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 9% 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
$8 T
Nutritional deficiencies account for an estimated $8 trillion of hidden costs every year
Small Fish: Big Nutritional Impact
73%
More than 73% of households experience food insecurity in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras
A Mayan Farming Technique to Fight Guatemala's Food Insecurity
31%
31% of students are falling behind in math and 26% are in reading
COVID-Era Learning Loss Tied to Food Insecurity
4,200
Each year, more than 4,200 Sri Lankans die of alcohol-related diseases or injuries
Sri Lanka's Alcohol Tax Reform Spurs Economic and Health Recovery
47 Million
Forty-seven million children are acutely malnourished
Why Some Children Relapse From Severe Acute Malnutrition
30 Years
Food sovereignty is an idea that has been discussed in Indigenous communities for about 30 years
Food sovereignty and Native Americans
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
5 Million
An estimated 5 million deaths occur each year due to overweight and obesity
Obesity-related deaths
60 Percent
60 percent of children under five in India have anemia
Childhood Anemia in India
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
Are Processed Meat, Sugary Drinks, and Trans Fats Safe at Any Level?
A new study estimates the links between unhealthy food servings and chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease
Visualizing Nutrition Deficits After USAID's Overhaul
A new computer simulation illustrates the impact of alternative funding scenarios for child nutrition programs in LMICs
A Mayan Farming Technique to Fight Guatemala's Food Insecurity
The K'uxu'rum system improves crop yields and enables farmers to adapt to climate extremes
Nutrition for Growth: A Crossroads for Ethiopia's Healthy Future
Ethiopia's minister for health services and programs lays out long-term strategies for nutrition and global partnerships
U.S. Egg Prices See Largest Jump Since 1980 as Bird Flu Outbreaks Continue
A new version of H5N1 influenza continues to pound poultry, but price relief could be on the way
Sudan's Genocide Deepens Famine
Ongoing conflict threatens Sudan's already weak food system, leaving millions at risk of famine
Small Fish: Big Nutritional Impact
Incorporating indigenous small fish into local diets can deliver health benefits to communities facing malnutrition
How Innovations in Gut Health Can Help Treat Global Hunger
Advancements in gut microbiome research could strengthen existing hunger treatments and prevent malnutrition relapse
Anemia and School Attendance in India
More than half of adolescent girls and nearly one-third of boys suffer from anemia, weakening India's education system
The Last Mile of Nutrition
Introducing a new way to measure the health impacts of community-based food programs and farmers markets
Alcohol Industry Panics as Healthier Habits Cut Sales
Industry reps cite a "war on alcohol," but consumer attitudes suggest a cultural shift toward less drinking
Timeline: H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak in the U.S.
A weekly updated timeline for H5N1 outbreak events
A New Roadmap For Obesity Prevention
Countries should adopt a multidisciplinary approach to address nutritional transitions
Bird Flu, U.S. Cows, and Economic Consequences
The recent H5N1 outbreak in cattle has rattled livestock markets and raised public health concerns
Gaza's Food Crisis Began Long Before the Israel-Hamas Conflict
The threat of famine has deepened with war and will continue after the conflict ends