Govender Laurencia, Pillay Kirthee, Siwela Muthulisi, Modi Albert, Mabhaudhi Tafadzwanashe
Dietetics and Human Nutrition, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South Africa.
Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South Africa.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2016 Dec 27;14(1):17. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14010017.
Lack of access to nutritious and balanced diets remains a major impediment to the health and well-being of people living in rural areas. The study utilizes a qualitative systematic approach to conduct an environmental scan and review of scientific literature of studies conducted in South Africa, specifically KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Availability and access to nutritious, diverse and balanced diets were identified as key constraints for achieving food and nutrition security as well as for human health and well-being. This has led to both under- and over-nutrition, with the former, in particular stunting, affecting children under 5 years. A high incidence of over-nutrition, both overweight and obesity, was observed among black African females. In South Africa, poor people rely mostly on social grants and cannot afford a balanced diet. Under these circumstances, agriculture could be used to increase availability and access to diverse and nutritious foods for the attainment of a balanced diet. The wider use of traditional vegetable crops and pulses could improve availability and access to healthy and locally available alternatives. The promotion of household and community food gardens, and the use of nutrient dense crops with low levels of water use, i.e., high nutritional water productivity, offers prospects for addressing malnutrition in poor rural areas.
无法获得营养均衡的饮食仍然是影响农村地区居民健康和福祉的主要障碍。该研究采用定性系统方法，对南非，特别是夸祖鲁 - 纳塔尔省（KZN）开展的研究进行环境扫描和科学文献综述。研究发现，能否获得营养丰富、种类多样且均衡的饮食是实现粮食和营养安全以及人类健康和福祉的关键制约因素。这导致了营养不足和营养过剩问题，前者尤其是发育迟缓，影响着5岁以下儿童。在非洲黑人女性中，超重和肥胖等营养过剩的发生率很高。在南非，贫困人口主要依赖社会补助金，无力负担均衡的饮食。在这种情况下，可以利用农业来增加各类营养食品的供应并使其更易获取，以实现均衡饮食。更广泛地种植传统蔬菜作物和豆类可以提高健康且本地可得的替代食品的供应和可及性。推广家庭和社区菜园，种植营养密集且需水量低（即营养水分生产率高）的作物，为解决贫困农村地区的营养不良问题提供了前景。
