Food and nutrition insecurity in Europe: challenges and opportunities for dietitians
Author
Carrillo Álvarez, Elena
Other authors
Universitat Ramon Llull. Facultat de Ciències de la Salut Blanquerna
Grup de Recerca Global Research on Wellbeing - GRoW
Publication date
2023-08Abstract
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.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Published version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
613 - Hygiene generally. Personal health and hygiene
Keywords
Seguretat alimentària -- Europa
Dietistes
Nutricionistes
Inseguretat alimentària
Desigualtats en salut
Pages
10 p.
Publisher
Elsevier
Is part of
Advances in nutrition, 2023, vol. 14, núm. 5, p. 995-1004
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
Rights
© L'autor/a
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/