Briefing Papers Number 20, November 2012 | Page 10

specific objective(s) in other relevant sectors. These
objectives are directly related to improving the nutritional
status of beneficiaries, and they help inform the design of
the activities and interventions. To maximize the impact of
other sectors on nutrition, nutrition-specific interventions
addressing the immediate causes of nutrition should be
incorporated into—or specifically linked to—interventions
in important other sectors (agriculture, heath, education).
As a recent European Union reference document on
addressing undernutrition in external assistance states,
“Nutrition-specific objectives need to be incorporated in the
design of assistance programs—whatever the sector or aid
modality—thereby seeking and measuring specific results on
nutrition.”76 SUN partners have also agreed on the need for

nutrition-sensitive development strategies with clearly defined
(secondary) nutrition goals and objectives. The World Bank
knowledge platform for nutrition, “Secure Nutrition,” states
that “nutritional goals must be explicitly incorporated into
the design and implementation of agricultural and rural
development projects and policies.”77 Finally, a 2007 World
Bank/IFPRI review concluded that agricultural programs are
most likely to have an impact on nutrition outcomes when they
move beyond a narrow focus on agriculture for food production,
and when they incorporate nutrition-specific objectives and
interventions targeted to the most vulnerable people.

Set Nutrition Targets

After the nutrition objective(s) are determined, it is time
to begin setting targets. Targets are needed to hold the
program or activity accountTable 2
able for the results achieved;
The 1,000-Day “Window of Opportunity”
they can also serve as a way
to highlight and promote program progress. Targets should
The period in the life cycle from a mother’s pregnancy to a child’s second birthday is a critical
be drawn from national and/
window of opportunity in which nutrition-specific interventions to improve maternal and child
or sectoral nutrition strategies
nutriti ۈ