Diet quality and micronutrient intakes in nutritional value chains: A synthesis and suggestions for further research

This paper provides an overview of a virtual collection of papers analyzing drivers of diet quality and micronutrient intakes, and what has been learnt from various interventions to address micronutrient malnutrition, the contexts in which they succeed, and factors that affect their impact. We frame...

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Main Authors: Meenakshi, J.V., Quisumbing, Agnes R.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Elsevier 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169275
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author Meenakshi, J.V.
Quisumbing, Agnes R.
author_browse Meenakshi, J.V.
Quisumbing, Agnes R.
author_facet Meenakshi, J.V.
Quisumbing, Agnes R.
author_sort Meenakshi, J.V.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This paper provides an overview of a virtual collection of papers analyzing drivers of diet quality and micronutrient intakes, and what has been learnt from various interventions to address micronutrient malnutrition, the contexts in which they succeed, and factors that affect their impact. We frame this using a micronutrient value chain, to highlight the important linkages from farm to plate. Our focus is on representative studies along this value chain in low and middle income countries where micronutrient malnutrition is most prevalent. The papers reviewed suggest that (a) both production diversity and market access work hand-in-hand to improve dietary quality. (b) However, the evidence on whether commercialization improves or reduces diet quality is context-specific and depends on whether markets exist for goods to be sold and micronutrient-rich foods purchased. (c) Not surprisingly, incomes and prices emerge as key factors affecting consumption decisions, with the cost of a healthy diet remaining unaffordable for many. Furthermore, the poor are most sensitive to changes in the relative prices of micronutrient-rich foods. (d) Also important is how food is consumed within the household: the review suggests that social context matters greatly in assessing relationships between women’s empowerment and diet quality. We then review several supply and demand side interventions, and note that while many are successful, not all are easily transferable, and thus may need adaptation to local contexts. We conclude with a set of ten areas that remain open for further research.
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spelling CGSpace1692752025-10-26T12:51:48Z Diet quality and micronutrient intakes in nutritional value chains: A synthesis and suggestions for further research Meenakshi, J.V. Quisumbing, Agnes R. diet quality nutrition trace elements value chains This paper provides an overview of a virtual collection of papers analyzing drivers of diet quality and micronutrient intakes, and what has been learnt from various interventions to address micronutrient malnutrition, the contexts in which they succeed, and factors that affect their impact. We frame this using a micronutrient value chain, to highlight the important linkages from farm to plate. Our focus is on representative studies along this value chain in low and middle income countries where micronutrient malnutrition is most prevalent. The papers reviewed suggest that (a) both production diversity and market access work hand-in-hand to improve dietary quality. (b) However, the evidence on whether commercialization improves or reduces diet quality is context-specific and depends on whether markets exist for goods to be sold and micronutrient-rich foods purchased. (c) Not surprisingly, incomes and prices emerge as key factors affecting consumption decisions, with the cost of a healthy diet remaining unaffordable for many. Furthermore, the poor are most sensitive to changes in the relative prices of micronutrient-rich foods. (d) Also important is how food is consumed within the household: the review suggests that social context matters greatly in assessing relationships between women’s empowerment and diet quality. We then review several supply and demand side interventions, and note that while many are successful, not all are easily transferable, and thus may need adaptation to local contexts. We conclude with a set of ten areas that remain open for further research. 2025-01 2025-01-16T15:47:15Z 2025-01-16T15:47:15Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169275 en Open Access Elsevier Meenakshi, J.V.; and Quisumbing, Agnes R. 2025. Diet quality and micronutrient intakes in nutritional value chains: A synthesis and suggestions for further research. Food Policy 130(January 2025): 102789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2024.102789
spellingShingle diet quality
nutrition
trace elements
value chains
Meenakshi, J.V.
Quisumbing, Agnes R.
Diet quality and micronutrient intakes in nutritional value chains: A synthesis and suggestions for further research
title Diet quality and micronutrient intakes in nutritional value chains: A synthesis and suggestions for further research
title_full Diet quality and micronutrient intakes in nutritional value chains: A synthesis and suggestions for further research
title_fullStr Diet quality and micronutrient intakes in nutritional value chains: A synthesis and suggestions for further research
title_full_unstemmed Diet quality and micronutrient intakes in nutritional value chains: A synthesis and suggestions for further research
title_short Diet quality and micronutrient intakes in nutritional value chains: A synthesis and suggestions for further research
title_sort diet quality and micronutrient intakes in nutritional value chains a synthesis and suggestions for further research
topic diet quality
nutrition
trace elements
value chains
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169275
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