FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SECURITY by Odette Sanabria Solchaga

The Following is translated from the expert post of Odette Sanabria Solchaga from our Blog de Expertos:

http://tgcblogdevisitantes.blogspot.com/


FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SECURITY: A STRATEGY FOR THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

In recent years, many countries have been prompted to address food and nutritional security to combat poverty and promote human development. 815 million people live without enough food and are malnurished. 777 million are in developing countries, 27 million are in transition countries and 11 million are in developed countries.

Food and Nutritional Security as a strategy for social and economic development aids in the production of food to ensure adequate health and nutrition in developing countries. It is a strategy that is driving many countries in Latin America, mandated by the presidents of the Central American countries and is supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Health Organization, The Institute of Nutrition or Central America and Panama (INCAP) and many more.

It is extremely important to understand that Food and Nutritional Security is achievable when people understand the amount and quality of nutrients that is necessary for good individual and community health. When people organize themselves around this issue they promote human development and social and economic sustainability.

Food and nutritional insecurity occurs when the diets of people do not include this minimal amount of quality nutrients. The principle causes of food and nutritional insecurity that affects millions of people are:

Poverty, one of the principle problems facing society
Low levels of food production
Low per capita income and insufficient purchasing power
High dependence on importing basic foods
High prevalence of malnutrition and illnesses
Inadequate distribution and utilization of food in the home
High incident of effects from climate change
High population growth rate

Food and Nutritional Security occurs when nutritional requirements for individuals and groups is satisfactorily achieved. When a person is malnourished they have a reduced capacity to produce and a lower potential for personal development. Malnutrition in the population causes underdevelopment and increases inequality and poverty.

As a result of all of these situations, the education, health and agricultural sectors are putting forth efforts to unite everyone to achieve food and nutritional security.