This tool makes it easier for practitioners and decision makers to understand dietary patterns and nutrient intake. Such information is critical to design, monitor, and evaluate efforts to improve diets. The decision tool provides existing data sources and data collection tools related to the different target groups and diet questions below.

The tools provide information on diets of five target groups:

• Children: 6–23 months of age
• Women: 15–49 years of age (non-pregnant, non-lactating)
• Pregnant women: 15–49 years of age
• Lactating women: 15–49 years of age
• Men

Diet assessments and related interventions should focus on children 6–23 months of age and women because evidence shows these groups are vulnerable to malnutrition, especially during the first 1,000 days from conception to a child’s second birthday, and improving diet during this time can improve health and development.