title: Food and Nutrition Insecurity in Selected Rural Communities of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa-Linking Human Nutrition and Agriculture.
abstract: Lack of access to nutritious and balanced diets remains a major impediment to the health and well-being of people living in rural areas. The study utilizes a qualitative systematic approach to conduct an environmental scan and review of scientific literature of studies conducted in South Africa, specifically KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Availability and access to nutritious, diverse and balanced diets were identified as key constraints for achieving food and nutrition security as well as for human health and well-being. This has led to both under- and over-nutrition, with the former, in particular stunting, affecting children under 5 years. A high incidence of over-nutrition, both overweight and obesity, was observed among black African females. In South Africa, poor people rely mostly on social grants and cannot afford a balanced diet. Under these circumstances, agriculture could be used to increase availability and access to diverse and nutritious foods for the attainment of a balanced diet. The wider use of traditional vegetable crops and pulses could improve availability and access to healthy and locally available alternatives. The promotion of household and community food gardens, and the use of nutrient dense crops with low levels of water use, i.e., high nutritional water productivity, offers prospects for addressing malnutrition in poor rural areas.
authors.affiliation: Dietetics and Human Nutrition, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South Africa. govender.laurencia@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Laurencia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Govender
authors.affiliation: Dietetics and Human Nutrition, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South Africa. PillayK@ukzn.ac.za.
authors.forename: Kirthee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pillay
authors.affiliation: Dietetics and Human Nutrition, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South Africa. Siwelam@ukzn.ac.za.
authors.forename: Muthulisi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siwela
authors.affiliation: Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South Africa. modiat@ukzn.ac.za.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Modi
authors.affiliation: Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South Africa. tmabhaudhi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tafadzwanashe
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mabhaudhi
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005523:Food Supply / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D044343:Overnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: agriculture; balanced diets; food and nutrition security; human health; over- and under-nutrition