title: Mapping of nutrition and sectoral policies addressing malnutrition in Latin America.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To map existing policies addressing malnutrition in all its forms in Latin America and identify gaps in enabling environments supporting the five priority lines of action outlined in the World Health Organization Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (CIP) approved in 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive study consisted of a systematic Internet search for and mapping of publicly available nutrition-related and sectoral policies already in place to address malnutrition in all its forms in 18 Latin American countries (Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay). The policies were described in documents retrieved from the websites of ministries of health, education, agriculture, labor, and development; the national congress; and other government agencies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 18 countries had relevant policies to address malnutrition, especially undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, but only a few had policies to address overweight and obesity. Nutrition actions were incorporated in food and nutrition security and social protection policies in all 18 countries, and were part of education, environment, agricultural, development, and/or employment policies in some countries. Information on human and financial resources assigned to nutrition was not available through the search strategies used in the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All 18 countries included in this review had established enabling environments to support CIP implementation. However, each of the 18 countries needs to develop integrated policies for the promotion of nutrition and prevention of noncommunicable diseases through cross-sector involvement and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
authors.affiliation: University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: María Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Tirado
authors.affiliation: Pan American Health Organization, Washington, D.C., United States of America.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Galicia
authors.affiliation: University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Hannah M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Husby
authors.affiliation: University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.affiliation: University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Stephania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Olamendi
authors.affiliation: University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pia Chaparro
authors.affiliation: Independent nutrition consultant, Guatemala City, Guatemala.
authors.forename: María A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: González
authors.affiliation: Pan American Health Organization, Washington, D.C., United States of America.
authors.forename: Rubén
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grajeda
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009313:National Health Programs