According to the United Nations, more than 2.8 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet, which, in turn, leads to different forms of malnutrition.
On October 16 each year, World Food Day is observed to mark the global issue of hunger, and how there is a dire need to tackle it effectively. While we might think there’s food for everyone out there, there is widespread hunger that persists, and several factors lead to it, including poverty, inequality, conflict, and climate change. It is estimated that around 733 million people still face hunger around the world, mainly due to economic conditions, and the post effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to data by the United Nations, around 2.8 billion people cannot afford a diet that is healthy, which leads to malnutrition, undernutrition, deficiencies, and obesity. And let’s not forget, malnutrition is not related to only marginal socio-economic classes, but individuals in wealthier nations too are now dealing with unhealthy eating habits.
The theme for this year’s World Food Day is 'Right to foods for a better life and a better future', and the right to food is recognised by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Nutritious food is not only essential for human development, but also for overall health, and well-being.
Nonetheless, it cannot be ruled out that hunger and malnutrition have consequences that not only affect individuals, but have a huge impact on overall communities, and nations. Hunger is the derivative of poverty, social instability, and conflict as well, and vice versa. Hence, to combat global hunger, such issues need to be dealt with immediately in order to build more nutritious livelihoods.
Be it indulging in sustainable agriculture practices, or reducing food waste, there are several ways in which an individual can help with food security, as suggested by The Food And Agriculture Organization Of The United States. Here are some efforts that you can take:
Voice Your Opinions: Make sure to be vocal with your community and raise awareness about food security. Collective voices can lead to policymakers taking necessary actions.
Choose Local Foods: Try to eat locally sourced, seasonal foods because it not only supports local economies but is a way to practice sustainable agricultural practices.
Indulge In Healthy Habits: Promote nutritious choices and healthy eating among friends and family to contribute to the overall well-being of your community.
Practice Food Safety: Be careful about proper storage and handling of food in order to cut down on the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Become Label Literate: Try to understand food labels in order to make informed dietary choices, and discern between "best before" and "use by" dates.
Support Local Farmers: Be supportive of the rights of those who grow our food, and raise awareness about the challenges faced by farmers.
Reduce Food Waste: Make sure to minimise food waste, and try to use leftovers to reduce your environmental impact.
