Context:
Recently, the “State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024” (SOFI 2024) report, published by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO, presents a critical analysis of global food security and nutrition trends. This year’s report emphasizes the urgent need for increased financing to end hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition in all its forms.
Relevance:
GS II: Health
Dimensions of the Article:
- Key Findings of the SOFI 2024 Report
- Key Highlights Related to India
- Key Recommendations in the Report
Key Findings of the SOFI 2024 Report
Global Hunger and Food Insecurity:
- Hunger Statistics: Between 713 and 757 million people faced hunger in 2023, translating to one out of eleven people globally and one out of every five people in Africa.
- Food Insecurity: Around 2.33 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023, with more than 864 million facing severe food insecurity.
Cost and Affordability of Healthy Diets:
- Cost Increase: The global average cost of a healthy diet rose to USD 3.96 per person per day in 2022, but the number of people unable to afford such a diet decreased to 2.83 billion.
- Regional Disparities: The highest diet costs are in Latin America and the Caribbean, while Oceania has the lowest. There has been uneven recovery in diet affordability, with significant setbacks in Africa.
Nutritional Status and Public Health:
- Child Nutrition: Improvements in reducing stunting and wasting among children under five are noted, though progress remains insufficient to meet the 2030 targets.
- Breastfeeding Rates: Exclusive breastfeeding rates have increased but remain below the 2030 targets.
- Obesity and Anaemia: Global obesity rates are rising, and anaemia in women aged 15-49 is increasing, posing significant public health challenges.
- Public Spending: Current public spending on food security and nutrition is inadequate, especially in low-income countries, and private financing is challenging to track.
Key Highlights Related to India
Undernourishment and Diet Affordability:
- Undernourished Population: India is home to 194.6 million undernourished individuals, the highest globally. The number has decreased from 240 million in 2004-06.
- Healthy Diet Affordability: 55.6% of Indians (790 million people) cannot afford a healthy diet, though this proportion has improved by about 3 percentage points from 2022.
- Chronic Undernourishment: 13% of India’s population suffers from chronic undernourishment.
Nutritional Issues:
- Global Hunger Index: India ranks 111th in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023, reflecting significant food security issues.
- Child Nutrition: India has the highest prevalence of wasting (18.7%) and a high rate of stunting (31.7%) in children under five years.
- Low Birth Weight: 27.4% of babies born in India have low birth weight, the highest globally, indicating maternal malnutrition.
- Anaemia: 53% of women in India are anaemic, the highest in South Asia, contributing to the rising global prevalence of anaemia in women aged 15-49.
- Obesity Rates: Obesity prevalence in children under five years is 2.8%, and in adults, it has risen to 7.3%. Physical inactivity contributes to rising obesity rates.
- Food Quality: High consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to poor health outcomes, and many food products from top global manufacturers are considered unhealthy by WHO standards.
Public Spending and Impacts:
- Spending on Food Security: While there has been some increase in public spending on food security and nutrition, there is a need for more effective allocation and utilization of resources.
- Covid-19 Impact: The pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity and malnutrition, impacting food access, affordability, and supply chains.
Key Recommendations in the Report
Increasing Public and Private Investment:
- Public Spending: Boost budgets for hunger and malnutrition reduction programs, and involve local communities for improved effectiveness and sustainability.
- Private Investment: Encourage private sector investment through innovative financing mechanisms like social bonds and green bonds.
Strengthening Global and National Policies:
- Global Partnerships: Enhance global cooperation and align national policies with international frameworks to improve knowledge exchange and resource allocation.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Invest in climate-resilient agricultural practices, including drought-resistant crops and sustainable farming techniques.
Improving Agrifood Systems:
- Efficiency and Sustainability: Improve infrastructure, logistics, and market access to reduce food loss and waste.
Addressing Nutritional Challenges:
- Integrated Nutrition Programs: Implement programs addressing both undernutrition and overnutrition, promoting balanced diets and physical activity.
- Support for Vulnerable Groups: Focus on supporting small farmers, women, and children, and improve nutrition through exclusive breastfeeding and essential vitamins and minerals.
Enhancing Data Collection:
- Better Data Integration: Improve data collection and integration with national databases for better policy-making and targeted interventions.
-Source: Down To Earth
