Global report on the state of dietary data

Book excerpt: Diet and nutrition are critical to health, well-being and longevity. The economic and health burdens associated with poor quality diets are a worldwide concern, but for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the long-term impact of these burdens has the potential to be especially devastating. Many of these LMICs are currently grappling with the deepening multiple burdens of malnutrition, with undernutrition, nutrient inadequacies, and overweight and obesity often presenting simultaneously in communities, households and even in single individuals. Time-relevant data is a necessary and critical component of any process or initiative that aims to ensure healthy diets. Robust data on what people eat in a country enables an understanding of current food consumption practices, and provides an evidence-based foundation for the design and implementation of targeted and well informed actions, policies and messaging to address the key issues related to healthy eating.The purpose of this report is to take stock and celebrate the collection and use of dietary data in LMICs, and generate further momentum for investment in government-led dietary surveys in LMICs. Section 1 provides a global overview of dietary surveys carried out in LMICs from 1980 through 2019, analysing key characteristics and trends over time. Section 2 celebrates the increased investment in dietary surveys in LMICs by highlighting country stories related to dietary survey initiation, implementation and data use. Section 3 is aimed at generating further momentum for investment in government-led dietary surveys in LMICs by illustrating, through data visualizations, the type of information dietary data can provide for policy makers.