TY - JOUR
T1 - Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species
T2 - The Key to Improving Dietary Diversity and Fighting Hunger and Malnutrition in Asia and the Pacific
AU - Li, Xuan
AU - Yadav, Rashmi
AU - Siddique, Kadambot H.M.
PY - 2020/11/19
Y1 - 2020/11/19
N2 - Asia continues to suffer from a high prevalence of malnutrition. Persistent malnutrition can be attributed to low dietary diversity, together with low production diversity. Dietary diversity represents a more healthy, balanced, and diverse diet, which ensures nutrient adequacy. The principle of dietary diversity is affirmed in all national food-based dietary guidelines. Food-based approaches that address malnutrition, especially micronutrient deficiencies, are embedded in evidence-based healthy diet patterns; however, they are disconnected from the current agricultural production system. Promising neglected and underutilized species (NUS) that are nutrient-dense, climate-resilient, profitable, and locally available/adaptable are fundamental to improving dietary and production diversity. The Future Smart Food Initiative, led by FAO's Regional Initiative on Zero Hunger, aims to harness the enormous benefits of NUS in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. Recognizing that NUS covers crops, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, and forests, the FAO has set crops as an entry point for NUS to address hunger and malnutrition.
AB - Asia continues to suffer from a high prevalence of malnutrition. Persistent malnutrition can be attributed to low dietary diversity, together with low production diversity. Dietary diversity represents a more healthy, balanced, and diverse diet, which ensures nutrient adequacy. The principle of dietary diversity is affirmed in all national food-based dietary guidelines. Food-based approaches that address malnutrition, especially micronutrient deficiencies, are embedded in evidence-based healthy diet patterns; however, they are disconnected from the current agricultural production system. Promising neglected and underutilized species (NUS) that are nutrient-dense, climate-resilient, profitable, and locally available/adaptable are fundamental to improving dietary and production diversity. The Future Smart Food Initiative, led by FAO's Regional Initiative on Zero Hunger, aims to harness the enormous benefits of NUS in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. Recognizing that NUS covers crops, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, and forests, the FAO has set crops as an entry point for NUS to address hunger and malnutrition.
KW - Asia pacific region
KW - dietary diversity
KW - food security and nutrition
KW - future smart food
KW - healthy diet
KW - malnutrition
KW - neglected and underutilized species
KW - sustainable development goals
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85097224361&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fnut.2020.593711
DO - 10.3389/fnut.2020.593711
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85097224361
VL - 7
JO - Frontiers in Nutrition
JF - Frontiers in Nutrition
SN - 2296-861X
M1 - 593711
ER -