The role of food and nutrition system approaches in tackling hidden hunger

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2011 Feb;8(2):358-73. doi: 10.3390/ijerph8020358. Epub 2011 Jan 31.

Abstract

One of the World's greatest challenges is to secure sufficient and healthy food for all, and to do so in an environmentally sustainable manner. This review explores the interrelationships of food, health, and environment, and their role in addressing chronic micronutrient deficiencies, also known as "hidden hunger", affecting over two billion people worldwide. While the complexity and underlying determinants of undernutrition have been well-understood for decades, the scaling of food and nutrition system approaches that combine sustainable agriculture aimed at improved diet diversity and livelihoods have been limited in their development and implementation. However, an integrated system approach to reduce hidden hunger could potentially serve as a sustainable opportunity.

Keywords: agriculture; food and nutrition systems; food security; food-based strategies; hidden hunger; undernutrition.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture
  • Deficiency Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Food Supply
  • Humans
  • Micronutrients
  • Nutrition Policy

Substances

  • Micronutrients