Chronic Hunger and the Affordability of Healthy Diets
11.10.2023
Chronic hunger continues to affect an estimated 738 million people worldwide, according to mid-range estimates from The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023 report. However, an equally critical concern alongside hunger is the affordability of healthy diets.
The issue of healthy diet affordability has been closely monitored since its introduction in The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2019 report. It not only assesses the quality of diets and their nutritional implications but also highlights the accessibility aspect of food security and nutrition. Shockingly, in 2021, 3.1 billion people struggled to afford a healthy diet.
The Framework for Estimating Healthy Diets Unaffordability
Recognizing that modeling healthy diet unaffordability is pivotal for global food security and nutrition, a webinar held by the Technical Network of Poverty Analysis (THINK-PA) on 10 October 2023, presented a framework that combines general equilibrium models with household-level microdata to estimate Healthy Diets Unaffordability.
The framework utilizes the MIRAGRODEP computable general equilibrium model and the POVANA dataset, which consists largely of LSMS survey data from 31 countries. The dataset includes information from over 300,000 representative households, offering invaluable insights into income sources and expenditure patterns.
Assessing the Impact and Reformulating Policies
During the webinar, David Laborde, Division Director (ESA), provided participants with practical examples of how this framework can assess the impact of complex shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, on healthy diet affordability. Additionally, he demonstrated how food and agricultural policies, aimed at both producers and consumers, can be reformulated to make healthy diets more affordable, including the elimination of subsidies.
However, it’s important to note that the approach requires careful consideration, not only in interpreting the results but also in critically reviewing the underlying assumptions. One of the main topics of discussion was whether modeled Healthy Diets Unaffordability serves as a positive or normative measure. Laborde argued that the measure is normative, given its strong focus on what people should consume rather than what they have consumed, and the emphasis on normative shares of food consumption.
Factors such as expenditure shares, homegrown consumption, and the availability of food price data, including household unit values and homogeneous market prices, represent significant challenges in enhancing the measure. Consequently, it is not advisable to refer to Healthy Diet Unaffordability as a poverty measure.
Addressing Global Food Security and Nutrition Concerns
The webinar was an insightful exploration of the multifaceted issue of healthy diet affordability and presented a valuable tool for policymakers and researchers alike. In a world where access to nutritious food remains a challenge for billions, initiatives like these play a crucial role in addressing global food security and nutrition concerns.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article discusses the issues of chronic hunger and the affordability of healthy diets, which are directly connected to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The focus on accessibility and affordability also relates to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), as it highlights the disparities in accessing nutritious food.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular, the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
- SDG 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and older persons.
- SDG 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
Based on the article’s content, the targets mentioned above are relevant to the issues discussed. These targets aim to end hunger, address malnutrition, reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, and promote social and economic inclusion.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment
- Indicator 2.2.2: Prevalence of malnutrition (weight for height >+2 or <-2 standard deviation from the median of the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards)
- Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and disability
The article does not explicitly mention these indicators, but they can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators assess the prevalence of undernourishment and malnutrition, mortality rates from non-communicable diseases, and the proportion of people living below a certain income threshold.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular, the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round. 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and older persons. |
Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment Indicator 2.2.2: Prevalence of malnutrition (weight for height >+2 or <-2 standard deviation from the median of the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards) |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. | Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and disability |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: fao.org
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