National Nutrition Strategy 2023 – 2030.

The National Nutrition Strategy 2023-2030 and its implementation framework reflect the commitment of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to improving nutrition in alignment with national economic and social development goals. This Strategy serves as a roadmap to guide efforts in enhancing nutrition for all, with a focus on women of reproductive age, young children, adolescents, the elderly, and people with disabilities. It prioritizes the prevention of malnutrition, overweight, obesity, micronutrient deficiencies, and diet-related noncommunicable diseases while promoting sustainable healthy diets in line with regional and global nutrition goals. The overarching objective is to achieve food security, eliminate all forms of malnutrition, and enhance nutrition across the life course by 2030. The Strategy’s key nutrition and health objectives fall into four categories: (1) reducing child malnutrition by lowering stunting by 20% among children under five and maintaining childhood wasting at under 3%; (2) addressing overweight and obesity by limiting overweight and obesity in children under five to no more than 5% and reducing prevalence among adolescents (ages 6–18) by 5%; (3) improving maternal and infant nutrition by reducing anemia in women of reproductive age by 40%, increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates in children under six months to 40%, and cutting low birth weight prevalence by 30%; and (4) tackling Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) by halting the rise of diabetes and obesity in adults, reducing salt/sodium intake by 20%, and eliminating industrially-produced trans fats from the food supply.
To achieve the goals and objectives of this Strategy, six strategic approaches have been identified, each with priority policies and interventions. (1) Jordan recognizes the need to transform its food system to ensure sustainable, safe, and healthy diets for all. The National Food Security Strategy (2021) aims to achieve food security by 2030 through resilient food systems that address availability, affordability, and quality while supporting local production and reducing waste. These goals are integrated into the National Nutrition Strategy to enhance nutrition, social protection, and governance. (2) Strong health systems are vital for preventing and treating malnutrition, requiring access to essential services, a skilled workforce, and financial resources. Despite significant investments, challenges remain in primary care, staff shortages, and the strain of refugees on healthcare. National strategies aim to strengthen universal health coverage, integrate nutrition, and enhance emergency preparedness. (3) Jordan’s social protection programs have evolved from broad subsidies to targeted cash transfers, yet challenges in equity and efficiency persist. The National Social Protection Strategy 2019-2025 seeks to improve poverty targeting and enhance social assistance. School feeding programs play a crucial role in child nutrition and are integrated into multiple national strategies. Awareness campaigns, nutrition education, and clear food labeling empower consumers to make informed dietary choices, supporting the broader objectives of the National Nutrition Strategy. (4) Investing in nutrition delivers substantial health, social, and economic benefits, requiring sustainable funding and financial strategies. As a net food importer, Jordan must balance trade policies to improve nutrition while minimizing risks from unhealthy food access. (5) Creating supportive environments for better nutrition involves ensuring access to healthy foods, promoting breastfeeding, and strengthening food fortification programs. Jordan has implemented policies to regulate food marketing, improve food offerings in public institutions, and enhance fortification efforts. Expanding access to water and sanitation remains essential for preventing nutrition-related diseases. (6) The successful implementation of the National Nutrition Strategy depends on strong political commitment, cross-government coordination, and collaboration with non-governmental stakeholders. While the Ministry of Health leads multisectoral efforts, challenges remain in stakeholder coordination and data collection on food supply and consumption. Strengthening governance, improving monitoring systems, and ensuring effective evaluation mechanisms are key to achieving the strategy’s goals.