المنتدى العالمي المعني بالأمن الغذائي والتغذية

How and why do diets change?

Basically the Change in diet is very much related to the purchasing capacity and the knowledge on Nutrition in the community. Improved economic condition has led to increased consumption of Nutrient rich diet like; milk, meat, fish, eggs, vegetables and the fruits, especially in the developing countries.

Developing/changing lifestyle of the people i.e family members working more out of the home, out of the community has created demand and has developed the dependency on   fast food items.

Increasing trend of metabolic diseases like; obesity, hyperglycemia, heart disease, high blood pressure, have also forced to change the dietary habit.

Organic and high fiber contained diets’ demand is in increasing trend.

What are the links between diets, consumption and consumer habits and food systems?

Tradition of the community has strong links, e.g. South East Asian community prefers the rice based diet, whereas westerners go with meat and bread based one. Increasing Asian population in Europe and in United States has led to increased supply chain of Indian and Chinese food items.

Within the countries, Urbanization has also impacted on changing consumer’s habit and the food system.

How do changes in food systems affect changes of diets, and therefore health and nutritional outcomes?

Changes is food system has occurred due to  the changes in economy which  has led to increased consumption of nutrition rich diet such as milk, meat, fish, eggs and vegetables. Other changes are due to the changing lifestyle of the population, which has forced  to increased consumption of packed food.

What are the determinants of the changes in consumption?

Economy, food availability, knowledge in nutrition and the changes in lifestyle are the determinants of the changes in the consumption.

How do the dynamics of food systems drive consumption patterns?

As food systems are evolved as per the changed circumstances/lifestyle, certainly there is positive correlation between them.

How to shape and to address pathways to healthy nutrition?

Enhancing Knowledge on nutritional diet with due consideration on traditional food and the food habit. Developing Nutrition Strategy as per the situation/location.

What is the role of public policy in promoting healthy, nutritious and culturally appropriate food for all?

Certainly Country specific Public Policy will guide the strategic interventions in promoting healthy, nutritious and culturally appropriate diet for all.

How to build on the diversity of the existing food systems?

Imparting Knowledge about nutrition rich food and strategic intervention on food commodities in value chain approach.

What is in practice the range of actionable solutions from farm to fork that enable better nutritional outcomes of food systems?

(i)            Develop country specific Agriculture based Food and Nutrition Strategy.

(ii)           Ensure Technical support and investment in increasing production and productivity of Nutrition rich crops and livestock.

(iii)         Ensure quality regulation.

(iv)         Consider resettlement of those poor, rural and scatted households in suitable places.

(v)           Help ensuring income generating opportunities to the low income group/ population.

What action should different stakeholders, including governments, civil society and the private sector, take?

They will have specialized role and responsibilities, which could vary countries to countries. Their role responsibilities could best be identified and established in Country specific Food and Nutrition Strategy.

Dr.Purushottam P.Mainali