Category: Global health

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), billions of people worldwide suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, a condition known as 'hidden hunger,' with iron, vitamin A, and iodine being the most common shortcomings. These deficiencies can have devastating, long-term effects on health, development, and productivity.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the average global daily calorie intake has risen significantly over recent decades, with current estimates around 2,980 kilocalories per person per day. But what does this translate to in actual weight, and how much food does an average person eat per year across different regions?

Globally, the average adult consumes more than double the World Health Organization's recommended daily limit of salt, equating to over 10 grams per day. While many populations face challenges with excessive sodium, pinning down precisely which country eats the least salt is complex. This article delves into the nuances of global salt consumption data, revealing regional trends and the successful efforts of some nations to reduce their population's intake.

According to the World Bank, undernutrition affects over 162 million stunted children in developing countries alone. Nutrition sensitive agriculture is important because it is a food-based approach that addresses not only the quantity of food produced, but also its nutritional quality, aiming to overcome malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. This holistic approach moves beyond simply increasing crop yields to building sustainable and resilient food systems that support human health and well-being.

According to the World Food Programme, over 295 million people in 53 countries experienced acute food insecurity in 2024 alone. A widespread food crisis is not a single event but a complex spectrum of severe conditions, and the terminology used to describe it ranges from food insecurity to the specific, technical classification of famine.

According to data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and Our World in Data, the small Nordic nation of Iceland consistently ranks at the top for daily protein availability per person. This leads many to ask, what country eats the most protein, and what factors influence such a high intake?

Recent studies using robust 24-hour urine analysis have consistently shown that China has the highest sodium intake in the world, with average adult consumption frequently exceeding 10 grams of salt per day. This is more than double the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended maximum daily intake of less than 5 grams. This excessive intake is primarily attributed to traditional cooking practices rather than processed foods.

An estimated 17% of the global population is at risk of inadequate zinc intake, particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. This essential mineral deficiency, or 'hidden hunger,' disproportionately affects vulnerable communities due to dietary habits, poor soil quality, and limited access to diverse, nutritious foods.

For thousands of years, cultures across the globe have understood that certain foods hold profound medicinal properties, a concept deeply ingrained in many traditions. This practice is not an alternative to modern medicine, but a foundational approach to promoting health, preventing illness, and restoring balance within the body. Diverse cultures have developed unique systems for classifying and using food therapeutically, tailored to their environments and philosophical beliefs.

According to World Atlas, the African nations of Rwanda and Burundi are the top consumers, with carbohydrates making up 82% of their diet. This high reliance on starches is a dietary pattern linked to agricultural practices and economic factors common in developing regions.