Q & A: Understanding COVID-19 ’ s Impact on Food Security and Nutrition

Food markets were closed as many countries across the globe went into a lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The reduced access to high-value foods and higher food prices for nutritious foods has led to a risk of declining dietary quality globally. Credit: Jorge Luis Baños/IPS By Samira SadequeUNITED NATIONS, Jul 15 2020 (IPS) While it is too early to assess the full impact of the global COVID-19 lockdowns, at least 83 million to 132 million more people may go hungry this year — 690 million people were classified as hungry in 2019 — as the pandemic has highlighted the vulnerabilities and inadequacies of global food systems.  This is according to the State of Food Security And Nutrition in the World 2020 report jointly launched by United Nations agencies this week. The report also noted “the nutritional status of the most vulnerable population groups is likely to deteriorate further due to the health and socio-economic impacts of COVID-19”. Experts say that during the pandemic a myriad of factors, including reduced access to high-value foods, higher food prices (especially for nutritious, perishable foods) and the higher consumption of ultra-processed foods, has led to a risk of declining dietary quality globally. “Understanding who is the most affected by the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic is essential to build momentum for action, to guide decision-making and to engage and empower the vulnerable as agents,” Katarzyna Dembska, a ...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Development & Aid Editors' Choice Featured Food & Agriculture Food Security and Nutrition Food Sustainability Gender Global Headlines Health Humanitarian Emergencies IPS UN: Inside the Glasshouse Population Poverty & SDGs Regio Source Type: news