联合国粮农组织-拉丁美洲和加勒比地区美国粮食安全与营养2021（英）-62页_4mb

Summary of the Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean (2021)

Core Content

This document presents a comprehensive analysis of food security and nutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) from 2000 to 2020, with projections for 2020. It highlights the challenges faced by the region in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 and 3, which aim to end hunger and ensure healthy lives, respectively. The report is a joint effort by FAO, IFAD, PAHO/WHO, WFP, and UNICEF, and includes data on undernourishment, food insecurity, malnutrition, and related health indicators.

Main Views and Key Findings

1. Hunger and Food Insecurity Trends

• Undernourishment:

  • The prevalence of undernourishment in LAC increased from 7.1% in 2019 to 9.1% in 2020, the highest in 15 years.
  • The number of undernourished people in LAC rose from 45.9 million in 2019 to 59.7 million in 2020, an increase of 13.8 million.
  • South America had the highest prevalence at 7.8% in 2020, up from 3.8% in 2014.
  • Mesoamerica saw the largest percentage increase (2.5 percentage points), reaching 10.6% in 2020.
  • The Caribbean had a prevalence of 16.1% in 2020, with minimal change from 2019 (0.3 percentage points).
  • The most affected countries in LAC include Haiti (46.8%), Venezuela (27.4%), Nicaragua (19.3%), Guatemala (16.8%), Honduras (13.5%), Bolivia (12.6%), and Ecuador (12.4%).

• Food Insecurity:

  • In 2020, 41% of the population in LAC experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, up from 31.9% in 2019.
  • This represents a 9 percentage point increase, the largest in the world.
  • South America had the highest prevalence at 39.2% in 2020, up from 18.7% in 2014.
  • Mesoamerica had 37.5% in 2020, up from 31.9% in 2019.
  • The Caribbean had 71.3% of the population in moderate or severe food insecurity in 2020.
  • Severe food insecurity (where people may have gone a day or more without eating) reached 14.2% in LAC in 2020, up from 7.7% in 2014.
  • The most affected subregion for severe food insecurity was the Caribbean, with 39.2% in 2020.

2. Malnutrition Trends

• Stunting:

  • Children under five in LAC experienced stunting prevalence of 24.8% in 2020, up from 23.2% in 2019.
  • South America had the highest prevalence at 22.3% in 2020.
  • Mesoamerica had 22.7%, and the Caribbean had 23.6%.

• Wasting:

  • Wasting among children under five rose slightly in 2020, with 9.4% prevalence.
  • South America had the highest prevalence at 11.0%.

• Overweight:

  • Overweight among children under five reached 7.5% in 2020, exceeding the global average.
  • South America had the highest prevalence at 11.1%.

• Anaemia:

  • Anaemia among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) reached 26.2% in 2020.
  • The Caribbean had the highest prevalence at 32.0%, followed by Mesoamerica (28.8%) and South America (24.6%).

3. Obesity Trends

• Adult Obesity:
  • One in four adults in LAC suffers from obesity, a trend that has been increasing over the past 20 years.
  • South America had the highest prevalence at 27.5% in 2020, followed by Mesoamerica (24.4%) and the Caribbean (22.5%).

4. Exclusive Breastfeeding

• Exclusive Breastfeeding:
  • The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among infants 0–5 months of age reached 58.7% in 2020.
  • South America had the highest rate at 62.0%, followed by Mesoamerica (57.4%) and the Caribbean (54.6%).

5. Low Birthweight

• Low Birthweight:
  • The prevalence of low birthweight reached 11.8% in 2020.
  • South America had the highest rate at 12.3%, followed by Mesoamerica (11.5%) and the Caribbean (11.0%).

Key Information

• The increase in hunger and food insecurity in LAC is attributed to the economic and social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated existing challenges.
• Food insecurity levels have been rising for six consecutive years, indicating a long-term decline in food security.
• Malnutrition remains a significant issue, particularly among children and women of reproductive age.
• The report emphasizes the need for a transformation of agri-food systems to ensure food security and nutrition for all, especially the most vulnerable.
• The United Nations Food Systems Summit in 2021 highlighted the importance of such a transformation to meet SDG 2 and 3.

Conclusion

The 2021 Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition reveals a deteriorating food security situation in Latin America and the Caribbean. Despite efforts to improve nutrition and food access, the pandemic has reversed progress, and malnutrition and obesity rates have increased. The report underscores the urgent need for policy interventions and systemic changes in the agri-food sector to ensure that everyone has access to adequate and nutritious food, aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.