Unhealthy diets contribute to rise in noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. FAO: Unhealthy diets impose huge costs on agri-food systems Economic Development
A study by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) covering 156 countries found that the hidden costs of global agri-food systems amount to $12 trillion annually. About 70 percent of these losses (about $8.1 trillion) are caused by problems associated with unhealthy dietary patterns.
Unhealthy diets, the FAO report says, contribute to the rise of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The associated costs far exceed the losses caused by environmental degradation and social inequality.
Hidden costs, according to the authors of the report, vary depending on the level of development of a particular agricultural and food system. In countries with highly developed and industrialized systems, the bulk of the costs are associated with health problems, while environmental losses are less significant. In low-income countries, environmental and social costs can be significantly higher, especially in conditions of political and economic instability.
In countries experiencing a protracted crisis or with traditional agricultural and food systems, the main problems are a deficiency of vegetables and fruits. In developing countries, there is an increase in sodium consumption, and in industrialized countries – red meat and processed foods.
The report identifies 13 dietary risk factors, including a deficiency of whole grains, a lack of vegetables and fruits, excess sodium, and excessive consumption of red meat and processed foods. Poor nutrition has negative impacts on health, leading to increased disease and increasing hidden losses in agricultural and food systems.
Inefficient agricultural practices have significant environmental impacts. Costs associated with greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution and land use change are particularly high in countries where agricultural and food systems are diversifying. In countries experiencing protracted crisis, environmental losses can amount to up to 20 percent of GDP.