The Climate Change-Obesity-Malnutrition Link

Exploring the Intricate Link between Climate Change and Obesity

Aafrin Kidwai, February 18, 2019 (The Times Of India)

“…[O]besity and climate change have common drivers and mitigating actions…The [four major] drivers include food and agriculture, transportation, urban design, and land use…Rising temperatures, variable rainfall, extreme weather events and loss of agricultural land due to droughts and floods are impacting food production, availability and access around the world…Undernutrition and obesity are two forms of malnutrition… Severe food insecurity is associated with lower obesity prevalence, but mild to moderate food insecurity is, paradoxically, associated with higher obesity prevalence among vulnerable populations living on marginal-quality diets and ultra-processed food products…Undernutrition in early life increases the risk of adult obesity, [according to ‘The Global Syndemic of Obesity, Undernutrition and Climate Change’

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…The word ‘syndemic’ here means a set of linked health problems—in this case obesity, under-nutrition and climate change—which exacerbates the burden of disease in a population…Climate change will increase undernutrition through increased food insecurity from extreme weather events, droughts, and shifts in agriculture. Climate change also affects the prices of basic food commodities, especially fruits and vegetables, potentially increasing consumption of processed foods…[The report] is scathing in its criticism of corporations and governments chasing profit and power, ignoring the public health and environmental damage caused by current food systems, transportation, urban design and land use…From the availability and affordability of healthy foods to walkable, cycle-friendly streets and energy conserving mass transport, the agenda for action is clear. Governments and business cannot shrug their responsibility…” click here for more

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