The full statement "Addressing world hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity" is published in the August issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
The position statement is as follows:
It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that access to adequate amounts of safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food at all times is a fundamental human right. Hunger continues to be a worldwide problem of staggering proportions. The Association supports programs and encourages practices that combat hunger and malnutrition, produce food security, promote self-sufficiency and are environmentally and economically sustainable.
"World agriculture produces enough food to provide everyone in the world with at least 2,700 calories per person per day," said registered dietitian and ADA spokesperson Jeff Hampl. "The problem is that many people in the world do not have sufficient land to grow enough food, or income to purchase it. That is why food assistance programs are so important."
The ADA position paper addresses issues related to food production, agriculture, ethnic and political conflicts, access to food and the effect of hunger on children and women. ADA asserts that it is possible to provide adequate nutrition for all, but this will only be achieved when economic, political and social structures, which create a gap between rich and poor, become the targets of change. ADA's position is that while individuals and groups work to improve the well-being of all people, worldwide efforts to overcome hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition must be intensified.
"It is vital for dietetics professionals to become actively involved in food assistance programs," said Hampl. "When possible, dietetics professionals should get involved on long- and short-term bases in relief, development and education activities in the developing world."
The ADA statements says that dietetics professionals are uniquely qualified to develop relationships with elected officials to educate voters about the nutritional impact of policies and food assistance programs.
The Journal of the American Dietetic Association is the official research publication of the American Dietetic Association and is the premier peer-reviewed journal in the field of dietetics and nutrition.
With nearly 70,000 members, the American Dietetic Association is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Based in Chicago, ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being. Visit ADA at www.eatright.org.
Journal
Journal of the American Dietetic Association