Thematic Support - Nutrition Planetary Health

Low-income but emerging countries in Africa and South Asia are afflicted by the so-called ‘double burden’ of malnutrition: growth failure and the attendant risks of micronutrient deficiencies, and increasing levels of overweight and obesity that cause diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure). Each of these reduces the health and well-being of the population and inhibits national development. Developing solutions to these conditions requires a detailed understanding of the causes. These are often not so simple as they may seem. For instance, infections are at least as important as poor dietary sources of iron in determining iron deficiency in children. Likewise, many health conditions that emerge later in life have their origins in prior generations and in the very first days of fetal development. Our research seeks to understand how diet affects growth and disease and thereby to devise better routes to improve population in low-income nations. We have recently started a new programme of research in planetary health in response to the growing threat of population growth, climate change and degradation of ecosystems. Our work is aimed at advising governments on strategies to optimise their investments in food systems, agriculture and land use.