The interconnections between climate change and nutrition are increasingly recognized as critical to global health and sustainability. Understanding this nexus is vital as we confront the multifaceted challenges posed by a rapidly changing climate. The food system is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions but is also vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. This creates a pressing need for research that informs nutrition-sensitive climate policies and promotes climate-resilient nutrition strategies.

Recent advances in this area highlight the progress being made. Studies have revealed the potential of climate-resilient systems that not only withstand climate stresses but also enhance nutritional outcomes. For example, agroecological practices are being adopted globally, demonstrating benefits for both farmer livelihoods and local dietary diversity. Furthermore, the development of innovative frameworks for assessing the climate nutrition nexus allows for more robust evaluations of policy interventions. These efforts have laid the groundwork for more nuanced understanding and strategies.

Looking forward, the field must increasingly move beyond documenting impacts towards identifying, testing and scaling practical solutions. Climate change disproportionately affects populations in the Global South, where fragile health systems, conflict, displacement and humanitarian crises compound existing vulnerabilities and magnify the nutritional consequences of climate shocks. There is therefore an urgent need for locally driven, contextually adapted and equitable solutions that can strengthen resilience and improve nutrition in the most vulnerable settings.

Addressing these challenges will require stronger interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together nutritionists with social scientists, anthropologists, implementation scientists, global health researchers, environmental and agricultural scientists, economists and policymakers. Advances in implementation science, biotechnological methods, systems thinking, data analytics and climate-informed decision support offer exciting opportunities to accelerate the translation of evidence into effective policies and programs. By integrating nutrition with climate adaptation and resilience strategies, researchers can help shape healthier, more equitable and sustainable food systems for the future.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Climate-resilient systems for nutrition
• Nutrition-sensitive climate policies
• Implementation science for climate-resilient nutrition interventions
• Locally led and contextually adapted solutions in climate-vulnerable settings
• Community-based and participatory approaches to climate adaptation
• Planetary health diets
• Diet-related greenhouse gas emissions
• Climate change adaptation strategies including early warning systems for nutrition
• Climate nutrition nexus assessments including vulnerability, impacts, coping and resilience
• Global policy implications
• Nutrition equity in a changing climate
• Nutrition and climate adaptation frameworks

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

The relationship between diet quality and food security is a pivotal aspect of public health nutrition, with profound implications for individual and community well-being. Continued exploration in this area is essential in addressing endemic malnutrition and ensuring nutritional security for all populations. With substantial global challenges such as rising food insecurity and escalating rates of diet-related chronic diseases, advancing our understanding of these interconnected domains provides critical insights for creating effective, sustainable public health strategies.

Recent advances have addressed the complex interactions between food systems, socioeconomic determinants, and health outcomes. Studies have demonstrated that improved dietary diversity correlates strongly with better nutritional adequacy and reduced rates of micronutrient deficiencies. For instance, researchers have established that access to a variety of food groups significantly enhances the micronutrient profile of diets, reducing the risk of prevalent deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, emerging research has highlighted the impact of household food insecurity as a key determinant of diet quality; families experiencing food insecurity often resort to less nutritious, calorie-dense options, exacerbating issues of malnutrition.

Public health nutrition has made notable strides in identifying and addressing the diverse factors that contribute to food security challenges. In particular, the integration of behavioral and community-based approaches has yielded promising results in improving dietary practices among vulnerable populations. These advances have laid the groundwork for more targeted interventions, which have proven effective in managing the dual burden of malnutrition—both undernutrition and obesity—coexisting in many regions.

Looking ahead, the potential for future advances in this field is vast. Continuous research can provide insights into innovative food systems that promote both diet quality and food security, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The application of technology, such as data analytics and machine learning, may allow us to better understand patterns of food consumption and the socioeconomic factors impacting dietary choices. Additionally, interdisciplinary approaches that bring together specialists in nutrition, agriculture, and public policy will enhance our capacity to devise comprehensive strategies that strengthen food security while promoting healthy dietary practices.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Nutritional adequacy and health outcomes
• Socioeconomic determinants of diet quality
• Household food insecurity assessments
• Impacts of food systems on public health
• Strategies for enhancing dietary diversity
• Policy approaches to food security
• Interventions to combat micronutrient deficiencies
• Innovations in public health nutrition

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.