Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

India has natural resource capacity to achieve nutrition security, reduce health risks and improve environmental sustainability

Kerstin Damerau, Kyle Frankel Davis, Cécile Godde, Mario Herrero, Marco Springmann, Shilpa N Bhupathiraju, Samuel S. Myers, Walter C. Willett

Nature Food · 2020

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Summary

Published in Nature Food in 2020, this analysis—authored by a multidisciplinary team including nutrition and food systems modellers—examines whether India possesses the natural resource capacity to achieve concurrent improvements in nutrition security, public health, and environmental sustainability. The work synthesises evidence on India's agricultural potential and dietary needs, as suggested by the authorship and journal scope. The findings appear designed to inform policy on food system transitions that balance human nutrition, health, and planetary boundaries.

UK applicability

Whilst specific to India's agroecological context and dietary patterns, the methodology and conceptual framework (linking agricultural capacity to nutrition security and environmental outcomes) are transferable to UK food policy analysis. The paper may offer insights into multi-outcome food system modelling relevant to UK agricultural and nutrition strategies.

Key measures

As suggested by the title: nutrition security metrics, health risk reduction (diet-related disease burden), environmental sustainability indicators (likely greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water use)

Outcomes reported

The study assessed whether India's natural resource base can simultaneously deliver improved nutrition security, reduced diet-related health risks, and environmental sustainability gains. It likely evaluated agricultural production capacity, dietary adequacy, and environmental footprint across different food system scenarios.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Food security & global nutrition
Study type
Policy
Study design
Policy report
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
India
System type
Mixed farming
DOI
10.1038/s43016-020-00157-w
Catalogue ID
BFmor3ggd1-rc9y8w

Topic tags

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