What did the UN analysis find about Pakistan's food system?

The UN analysis found that Pakistan's food system produces sufficient calories but lacks nutritious and diverse foods, leading to structural imbalances that harm public health.

What essential food groups are lacking in Pakistan?

Key food groups such as fruits, vegetables, and pulses are significantly lacking in Pakistan's food supply, undermining efforts to achieve healthy diets.

How does Pakistan's diet contribute to health issues?

Pakistan's diet, heavy in cereals and lacking diverse nutrients, contributes to a 'double burden' of malnutrition, with rising obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases.

Home / Health / Pakistan's Food System Fails Nutrition Test

Pakistan's Food System Fails Nutrition Test

11 Feb

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Summary

Pakistan's food system produces enough calories but lacks nutritious variety.
Key food groups like fruits and vegetables are significantly lacking.
Dietary shifts contribute to a 'double burden' of malnutrition and NCDs.

Pakistan's Food System Fails Nutrition Test

A United Nations analysis, led by the FAO, has found that Pakistan's food system, while calorie-sufficient, suffers from deep structural imbalances that compromise nutrition and public health. The report highlights significant shortfalls in the availability of essential food groups like fruits, vegetables, and pulses, which are critical for healthy diets.

Pakistan's food supply is characterized by an oversupply of cereals, sugar, and oils, contributing to a diet heavy in grains. Consumption of milk is moderate, but fruit intake remains consistently low, especially in rural areas. This imbalance contributes to the nation's 'double burden' of malnutrition, where undernutrition coexists with increasing rates of obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Experts emphasize that NCDs, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are responsible for a large percentage of deaths in Pakistan. The analysis recommends strategic reallocation of government subsidies and increased taxes on sugary products to promote the production and accessibility of nutrient-rich foods, urging decisive action to improve the food system.