Nutrition Transition (DP IB Geography)

Revision Note

Nutrition Transition

The Nutrient Transition

  • The Nutrient Transition is a model showing advancement in diet, in relation to demographic, economic and social change

  • It shows changes in diet and associated diseases as societies progress

  • The Nutrition Transition has five sections:

    • 1: Hunter Gatherer 

      • Palaeolithic man

      • Traditional early lifestyle

    • 2: Early Agriculture

      • Early monoculture

      • Famine begins

    • 3: End of famine

      • Period of industrialisation 

      • Wealth increases

      • Nutrition gradually improves

    • 4: Overconsumption

      • Noncommunicable or chronic diseases

      • Wealth increases

    • 5: Behaviour change

      • Societal change and development 

The Nutrition Transition 

Flowchart showing nutritional transitions: from Pattern 1 (Hunter-Gatherer) to Pattern 5 (Behavior Change), influenced by urbanization, economic growth, and technological shifts.
The Nutrition Transition 
  • LICS are typically located in patterns 1-3, where they are slowly moving to pattern 4:

    • Many countries have moved to a Western diet. It is more energy-dense, bringing with it more diseases associated with Pattern 4 diets

  • HICs are located in patterns 4 and 5

Regional Variations of Food Consumption

  • Food consumption varies within countries and between countries

  • Diets may vary depending on the pattern of the nutrition transition 

Coefficient of Variation in calorie intake 

  • The coefficient of variation measures how dispersed the data is from the mean (how much change there is from the average of a data set)

  • The coefficient of variation for calorie intake shows the inequalities of calorie intake within a population 

  • A higher coefficient of variation shows there is more inequality

  • African, Asian and South American regions have more calorie intake inequalities:

    • There are stark differences between the rich and poor in these countries

  • Obesity is much higher in much of the Americas, Europe, North Asia and Oceania

  • Obesity is lower in much of Africa and Southern Asia

  • Some countries within Africa are higher:

    • Caused by dietary change from traditional to more Westernised choices 

    • A result of increasing urbanisation, reduced activity and improvements in transport

Examiner Tip

Think about what the increase in obesity levels tells you about nutrition choices. What stage of the Nutrition Transition are many of these countries in? Ensure you consistently link such patterns back to the Nutrition Transition; it’ll help you support your point!

Variations of food type 

Food type

Regional variation

Fruits

The Americas, Europe, Northern Asia and Oceania consume moderate to higher fruit densities 

Lower rates of fruit consumption lie in the African continent and some Asian regions 

There are numerous anomalies. Countries like Ghana, Malawi and Uganda have a higher fruit consumption than many Western countries 

Countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Lithuania and Cambodia (among others) also show unusual anomalies

Vegetables

North America, Europe, Asia (excluding East Asia), and Oceania have a higher vegetable consumption

Much of North Africa also has a higher vegetable consumption, but Southern Africa and parts of West Africa are much lower 

Lower rates are also found in parts of South America

Sugars and Sweeteners

The Americas, Europe, Oceania, North, South and Central Asia, as well as parts of northern and southern Africa, consume high amounts of sugar and sweetener 

East Asia and much of central Africa have lower rates of sugar and sweetener consumption. Countries like China, Niger and Ethiopia (among others) consumed less than 25g a day in 2015

Overall, global sugar and sweetener consumption is relatively high, with much of the world consuming more than 75g per day in 2015

Meat consumption 

Meat consumption is higher in America, Europe, Northern Asia and Oceania. Africa and South/East Asia have lower meat consumption rates 

North Korea is an anomaly

Examiner Tip

Think about these different regional variations in consumption. What are the reasons for the variations and how can you link them with the Nutrition Transition?

Last updated:

You've read 0 of your 10 free revision notes

Unlock more, it's free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

Did this page help you?

Grace Bower

Author: Grace Bower

Expertise: Geography Content Creator

Grace graduated with a first-class degree in Geography from Royal Holloway, University of London. In addition to being a tutor and qualified TEFL teacher, she has extensive experience in writing geography exam content for online learning companies. Grace’s main interests are in the intricacies of human and political geographies. She is passionate about providing access to educational content and spreading knowledge and understanding of geography, one of the most important and relevant subjects in the world today.

Bridgette Barrett

Author: Bridgette Barrett

Expertise: Geography Lead

After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.