National Nutrition Strategy 2012-2021.

The overall objective of this sectoral Strategy of 2012 is to define a framework for the mobilization of the technical, human and financial resources available to ensure improved health and nutritional status to all of the Iraqi population, to be implemented by 2021.
The strategy identifies ten strategic objectives as follows: (i) increase political commitment and cooperation between sectors, in line with the National Development Strategy, (ii) review, update and implement the national policies/strategies/legislation related to nutrition, (iii) establish a professional education on nutrition by 2016 at university level, (iv) reduce the prevalence of wasting and stunting among children under 5 years of age, (v) reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity among all age groups, (vi) provide nutritional health promotion and counseling to the population, (vii) reduce the micro-nutrient deficiencies, (viii) ensure safe food availability for all age groups at any time, (ix) provide food security and the possibility for all age groups to access to food and use it at all times, (x) adopt and develop plans for monitoring, evaluation, surveillance and response.
In order to eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, the institutions will promote and support proper practices for feeding young children and babies (in particular those under 5 years of age) and ensure evaluation of nutritional and monitor system, strengthen and expand primary health care initiatives and units, develop surveys to assess the nutritional status of children and women of childbearing age ensuring proper nutrition for them in this age period. National guidelines related to a healthy food diet and physical activity, also in the schools, will be developed and implemented in order of reducing the obesity, with the involvement of civil society and private sector organizations. Furthermore, studies on knowledge and behaviors for healthy eating habits shall be implemented, together with the build of the capacity of workers and social workers in the field of health and nutritional guidance. Food security will be improved through the review of the contents of the ration card system, the distribution of food parcels to vulnerable groups, the improvement of the school feeding programs and strengthening of the nutritional response in the various emergency situations.