EGM on SDG 2: Simon Barquera Cervera Statement, Session 2

Simon Barquera Cervera

Director of the Centre of Research in Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Mexico

Session 2: SDG Target 2.2- End all forms of malnutrition

The double burden of malnutrition represents one of the most complex public health challenges globally.

Although slight advancements have been made towards reducing some forms of undernutrition, overall progress is poor. At the same time, obesity has been steadily rising around the world, affecting countries from all income levels. However, not one has been able to show reductions in the prevalence of this disease in the last 40 years. By 2060, the economic impact of obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) will reach 3.3% of global GDP (Okunogbe et al., 2022).

In part, a poor understanding of the drivers explains why progress has been limited or even absent for many years. This is illustrated by an excessive focus on the direct causes of obesity and practical solutions, rather than complex interventions that address structural drivers. In addition, silo approaches have also been favored over multilayered interventions, in which different experts propose and implement strategies in isolation (for micronutrient deficiencies, obesity, undernutrition, or sustainability). In turn, this reduces support for comprehensive solutions and their potential impact.

We now know that major shifts in the food system are necessary to advance the prevention and control of all forms of malnutrition. Only in the last few decades have we been able to recognize that the drivers causing the double- burden of malnutrition are the same ones causing environmental damage. Accordingly, double and triple duty actions have been proposed to address this emerging problem.

The transformation of the food system has been recognized as a major challenge to achieve healthier and more sustainable diets. To accelerate this transformation, the following elements are needed:

1) A common vision among civil society organizations (CSOs), academia, professional organizations, and governments to fully support comprehensive policies aimed at transforming the food environment, while avoiding work in silos. This vision should prioritize structural drivers of malnutrition and emphasize the need for collaboration with other sectors such as environment, agriculture, and education. Children must be at the center of all efforts.

2) A strong legal framework and sufficient resources to promote adequate governance and intersectoral collaboration, along with accountability mechanisms. This includes monitoring government policies and actions at regional and national levels, as well as those of transnational corporations.

3) Safeguards against interference from ultra-processed food (UPF) industries, which have been the single most significant barrier to prevention policies aimed at reducing malnutrition in Latin America over the last two decades, as well as other regions. These companies operate with strategies that closely resemble those used by the tobacco industry. Strong support from the United Nations is essential to protect national efforts from corporations with conflicts of interest. Actions taken against public health policies at the national level by multinational corporations need to be documented and disincentivized.