5.2.20 (HL)—Food distribution and quality

Malnutrition includes undernourishment, micronutrient deficiency and overnourishment; total food biomass does not reveal energy balance, nutrient quality or equitable access.

Crop failure can reduce availability, while prices, conflict, infrastructure and policy disrupt distribution and access. Processing and dietary choice can produce excess energy but poor nutrient balance.

A region may harvest enough calories yet have iron deficiency where households cannot obtain diverse foods; another population may consume abundant highly processed food and experience overnutrition.

Trace production → distribution → household access → diet quality; famine can result from distribution failure as much as crop failure.

Neither body mass nor food quantity alone proves nutritional health or food security.