The Value of Nutrition Surveillance: A Case Study from the United State&

Following the approach outlined above, 11 countries are at different stages of implementing the new system for monitoring and improving nutritional status of children. As the project progresses, it is being formally evaluated in the hope that this evaluation can guide institutionalization of the system. Work is also in progress to systematize data collection, collation, and analysis of food availability by other sectors, for example, agriculture (food production), industry, and commerce (food imports and distribution). Attempts are also being made to integrate at the national level information from various sources so that a comprehensive food and nutrition surveillance system that provides adequate information to policy makers and senior officials can be established.