Nutrition and Public Health in Asia: Challenges Interventions, and Policy Responses

Asia stands at the crossroads of a mounting nutrition and public health crisis, characterized by the “triple burden” of malnutrition: persistent undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and rising overweight and obesity rates. Despite being on a path of economic progress, the trends suggest that the majority of the countries in the region are far behind in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals of ending hunger and ensuring well-being. This book provides policymakers, researchers, and public health practitioners with actionable insights into Asia’s nutritional challenges and potential solutions. Across themes of child nutrition, rural-urban disparity, and the challenges of poverty, aging, and climate change, it offers a nuanced understanding of how socioeconomic inequalities, demographic factors, and environmental stress can shape nutritional outcomes. Country-specific case studies from India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, and the Philippines underscore the need for integrated, multisectoral strategies that combine nutrition-sensitive agricultural policies, public health interventions, and climate resilience measures to achieve sustainable improvements in nutrition security across the region.