Nutrition Indicators for a Truly Global Multidimensional Poverty Index

The Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) have embarked on a scoping review to gauge the availability of data crucial for constructing a comprehensive Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) on a global scale. Their findings underscored significant gaps in the necessary data, hindering the creation of a truly global measure of poverty that encompasses countries across all developmental stages.

One of the domains highlighted during this review was nutrition, a critical aspect of poverty often overlooked in traditional income-based measures. Addressing nutrition within the framework of multidimensional poverty is essential for fostering sustainable development and improving human wellbeing globally. By leveraging existing data sources and incorporating robust indicators, policymakers can gain deeper insights into the complex interplay between poverty and nutrition, paving the way for targeted interventions and transformative change.

As we navigate the path toward achieving the SDGs and ending poverty in all its dimensions, prioritising nutrition remains paramount.

In preparation for a data expert workshop convened at Oxford in February 2024, we developed a comprehensive briefing note on nutrition. It examines existing indicators used to assess nutrition related deprivation in both national and cross-national surveys, as well as those incorporated into national MPIs. In this article, we summarise the key messages on nutrition.

 

Understanding the importance of nutrition in poverty reduction

Malnutrition in its various forms poses substantial threats to human health, affecting individuals across the lifespan. Improved nutrition correlates with better health outcomes, including reduced rates of infant and maternal mortality, strengthened immune systems, and lower risks of non-communicable diseases. Moreover, adequate nutrition fosters productivity, offering pathways for individuals to break free from cycles of poverty and hunger.

 

Global frameworks and indicators for monitoring nutrition

Global efforts to combat poverty and malnutrition are anchored in frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and World Health Assembly (WHA) targets. SDG 2 specifically addresses the need to end hunger, achieve food security, and improve nutrition worldwide. Key indicators, such as the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity, provide insights into the nutritional status of populations. Similarly, the WHA has set targets for maternal, infant, and young child nutrition, emphasising the importance of addressing malnutrition comprehensively.

 

Assessing nutrition indicators in surveys and MPIs

A comprehensive review of national and cross-national surveys revealed a limited array of nutrition indicators commonly utilised. While some surveys incorporate anthropometric measurements, others rely on self-reported data, posing challenges for accuracy and comparability. National MPIs, on the other hand, have increasingly integrated nutrition indicators, including measures of food security and anthropometry, to capture the multidimensional nature of poverty.

 

Proposed indicators and questions for nutrition assessment

Building upon existing frameworks and indicators, we propose a set of indicators and questions to assess nutrition within the context of multidimensional poverty. These include measures of nutritional outcomes, such as stunting and being overweight, as well as indicators of food security (Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)) and considerations to include diet quality indicators.

Recommendations emphasise the need for simplicity, contextual relevance, and alignment with global monitoring platforms to facilitate comprehensive poverty assessment.

 

In conclusion, our analysis on nutrition examines indicators and questions from national and cross-national surveys, as well as national MPI structures that utilise nutrition indicators.

While there are cross-national surveys that cover lower-middle-income countries and use comparable measures like FIES, it is difficult to find similar measures from high-income countries. Therefore, finding a set of nutrition measures that are comparable and contextually relevant for each country remains a challenge.

 

 

This article was published in Dimensions 16