The 2024 Global Food Policy Report (GFPR), released by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), underscores a dire global food security crisis, revealing that over 2 billion people worldwide cannot afford healthy food. This issue is most pronounced in South Asia and Africa. The report highlights a severe disconnect between food accessibility and nutritional needs, with significant implications for public health.
Dr. Purima Menon, Senior Director for Food and Nutrition at CGIAR and IFPRI, shared at the report launch in Kathmandu, Nepal, that the current figures are alarming: approximately 2 billion people suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, 2.2 billion are overweight or obese, and 1.2 billion have high blood pressure. These statistics reflect a troubling global health trend where undernutrition and obesity coexist, creating a “double burden” of malnutrition.
The report indicates that many low- and middle-income countries are experiencing a slowdown in progress toward reducing undernutrition and vitamin deficiencies, while rates of obesity and overweight are escalating. This has led to a complex situation where communities and individuals are grappling with both nutrient deficiencies and diet-related diseases.
Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director at CGIAR, emphasized the necessity of transforming food systems to address these challenges. She advocated for innovative research and action to make healthy diets more accessible, affordable, and desirable globally. The report, co-authored by 41 researchers from IFPRI and partner organizations, calls for urgent reforms in food systems to ensure equitable access to nutritious diets.
Deanna Olney, Director of IFPRI’s Nutrition, Diets, and Health Unit, highlighted that poor-quality diets are a leading cause of global disease. She stressed that improving diet quality should be a primary focus to combat malnutrition and diet-related health issues.
A key finding of the report is that 148 million children under five are stunted, 48 million are wasted, and 500 million people suffer from diabetes. The report also points out that addressing these issues would require at least $1.3 trillion annually to enable the world's diet-poor to afford healthy food, highlighting the need for substantial investment and multifaceted solutions.
In South Asia, where malnutrition rates are particularly high, Dr. Avinash Kishore of IFPRI identified several contributing factors, including low crop diversity, limited per capita incomes, high prices for nutritious foods, underdeveloped markets, and the pervasive availability and promotion of high-calorie processed foods. The report notes that the recommended daily intake of 400 grams of fruits and vegetables is only met by the Maldives, with Nepal also approaching this standard. In contrast, countries like India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan fall short.
The GFPR offers evidence-based recommendations to improve food accessibility and affordability while addressing environmental impacts. Notably, randomized controlled studies highlighted in the report show the benefits of biofortified crops. For instance, children in India consuming zinc-enriched wheat daily experienced a notable reduction in common infections.
The report also notes an increasing trend in the consumption of calorie-dense and processed foods in India and South Asia, with snacks and prepared foods becoming a significant portion of food budgets. This shift away from traditional staples towards more processed options contributes to the growing health concerns highlighted in the report.
Overall, the GFPR presents a comprehensive roadmap for necessary changes in global food systems to ensure access to nutritious, sustainable diets for everyone. It is a critical contribution to ongoing discussions about food security, public health, and sustainable development, calling for immediate and concerted efforts to tackle the multifaceted challenges identified.
