An independent panel of food and agriculture experts has warned that poor diet undermines the health of one in three people in the world, and inhibits the growth of a quarter of children under the age of five.
The report presented by the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition suggests that by the year 2030, about a third of the world's population could either be overweight or obese. Former President of Ghana John Kufuor and former Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK Government Sir John Beddington told BBC News that about two billion people lack the needed vitamins and minerals to keep themselves healthy.
According to the report, about three billion people across 193 countries have low-quality diets leading to malnutrition. The burden of malnutrition is said to be equal to experiencing a global financial crisis each year.
As a result, there is a growing number of people who are suffering from diet-related illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. The panel fears that without immediate action, the situation will only worsen in the next 20 years.
While income growth can help to alleviate hunger and buy vitamins and mineral supplements, the report suggests that it does not guarantee accessibility to healthier diets.
Another study suggests that even if people take vitamin and mineral supplements, it is not enough to replace a healthy diet. Dieticians recommend that people focus on healthier eating habits rather than relying on supplements.
"If we do not reshape food systems to prioritize nutrition, we are missing an opportunity to create a stronger, healthier and more prosperous future," Kuffour explained.