and decision-making tools
• provide scientific advice on diet and health

2. Growth assessment and surveillance

• set child growth standards and develop measurement tools
• collect and share information on nutritional status

3. Micronutrients

• monitor the vitamin and mineral status of populations globally
• help Member States and their partners design and implement effective strategies to achieve vitamin and mineral balance in diets
• advocate for the importance of vitamins and minerals in health and nutrition

4. Nutrition in the life course

• improve maternal, infant and young child nutrition
• help countries prevent and treat malnutrition using evidence-based guidance
• support nutrition action in emergencies
• promote adequate nutrition for people affected by infections such as HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis

• Nutrition challenges