Exploring the nexus between food systems and the global syndemic among children under five years of age through the complex systems approach

Aline Martins de Carvalho*, Leandro Martin Totaro Garcia, Bárbara Hatzlhoffer Lourenço, Eliseu Verly Junior, Antonio Augusto Carioca, Michelle Cristine Medeiros Jacob, Sávio Marcelino Gomes, Flavia Mori Sarti

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

The intricate relationship between food systems and health outcomes, known as the food-nutrition-health nexus, intersects with environmental concerns. However, there’s still a literature gap in evaluating food systems alongside the global syndemic using the complex systems theory, especially concerning vulnerable populations like children. This research aimed to design a system dynamics model to advance a theoretical understanding of the connections between food systems and the global syndemic, particularly focusing on their impacts on children under five years of age. The framework was developed through a literature review and authors’ insights into the relationships between the food, health, and environmental components of the global syndemic among children. The conceptual model presented 17 factors, with 26 connections and 6 feedback loops, categorized into the following 5 groups: environmental, economic, school-related, family-related, and child-related. It delineated and elucidated mechanisms among the components of the global syndemic encompassing being overweight, suffering from undernutrition, and climate change. The findings unveiled potential interactions within food systems and health outcomes. Furthermore, the model integrated elements of the socio-ecological model by incorporating an external layer representing the environment and its natural resources. Consequently, the development of public policies and interventions should encompass environmental considerations to effectively tackle the complex challenges posed by the global syndemic.
Original languageEnglish
Article number893
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume21
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 07 Jul 2024

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