This special paper provides a summary of the situation of nutrition in Tanzania, and an institutional analysis of the principal actors in nutrition nationally and locally. The paper argues the need to focus on prevention of malnutrition by protecting, promoting and sustaining improved nutrition in children under two years of age. This strategy implies the need to strengthen care and services, especially health services, for pregnant women and young children, and to increase attention on advocacy and communication for improved nutrition, with special support for improvements in child care and feeding. There needs to be a deeper understanding by all key actors in nutrition – parents, communities and service providers – of the underlying and basic causes for inadequate care and feeding of young children. Research, improved information systems, and training will be needed.