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GLOBAL FOOD INSECURITY
Name
Course
Date
Global Food Insecurity
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Food insecurity, malnutrition, and hunger are interconnected issues that affect
millions of people worldwide. Food insecurity is the lack of consistent access to sufficient,
safe, and nutritious food, while malnutrition refers to the imbalance between the body's
nutrient needs and the nutrients it receives. Hunger, on the other hand, is the physiological
sensation of needing food.
Food insecurity is a major contributor to malnutrition and hunger, and it can result
from a variety of factors, including poverty, environmental degradation, political instability,
and conflict. In a study by the United States Department of Agriculture, it was found that
households with food insecurity were more likely to have lower intakes of nutrients like iron,
calcium, and vitamin C compared to households without food insecurity 1. As a result, food-
insecure individuals may suffer from malnutrition and hunger, leading to various health
problems.
Malnutrition can occur in two forms: undernutrition and overnutrition. Undernutrition
happens when the body does not receive enough nutrients to maintain its normal functions.
This can result in stunted growth, wasting, and other health problems. On the other hand,
overnutrition occurs when the body receives an excess of nutrients, leading to obesity and
related health problems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition is
responsible for approximately 45% of deaths globally in children under the age of 52.
Hunger is the result of the body's response to insufficient food intake. It can result
1
Kendall, A., Olson, C. M., & Frongillo Jr, E. A. (1996). Relationship of hunger and food insecurity to
food availability and consumption. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 96(10), 1019-1024.
2
World Health Organization. (2021). Malnutrition. Retrieved from
[Link]
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from food insecurity, poverty, or other factors that prevent individuals from accessing
adequate food. According to the United Nations, around 811 million people globally were
undernourished in 20203. Hunger can lead to a range of health problems, including weakened
immune systems, stunted growth, and impaired cognitive development.
Food insecurity is a complex issue influenced by several factors, including poverty,
global warming, ineffective public policies, natural disasters, household waste, and conflicts.
Firstly, poverty is one of the leading causes of food insecurity 4. Poor households often lack
the financial resources to purchase sufficient and nutritious food, leading to chronic food
insecurity. In addition, poverty can limit access to education and health services, further
exacerbating food insecurity.
Global warming is another factor contributing to food insecurity. Climate change can
cause extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and hurricanes, which can devastate
crops and livestock5. In addition, rising temperatures can reduce yields and nutritional value,
leading to food shortages and malnutrition. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change, climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of
extreme weather events, threatening global food security.
Ineffective public policies can also contribute to food insecurity. For example,
subsidies that favor certain crops can lead to overproduction and underinvestment in other
3
Bongaarts, J. (2021). FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO The State of Food Security and Nutrition
in the World 2020. Transforming food systems for affordable healthy diets FAO, 2020, 320 p.
4
Gonzalez, C. G. (2014). World poverty and food insecurity. Penn St. JL & Int'l Aff., 3, 56.
5
Costello, A., Abbas, M., Allen, A., Ball, S., Bell, S., Bellamy, R., ... & Patterson, C. (2009). Managing
the health effects of climate change: lancet and University College London Institute for Global Health
Commission. The lancet, 373(9676), 1693-1733.
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essential crops, resulting in imbalanced diets and food shortages. Additionally, poor
infrastructure, inadequate food storage and transportation, and lack of access to credit can
limit farmers' productivity and prevent them from reaching markets, reducing food
availability and increasing prices.
Natural disasters can have a devastating impact on food security. For example, floods,
droughts, and storms can damage crops and infrastructure, leading to reduced food
availability and higher prices. In addition, natural disasters can displace people and disrupt
local markets, leading to further food shortages and malnutrition. According to the World
Bank, natural disasters have caused an estimated $18 billion in agricultural losses annually 6.
Household waste is another factor contributing to food insecurity. According to the
Food and Agriculture Organization, approximately one-third of all food produced globally is
lost or wasted each year7. This waste could be used to feed millions of people, reducing food
insecurity. Additionally, household waste can also contribute to environmental degradation,
which can exacerbate food insecurity.
In addition, conflicts and political instability can disrupt food systems, leading to food
shortages and malnutrition. According to the World Food Programme, "conflict is a leading
cause of hunger"8. In addition to displacing people and disrupting markets, conflicts can also
lead to the destruction of crops and livestock, further exacerbating food insecurity.
6
World Bank. (2018). Natural Hazards, Unnatural Disasters. The Economics of Effective Prevention.
Washington, DC: World Bank.
7
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2019). The State of Food and Agriculture 2019. Moving forward
on food loss and waste reduction. Rome, FAO.
8
World Food Program. (2021). Hunger and poverty. Retrieved from
[Link]
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According to international law and the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs), food insecurity is a significant problem that requires attention and action. The
right to food is considered a fundamental human right under international law. The Universal
Declaration of Human Rights states that "everyone has the right to a standard of living
adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food" 9. This
right has also been reinforced in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights (ICESCR), which obliges states to ensure access to food for all. The ICESCR outlines
that "adequate food is available, accessible, and can be obtained in a dignified manner" 10.
The United Nations has also developed the SDGs, which include a goal to end
hungerand achieve food security by 2030. SDG 2 aims to eliminate hunger, promote
sustainable agriculture, and improve food systems 11. The SDGs recognize that food insecurity
is a complex problem that requires a range of solutions. To address this, it is essential to
increase agricultural productivity, reduce food waste, improve nutrition, and promote
sustainable food systems12.
9
United Nations. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Retrieved from
[Link]
10
United Nations. (1966). International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Retrieved
from [Link]
11
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Retrieved from [Link]
12
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Retrieved from [Link]
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Bibliography
Kendall, A., Olson, C. M., & Frongillo Jr, E. A. (1996). Relationship of hunger and food
insecurity to food availability and consumption. Journal of the American Dietetic
Association, 96(10), 1019-1024.
World Health Organization. (2021). Malnutrition. Retrieved from [Link]
room/questions-and-answers/item/malnutrition.
Bongaarts, J. (2021). FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO The State of Food Security and
Nutrition in the World 2020. Transforming food systems for affordable healthy diets
FAO, 2020, 320 p.
7
Gonzalez, C. G. (2014). World poverty and food insecurity. Penn St. JL & Int'l Aff., 3, 56.
Costello, A., Abbas, M., Allen, A., Ball, S., Bell, S., Bellamy, R., ... & Patterson, C. (2009).
Managing the health effects of climate change: lancet and University College London
Institute for Global Health Commission. The lancet, 373(9676), 1693-1733.
World Bank. (2018). Natural Hazards, Unnatural Disasters. The Economics of Effective
Prevention. Washington, DC: World Bank.
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2019). The State of Food and Agriculture 2019. Moving
forward on food loss and waste reduction. Rome, FAO.
World Food Program. (2021). Hunger and poverty. Retrieved from
[Link]
United Nations. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Retrieved from
[Link]
United Nations. (1966). International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Retrieved from [Link]
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development. Retrieved from
[Link]
