Addressing Food Security and Nutritional Challenges: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Health Administration Strategies for Vulnerable Communities in South Asia: Health Strategies for Food Security

Aroob Aslam; Zulekha Zameer

doi:10.54393/df.v5i04.151

Authors

Aroob Aslam Institute of Administrative Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Zulekha Zameer Kauser Abdulla Malik School of Life Sciences, Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/df.v5i04.151

Keywords:

Food Security, Malnutrition, Health Strategies, South Asia

Abstract

South Asia having problems with food deficiency and malnutrition, which are made more problematic by ongoing poverty, fast increase in population, environmental loss, and unstable sociopolitical circumstances. This systematic approach analyzes how good is the health administration techniques that increased food security and nutritional benefits for the region's most disadvantaged inhabitants work. It evaluated a lot of health policies and initiatives that have been seen in South Asian nations, such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Material from 2013 to 2023 was included in the review, which was occurred by employing a comprehensive search plan across seven electronic databases. Studies that were relevant to South Asian countries were given favoritism when selecting the studies, which focused on peer-reviewed publications that evaluated health policies and treatments related to food security and malnutrition. Thirteen studies in all were included following accurate screening program and a quality evaluation utilizing PRISMA guidelines. The study summarized research on women's empowerment plan, integrated resource management, agricultural interventions, and direct food assistance. It highlighted both effective strategies and areas in need of development, providing evidence-based suggestions for program optimization and policy improvements. The final objective was to develop practical insights that help improve food security, strengthen health administration procedures, and boost nutritional values for the most vulnerable communities in the region.

References

Azmi FR, Zailani S, Roni M. A Review of the Critical Gaps in the Food Security Literature: Addressing Key Issues for Sustainable Development. Information Management and Business Review. 2023 Aug; 15(2 (I)): 35-46. doi: 10.22610/imbr.v15i2(I).3440. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v15i2(I).3440

Hibino G and Masui T. Development of AIM (Asia-Pacific Integrated Model) and its contribution to policy-making for the realization of decarbonized societies in Asia. Sustainability Science. 2024 Jan; 19(1): 223-39. doi: 10.1007/s11625-023-01393-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-023-01393-2

Zhang X, Zhang L, Pu Y, Sun M, Zhao Y, Zhang D et al. Global, regional, and national burden of protein-energy malnutrition: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study. Nutrients. 2022 Jun; 14(13): 2592. doi: 10.3390/nu14132592. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132592

Awasthi A, Panduranga AB, Deshpande A. Prevalence of overweight/obesity in South Asia: A narrative review. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health. 2023 Jul; 22: 101316. doi: 10.1016/j.cegh.2023.101316. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2023.101316

Mughal M and Fontan Sers C. Cereal production, undernourishment, and food insecurity in South Asia. Review of Development Economics. 2020 May; 24(2): 524-45. doi: 10.1111/rode.12659. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/rode.12659

Miller L and Malacarne J. What role can farmers markets play in the larger context of food access? A simulation model with application to the state of Maine. Applied Geography. 2023 Sep; 158: 103053. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeog.2023.103053. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2023.103053

Mishra P, Behera B, Bagchi NS, Pariaare B, Reddy VR, Tallapragada C et al. Development of capitals and capabilities of smallholder farmers for promoting inclusive intensification in agriculture: Experiences from northern West Bengal, India. ADBI Working Paper; 2023 Feb. doi: 10.56506/IDLS6570. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56506/IDLS6570

Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2009 Aug; 151(4): 264-9. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00135

Gillespie S, Van Den Bold M, Hodge J. Nutrition and the governance of agri-food systems in South Asia: A systematic review. Food Policy. 2019 Jan; 82: 13-27. doi: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.10.013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.10.013

Rasul G. Managing the food, water, and energy nexus for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in South Asia. Environmental Development. 2016 Apr; 18: 14-25. doi: 10.1016/j.envdev.2015.12.001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2015.12.001

Bird FA, Pradhan A, Bhavani RV, Dangour AD. Interventions in agriculture for nutrition outcomes: A systematic review focused on South Asia. Food Policy. 2019 Jan; 82: 39-49. doi: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.10.015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.10.015

Vir SC. Improving women's nutrition imperative for rapid reduction of childhood stunting in South Asia: coupling of nutrition specific interventions with nutrition sensitive measures essential. Maternal and Child Nutrition. 2016 May; 12: 72-90. doi: 10.1111/mcn.12255. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12255

Dewey KG. Reducing stunting by improving maternal, infant and young child nutrition in regions such as South Asia: evidence, challenges and opportunities. Maternal and Child Nutrition. 2016 May; 12: 27-38. doi: 10.1111/mcn.12282. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12282

Rehman A, Batool Z, Ma H, Alvarado R, Oláh J. Climate change and food security in South Asia: the importance of renewable energy and agricultural credit. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 2024 Feb; 11(1): 1-1. doi: 10.1057/s41599-024-02847-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-02847-3

Khalid I. Prospects of food security in South Asia: a substantial debate. Pakistan Social Sciences Review. 2020; 4(II): 1047-59. doi: 10.35484/pssr.2020(4-II)83. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35484/pssr.2020(4-II)83

Glover D and Poole N. Principles of innovation to build nutrition-sensitive food systems in South Asia. Food Policy. 2019 Jan; 82: 63-73. doi: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.10.010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.10.010

Li G, Wang Y, Li Y. Synergies within the water-energy-food nexus to support the integrated urban resources governance. Water. 2019 Nov; 11(11): 2365. doi: 10.3390/w11112365. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w11112365

Alam MB, Shahid M, Alzghoul BI, Yang J, Zakar R, Malik NI et al. The Effects of Financial Stress and Household Socio-Economic Deprivation on the Malnutrition Statuses of Children under Five during the COVID-19 Lockdown in a Marginalized Region of South Punjab, Pakistan. Children. 2022 Dec; 10(1): 12. doi: 10.3390/children10010012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/children10010012

Quisumbing A, Meinzen-Dick R, Malapit H. Women's empowerment and gender equality in South Asian agriculture: Measuring progress using the project-level Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index (pro-WEAI) in Bangladesh and India. World Development. 2022 Mar; 151: 105396. doi: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105396. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105396

Chowdhury SK, Bhadra HK, Maniruzzaman M, Mehedi S. Current status and future Projection of food security and nutrition in South Asia: A comparative study. International Journal of Development and Sustainability. 2017; 6(3): 33-53.

Leyvraz M, Wirth JP, Woodruff BA, Sankar R, Sodani PR, Sharma ND et al. High coverage and utilization of fortified take-home rations among children 6-35 months of age provided through the integrated child development services program: findings from a cross-sectional survey in Telangana, India. PLOS One. 2016 Oct; 11(10): e0160814. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160814. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0160814

Harris-Fry H, Shrestha N, Costello A, Saville NM. Determinants of intra-household food allocation between adults in South Asia–a systematic review. International journal for equity in health. 2017 Dec; 16: 1-21. doi: 10.1186/s12939-017-0603-1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-017-0603-1

Harding KL, Aguayo VM, Webb P. Hidden hunger in South Asia: a review of recent trends and persistent challenges. Public health nutrition. 2018 Mar; 21(4): 785-95. doi: 10.1017/S1368980017003202. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980017003202

Pradyumna A, Mishra A, Utzinger J, Winkler MS. Health in food systems policies in India: a document review. International Journal of Health Policy and Management. 2021 Mar; 11(7): 1158. doi: 10.34172/ijhpm.2021.18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34172/ijhpm.2021.18

Dizon FJ, Josephson AL, Raju D. The nutrition sensitivity of food and agriculture in South Asia. World Bank policy research working paper. 2019 Mar: 8766. doi: 10.1596/1813-9450-8766. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1596/1813-9450-8766

Thow AM, Verma G, Soni D, Soni D, Beri DK, Kumar P et al. How can health, agriculture and economic policy actors work together to enhance the external food environment for fruit and vegetables? A qualitative policy analysis in India. Food Policy. 2018 May; 77: 143-51. doi: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.04.012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.04.012

Vinca A, Parkinson S, Riahi K, Byers E, Siddiqi A, Muhammad A et al. Transboundary cooperation a potential route to sustainable development in the Indus basin. Nature Sustainability. 2021 Apr; 4(4): 331-9. doi: 10.1038/s41893-020-00654-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-00654-7

Wali N, Agho KE, Renzaho AM. Mapping of nutrition policies and programs in South Asia towards achieving the Global Nutrition targets. Archives of Public Health. 2023 Sep; 81(1): 171. doi: 10.1186/s13690-023-01186-0. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-023-01186-0

World Health Organization. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021: Transforming food systems for food security, improved nutrition and affordable healthy diets for all. Food and Agriculture Organization; 2021.

Gillespie S, van den Bold M. Agriculture, food systems, and nutrition: meeting the challenge. Global Challenges. 2017 Apr; 1(3): 1600002. doi: 10.1002/gch2.201600002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.201600002

Kim C, Mansoor GF, Paya PM, Ludin MH, Ahrar MJ, Mashal MO et al. Multisector nutrition gains amidst evidence scarcity: scoping review of policies, data and interventions to reduce child stunting in Afghanistan. Health Research Policy and Systems. 2020 Dec; 18: 1-28. doi: 10.1186/s12961-020-00569-x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-020-00569-x

Vilar-Compte M, Burrola-Méndez S, Lozano-Marrufo A, Ferré-Eguiluz I, Flores D, Gaitán-Rossi P et al. Urban poverty and nutrition challenges associated with accessibility to a healthy diet: a global systematic literature review. International journal for equity in health. 2021 Dec; 20: 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s12939-020-01330-0. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-020-01330-0

Onyeaka H, Ejiohuo O, Taiwo OR, Nnaji ND, Odeyemi OA, Duan K et al. The intersection of food security and mental health in the pursuit of sustainable development goals. Nutrients. 2024 Jun; 16(13): 2036. doi: 10.3390/nu16132036. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16132036

Weiler AM, Hergesheimer C, Brisbois B, Wittman H, Yassi A, Spiegel JM. Food sovereignty, food security and health equity: a meta-narrative mapping exercise. Health policy and planning. 2015 Oct; 30(8): 1078-92. doi: 10.1093/heapol/czu109. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czu109

Roy AS, Mazaniello-Chézol M, Rueda-Martinez M, Shafique S, Adams AM. Food systems determinants of nutritional health and wellbeing in urban informal settlements: A scoping review in LMICs. Social Science & Medicine. 2023 Apr; 322: 115804. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115804. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115804