Food environments, health and nutrition in South Africa: Mapping the research and policy terrain

The aim of this paper was to review existing research and policies related to food environments so as to identify research gaps towards a research agenda for the new Centre of Excellence in Food Security. Food environments influence food choices and nutritional status. Significant changes have taken place in the South African consumer food environments since the mid-1990s accompanied by increased consumption of processed and fast foods. Overweight, obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have increased while micronutrient deficiencies remain highly prevalent. This raises concerns regarding the impact of current food environments on health and nutrition. A review was conducted identifying existing conceptual frameworks for food environments, as well as South African research and policy documents, all addressing the association between environmental factors and eating behaviour/food choices amid increasing obesity and NCDs rates. South African research does not address food environments comprehensively, tending to focus on aspects such as the situation in home, school, community and retail settings. The associations between food environments, the role of the food industry, the food choices and behaviour of consumers remain under-researched. Nutrition research focuses on nutrient intakes without interrogating foods being consumed. While a progressive policy environment exists it remains largely unevaluated and the high prevalence of obesity, related NCDs and micronutrient deficiencies question its effectiveness. There is a need to conduct comprehensive food environment research that can inform policies and programmes to effectively address the high prevalence of over and undernutrition

Understanding Drivers of Stunting Reduction in Nigeria from 2003 to 2018: a Regression Analysis

Nigeria is a high burden country for stunting. Stunting reduction has been slow and characterized by unequal progress across the 36 states and federal capital territory of the country. This study aimed to assess the changes in prevalence of stunting and growth determinants from 2003 to 2018, identify factors that predicted the change in stunting, and project future stunting prevalence if these predicted determinants improve. Trend and linear decomposition analyses of growth outcomes and determinants were conducted using 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data. Pooled data included 57,507 children 0 to 59 months old. Findings show that stunting and severe stunting significantly reduced from 43 to 37% and 23% to 17%, respectively (p < 0.001), between 2003 and 2018. Disturbingly, height-for-age z-scores at birth significantly decreased, indicating risks of potential future stunting increase. Improvements in nine stunting determinants (maternal body mass index, maternal height, ≥ 4 antenatal care visits, health facility delivery, reduced child illnesses, asset index, maternal education, paternal education, and preceding birth interval) predicted stunting reductions in children 0–59 months. Few of these nine determinants improved in subpopulations with limited stunting progress. Intra-sectoral and multisectoral coordination were potentially inadequate; 12% of children had received all of three selected health sector interventions along a continuum of care and 6% had received all of six selected multisector interventions. Forward looking projections suggest that increased efforts to improve the nine predictors of stunting change can reduce under-five stunting in Nigeria to ≤ 27% in the short term.Bill and Melinda Gates Foundatio

Food-based dietary guidelines as a gamechanger in Ethiopia’s food system transformation pathway

In this brief, we reflect on the factors that contributed to the Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) receiving high level recognition in key Ethiopian policy documents. FBDGs, launched in 2022, have been recognized as a key gamechanger in the effort to improve the Ethiopia food systems

A research vision for food systems in the 2020s: Defying the status quo

As we enter the third decade of the 21st century, the world is at a crossroads. As the Editors of the journal Global Food Security, we share our perspectives on the food security challenges that face humanity and lay out our vision and call for stronger food systems research and science in this decade. The challenges and opportunities for food systems research that lay ahead are significant, requiring that high-quality science be translated into policy and action faster than ever before. Our vision is one in which research and science, and the evidence stemming from their application, not only inform food and environmental policy, but are adopted and mainstreamed into actions at the national, regional, and global levels. Global Food Security provides a platform where such evidence is shared in an accessible manner for those who need to use it and act on it

All hat and no cattle: Accountability following the UN food systems summit

The United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) is an important moment to garner political and financial attention to the challenges that food systems face. It is a difficult moment with many competing national and global priorities including massive inequities, rapid climate change and a global pandemic. It will be important for the UNFSS to build in robust accountability mechanisms to ensure that commitments to address food systems challenges are upheld, and that these mechanisms align to already existing frameworks towards sustainable development. While the UNFSS may be impressive in its planning, without accountability of what, who, and by when, it could fall short in its execution. We, as the Editors of the Global Food Security Journal articulate the importance of accountability to ensure the UNFSS is not just ‘all hat and no cattle.

Corrigendum to “Viewpoint: Rigorous monitoring is necessary to guide food system transformation in the countdown to the 2030 global goals” [Food Policy 104 (2021) 100784]

We regret that the original Fig. 3 was based on a spreadsheet later discovered to have an aggregation error, overestimating the number of food system workers. A corrected Fig. 3 has replaced the erroneous figure. We are deeply grateful to Natalia Piedrahita of FAO for her careful attention and discovery of the error

Viewpoint: Rigorous monitoring is necessary to guide food system transformation in the countdown to the 2030 global goals

Food systems that support healthy diets in sustainable, resilient, just, and equitable ways can engender progress in eradicating poverty and malnutrition; protecting human rights; and restoring natural resources. Food system activities have contributed to great gains for humanity but have also led to significant challenges, including hunger, poor diet quality, inequity, and threats to nature. While it is recognized that food systems are central to multiple global commitments and goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals, current trajectories are not aligned to meet these objectives. As mounting crises further stress food systems, the consequences of inaction are clear. The goal of food system transformation is to generate a future where all people have access to healthy diets, which are produced in sustainable and resilient ways that restore nature and deliver just, equitable livelihoods