September 2024 — In Zimbabwe, the nutritional landscape for school-aged children and adolescents is alarming. The 2015 Demographic Health Survey revealed that 12.5% of girls and 30.7% of boys aged 15-19 are underweight, highlighting a critical public health issue. Furthermore, the rise of overnutrition is concerning, particularly among older adolescents, with 25.8% of primary school children identified as overweight. This dual burden of malnutrition is exacerbated by unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles, often influenced by poor food environments, especially in urban settings.

UNICEF and WFP Initiatives
To combat these challenges, UNICEF, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), has initiated a comprehensive school health and nutrition program. This initiative aligns with the Multi-sectoral Food and Nutrition Security Strategy (MFNSS) for 2023-2025, aiming to deliver positive educational and nutritional outcomes for children. In 2022, a pilot program was launched in the Makoni district, providing essential services such as school meals, nutrition assessments, iron folate supplementation, and nutrition education across 56 schools. The success of this pilot has informed the development of a national school health and nutrition program, which is now being rolled out in 18 out of 63 districts.

Youth Engagement through Human-Centered Design
A cornerstone of this initiative is the human-centered design (HCD) approach, which emphasizes active engagement with youth. This method ensures that the voices of school-aged children and adolescents are integral to the program’s development. Through co-creation workshops and consultative meetings, children have the opportunity to provide feedback on nutrition services and collaborate on creating age-appropriate social behavior change (SBC) messages. This participatory approach not only empowers youth but also fosters a sense of ownership over their health and nutrition.

Advocacy and Policy Influence
In addition to program implementation, UNICEF supports a youth-led advocacy initiative that empowers adolescents to influence nutrition policies and legislation. The establishment of the SUN youth nutrition network has been pivotal in raising awareness among policymakers about the importance of creating healthy food environments. This network has successfully advocated for improved nutrition policies, ensuring that the needs and perspectives of young people are considered in legislative discussions.

Lessons Learned
The integrated approach of combining school meals with comprehensive nutrition education has demonstrated significant potential in improving the nutritional status of children. Engaging school-aged children and adolescents through HCD is crucial for designing impactful programs that resonate with their needs. This engagement not only influences government policies but also empowers youth to take charge of their health.

Future Directions
Looking ahead, the program aims to generate demand for youth-focused SBC interventions that advocate for legislation supporting healthy food environments in schools and public spaces. Additionally, there is a need for capacity strengthening among health and education professionals to ensure they are equipped to deliver high-quality nutrition services. Generating data and evidence to inform SBC and program interventions is also a priority, necessitating the inclusion of nutrition behavior indicators in national surveys and routine data collection.

The journey towards improving the nutritional health of Zimbabwe’s youth is ongoing, but the collaborative efforts of UNICEF, WFP, and the youth themselves are paving the way for a healthier future. By prioritizing youth engagement and advocacy, we can create sustainable changes that promote healthy eating practices and empower the next generation.