We are living in one of the most uncertain times on planet earth, witnessing extreme climate shifts, environmental breakdown, and social struggle. There is a great discord on the planet with annual and seasonal cycles of floods, fires, droughts and extreme poverty. To counter these challenges, we need to be healthy and our nutrition goes a long way in ensuring this. According to the World Health Organization, (WHO), food plays a critical role in ensuring the health of an individual.
The spreading scourge of the corona virus, malnutrition, obesity and overweight has resulted in a double burden of immunity and malnutrition. While the world is fighting to stunt in 155 million children less than 5 years old and wasting in 52 million, more than 42 million children and 640 million adults are either overweight or obese. These polar extremes have created an explosion of diet-related Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), limiting the physical and cognitive development of populations and placing an undue burden on healthcare systems.
The double burden can only be solved by a multi-sectoral nutrition response, which introduces nutrient-rich, holistic and culturally appropriate foods into the diets of everyone, but especially of at-risk populations. Unfortunately, current food systems are unsustainable and do not provide the foods we desperately need, increasing production and consumption of highly processed foods and jeopardizing planetary and population health.
Fast foods have taken over the market. People have become lazy and very few do actual cooking of their own foods. In Kenya for instance, food can be ordered at the comfort of one’s bed, office, and home. Fast food processing companies have taken control of the food industry and deliver food to people all hour round.
Figure 2Fast foods |Photo source: Visualhunt.com
