Poor Nutrition Causes 15M Premature Deaths Annually, Calls for Global Dietary Change by 2050
Alarmingly, poor nutrition is causing 15 million premature deaths each year, linked to diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, cancers, and neurodegenerative disorders. To combat this, international organisations are pushing for dietary changes and equitable access to healthy food by 2050.
The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is leading global efforts to improve nutrition, food safety, and sustainability. Meanwhile, the Swiss Alliance Sufosec, a coalition of six NGOs, supports local agricultural systems and fights hunger worldwide through ecological methods. National bodies like Austria's National Nutrition Commission and Germany's federal ministries are also actively promoting sustainable and healthy food systems.
A recent study in The Lancet by 100 international scientists underscores the urgency of these issues. It highlights that nearly half the world's population lacks access to healthy food, a clean environment, or a decent wage. Moreover, food production contributes to environmental degradation, responsible for nearly 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
To reduce premature deaths and environmental damage, a shift towards healthier diets is crucial. This includes consuming more vegetables, whole grains, and nuts, and less processed foods, red meat, dairy, added sugars, saturated fats, and salt. Equitable access to healthy food and sustainable agricultural practices must be achieved by 2050. International and national organisations are working together to make this a reality.
