Egypt/National Nutrition Committee Seminar: 100 Million Healthy Lives reservation

26 February 2019. IFPRI Egypt Seminar in partnership with the National Nutrition Committee (ASRT). "100 million healthy lives: Scientific evidence on double burden of malnutrition in Egypt"

The seminar discussed the current status of malnutrition among children and adults; providing a policy framework for managing determinants of malnutrition and obesity; and identifying options for preventive action to reduce the costs of nutrition-related diseases. In that respect, the seminar provided the occasion for researchers, decision makers and other stakeholders to discuss and inform the 100 Million Healthy Lives Initiative on state-of-the art nutrition and health related policies and interventions.

Presentations took stock of the available nutrition data and provide an overview of the latest nutrition research findings from IFPRI and CAPMAS. The seminar also presented a multidimensional framework to control obesity and non-communicable diseases developed by Egypt’s National Nutrition Committee.

Left: professor Ahmed Khorsid
National Nutrition Committee

In addition, FAO and WHO shared experiences with nutrition interventions to target the different forms of malnutrition in Egypt. The combination of research-based evidence and
experience contributed to the identification of priority programs and key policy interventions, providing guidance on the way forward for the 100 Million Healthy Lives initiative to achieve its health and nutrition targets.

Extract of the programme:
Hoda Elenbaby - IFPRI Egypt: Findings on nutrition status based on Takaful  and Karama

• Impact evaluation study for Egypt's Takaful and Karama cash transfer program: Synthesis report- Summary of key findings form the quantitative and qualitative impact evaluation studies 18 pages
• Egypt’s Takaful and Karama cash transfer program: Evaluation of program impacts and recommendations September 2019 Policy brief 4 pages

"The share of Egyptian adults who are overweight or obese is among the highest in the world. Shifting diets from cheap but calorie-rich foods such as bread and sugary foods toward more fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish could contribute to healthier and more productive lives and improve children’s physical and mental development. Both the quantitative and qualitative analyses showed that Takaful produced a greater increase in food spending than in nonfood spending, with households spending more on fruit, meat, and poultry."

Related:

20 December 2018. Cairo. IFPRI. “Advancing the food system for growth, job creation and better nutrition in Egypt”.

This seminar presented first estimates on how the key value chains in Egypt - such as cereals, fruits, vegetables, livestock and fish contribute to key development indicators. The presentation of results were accompanied by presentations of a distinguished set of panelists. As such, the seminar uncovered trade-offs between promoting different value chains and thereby help guiding public and private investments in the food system.

• Clemens Breisinger, Country Program Leader, IFPRI Egypt See Slides / See Video 
• Saad Nassar, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture & Land Reclamation (MoALR)
• See Slides / See Video  
• Mahmoud Elbasyouny, Executive Director, Chamber of Food Industries(CFI) The Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) See Slides / See Video
• Fatma El Zahraa Aglan, Agricultural Specialist, World Bank See Slides / See Video