The Double Burden of Malnutrition Calls for Better Diet Quality Worldwide

The double burden of malnutrition presents a great challenge to society and research. Whilst undernutrition in all its forms - wasting, stunting, micronutrient deficiency - still affects millions of children and adults worldwide, overweight and obesity have become increasingly prevalent even in countries where people are sometimes facing food insecurity. Adequate breastfeeding and improved dietary diversity are still goals to be fulfilled. The challenge for scientists as well as administrators and politicians is to address these problems within a framework that is market-oriented almost everywhere. This implies that producers and traders of food attempt to get people to consume as much as possible independent from dietary requirements. Studies have demonstrated gaps in achieving optimal breastfeeding in regions where this type of infant feeding is lifesaving. Most children in sub-Saharan Africa are still not fed a minimum acceptable diet as defined by WHO. Benefits from phytochemicals, like polyphenols and vitamins, are increasingly better understood, as are food effects on the human gut microbiota. Recent research underlines the importance of behavioral change based on information and capabilities. Besides the focus on child growth and public health, the environmental effects of food production and processing need to be considered carefully. The publication of the "Food in the Anthropocene" report has set the stage for developing sustainable food systems everywhere in the world. This requires much more focus on local and regional resources and their optimal utilization.