Sustaining healthy diets in times of change: linking climate hazards, food systems and nutrition security in rural communities of the Fiji Islands

Daniela Medina Hidalgo; Isaac Witten; Patrick D Nunn; Sarah Burkhart; Jessica R Bogard; Harriot Beazley; Mario Herrero

doi:10.1007/s10113-020-01653-2

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Sustaining healthy diets in times of change: linking climate hazards, food systems and nutrition security in rural communities of the Fiji Islands

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Sustaining healthy diets in times of change: linking climate hazards, food systems and nutrition security in rural communities of the Fiji Islands

Daniela Medina Hidalgo, Isaac Witten, Patrick D Nunn, Sarah Burkhart, Jessica R Bogard, Harriot Beazley and Mario Herrero

Regional Environmental Change, Vol.20(3), pp.1-13

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-020-01653-2

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Abstract

Communities across the Pacific are being challenged by the impacts of climate change. Attaining food and nutrition security goals is also a priority for the region, particularly in relation to improving dietary quality and reducing the incidence of non-communicable diseases. Addressing these challenges requires context-specific research that incorporates a realistic understanding of the links between drivers of change, food systems, and how these influence diets and health. Using a case study approach, this study explores links between climate hazards, food systems, and diets in remote coastal villages of Fiji. Livelihood transitions and climate hazards explain why households have become less reliant on local fisheries and agriculture for their dietary needs. Most households are routinely consuming only locally sourced food items from four food groups, meaning dietary diversity is low. In addition, diets are shifting and now include significant quantities of energy-dense processed (imported) foods with lower nutritional value. The study highlights the importance of increasing availability of fruits and vegetables, mainly through local production, and diversifying sustainable sources of animal protein as strategies to increase diet quality. These communities are already implementing strategies to adapt to climate change, yet this study underscores the need to link climate adaptation with changes to food systems and diets, in ways that allow livelihoods to be sustained and the quality of life of rural dwellers to improve.

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Title: Sustaining healthy diets in times of change: linking climate hazards, food systems and nutrition security in rural communities of the Fiji Islands
Authors: Daniela Medina Hidalgo (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre - Legacy
Isaac Witten (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - Legacy
Patrick D Nunn (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - Legacy
Sarah Burkhart (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy
Jessica R Bogard (Author) - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Harriot Beazley (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - Legacy
Mario Herrero (Author) - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Publication details: Regional Environmental Change, Vol.20(3), pp.1-13
Publisher: Springer
DOI: 10.1007/s10113-020-01653-2
ISSN: 1436-378X
Organisation Unit: Sustainability Research Centre; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Law and Society; School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99465407102621
Output Type: Journal article