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The Role of Food Consumption in the Global Syndemic: A Scoping Review and Conceptual Model

Author

Listed:
  • Giovanna Garrido

    (Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo—FSP-USP, São Paulo 01246-904, SP, Brazil)

  • Fernanda Costa Severo

    (Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo—FSP-USP, São Paulo 01246-904, SP, Brazil)

  • Samantha Marques Vasconcelos Bonfim

    (Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo—FSP-USP, São Paulo 01246-904, SP, Brazil)

  • Laís Ferreira Dias

    (Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo—FSP-USP, São Paulo 01246-904, SP, Brazil)

  • Ana Luiza Gomes Domingos

    (School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo—EACH-USP, São Paulo 03828-000, SP, Brazil)

  • Andrew D. Jones

    (Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA)

  • Antonio Mauro Saraiva

    (Center for Artificial Intelligence—C4AI, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lúcio Martins Rodrigues, 370, Butantã, São Paulo 05508-020, SP, Brazil
    Institute of Advanced Studies, Planetary Health Brazil Network, University of São Paulo—IEA-USP, Rua da Praça do Relógio, 109, São Paulo 05508-050, SP, Brazil)

  • Dirce Maria Lobo Marchioni

    (Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo—FSP-USP, São Paulo 01246-904, SP, Brazil)

  • Eliseu Verly Junior

    (Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Social Medicine, State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), 10 Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro 20550-900, RJ, Brazil)

  • Evandro Marcos Saidel Ribeiro

    (School of Economics, Business Administration and Accounting, University of São Paulo, Av. dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto 14040-902, SP, Brazil)

  • Olivier Jolliet

    (Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark)

  • Flavia Mori Sarti

    (School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo—EACH-USP, São Paulo 03828-000, SP, Brazil)

  • Aline Martins de Carvalho

    (Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo—FSP-USP, São Paulo 01246-904, SP, Brazil)

Abstract

The increase in chronic diseases and climate change in recent decades has been driven by food systems that affect both human health and the environment. This study investigated the interrelation between food consumption, obesity, undernutrition, and climate change, aiming to understand how these factors connect within the global syndemic. The methodology used was a scoping review, in which 12 articles were analyzed after an initial search that resulted in 11,208 references. The references were screened using the Rayyan software (Rayyan Systems Inc. (Doha, Qatar), version 1.6.1 and web-based version), removing duplicates and assessing the studies based on eligibility criteria. The articles addressed different aspects, such as the relationship between food consumption, obesity, undernutrition, and climate change, providing data on how food insecurity and socioeconomic conditions influence these conditions. In sequence, we developed a conceptual model to offer a detailed view of the factors affecting the global syndemic, considering the availability of food, its accessibility, stability in supply, and its use in the diet. The model recognizes that climate change affects food consumption both directly and indirectly. Direct effects include the impact of extreme weather events—such as floods and droughts—on the availability, access, quantity, and quality of food. Indirectly, climate change exacerbates socioeconomic vulnerabilities and disrupts food systems in more structural ways, contributing to increased food insecurity. The findings revealed that food insecurity, in turn, can lead to both obesity and undernutrition, particularly among vulnerable populations. There was a scarcity of studies that integrated the relationship between undernutrition, climate change, and food consumption, especially in certain regional contexts such as Latin America. The evidence gathered in the literature and the conceptual model provide a foundation for future research and the development of more effective public policies that integrate food issues, public health, and climate change in a more holistic and interconnected approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanna Garrido & Fernanda Costa Severo & Samantha Marques Vasconcelos Bonfim & Laís Ferreira Dias & Ana Luiza Gomes Domingos & Andrew D. Jones & Antonio Mauro Saraiva & Dirce Maria Lobo Marchioni & , 2025. "The Role of Food Consumption in the Global Syndemic: A Scoping Review and Conceptual Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(6), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:6:p:897-:d:1672224
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Samuel S. Myers & Antonella Zanobetti & Itai Kloog & Peter Huybers & Andrew D. B. Leakey & Arnold J. Bloom & Eli Carlisle & Lee H. Dietterich & Glenn Fitzgerald & Toshihiro Hasegawa & N. Michele Holbr, 2014. "Increasing CO2 threatens human nutrition," Nature, Nature, vol. 510(7503), pages 139-142, June.
    2. Aline Martins de Carvalho & Leandro Martin Totaro Garcia & Bárbara Hatzlhoffer Lourenço & Eliseu Verly Junior & Antônio Augusto Ferreira Carioca & Michelle Cristine Medeiros Jacob & Sávio Marcelino Go, 2024. "Exploring the Nexus between Food Systems and the Global Syndemic among Children under Five Years of Age through the Complex Systems Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Johanna H. Nel & Nelia P. Steyn, 2022. "The Nutrition Transition and the Double Burden of Malnutrition in Sub-Saharan African Countries: How Do These Countries Compare with the Recommended LANCET COMMISSION Global Diet?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-27, December.
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