Hidden Hunger and the Transformation of Food Systems

Hidden hunger refers not to a lack of calories, but to deficiencies in essential micronutrients that have profound and long-lasting consequences, particularly for children. These deficiencies impair physical and cognitive development and increase the risk of non-communicable diseases and obesity later in life. This book brings together original articles from the Fourth Congress on Hidden Hunger (2019), focusing on the complex and interconnected challenges of malnutrition and overweight—commonly described as the “double burden” of malnutrition. It explores the underlying causes of hidden hunger and examines how transforming food systems toward improved nutritional quality can help address these global challenges.

Key Features

• Presents peer-reviewed contributions from leading experts featured at the Fourth Congress on Hidden Hunger (2019)
• Explores the concept of hidden hunger and its lifelong health consequences
• Examines the double burden of malnutrition, where undernutrition and obesity coexist
• Analyzes the causes of malnutrition and the role of food systems and agricultural quality
• Discusses intervention strategies to prevent and manage childhood obesity in the context of micronutrient deficiencies
• Provides high-level insights relevant to scientific research, applied practice, and policy development