Main description:

The Regional Overview of Food Insecurity provide an overview of key trends in food security and nutrition across FAO's five official regions. This report, coordinated by FAO and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), reveals alarming rates of obesity, particularly in women, at the same time as malnutrition persists. It points out that one of the main factors contributing to the rise of obesity and overweight has been the change in dietary patterns. Economic growth, increased urbanization, higher average incomes and the integration of the region into international markets have reduced the consumption of traditional preparations and increased consumption of ultra-processed products, a problem that has had greater impact on areas and countries that are net food importers. The report noted how several governments have introduced policies aimed at improving nutrition of their citizens, including taxes for sugar-sweetened beverages and healthy food laws that regulate food advertising and/or labeling. These measures should be complemented by better access to fresh food and safe water, stronger family farming, shorter production and marketing circuits, improved public procurement programmes, and food and nutrition education programmes.