World Food Day 2023 - Promoting Health and Sustainable Nutrition
Published in Public Health

Sandra López Arana is Assistant Professor at the Department of Nutrition at the University of Chile and recently joined the Editorial Board of Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition as Section Editor. In addition, she is a Bernard Lown Scholar in Cardiovascular Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, member of the Transdisciplinary Group of Obesity in Populations (GTOP) at the University of Chile, and associate investigator from the Chilean Center for Cancer Prevention and Control (CECAN). Sandra has carried out several research studies in the field of health and nutrition in low and middle-income countries. Most of her publications have focused on socioeconomic inequalities in overweight and obesity, mother and child health and nutrition, and the unintended consequences of social and nutrition policies such as conditional cash transfer programs in Colombia or the Nutrition Labelling Law 20.606 in Chile. Since 2019 she leads the Limache cohort, an ongoing study that assesses the developmental origins of health and disease in relation to non-communicable disease onset in a country like Chile that has experienced an extremely rapid nutrition transition.
How does your research relate to the SDGs?
Nutrition is a key factor for achieving all the SDGs, so my work is related to several SDGs, specifically with SDG 2: Zero hunger, which seeks to end hunger, achieve food security, transform food systems, and eliminate malnutrition in all its forms. It is also related to SDG 3: Health and Well-being, which seeks to ensure a healthy life and promote well-being from a life course perspective. Finally, SDG 10: Reduced inequalities; Improving nutrition can help gender equality and decrease inequalities in income, food, health and education access avoiding the perpetuation of poverty and poor health among the most disadvantaged.
Why did you decide to go into your field of research?
My research path started before I got my undergraduate degree as Nutritionist and Dietitian. I served as field coordinator of the “Bogota School Children Cohort” study in Bogotá, Colombia. In this job I acquired the skills needed to coordinate the recruitment of 3200 school children, oversee the collection of information and carry out data management and quality assurance within a short period of time. Of course, this work would have not been possible without the continuous supervision of my mentors and principal investigators of this project. They highlighted my dedication to work and enthusiasm for learning more about public health, and I then received their support to carry out postgraduate studies outside of my home country. This combination of my scientific curiosity, along with the guidance of my mentors allowed me to confirm that academia and research were the right path for me.
How has knowledge of global nutrition developed over the course of your career?
As I mentioned above, nutrition is a key factor for achieving all the SDGs. The development of global nutrition has been accelerated over the past two or three decades. Previously, nutrition focused on single nutrient deficiencies, and it did not consider encompassing nutrition within a food system. Likewise, there is increasing awareness to promote more sustainable dietary patterns that may be beneficial for human beings and the earth.
What nutritional challenges do those from low- and middle-income countries in particular face?
Low- and middle-income countries are facing malnutrition in all its forms. Previous evidence has documented a higher prevalence of wasting, stunting, underweight and micronutrient deficiencies in these countries. Nowadays, low- and middle-income countries are also experiencing growing rates of overweight and obesity at the same time. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic, social conflicts, and economic shocks and disasters linked to climate change have exacerbated these trends. For example, the latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the world reports an increase of 122 million people facing hunger compared to 2019. On the other hand, the World Obesity Atlas shows that no country has reported a decline in obesity prevalence since 2010 and it is estimated that over 4 billion people may have excess weight by 2035. If this adverse situation continues, there is a low likelihood to achieve the SDGs. Therefore, a major commitment from everyone is needed to implement strategies to address the major drivers that are associated with malnutrition in all its forms.
What are your hopes for progress in the future?
I hope that we (governments, academia, private sector, and civil society) can work together to accelerate the implementation of strategies to end hunger and to reduce malnutrition in all its forms. Some strategies should be to promote healthy and sustainable diets, to empower individuals, families, and communities to make informed choices regarding their diet, and to ensure a more equitable food system that guarantees access to nutritious and affordable foods. Finally, for this World Food Day we should be more conscious that water is an essential resource, so adopting more sustainable food production systems and equitable water distribution is needed.
Happy World Food Day!
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Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
This journal brings together research on all aspects of issues related to population, nutrition, and health. The journal publishes articles across a broad range of topics including global health, maternal and child health, nutrition, common illnesses, and determinants of population health.
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School-based Interventions to Prevent Childhood Overweight and Obesity
The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has become a significant public health concern globally, necessitating effective and sustainable interventions. This research collection aims to compile the most recent and rigorously conducted scientific studies focused on school-based interventions designed to prevent overweight and obesity among children and adolescents. Schools provide a unique and influential environment for implementing health-promoting strategies, given their extensive reach and impact on young populations during critical developmental years.
The primary rationale behind this collection is to explore and highlight the effectiveness of various school-based programs and policies in curbing the rising trend of childhood overweight and obesity. By compiling a diverse range of studies, this collection aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of what strategies are effective, for whom, and under what conditions. The ultimate goal is to inform educators, policymakers, and health professionals about evidence-based practices that can be integrated into school curricula and environments to promote healthier lifestyles among students.
We invite submissions of original research articles, protocols, meta-analyses, and review papers that delve into various aspects of school-based interventions. Specific topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Nutritional education programs that promote healthy eating habits.
• Physical activity initiatives that encourage regular exercise and reduce sedentary behavior.
• Behavioral and psychological interventions designed to promote a positive body image and enhance self-esteem.
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By compiling these studies, we aim to create a valuable resource that supports the development and implementation of effective strategies to combat childhood overweight and obesity within school settings.
All submissions in this collection undergo the journal’s standard peer review process. Similarly, all manuscripts authored by a Guest Editor will be handled by the Editor-in-Chief. As an open access publication, this journal levies an article processing fee (details here).
We recognize that many key stakeholders may not have access to such resources and are committed to supporting participation in this issue wherever resources are a barrier. For more information about what support may be available, please visit OA funding and support, or email OAfundingpolicy@springernature.com or contact the Editor-in-Chief.
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3, Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 4, Quality Education.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Dec 12, 2025
Migration and its effects on maternal and child health and nutrition
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This cross-journal Collection is seeking contributions showcasing research on the intersection of migration and maternal and child health and nutrition. Both forced and voluntary migration have become a global phenomenon with profound implications for mothers' and children’s health, nutrition, and overall well-being. This special edition will highlight diverse methodological approaches, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies, that contribute to a deeper understanding of health inequities among migrant populations and offer potential solutions to mitigate them.
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Submissions may include, but are not limited to, the following areas:
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Nutritional challenges and interventions:
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- Investigating the role of legal frameworks in shaping access to healthcare and nutrition for migrant populations.
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- Exploring the psychosocial effects of migration on maternal and child health.
- Assessing the role of social support systems in mitigating mental health challenges.
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- Investigating community-based approaches to improve the health and resilience of migrant populations.
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This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 5, Gender Equality.
This collection is open for submissions from all authors on the condition that the manuscript falls within both the scope of the collection and the journal it is submitted to.
All submissions in this collection undergo the relevant journal’s standard peer review process. Similarly, all manuscripts authored by a Guest Editor(s) will be handled by the Editor-in-Chief of the relevant journal. As an open access publication, participating journals levy an article processing fee (International Journal for Equity in Health, Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition). We recognize that many key stakeholders may not have access to such resources and are committed to supporting participation in this issue wherever resources are a barrier. For more information about what support may be available, please visit OA funding and support, or email OAfundingpolicy@springernature.com or the Editor-in-Chief of the journal where the article is being submitted.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Jan 30, 2026
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