Malnutrition in all its forms is a leading cause for disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally. One in three people in the world are suffering from at least one form of malnutrition. Moreover, since nutrition is closely linked to a number of other global challenges (e.g. climate change and poverty), nutrition sits at the center of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Poor nutrition and diet-related non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) (e.g. type 2 diabetes) are driven by complex, interrelated environmental, social/cultural, political, economic, and behavioral factors. Methods from systems science have been advocated as useful tools to address this complexity, and regulatory/policy interventions across sectors are needed to maximize the reach and impact of population-level nutrition interventions.

Although concepts and terminology of systems approaches have existed for many years, empirical knowledge about their application and effectiveness for public health remains very limited. For example, uncertainty remains in terms of how an authentic systems approach can be applied in obesity prevention in practice. Evidence is particularly lacking from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). We also believe that to move this field forward, we need to work more closely with non-academic partners, especially those who have the capacity and power to change health environments and policies.

Therefore, this Research Topic welcomes contributions from international, national, and local health organizations, policymakers as well as academic authors working in population nutrition and related fields. The Guest Editors look forward to collaborating with academic peers, public health practitioners, and policymakers around the world to advance theoretical, methodological, and evidence development for systemic, cross-sectoral, or regulatory interventions targeting any form of malnutrition.

Submissions may focus on one or more of the themes listed below:

1. Methodological research concerning the application of a systems approach to improve public health nutrition or diet-related NCDs;

2. Empirical research concerning the development, evaluation or implementation of systemic nutrition interventions;

3. Local, regional, national or international initiatives led by or co-produced with health organizations or policymakers;

4. Policy review, development, and recommendations;

5. Cross-sectoral/food systems/regulatory interventions to improve population nutrition or diet-related NCDs.

We welcome a wide range of article types to meet the diverse needs of our contributors and audience. Acceptable article types include: Original Research, Systematic Review, Methods, Policy and Practice Reviews, Policy Brief, Community Case Study, Perspective, Clinical Trial, Hypothesis and Theory, Clinical Study Protocol, Classification, General Commentary, and Opinion.

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