Achieving a nutrition revolution for Africa: The road to healthier diets and optimal nutrition

Abstract

Focusing the 2015 Annual Trends and Outlook Report (ATOR) on nutrition will contribute to a broader understanding of the critical role of nutrition in achieving international, continental, and national economic growth targets through agriculture, food security, and nutrition. This report presents information and analysis in support of evidence-based policy making that should inform the second generation of CAADP national investment plans now being developed. This is an important moment for shaping the region’s future and ensuring that the much-needed agriculture-led growth and development agenda can simultaneously deliver on improving nutrition, saving lives, improving productivity and health, and curbing nutrition-related diseases and the associated public health expenditures. These investment plans should address not only the usual elements of undernutrition but also widespread micronutrient deficiencies (termed “hidden hunger”) and the growing problem of overweight and obesity that is associated with economic growth.1 introduction 2 The African union policy environment toward enabling action for nutrition in Africa 3 Africa’s progress toward meeting current nutrition targets 4 Economic development and nutrition transition in Ghana: taking stock of food consumption patterns and trends 5 Making African agriculture and food systems work for nutrition: what has been done, and what needs to be done? 6 Lessons learned from the evaluation of Helen Keller International’s enhanced homestead food production program 7 The role of biofortification as part of more diverse diets in Africa: progress, challenges, and opportunities 8 The role of mycotoxin contamination in nutrition: the aflatoxin story 9 The challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned in evidence-informed decision making in Africa 10 Evaluating nutrition-sensitive programs: challenges, methods, and opportunities 11 Supporting multisectoral action: capacity and nutrition leadership challenges facing Africa 12 Tracking key CAADP indicators and implementation processes 13 Summary and policy recommendations: toward a nutrition revolution for AfricaReportPRIFPRI1; ReSAKSS; HarvestPlus; B Promoting healthy food systemsDSGD; WCAO; ESAO; HarvestPlus; PHND; A4NH; MTIDCGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH

Analysis of Food System Topics from the Consumers’ Perspective in a Developing Country Context: Key Insights from ANRS Metropolitan Cities, Ethiopia

“…Besides, it is crucial to know as much as possible about consumers since the primary outcome of food and nutrition security research is to contribute to healthier diets. 9 Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the consumer food choice drivers is needed in order to identify suitable entry points that can be levered for change to improve food and nutrition security. 10 Recently, perspectives and approaches to end malnutrition are changing.…”

Modelling policies to improve affordability and consumption of nutritious foods for complementary feeding in Kenya

“…T A B L E 3 Percentage changes in DDS scores for households. lower prices for consumers (Covic & Hendriks, 2016;FAO, 2020aFAO, , 2020b.…”

“…In the 2022 state of food security and nutrition in the world, the extensive literature and country reviews performed on how agricultural policies affect diets, show that increasing productivity (through research and development and knowledge transfers) and investing in infrastructure to reduce transaction costs was key in the delivery of affordable healthy diets and environmental sustainability (FAO et al, 2022). The role of market structure (competition) has also been highlighted in providing lower prices for consumers (Covic & Hendriks, 2016; FAO, 2020a, 2020b).…”

Diversity and conservation of traditional African vegetables: Priorities for action

“…Governments have highlighted the important role of food production diversification to promote a wider range of healthier foods and support more sustainable production systems (Covic & Hendriks, 2016;von Grebmer et al, 2014). In a revised research and development agenda, traditional African vegetables have high potential to contribute to food production diversification and healthier diets in SSA.…”