Development of a childhood food and nutrition security observatory: experience of an interinstitutional initiative in the state of São Paulo

OBJECTIVE: To describe the development of the FIESP Observatory for Childhood Food and Nutrition Security (FNS), a digital platform designed to organize and integrate public data on children aged 0 to 10 years in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This descriptive study involved three main stages: (1) a literature review and mapping of national and international observatories on health, nutrition, and childhood to identify best practices and gaps; (2) establishment of an expert committee of professionals in nutrition, public health, and public policies to guide indicator selection and ensure technical quality; and (3) technical development of the platform, including automated data extraction, processing, and integration into thematic dashboards. Public databases from official sources were incorporated, structured across six thematic axes: demographic, socioeconomic, FNS policies, nutritional, health, and educational profiles. RESULTS: The observatory was launched in May 2025 and made freely available online. It features six interactive panels and a "Your City" dashboard that consolidates key indicators for each municipality in São Paulo. Since its launch, it has received >9600 visits, with 4755 active users. The tool enables segmented analyses by geography, time, and demographics, providing evidence to support policy design and monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: The Observatory represents an innovative and scalable model for consolidating childhood FNS data. By offering free, intuitive, and continuously updated access to official indicators, it supports policymakers, researchers, and civil society in addressing childhood food insecurity and advancing the right to adequate and healthy food.