Food Security (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Food Security

• Food security can be defined as:

When all individuals, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life

Key components of food security

1. Availability: ensuring that enough food is produced and supplied to meet the population's needs

2. Access: ensuring that individuals have the resources (economic means) to obtain the food they need (i.e. food is affordable)

3. Use: ensuring food is used properly alongside a healthy diet, clean water, sanitation and healthcare to achieve good nutritional health

4. Stability: ensuring consistent and reliable access to food at all times, without disruptions from economic or climate-related issues

Regional food security

• Developed regions:

  • Generally high levels of food security

  • Good infrastructure, economic stability and social safety nets ensure food availability and access

  • Examples: North America, Western Europe

• Developing regions:

  • Varying levels of food security, often lower than in developed regions

  • Issues include poverty, poor infrastructure and political instability

  • Examples: Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South Asia, Latin America

Factors affecting food security

• Economic factors:

  • Income levels, food prices and employment opportunities impact individuals' ability to purchase food

• Environmental factors:

  • Climate change, natural disasters and resource depletion impact food production and availability

• Social and political factors:

  • Government policies, conflict and social inequality impact food distribution and access