MedDiet4Health: Which would be the most important health and environmental challenges linked to food that will be faced in the future?

The way we produce, consume, and waste food has significant implications for both human health and the environment. As the global population grows and climate change accelerates, these issues will become even more critical. In this WebQuest, you will explore the most important health and environmental challenges related to food that we are likely to face in the future. Your task is to investigate these challenges and propose solutions to address them.

The world needs heroes! Our planet is facing unprecedented challenges. From the air we breathe to the water we drink, our environment is under siege. And let's not forget about our own health - it's taking a hit too!

Your mission: Uncover the biggest threats to our planet and our well-being. Then, don your problem-solving cape and devise innovative solutions. You'll be the first line of defense in the battle for a healthier planet and a brighter future. 

STEP 1 Health and Environmental challenges nowadays:

The food we consume today is deeply connected to both our health and the environment, and the challenges associated with our food systems are becoming increasingly complex as global populations grow and industrial activities expand. These challenges impact individual well-being and have significant implications for the planet's sustainability.

One major health issue is the "double burden of malnutrition," where undernutrition and overnutrition coexist, highlighting disparities in global food systems. While undernutrition affects millions in developing countries, leading to stunted growth and higher mortality, overnutrition in developed nations is causing rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The shift towards processed foods high in sugars, fats, and salt has exacerbated these diet-related diseases, which are now among the leading causes of death worldwide. Additionally, the globalization of food supply chains has brought new challenges in food safety.

On the environmental side, food production has a substantial ecological footprint, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss. Industrial agriculture, while boosting food production, has also led to environmental degradation. Livestock farming, in particular, demands large amounts of resources and is a major source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Deforestation for agriculture further harms biodiversity and ecosystems.

Climate change is already affecting agriculture, leading to reduced crop yields and food insecurity due to extreme weather, changing precipitation, and rising temperatures. With the global population expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, the demand for food will intensify, further straining the environment.

STEP 2 Investigation:

Students will be divided in two teams:

• TEAM 1: Health Challenges:

  • Future trends in diet-related diseases (e.g., obesity, diabetes, malnutrition).
  • The impact of food safety and emerging pathogens.
  • The influence of global dietary changes on public health.
  • Zoonotic diseases and food system

Useful resources:

• https://www.wur.nl/en/show/food-security-11.htm This article focus to the effects of food insecurity to health and well-being.

• https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/resources/understanding-health-disparities/food-accessibility-insecurity-and-health-outcomes.html Food Accessibility, Insecurity and Health Outcomes.

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10069820/ This article is focusing to the connection of food systems to zoonotic spillover and possible measures for prevention.

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352771424000533 This paper is about zoonoses management through One Health approach, refering to improving the ability to address current zoonoses as well as preventing future ones.

• TEAM 2: Environmental Challenges:

  • The environmental impact of food production, including greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and biodiversity loss.
  • The consequences of climate change on food security.
  • The role of food waste and its environmental implications.

Useful resources:

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S275380952400019X This paper discusses strategies to address global biodiversity loss and improve ecosystem resilience by emphasizing holistic actions to conserve natural ecosystems. It highlights the need for responsible resource management, changes in diets, and increased food diversity. The paper also stresses the importance of understanding the beneficial interactions between microorganisms and plants, particularly in changing environments, and calls for the use of biotechnology to enhance future food processing and quality.
• https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/1/222 In this study, were systematically analyzed the future challenges of the agriculture and food systems by focusing on (1) their root causes and trends; and (2) the interlinkages among the solutions proposed to address the challenges using social network analysis tools.
• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fft2.173 This review is focused on the evolution of food supply systems, starting from the Green Revolution to food supply chains, providing a significant perspective on sustainability.

Post your findings regarding the future health and environmental challenges to the following padlet:

https://padlet.com/erasmushealthschools2024/future-health-and-environmental-challenges-zujszx41fwx2p2yg

Investigate future challenges and existing solutions, and propose new ideas to address the challenges you've identified to the following tricider, Consider technological advancements, policy changes, and lifestyle modifications. Assess the feasibility and potential impact of these solutions on improving health outcomes and reducing environmental harm.

https://www.tricider.com/brainstorming/2d0hAWGvkPh

Don't hesitate to reflect to each other.

This WebQuest was edited by A.Mylona, a teacher of 1st EPAL Nafpaktou, Greece, as part of the activities of the "Addressing Health and Wellbeing at Schools and beyond" (HEALTH@SCHOOLS) Erasmus+ project (Project number: 2023-2-SK01-KA210-000176581).

This WebQuest reflects only the author’s views. The European Commission’s support for the production of this WebQuest does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.