Nutrition policy in developing countries : large-scale implementation constraints and the case of Mozambique

Increased knowledge of causes and consequences of malnutrition, and of the inherent potential of investing in improved nutrition, has contributed to renewed attention to nutrition in policy and on the development agenda. Nevertheless, malnutrition remains a significant development challenge in many developing countries, and countries in Sub-Saharan Africa in particular appear to be lagging behind. This study seeks to gain insights into issues that pose as constraints for progress towards improved nutritional conditions and hamper desirable progress. The focus is thus on implementation dynamics experienced in nutrition policy at country and population level, and on developing countries with Mozambique as a case study. The question formulated to guide the study asks: what are the key constraints to progress of large-scale policy efforts towards reducing malnutrition in developing countries, and of what relevance are these in the case of Mozambique? To answer the question the study employs a review-based method, and explores relevant existing literature in order to map out what actors and researchers have so far identified as the key challenges for large-scale policy efforts. The main findings of the review center on challenges of cross-sectoral coordination, nutrition awareness in policy and continued political support, capacity-relates issues, lack of institutional home for nutrition, and problematic aspects related to funding. Hence, these were presented in thematic sections, and the relevance in the case of Mozambique was elaborated upon. The study also found that the interrelatedness and close linkages between the various implementation constraints made clear-cut distinctions and discussions complicated. Suggestions about further research are also made.Master in International Social Welfare and Health Polic