2.1. Human nutrition: a general introduction

Consuming a healthy diet throughout the life course helps prevent undernutrition and overnutrition as well as a range of non-communicable diseases and conditions. The increased production and consumption of processed food, rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles has led to a shift in dietary patterns. People are now consuming more foods high in energy, fats, sugars or salt/sodium, and many do not eat enough fruit, vegetables and sources of dietary fibre such as whole grains (WHO 2018).

Food insecurity and malnutrition are a worldwide problem with severe consequences for human health. Different forms of malnutrition including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and overweight co-exist in countries, families and even individuals. On a global scale, diet-related factors are the number one cause of disease (Lim et al. 2012).