How healthy diets can help to combat malnutrition

Africa's battle against poverty and hunger continues to be a pressing issue as the continent looks to halve poverty and end hunger by 2025. Shenggen Fan, Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute, sheds light on the importance of promoting healthy diets to combat malnutrition and climate change. The global food system faces a myriad of challenges, with over 820 million people suffering from hunger and more than one billion experiencing micronutrient deficiencies. Additionally, over two billion individuals grapple with overweight and obesity, indicating a complex burden of malnutrition. From an environmental perspective, the food system contributes significantly to water scarcity, land degradation, and carbon emissions. To address these challenges, reshaping the food system is imperative to ensure equitable access to nutritious food and mitigate climate change impacts. The African continent, with its rapidly growing population, is at the forefront of these challenges. While efforts to increase food production are crucial, ensuring the quality and nutritional value of food is equally paramount. Fan emphasizes the need to address not just visible hunger but also the lack of key nutrients like zinc, iron, and vitamins in diets, especially among children and women. The EAT-Lancet report provides strategic insights at a global level, suggesting a shift towards plant-based foods, reduced meat consumption, and lowered carbon emissions. However, Africa faces unique challenges as a climate change victim despite contributing minimally to global carbon emissions. With extreme weather events threatening agricultural productivity, adapting to climate change becomes a top priority for African economies. Fan advocates for international support and funding to help African farmers and food systems build resilience to climate change impacts. When it comes to transforming the food system in Africa, a differentiated approach is necessary. While Western countries may need to reduce meat consumption due to environmental and health concerns, African nations, where meat consumption is relatively low, could benefit from moderate meat intake to improve children's growth and women's health. The conversation around diet and food production in Africa must consider the diverse needs of its population and the urgent need to address malnutrition and climate change challenges. By promoting healthy diets tailored to regional needs, Africa can take a significant step towards achieving food security and sustainability.