Transforming Food Systems: Addressing Malnutrition and Inequality in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The global food system has undergone significant transformations due to changes in economic and political status, the built environment, and lifestyle shifts, particularly impacting low- and middle-income countries. These changes have contributed to the emergence of pandemics such as malnutrition, obesity, and food insecurity, which are exacerbated by social and territorial inequalities. Space plays a crucial role in the distribution of goods and services, influencing the quality of human life and the inclusion or exclusion of communities. Current research highlights the need to address the social, structural, and commercial determinants of healthy eating to improve public health outcomes. Despite the recognition of these issues, food insecurity and malnutrition remain prevalent, affecting over a quarter of the global population and contributing to the rise in obesity rates. The agro-industrial food system, characterized by the high availability of ultra-processed foods, perpetuates these challenges by influencing dietary choices and exacerbating poverty and inequality. There is a pressing need for studies that consider local contextual characteristics to develop effective public policies that address these determinants and promote healthy eating.

This research topic aims to explore the complex interplay between food insecurity, malnutrition, and the food environment in low- and middle-income countries. The objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest findings, analyze existing data, and offer new perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within this field. By examining the local social, commercial, territorial, and structural determinants of healthy eating, the research seeks to identify effective policy interventions and measures that can strengthen food systems and environments, ultimately improving public health outcomes.

To gather further insights in the context of low- and middle-income countries, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Assessment of food insecurity in different populations
- Unhealthy food environments that promote malnutrition and/or food insecurity
- Evaluation of the food environment across various dimensions
- Strengthening food systems and environments to protect public health
- Nutritional status and the relationship between food insecurity and the food environment
- Food choices and their association with the food environment
- Policy interventions and measures around this topic
- Spatial analyses regarding the distribution of goods and services, particularly in LMICs.