Effective nutrition decision-making and action are predicated on the availability and utilisation of high quality, timely data. This matrix of data initiatives is part of an exercise to summarise the key challenges to improved availability and utilisation of nutrition data to support progress on nutrition, as well as opportunities for interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). As part of this work, MQSUN+ lists the ongoing initiatives relevant to tackling the most important challenges in the nutrition data landscape.

The detailed matrix of global nutrition data initiatives was developed from a desk-based exercise that entailed a literature review and key informant interviews (KIIs) with purposively selected actors in the global nutrition data landscape. The literature review spanned websites, grey literature and peer-reviewed literature. MQSUN+ conducted web searches using keywords such as ‘nutrition data,’ ‘nutrition indicators,’ ‘nutrition monitoring,’ ‘nutrition assessment,’ ‘nutrition surveillance,’ ‘nutrition surveys,’ ‘adolescent nutrition,’ ‘adolescent data,’ ‘nutrition emergencies,’ ‘food systems,’ and ‘diet quality.’ KIIs were conducted with a shortlist of individuals who represented different agencies and perspectives/roles within the global nutrition data landscape (e.g., donor, technical implementer, United Nations (UN)). The matrix contains summary information on global nutrition data initiatives identified through 22 October 2020 across: methodology development, data generation, data curation/access, data analysis, dissemination and evidence-based policy.