title: Ecological approaches to human nutrition.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malnutrition affects a large number of people throughout the developing world. Approaches to reducing malnutrition rarely focus on ecology and agriculture to simultaneously improve human nutrition and environmental sustainability. However, evidence suggests that interdisciplinary approaches that combine the knowledge bases of these disciplines can serve as a central strategy in alleviating hidden hunger for the world's poorest.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the role that ecological knowledge plays in alleviating hidden hunger, considering human nutrition as an overlooked ecosystem service.
  
  
  METHODS
  We review existing literature and propose a framework that expands on earlier work on econutrition. We provide novel evidence from case studies conducted by the authors in western Kenya and propose a framework for interdisciplinary collaboration to alleviate hidden hunger, increase agricultural productivity, and improve environmental sustainability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our review supports the concept that an integrated approach will impact human nutrition. We provide evidence that increased functional agrobiodiversity can alleviate anemia, and interventions that contribute to environmental sustainability can have both direct and indirect effects on human health and nutritional well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Integrated and interdisciplinary approaches are critical to reaching development goals. Ecologists must begin to consider not only how their field can contribute to biodiversity conservation, but also, the relationship between biodiversity and provisioning of nontraditional ecosystem services such as human health. Likewise, nutritionists and agronomists must recognize that many of the solutions to increasing human wellbeing and health can best be achieved by focusing on a healthy environment and the conservation of ecosystem services.
authors: Division of Research and Development, CATIE 7170, Turrialba, Costa Rica 30501. fdeclerck@catie.ac.cr
authors: Fabrice A J
authors: FA
authors: DeClerck
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Fanzo
authors: Cheryl
authors: C
authors: Palm
authors: Roseline
authors: R
authors: Remans
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004463:Ecology / Q000379:methods*; D004777:Environment; D004782:Environmental Health; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011203:Poverty; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors