World: Groundbreaking global framework puts youth at the center of fight against adolescent malnutrition

Country: World Source: Emergency Nutrition Network Please refer to the attached file. Kidlington, UK, 14th April 2026 – The Global Adolescent Nutrition Network (GANN), hosted by the Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN), today announced the launch of a new global framework designed to transform how the world invests in and protects adolescent nutrition. The framework, developed in partnership with young people from Act4Food, as well as experts from Nutrition International, GAIN, UNICEF, Uganda Ministry of Health, Sight and Life, Western Sydney University, University of Southampton, Save the Children US, and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, is the first of its kind to be cocreated with young people, embedding youth perspectives at every stage of development to address the growing global crisis of adolescent malnutrition. Adolescence is a critical window for growth and lifelong health, yet it remains frequently overlooked in global health commitments, research, and programs. Globally, adolescents face a “triple burden” of malnutrition: undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight/obesity. While existing frameworks often focus on the drivers of these issues, there has been a critical lack of tools that guide and accelerate concrete action and investment. Furthermore, previous models have largely excluded young people as both designers and end-users. The framework deployed an integrated Knowledge Translation (iKT) approach, utilising stakeholder workshops and surveys involving youth partners and experts, thus ensuring the final product is grounded in the lived experiences of adolescents. “The evidence has long been clear that adolescence is a pivotal time for nutritional intervention, yet policy and programming have lagged behind,” said Natasha Lelijveld, Senior Technical Associate at the Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN) and senior author of the framework. “What makes this framework unique is that it moves beyond theory. By co-creating this with youth partners, we have ensured that the recommendations are not only scientifically robust but also relevant and empowering for the young people they are designed to serve. This is about enabling agency and driving responsive change.” Designed to be adaptable across diverse contexts, the framework is designed to support the work of a wide range of stakeholders, including government ministries, donors, UN agencies, NGOs, the private sector, civil society, researchers, and youth advocates. It provides a unified structure to align efforts and prioritize investment, ensuring that adolescent nutrition is no longer an afterthought in global health strategies. Published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health journal, the full framework and paper describing its development are available for download at https: //www. ennonline. net/resource/gann/co-created-global-action-orientedframework-adolescent-nutrition. Implementation guidance and examples from those who have used it will follow next year. About ENN The Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN) is an international non-governmental organisation, working with practitioners, policy makers and researchers to strengthen know-how and evidence to overcome malnutrition. We help practitioners better serve those most vulnerable to the causes and consequences of malnutrition. Website: www. ennonline. net. NOTES TO EDITORS: The framework recommends actionable steps across four distinct levels: Adolescents: Empowering individual agency and knowledge. Households, Peers, Schools, and Communities: Creating supportive environments. National Systems: Strengthening policy and government infrastructure. Global Systems and Planetary Health: Aligning international investment and sustainability goals.

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