Two FoodLAND partner Makerere University departments have conducted an in-depth literature (peer-reviewed publications) review of nutrition status and identified existing research gaps and intervention options. In addition, the study was focused on generating evidence for nutrition policy discourse. The African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development has recently published the results of this study.

According to this review work, made by members of the Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics and the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition of Makerere University (Uganda), children in rural areas suffer higher rates of stunting, wasting and underweight than those in urban areas. Regarding women of reproductive age (15-49 years), wasting is also higher in rural areas than in urban areas, whereas underweight prevalence is similar in both areas. In contrast, the study shows that obesity is more prevalent in urban areas than rural areas, in line with data provided by National Planning Authority (NPA) and World Food Programme (WFP).

The review unearthed a dearth of literature on nutrition for the elderly, adolescents and young adults. It would be prudent to invest in research to bridge the identified gaps. The outcome of such studies would be instrumental in informing nutrition policy in Uganda.