Opinion Article, J Food Nutr Disor Vol: 13 Issue: 2

Public Health Approaches to Tackle Urban Malnutrition Challenges

Robert Henry^*

¹Department of Public Health, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt

*Corresponding Author: Robert Henry,
Department of Public Health, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
E-mail: Henryrobert@cairouni.it

Received date: 21 February, 2024, Manuscript No. JFND-24-135411;

Editor assigned date: 23 February, 2024, PreQC No. JFND-24-135411 (PQ);

Reviewed date: 07 March, 2024, QC No. JFND-24-135411;

Revised date: 13 March, 2024, Manuscript No. JFND-24-135411 (R);

Published date: 20 March, 2024, DOI: 10.4172/2324-8661.1000404

Citation: Henry R (2024) Public Health Approaches to Tackle Urban Malnutrition Challenges. J Food Nutr Disor 13:2.

Description

Urban malnutrition presents a complex and growing public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries experiencing rapid urbanization. As cities expand, opportunities and challenges associated with ensuring food security in urban areas increase [1]. To address this issue comprehensively, public health approaches play a pivotal role in developing and implementing strategies to tackle urban malnutrition. By understanding the existing literature and examples of urban governance for nutrition, we can derive significant insights into the most effective public health approaches to address these challenges.

Urban contexts provide a ready-made environment for influencing the diets and nutrition of large numbers of people [2]. Consequently, the deployment of public health approaches in urban areas becomes pivotal to shaping healthy food environments, promoting dietary diversity, and addressing malnutrition across different population groups [3].

Effective urban governance for nutrition requires coordinated action across sectors within city governments, involving various urban stakeholders such as the private sector, civil society, and academia [4]. These multi-stakeholder and multi-level approaches enable the translation of policies into actions on the ground, sharing responsibilities, improving coordination, and defining shared goals [5].

Several case studies have demonstrated the efficacy of urban governance initiatives in addressing urban malnutrition challenges. The Clean Street Food Hubs Initiative in India, the Punjab Food Authority in Pakistan, and the National Multisectoral Nutrition Action Plan in Tanzania have successfully prioritized urban governance for nutrition development [6].

Clean Street Food Hubs Initiative (CSFHI)

This initiative in India formed clusters of street food vendors under one hub, facilitating training and infrastructure improvement to enhance health and hygiene [7].

Punjab Food Authority (PFA)

The PFA in Pakistan regulates the food market and enforces rules and regulations on food safety and hygiene, demonstrating the significance of standards and enforcement in urban governance for nutrition [8].

National Multisectoral Nutrition Action Plan (NMNAP)

This plan in Tanzania addresses high levels of urban malnutrition, calling on different sectors to join the fight against malnutrition at all levels and make nutrition a national priority [9].

The implementation of these urban governance initiatives has encountered challenges such as mistrust from stakeholders, limited compliance with standards from business partners, and no previous experience in multisectoral working. However, they have also resulted in considerable achievements, including improved food safety and hygiene, increased inspections, and a rise in the government’s financial commitment to nutrition [10].

Policymakers universally need to rebalance their efforts to make high-quality diets a priority for both urban and rural populations. A high priority should be given to national policies that regulate urban food systems and address the needs of all urban population groups.

The triple burden of malnutrition, comprising undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight/obesity, requires targeted public health interventions to address its diverse aspects. Policymakers should aim to champion better diets and nutrition, promoting a systemic reduction in malnutrition across urban areas.

Rapid urbanization poses several challenges, including significant increases in the prevalence of overweight/obesity and related noncommunicable diseases among adults and schoolchildren, while the number of child stunting remains largely unchanged. These challenges necessitate a multifaceted public health approach that not only addresses current issues but also anticipates and prepares for future nutritional challenges associated with urbanization.

Public health approaches are instrumental in addressing the complex urban malnutrition challenges. By leveraging urban governance for nutrition, multi-stakeholder and multi-level approaches, policymakers can prioritize the development and implementation of effective strategies to ensure urban food security, promote healthy diets, and address the diverse nutritional needs of urban populations. The examples of the Clean Street Food Hubs Initiative, the Punjab Food Authority, and the National Multisectoral Nutrition Action Plan serve as valuable sources of insight and learning for the application of public health approaches to tackle urban malnutrition challenges. This underscores the significance of aligning national policies that regulate urban food systems and infrastructure with the varied urban nutritional needs, ensuring equitability and sustainability in addressing urban malnutrition challenges.

References

1. Horowitz CR, Colson KA, Hebert PL, Lancaster K (2004) Barriers to buying healthy foods for people with diabetes: evidence of environmental disparities. Am J Public Health 94(9):1549–54. 

   [Crossref] [Google Scholar] [PubMed]

2. Vilar-Compte M, Bernal-Stuart A, Sandoval-Olascoaga S, Pérez-Lizaur A (2014) The effect of Mexican household food security status and income distribution on food access. Food Stud Interdiscip J 31.

   [Crossref] [Google Scholar]

3. Walker RE, Keane CR, Burke JG (2010) Disparities and access to healthy food in the United States: a review of food deserts literature. Health Place 16(5):876–84. 

   [Crossref] [Google Scholar] [PubMed]

4. Moher D, Shamseer L, Clarke M, Ghersi D, Liberati A, et al (2015) Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. Syst Rev 4:1. 

   [Crossref] [Google Scholar] [PubMed]

5. Freudenberg N (2000) Time for a national agenda to improve the health of urban populations. Am J Public Health 90(6):837–40. 

   [Crossref] [Google Scholar] [PubMed]

6. Geronimus AT (2000) To mitigate, resist, or undo: addressing structural influences on the health of urban populations. Am J Public Health 90(6):867–72.

   [Crossref] [Google Scholar] [PubMed]

7.  Speers MA, Lancaster B (1998) Disease prevention and health promotion in urban areas: CDC’s perspective. Health Educ Behav 25(2):226–33.

   [Crossref] [Google Scholar] [PubMed]

8. Akinboade OA, Adeyefa SA (2018) An analysis of variance of food security by its main determinants among the urban poor in the city of Tshwane, South Africa. Soc Indic Res 137(1):61–82.

   [Crossref] [Google Scholar]

9. Azambuja APO, Netto-Oliveira ER, Oliveira AAB, Azambuja MA, Rinaldi W (2013) Prevalence of overweight/obesity and economical status of schoolchildren. Rev Paul Pediatr 31(2):166–71. 

   [Crossref] [Google Scholar] [PubMed]

10. Barosh L, Friel S, Engelhardt K, Chan L (2014) The cost of a healthy and sustainable diet – who can afford it? Aust N Z J Public Health 38(1):7–12. 

    [Crossref] [Google Scholar] [PubMed]