Global Aspects of Nutrition and Health and Ways to Improve Diet Quality

The policy of health and wellness in many countries is mostly looked upon from a medical angle, often neglecting food, nutrition and traditional knowledge, with a clear emphasis on food safety. In this aspect the rich biodiversity in the world of traditional and ethnic foods requires a clear attention in fighting not only under-nutrition but also in promoting a food-based approach to good health. Lifestyle-related diseases also require our attention from the point of convenience and foods consumed for their cognitive benefits, using traditional knowledge on the one hand and modern science on the other hand. Perhaps through the approach of "Team Nutrition International and Global Networking" it is time that the South - South Cooperation must lead to an acceptable solution for the enormous burden of pervasive malnutrition and under-nutrition. Non-communicable diseases are further overpowering families, especially those that are economically impoverished. This review paper addresses some of the issues in overcoming and preventing nutrition-related diseases, and the approach forward in the matter.