Strengthening of a federal Coalition to influence public policies related to malnutrition in childhood

In developing countries such as Argentina, the prevalence of being overweight and obese has grown in recent years since undernutrition has not yet been eradicated. Malnutrition by excess has grown steadily and affects mainly the people who are economically and socially vulnerable. These populations have been primarily impacted since healthy diets are more expensive than ultra-processed food and are less nutritious: fruits, vegetables, milk products, fish, and meats are consumed less by individuals with lower incomes. Instead, greater amounts of products with high amounts of fat, sugar, and refined flour are preferred because they are cheaper. The response of the Argentinian State has been given through welfare policies -giving money or food, for example- that have focused on the right to be free from hunger, but without consideration about the quality and nutritional value of the food provided

This situation expose the necessity to include the quality and nutritional approach.

In this context, the National Coalition to Prevent Obesity in Children and Adolescents was created in 2017, at the initiative of UNICEF Argentina and FIC Argentina. Originally formed by 30 civil society organizations (CSO), this network comprises nowadays more than 50 CSO. During 2021, a new Statute -defining mode of functioning- was discussed, voted and came into force in September. In October, the Coordination of the Coalition changed and FUNDEPS assumed this leading role.