This analysis is an essential step to assist in analyzing the
current situation and identifying needs, areas of gaps, and
opportunities to inform strategies and key priority areas for
nutrition-sensitive development. A preliminary assessment
of how extensive a nutrition-sensitive analysis will be needed
can be made using existing information and discussions
with key stakeholders involved in program design and
implementation. Health and food security information
systems are likely to be important sources of information,
together with any existing nutrition-specific data.66
Table 1 (next page) provides an example of the data
considered in a nutrition-sensitive analysis within a food
security program.
Determine and Define Target Population Groups
on which service providers, groups, and individuals have
the most influence on the primary targeted populations and
the greatest potential to reach as many beneficiaries/clients
as possible. Vulnerable populations at increased risk of
hunger and malnutrition include: agricultural smallholders;
landless, female-headed households; pregnant women; nonbreastfed children; children from very poor households;
people living with HIV/AIDS; individuals with severe
acute malnutrition; and/or populations living in emergency
conditions. The type or mix of interventions will vary with
the target population.
There are six critical contact periods in the lifecycle of
young children and women when nutrition support is most
important:
Before planning nutrition-sensitive activities, it is
necessary to determine and define the primary and secondary
targeted populations.67 The most vulnerable populations are
prioritized according to the scientific evidence (e.g., those
in the 1,000-day window of opportunity) and the country
context (e.g., national malnutrition data). The secondary
targeted populations should be selected and defined based
1. Pregnancy
2. Delivery and the early neonatal period
3. Post-natal, lactation, and reproductive health/family
planning contacts
4. Well child visits (growth monitoring)
5. Sick child visits
6. Immunization contacts
Figure 2 Illustrative Model for Implementing “Nutrition-Sensitive” Programming
Start
Nutrition
Situation
Analysis
Landscape Analysis on Countries’ Readiness
to Accelerate Action in Nutrition
High Impact
Define Targeted
Populations
Baseline Data Collected
Set Nutrition-Specific
Objective
Primary objective in health
sector and secondary
objective in other sectors
Target Setting
Process Indicators
Outcome
Indicators
Output Indicators
Impact
Indicators
Nutrition-Specific
Interventions
Nutrition-Sensitive
Development
Monitoring and measuring achievements along the way;
modifying/adjusting as necessary
Pathway
Process, defined activities and actions
Nutritional
Impact
End Results
Improved Nutritional Status
Reduction in Stunting
Reduction in Wasting
Reduction in Underweight,
Low Birth Weight and
Overweight
Reduction in Anemia
Reduction in Micronutrient
Deficiencies
8 Briefing Paper, November 2012