Food and nutrition insecurity in Europe: challenges and opportunities for dietitians
In recent years, the interest in food and nutrition insecurity in high-income countries has skyrocketed. However, its recognition in Europe is still developing. This perspective summarizes the evidence on food and nutrition insecurity across Europe in terms of prevalence, consequences, and current m...
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2023 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universitat Ramon Llull (URL) |
| Repositorio: | DAU Arxiu Digital de la Universitat Ramon Llull |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:dau.url.edu:20.500.14342/3731 |
| Acceso en línea: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14342/3731 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2023.07.008 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Seguretat alimentària -- Europa Dietistes Nutricionistes Inseguretat alimentària Desigualtats en salut 613 |
| Sumario: | In recent years, the interest in food and nutrition insecurity in high-income countries has skyrocketed. However, its recognition in Europe is still developing. This perspective summarizes the evidence on food and nutrition insecurity across Europe in terms of prevalence, consequences, and current mitigation strategies, with the aim of outlining the challenges and opportunities for dietitians. Prevalence in the general population ranges between 5% and 20%, with higher rates identified in women, children, older adults, single-parent households, those with low educational attainment, and on low or unstable income and/or employment. In users of food aid, the prevalence of food insecurity is above 70%. Responses to food and nutrition insecurity include welfare policies and food assistance programs at regional and national levels. However, most current strategies are not successful in tackling the structural drivers of food and nutrition insecurity, nor do they guarantee diet quality. Despite limited involvement to-date, dietitians can play an important role in addressing food and nutrition insecurity across Europe. This narrative identifies 4 areas: 1) create awareness of the existence and severity of food and nutrition insecurity, 2) advocate for comprehensive, robust data on the determinants and prevalence, 3) partner with diverse stakeholders, social assistance providers, local authorities, and nongovernmental organizations in a comprehensive, intersectoral, and integrated manner, 4) participate in the development of political instruments and interventions that ensure equitable access to high-quality safe food. |
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