Multidimensional analysis of food and nutrition security in an agrifood region of a medium-sized Argentine city

Abstract

Introduction: the aim of this study was to adapt and validate an index to assess food and nutrition security in an urban area of Argentina, analyzing the relationship between local fruit and vegetable production and their consumption in comparison with nutritional recommendations.

Materials and method: census data on local production and consumption were used, together with an adapted Grewal SS, et al. index. Local fruit and vegetable production was compared with actual consumption and dietary recommendations from the food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) for the Argentinian population, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the EAT–Lancet Commission.

Results: regional self-sufficiency for fruits and vegetables was 56.22% and 77.58%, respectively. However, local supply covered only 37.09% of the WHO daily recommendations, 29.67% of the EAT–Lancet Commission recommendations, and 21.19% of the FBDG recommendations. These findings reveal a substantial gap between local production and recommended nutritional requirements.

Conclusion: the index, which incorporates both actual consumption and nutritional recommendations, represents a comprehensive tool for agri-food system planning. Furthermore, it can be applied in other cities to assess local capacity for supplying fresh foods and to design public policies aimed at improving food and nutrition security.