New data released from China shows that there has been a significant downward trend in global malnourishment since 2000. With particular progress for child stunting, low birthweight and exclusive breastfeeding. However, since 2014, global hunger has again begun to rise slowly. In contrast, obesity levels are on the rise in both children and adults and in all regions.
If food security and nutrition trends continue as they have in the past years, by 2030, the world will not end hunger and malnutrition. Besides, with the recent pandemic, it will be more difficult for the vulnerable population groups to achieve food security and during the next decade.
The reports projections’ show that the world is not on track to achieve either Zero Hunger or its global nutrition targets by 2030. Actually the trends analysed are said to worsten as the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic are felt through out the world.
The report also highlights the importance of diet quality as a “critical link between food security and nutrition”—analysing the affordability of healthy diets in different regions and of varying development contexts. Interestingly, it draws a parallel between healthy diets being both more sustainable and cost-saving: a win-win-win if you will (and yes those would be plant-based diets).
To conclude, the authors of “The State of Food and Security and Nutrition in the World 2020” discuss strategies to transform food system policies that can contribute to making healthy food both affordable and sustainable.
For more in-depth information find the links below:
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- Read online the full digital report
- See the interactive map
- Read the In Brief
- Read the infographic “Assessing food insecurity: Different numbers, different objectives”
