“…In conjunction with civil and political conflict, weakened healthcare systems, the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of health promotion programs, there have been increases in food insecurity, nutrition-related disease burden, urbanization and substantial population growth (Amde et al, 2014;Al Hilfi et al, 2013;Moazzem Hossain et al, 2022). Burdened by undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and overweight and obesity as a consequence of both emergency situations and nutrition transition, Iraq is in need of adequately educated and prepared nutrition professionals, trained to mitigate malnutrition risks and other nutrition-related comorbidities (Woertz, 2019;Woertz, 2017;Hwalla et al, 2016;Al-Ani et al, 2020; Nutrition degree programs in Iraq Jasim et al, 2018;Joury et al, 2016;Mansour et al, 2012, United Nations Department of Economic andSocial Affairs Sustainable Development, 2024). The UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) highlight the importance of proper nutrition, combatting hunger, access to clean water and maternal and child health as critical areas for action in addressing public health and nutrition-related disease burden (Kimokoti and Millen, 2016).…”