Food systems need overhaul for healthy diets, says report
Global panel also underlines the irreversible impact on the environment of existing food systems.
Food systems in low- and middle-income group countries need an overhaul to ensure healthy and sustainable diets at affordable prices, urges a new report launched on Tuesday by the Global Panel on Agricultural and Food Systems for Nutrition.
“An estimated 26% of the world’s population experienced hunger or did not have regular access to nutrient-rich and sufficient food in 2019. Sub-optimal diets are now responsible for 20% of premature (disease-mediated) mortality worldwide, as well as for 20% of all disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The outcome is rapidly escalating pressure on healthcare systems which are facing an epidemic of diet-related diseases — including stroke, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes,” it says.
Further, most countries lag in achieving nutrition targets set for 2025 by the World Health Assembly; countries carrying the greatest burden of stunting will miss the goal