Food
Diet-related disease is linked to eight out of ten leading causes of death worldwide. Obesity is on the rise in many countries. Almost nine percent of the world's population is undernourished. Climate change and growing populations are on a trajectory that will lead to increases in food insecurity. This section examines these issues and how food policies and systems impact equity and human well-being.
Food
30 Years
Food sovereignty is an idea that has been discussed in Indigenous communities for about 30 years
Food sovereignty and Native Americans
1/4
Before the war in Ukraine, Russia and Ukraine accounted for more than a quarter of the world’s grain exports
Global grain exports
40 Percent
Globally, 40 percent of children ages 6 to 59 months were anemic in 2019—equivalent to 269 million children
Global Anemia in Kids
34 Percent
34 percent of U.S. households reported grocery shopping online more since COVID-19
Online food shopping during COVID-19
45 Percent
Malnutrition contributes to an estimated 45 percent of child deaths globally
Global child malnutrition
5 Million
An estimated 5 million deaths occur each year due to overweight and obesity
Obesity-related deaths
10 Million
Between 1991 to 2016, the number of overweight children in Africa doubled, from 5.4 million to 10.3 million
Fast food in Africa
Featured
A Clear Fix for a Common Birth Defect in India
Folic acid fortification in food can help reduce neural tube defects in India
Giving a Boost to School Lunches in India
Supplementing school lunches with iron-fortified salt can help reduce anemia in kids
When Farmers Can't Put Food on the Table
How the war in Ukraine and climate change are affecting poor farmers in Guatemala
Rethinking Farming in Rwanda
The Rwandan Institute for Conservation Agriculture wants to empower small farmers
How Avian Flu Will Affect Your Thanksgiving
Avian flu, supply chain shortages, and inflation could be unwelcome guests at dinner tables
Don't Eat Blackberries on September 29—and Other Food Superstitions
Some cultures around the world believe certain foods may affect your luck
Foods That are Worse for You Than Halloween Candy
There's a surprising amount of sugar in some "healthy" foods compared to your favorite Halloween treats
Just One to Two Servings of Vegetables a Day Improves Health
But eating more vegetables is still better
Vegetables from Around the World
Vegetables are the cornerstone of many dishes and a staple in healthy diets
Improving the FDA's Food Safety Program: Choosing Practical Solutions
On the heels of an infant formula recall, the FDA faces a review of its food program and proposals for change
How AI Is Transforming Maternal Health Care in Vietnam
Southeast Asia is harnessing technology to equip parents with better information about childhood nutrition
Breastfeeding Babies During War
Parents from Ukraine and other countries in crisis struggle to breastfeed and formula feed their children
Seeds: An Unlikely Casualty of the War in Ukraine
How history—and future crops—were lost when Russia attacked a scientific warehouse for valuable plants and seeds
How the U.S. Baby Formula Shortage Affects Low-Income Families
Families living in poverty are making impossible trade-offs between food, rent, and essentials like formula and diapers
Mitigating Malnutrition
An arresting global surge in the number of people experiencing hunger and what's behind it