Despite significant progress in addressing hunger and undernutrition in the early 2000s, malnutrition, in all its forms, remains a major challenge in all regions of the world. Unhealthy diets remain the primary drivers of many forms of malnutrition, including undernutrition, overweight and obesity, micronutrient deficiencies, and diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Today, the number of people who cannot afford a healthy diet is as high as 3.1 billion people. The imperative for meaningful solutions to help achieve better nutrition for people and a better future for the planet have never been stronger; meaningful impact will require that we deploy high-impact, evidence-based solutions in context-specific and adaptable, dynamic, and equitable ways.
IFPRI’s 2024 Global Food Policy Report on Food Systems for Healthy Diets, presents evidence-based policy and governance solutions to strengthen diet quality and nutrition in low- and middle-income countries, and examines priorities for future research on food systems for better nutrition. Reflecting on a long history of research on diets, agriculture and food systems by IFPRI and the CGIAR, in partnership with many around the world, the report emphasizes the critical need to focus our attention on diets that promote health and well-being for both people and the planet. It examines how demand- and supply-side approaches can support healthy dietary choices, how critical it is to invest in efforts to improve affordability, and to strengthen food environments in ways that can improve diets. The report also highlights ways to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, explores the role of animal-sourced foods, and discusses the role of effective governance in achieving change. Last, but not least, the report highlights critical challenges for several regions around the world – where contextually-relevant actions must come together to deliver impact.
Following opening remarks and presentations of the report’s key findings and recommendations by IFPRI’s researchers, a distinguished panel of partners and experts will discuss the report. Expert remarks will focus on challenges and opportunities to transform food systems so that everyone everywhere can reap the benefits of sustainable healthy diets
