Nutrition profile for countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region with different income levels: an analytical review
Publication date: 2023
A recent analytical review of the WHO's EMR reveals a persistent double burden of malnutrition, with undernutrition coexisting with increasing overweight and obesity rates. The review, which divides EMR countries into four income groups, examines trends in key nutrition indicators over the past 20 years, including stunting, wasting, overweight, obesity, anemia, and breastfeeding practices. Findings indicate a decrease in stunting and wasting across all income groups, but a rise in overweight and obesity in most age groups. The review emphasizes the need to address data scarcity and support countries in implementing effective policies and programs to combat the double burden of malnutrition in the EMR.
A systematic review of trans fat reduction initiatives in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Publication date: 2021
High intakes of trans fatty acids (TFA), particularly industrially-produced TFA, are implicated in the etiology of cardiovascular diseases, which represent the leading cause of mortality in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). This systematic review aims to document existing national TFA reduction strategies in the EMR, providing an overview of initiatives that are implemented by countries of the Region, and tracking progress toward the elimination of industrially-produced TFA. This study showed that further action is needed to initiate TFA reduction programs in countries that are lagging behind, and to ensure rigorous implementation and evaluation of ongoing programs.
Strategy on nutrition for the Eastern Mediterranean Region 2020–2030
Publication date: 2019
The regional nutrition strategy aims to guide and strengthen country actions on nutrition to achieve food security, end all forms of malnutrition and improve nutrition throughout the life course by 2030. The document addresses the nutrition situation in the Region and outlines the objectives and recommended actions. It supports countries to operationalize a national nutrition strategy and plan of action to achieve global and regional nutrition targets. It also provides a framework for countries to improve nutrition and food security through the six key action areas of the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition.
Regional nutrition strategies to address the double burden in the Eastern Mediterranean
Publication date: 2018
The burden of disease associated with inadequate nutrition continues to grow in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Similar to many developing countries, the Region suffers from problems of both undernutrition and overweight, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases. This article describes the nutrition situation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region through key indicators. It also presents WHO’s response to the double burden of malnutrition and discusses the key priorities, progress achieved and challenges faced in implementation. .
Ambition and action in nutrition 2016–2025
Publication date: 2017
Ambition and action in nutrition 2016–2025 is WHO’s first inclusive, multi-level, fit-for-purpose global nutrition strategy. This document describes the context of global nutrition momentum including the globally agreed sets of nutrition targets, defines the vision and mission for nutrition, and identifies the priorities for WHO’s work in nutrition. It provides the clarity and framework for aligning nutrition work within WHO and with partners. The strategy steers WHO’s actions in nutrition in the spirit of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Decade of Action on Nutrition 2016–2025.
Regional strategy on nutrition 2010–2019 and Plan of action
Publication date: 2011
This is the previous strategy and plan of action on nutrition for WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region, covering the period from 2010 to 2019. It outlined the approaches to address the major health and nutrition problems in the Region. The strategic approaches targeted undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, prevention and control of obesity and noncommunicable diseases. The strategy emphasized support for the most vulnerable groups and alleviation of poverty and hunger, the root causes of malnutrition. The strategy was developed in the context of the Millennium Development Goals. The Arabic and French versions are included in the same document.