Cross-sectoral Food Systems Policy Action for Nutrition: Lessons From National, Regional, and Global Experience

Background: Improving nutrition is a global priority for food systems transformation. The introduction of policy measures across multiple sectors relevant to food systems is critical to this transformation. However, integrating measures to improve nutrition into food system policies across multiple government sectors has proved challenging. Methods: A theory-informed qualitative policy analysis was conducted to identify enablers and barriers of "cross-sectoral" policy action for nutrition in government sectors related to the food system. The analysis drew on interview data (n=43) with policy-makers at global, regional, and national level, in diverse policy sectors, who had experience of engaging successfully across food system policy sectors to improve nutrition. Results: Success in cross-sectoral policy related to the achievement of nutrition objectives in a way that also enabled achievement of other sectoral objectives, and involved strategic and constructive policy engagement across sectors. Challenges included the need to overcome diverse sectoral mandates and norms, siloed structures of governance, and fluctuations in political interest to engage effectively across sectors for policy change. Key enablers of cross-sectoral policy for nutrition included: supportive institutional structures, such as platforms for engagement, mandates and incentives; ideas that facilitated constructive engagement between policy sectors, including a shared vision, a long-term approach and effective framing; discursive approaches to engagement that balanced multiple interests across policy sectors; and ongoing learning. Conclusion: This analysis provides new insights to strengthen policy engagement and design more effective capacity building for nutrition policy-makers. This includes "soft skills" that enable effective engagement across sectors and strategic approaches to managing diverse interests influencing policy.