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Seven Food System Metrics of Sustainable Nutrition Security

Author

Listed:
  • David Gustafson

    (ILSI Research Foundation, Center for Integrated Modeling of Sustainable Agriculture and Nutrition Security (CIMSANS), 1156 15th St NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005, USA)

  • Alona Gutman

    (ILSI Research Foundation, Center for Integrated Modeling of Sustainable Agriculture and Nutrition Security (CIMSANS), 1156 15th St NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005, USA)

  • Whitney Leet

    (ILSI Research Foundation, Center for Integrated Modeling of Sustainable Agriculture and Nutrition Security (CIMSANS), 1156 15th St NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005, USA)

  • Adam Drewnowski

    (Center for Public Health Nutrition, University of Washington, Box 353410, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Jessica Fanzo

    (School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, 1740 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA)

  • John Ingram

    (Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK)

Abstract

Sustainability considerations have been absent from most food security assessments conducted to date, despite the tremendous economic, environmental, and social implications of meeting accelerating food demand in the face of water shortages and climate change. In addition, previous food security work has generally focused only on achieving adequate calories, rather than addressing dietary diversity and micronutrient adequacy, both of which are critical to maintaining a healthy overall nutritional status. In response to the limitations of previous assessments, a new methodology is proposed here based on the concept of “sustainable nutrition security” (SNS). This novel assessment methodology is intended to remedy both kinds of deficiencies in the previous work by defining seven metrics, each based on a combination of multiple indicators, for use in characterizing sustainable nutrition outcomes of food systems: (1) food nutrient adequacy; (2) ecosystem stability; (3) food affordability and availability; (4) sociocultural wellbeing; (5) food safety; (6) resilience; and (7) waste and loss reduction. Each of the metrics comprises multiple indicators that are combined to derive an overall score (0–100). A novel SNS assessment methodology based on these metrics can be deployed by decision-makers and investors to set meaningful goals, track progress, and evaluate the potential impact of food system interventions intended to improve sustainability and human nutrition outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • David Gustafson & Alona Gutman & Whitney Leet & Adam Drewnowski & Jessica Fanzo & John Ingram, 2016. "Seven Food System Metrics of Sustainable Nutrition Security," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-17, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:3:p:196-:d:64260
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    References listed on IDEAS

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