Addressing Food and Nutrition Security in Developed Countries

Abstract

The guest editors of the special issue on Addressing Food and Nutrition Security in Developed Countries reflect on the 26 papers that were published as part of this issue and the scope of research contained therein. There is an extensive body of work, which focuses on topics ranging from the prevalence of food insecurity in developed countries, associations and determinants, measurement and monitoring, to reports of the lived experience and coping strategies of people who are living with food insecurity or and those who are a part of the charitable food sector. Very few solutions to address the problem of food insecurity in developed countries were offered, and many challenges highlighted. Further research is required to find the solutions to address the problem of food insecurity in developed countries, and important principles and values are proposed for those undertaking this work to embrace.

The role of foodbanks in the context of food insecurity: Experiences and eating behaviours amongst users

“…Food insecurity is defined as inadequate physical, social or economic access to food (Committee on World Food Security, 2012). Household food insecurity is recognised as a serious and increasingly prevalent public health problem in developed countries including the UK, Europe, Australia and the US (Pollard & Booth, 2019). The economic consequences of food insecurity are likely to be substantial, estimated at $167.5 billion in the US in 2011 associated with lost productivity and preventable healthcare costs (Shepard et al, 2011).…”

The Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis: Gut Microbiota Modulates Conspecific Aggression in Diversely Selected Laying Hens

“…Intensive poultry production systems are continuously developed to meet the increasing food demands for an expanding human population [40,41]. However, social stress-induced injurious pecking and cannibalism have become the top health and welfare issues in laying hens reared in all the current housing environments, including both cage and cage-free systems [42,43].…”

Measuring Food Insecurity Using the Food Abundance Index: Implications for Economic, Health and Social Well-Being

“…Measuring high levels of food insecurity also helps in identifying communities that have little or no access to basic foods and where residents suffer from gaps and disparities in obtaining adequate amounts of nutritious foods [2]. There is limited evidence regarding the prevalence of food insecurity among families living in urban areas [3]. Our efforts in this paper are aimed at shedding additional light on the issue of food insecurity and introducing a new measure of food insecurity to address the gaps in existing measurement tools.…”