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1. CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACT ON WHEAT, MAIZE AND SUNFLOWER YIELD IN ROMANIA IN THE PERIOD 2017-2021.

Author

POPESCU, Agatha, DINU, Toma Adrian, STOIAN, Elena, and ŞERBAN, Valentin

Subjects
CROPS, CLIMATE change, CORN, ATMOSPHERIC temperature, SUNFLOWERS, AGRICULTURE, SUNFLOWER seeds
Abstract

The paper purpose was to assess the impact of climate change on wheat, maize and sunflower yield in the period 2017-2021, using statistical data from National Institute of Statistics (NIS) and National Administration of Meteorology (NAM) and other sources. Comparison method was used to evaluate the deviations between the registered air temperatures and precipitations and the 1981-2010 climatological norm. Graphic method reflected the dynamics of monthly air temperatures and rainfalls in each year. Descriptive statistics for mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation reflected an more comprehensive image upon air temperature, precipitations and yield. Correlations and regression equations were used to establish the intensity of the kinks between climate factors and yield. The highest average air temperature In Romania was 12.130C in 2019. In the period 2017-2020, the average annual temperatures exceeded the climatological norm 1981-2010 accounting for 9.10C. The lowest rainfalls, 614.2 mm, were recorded in 2019, being below of 633.1 mm the norm for the period 1981-2010. The high temperatures associated with drought and low precipitations have deeply affected yield of many agricultural crops, including maize, wheat and sunflower. The highest wheat yield 4,888 kg/ha was achieved in 2017, and the lowest one, 2,966 kg/ha in 2020. Maize registered the highest performance of 7,644 kg/ha in 2018, and the lowest one, 3,977 kg/ha in 2020. Sunflower carried out the high performance 3,041 kg/ha in 2018, and the lowest one, 1,858 kg/ha in 2020. The worst agricultural years for these three crops was 2020, but 2017 favored wheat, while 2018 favored maize and sunflower. The correlation coefficient had in general small values between average temperature and yield, but a higher link with precipitations level. The multiple correlation between yield, air temperatures and precipitations was: r= 0.817 for wheat, r = 0.116 for maize and r = 0.504 for sunflower. In the South Eastern Dobrogea, the driest area in Romania, the rainfalls declined by 65% in the period 2018-2020 having a deep negative impact on sunflower seeds yield, which decreased from 4,282 kg/ha in 2018, to 1,503 kg/ha in 2020. The correlation between precipitations and sunflower yield positive and very strong (r = 0.737). As a conclusion, the climate conditions should be analyzed in each farm and farmers have to take measure to adapt the technologies for sustaining production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023

2. Contributions of climatic and crop varietal changes to crop production in the North China Plain, since 1980s.

Author

YUAN LIU, ENLI WANG, XIAOGUANG YANG, and JING WANG

Subjects
AGRICULTURAL productivity, SOIL productivity, CROP yields, CLIMATE change, GLOBAL warming, WHEAT, CORN
Abstract

The North China Plain (NCP) is the most important agricultural production area in China. Crop production in the NCP is sensitive to changes in both climate and management practices. While previous studies showed a negative impact of climatic change on crop yield since 1980s, the confounding effects of climatic and agronomic factors have not been separately investigated. This paper used 25 years of crop data from three locations (Nanyang, Zhengzhou and Luancheng) across the NCP, together with daily weather data and crop modeling, to analyse the contribution of changes in climatic and agronomic factors to changes in grain yields of wheat and maize. The results showed that the changes in climate were not uniform across the NCP and during different crop growth stages. Warming mainly occurred during the vegetative (preflowering) growth stage of wheat and maize, while there was a cooling trend or no significant change in temperatures during the postflowering stage of wheat (spring) or maize (autumn). If varietal effects were excluded, warming during vegetative stages would lead to a reduction in the length of the growing period for both crops, generally leading to a negative impact on crop production. However, autonomous adoption of new crop varieties in the NCP was able to compensate the negative impact of climatic change. For both wheat and maize, the varietal changes helped stabilize the length of preflowering period against the shortening effect of warming and, together with the slightly reduced temperature in the postflowering period, extend the length of the grain-filling period. The combined effect led to increased wheat yield at Zhengzhou and Luancheng; increased maize yield at Nanyang and Luancheng; stabilized wheat yield at Nanyang, and a slight reduction in maize yield at Zhengzhou, compared with the yield change caused entirely by climatic change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2010
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3. Evaluative Lessons for Agriculture and Agribusiness

Author

Evaluation Cooperation Group

Subjects
CROP VARIETIES, MEAT PRODUCTION, BEVERAGES, NARS, NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD SHORTAGES, AGRICULTURAL LAND, CROP HARVEST, PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, NATIONAL ECONOMIES, PRODUCTION INPUTS, AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY, BREEDING, INCOME, AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM, COMPETITIVENESS, SOYBEANS, DEMAND FOR FOOD, NATIONAL RESEARCH SYSTEM, FERTILIZERS, DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, PRODUCTIVITY INCREASES, COTTON PRODUCTION, DEVELOPMENT BANKS, EXTENSION, FARMERS, PLANT PROTECTION, ANIMAL DISEASES, CROPPING SYSTEMS, AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES, INCOMES, SUGAR, IRRIGATION SYSTEMS, ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, GLOBAL WARMING, PROPERTY RIGHTS, AFDB, AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS, INDUSTRIALIZATION, POVERTY REDUCTION, ANIMAL HEALTH, FOOD PRODUCTION, FAO, LAND REFORM, FARMERS RIGHTS, NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SYSTEM, CASSAVA, WORKING CAPITAL, AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION, CROP PRODUCTION, BIODIVERSITY, HUNGER, FOOD DEMAND, SUGAR BEET, FOOD PROCESSING, PUBLIC GOOD, RURAL POPULATION, CLIMATE CHANGE, PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH, CONSUMERS, DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE, DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, ARABLE LAND, GDP, CGIAR, PESTICIDES, AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS, BIOTECHNOLOGY, COMMODITY CROPS, PEST CONTROL, TAXATION, OVERVALUED EXCHANGE RATES, EXPORTS, AGRICULTURAL R&D, AGRICULTURAL INVESTMENT, WATER USE EFFICIENCY, FINANCIAL CRISES, SORGHUM, DECENTRALIZATION, CROPPING, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AGRICULTURAL CREDIT, NUTRITION, FARMING, SOIL EROSION, FARM PRODUCTS, CEREAL YIELDS, AGRICULTURAL AREAS, WHEAT, NATIONAL RESEARCH, MICROFINANCE, RICE, AGRICULTURAL GROWTH, CROPS, AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS, CEREALS, DISEASE CONTROL, DONOR AGENCIES, POVERTY ALLEVIATION, AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES, FARMER PARTICIPATION, AGRICULTURAL BANKS, TUBERS, BENCHMARKING, MAIZE, AGRICULTURE PROJECTS, TRADE LIBERALIZATION, GLOBAL FOOD SUPPLY, DRAINAGE, INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, SOIL HEALTH, GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, MILK, ROOT CROPS, AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, FINANCIAL SECTOR, BEEF, POPULATION GROWTH, ROOTS, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, PRODUCTIVE ASSETS, THE CONSULTATIVE GROUP, FINANCIAL CRISIS, AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS, FOOD PRICES, INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY, AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION, DISEASES, RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS, ANIMAL FEED, ASSETS, AGRICULTURAL MARKETS, COTTON, SEEDS, INTEGRATION, GREENHOUSE GAS, INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS, ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, WORLD BANK LENDING, FARMS, FISH, PARTICIPATORY PROCESSES, RICE RESEARCH, RURAL POVERTY, FOOD SAFETY, CROP, SOIL CONSERVATION, GDP PER CAPITA, MILLET, GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, PLANT HEALTH, INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE, NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, TRADE REFORMS, MARKETING, GREEN REVOLUTION, CORN, AGRICULTURE, INNOVATION, UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION, AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENTS, IRRIGATION, BUSINESS PLANS, FOOD NEEDS, MEAT, AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SYSTEMS, FOOD SECURITY, BENCHMARK, DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS, FARMLAND, ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION, MEATS, APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY, HUMAN CAPITAL, PRIVATE SECTOR, UNITED NATIONS, NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SYSTEMS, AGRIBUSINESS, FOOD COMMODITIES, RURAL ROADS, AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT, EXTENSION SERVICES, ACCESS TO CREDIT, GRAIN, NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH, GROWTH RATE, PROJECT LOANS, SOIL NUTRIENTS, INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTERS, FARMING SYSTEMS, FORESTRY, AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, PESTS, FOOD PRODUCTS, RURAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES, CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS, LIVESTOCK, AFRICAN FARMERS, NATURAL RESOURCES, SOILS, ADB, ADVERSE EFFECTS, CROP YIELDS, IFPRI, CAPACITY BUILDING, WATER RESOURCES, DEFORESTATION, IDB, IFAD
Abstract

Agricultural investments made by developing countries and multilateral development banks (MDBs) have declined in recent decades. This decline is associated with a slowdown in the growth of agriculture productivity. Most development institutions have recognized the damage caused by this past neglect, in part evident in rising food prices, and renewed attention to agriculture and agribusiness is emerging. But this renewed interest will need to deliver results, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the MDBs have had the least success but where the needs and opportunities are enormous. This paper synthesizes recent work by the independent evaluation agency members of the Evaluation Cooperation Group (ECG) and incorporates lessons from related research by MDBs and from the academic literature on agriculture and agribusiness. The objectives of the paper, in addition to distilling evaluative lessons for agriculture and agribusiness, are to examine the key constraints on the sector and to provide evaluators, operational staff, and policy makers with an evaluative perspective on interventions in countries at different stages of development.

Published
2011

4. Agriculture in Nicaragua : Performance, Challenges, and Options

Author

Piccioni, Norman Bentley

Subjects
INDICATORS, INVESTMENT, INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, MEAT PRODUCTION, INFRASTRUCTURE, DAIRY PRODUCERS, HARVEST, NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, SOLAR ENERGY, COMMODITIES, MILK, BLACK SIGATOKA, CIAT, CGIAR RESEARCH, CROP RESIDUES, TROPICAL AGRICULTURE, EXTERNALITIES, AGRICULTURAL LAND, BEEF, AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES, POPULATION GROWTH, AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY, AGROCHEMICALS, POPULATION, PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, BREEDING, PLANNING, GROUND BEEF, SCIENCE, AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION, PROGRAM REVIEWS, POVERTY RATES, DAIRY PRODUCTS, MALNUTRITION, NATIVE VEGETATION, FOOD PRICES, OVERGRAZING, INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, AGRICULTURAL LANDS, SOYBEANS, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY, LEGUMES, AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION, LOSS OF CROPS, PEANUTS, MANURE MANAGEMENT, NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS, COFFEE, DISEASES, FERTILIZERS, SEEDS, AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS, VIOLENCE, FARMERS, GREENHOUSE GAS, BEEF EXPORTS, RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE, SUGAR, BORDER PRICES, PEANUT, AGRICULTURAL PRICE, MARKETS, AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS, FISH, ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, FARMS, RURAL POVERTY, WATERSHED, GLOBAL WARMING, AGRICULTURAL WASTE, YIELD LOSSES, AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES, AGRICULTURAL POLICIES, LANDS, ANIMALS, SOIL CONSERVATION, CROP, POVERTY REDUCTION, NEMATODES, FAO, OILSEED CROP, RESISTANT FORAGE, RICE CROPS, PLANT HEALTH, CROP PRODUCTION, POULTRY, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, BIODIVERSITY, FOOD DEMAND, CORN, GENETIC VARIABILITY, AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SYSTEM, AGRICULTURE, INNOVATION, AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, RURAL POPULATION, SOIL QUALITY, CLIMATE CHANGE, RURAL EMPLOYMENT, CATTLE, BEAN, RESEARCH, PASTURES, PALM OIL, TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION, ARABLE LAND, AGRICULTURAL CROPS, MEXICO, CGIAR, METHANE, FORESTS, RICE CULTIVATION, FEED, ACCESS TO—FOOD, RAW MATERIALS, MEAT, LIVESTOCK PRODUCER, AGRICULTURAL BENEFIT, FOOD SECURITY, TARIFFS, INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, FARMLAND, SORGHUM, LIVE CATTLE, MEAT SUPPLY, ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION, CROPPING, AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITIES, AGRICULTURAL AREA, LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS, AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION, TREES, AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, FARMING, CROP MANAGEMENT, AGRICULTURAL INTENSIFICATION, UNITED NATIONS, GREENHOUSE GASES, SOIL DEGRADATION, ACCESS TO FOOD, TRAINING, ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS, WHEAT, AGRIBUSINESS, BEANS, RURAL ROADS, FF, CERTIFIED SEED, CREDIT, ACCESS TO CREDIT, SUGARCANE, GRAIN, BOVINE POPULATION, USAID, SEASONS, TECHNOLOGY, RICE, OILSEED CROPS, FARMING SYSTEMS, AGRICULTURAL GROWTH, FORESTRY, CROPS, CEREALS, AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS, MANURE, PESTS, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, FOOD LEGUMES, INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR TROPICAL AGRICULTURE, WATER EROSION, LIVESTOCK, SEED VARIETIES, AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES, FUNGI, AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS, AGRICULTURAL CENSUS, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS, LIVE ANIMALS, NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURAL CYCLES, AGROFORESTRY, SOILS, CROP YIELDS, WATER RESOURCES, DEFORESTATION, IFAD, MAIZE, OILSEED
Abstract

This work summarizes background papers prepared for the World Bank Group with significant input from government counterparts and other development partners. It takes stock of major recent developments and argues that a lot has been achieved in the last decade in terms of production of commodities for export and food consumption, with favorable impact on rural poverty reduction. It also argues that the two factors driving the recent agricultural performance, namely favorable international prices and expansion of the agricultural frontier, have reached their limits. So while trade policies are broadly on target, much can be done by focusing on the productivity of small family agriculture and improving competitiveness by reducing transaction costs (logistics) affecting small, medium, and large commercial farms. In the short to medium term, the household income of the rural poor will continue to depend largely on agriculture. Thus interventions will need to take into account the heterogeneity of smallholder agriculture while simultaneously increasing its resilience to climate risks through climate-smart agriculture.

Published
2015

5. The Double Burden of Malnutrition : A Review of Global Evidence

Author

Shrimpton, Roger and Rokx, Claudia

Subjects
SNACK FOODS, PROTEIN, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES, FOOD SUBSIDIES, SEAFOOD, AGING, CONSUMPTION PATTERNS, FOOD POLICY, LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH, LOW BIRTH WEIGHT, LOW FERTILITY, DIETARY FAT, PRESERVATIVES, FRUITS, EMISSIONS, FOOD ADDITIVES, CHILD MARRIAGE, BREASTFEEDING, FOOD DEFICIT, FREEZING, INFECTIOUS DISEASES, URBANIZATION, MALNUTRITION, INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NUTRITION, STABILIZERS, DEMAND FOR FOOD, MOTHER, POTATOES, EXISTING CAPACITY, RESTAURANTS, RISK FACTORS, HORMONES, AGED, BUTTER, SUGAR, MEASLES, CHILD DEVELOPMENT, PATIENT, FAST FOOD, VITAMIN, CARBOHYDRATE, FERTILITY, HUMAN BODY, PASTEURIZATION, HEALTH EFFECTS, TOLERANCE, DEREGULATION, FOOD SUPPLY, VEGETABLES, ELDERLY, HEALTH RISKS, FRUIT, INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, SWEETENERS, INDUSTRIALIZATION, ENVIRONMENTAL, PLANS OF ACTION, PHYSICAL WORK, FOOD PRODUCTION, YOUNG CHILDREN, VITAMIN A, UNDERNUTRITION, MICRONUTRIENTS, HUNGER, NUTRITION PROGRAMS, WORKPLACE, FOOD DEMAND, COMMUNICABLE DISEASES, VEGETABLE OILS, PEER PRESSURE, FOOD PROCESSING, CLIMATE CHANGE, MARKET PRICES, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, NUTRIENT, NUTRIENTS, TV, PESTICIDES, NUTRITION RESEARCH, PRICE CURVES, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, IRON DEFICIENCY, FOODS, FERMENTATION, IRON, NUTRITION POLICY, RESPIRATORY DISEASES, BABY, PREGNANCY, HEALTH CARE, NUTRITION, PUBLIC HEALTH, DEATH RATES, MICRONUTRIENT MALNUTRITION, SOFT DRINKS, INTERFERON, NUTRIENT INTAKE, PROTEINS, EARLY DEATH, WHEAT, MARGARINE, METABOLISM, DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, FOOD DISTRIBUTION, POLICY FRAMEWORK, YOUNG CHILD, MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE, RICE, WORKFORCE, CEREALS, GLOBAL POPULATION, DIARRHEA, NUTRITION INTERVENTIONS, CHILD MORTALITY, MAIZE, PRODUCERS, ECONOMIC GROWTH, DIETARY ENERGY, SNACKS, FAMILIES, COOKING, PHYSICIANS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, BREAD, POPULATION GROWTH, DIETARY CHANGES, FOOD AVAILABILITY, FOOD BASKET, WORLD POPULATION, STAPLE FOODS, MATERNAL NUTRITION, CONVENIENCE FOODS, FOOD PRICES, NUTRITIONAL STATUS, FOLIC ACID, OIL, BAKING, LEGUMES, GLOBAL FOOD PRODUCTION, OVERNUTRITION, DIETS, POLICY DECISIONS, STARCH, SMOKING, INTERVENTION, WALKING, GRAINS, HUMAN HEALTH, GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT, FAMILY SIZE, LEADING CAUSES, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, IODINE, PROCESSED FOODS, SUGARS, DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION, LIPOPROTEINS, MALARIA, FISH, SANITATION, WAGES, BABIES, CONFECTIONERY, RURAL AREAS, FOOD MARKETING, FOOD IMPORTS, NATIONAL INCOME, PROGRESS, FOOD SAFETY, FOOD CHAINS, HYPERTENSION, VITAMIN B12, MORTALITY, BOTTLING, FIRST MARRIAGE, FATS, CEREAL PRODUCTION, ADEQUATE DIET, NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES, NUTS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, IMMUNE SYSTEM, NATIONAL PLANS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENTS, GREEN REVOLUTION, CORN, AGRICULTURE, DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS, ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT, ANTIOXIDANTS, SUPERMARKETS, UNFPA, CULTURAL PRACTICES, DIABETES, SUPERMARKET, DURATION OF BREASTFEEDING, MEAT, VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY, STREET FOODS, CARBOHYDRATES, FOOD CONSUMPTION, FOOD SECURITY, IODINE DEFICIENCY, POTATO, CANCER, FLAVORING AGENTS, IMMUNIZATION, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, OIL PRICES, OBESITY PREVALENCE, MEATS, HUMAN CAPITAL, OBESITY, LAND RESOURCES, CHILD GROWTH, MEAL, MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES, HYGIENE, AGING POPULATIONS, CREAM, LIPIDS, FLAVOR ENHANCERS, DAIRY, SOCIAL MARKETING, UNPROCESSED FOODS, REFINING, EXPENDITURES, CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK, DIET, COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES, LEISURE TIME, MORBIDITY, EPIDEMIC, PEDIATRICS, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, BAKED GOODS, POLICY GUIDANCE, DIETING, ANEMIA, FISCAL POLICIES, HOUSEHOLD LEVEL, ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES, FOOD PRODUCTS, RESEARCH AGENDA, EATING HABITS, FOOD CHAIN, CURING, URBAN POPULATIONS, HEALTH SERVICES, PRESCHOOL CHILDREN, FOOD INDUSTRY, PRACTITIONERS, NUMBER OF PEOPLE, URBAN AREAS, FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS, REPRODUCTIVE AGE, NURSES, NATIONAL COUNCIL, FOOD SUPPLEMENTATION, RURAL POPULATIONS
Abstract

The Double Burden of Malnutrition (DBM) is the coexistence of both under nutrition and over nutrition in the same population across the life course. 'Across the life course' refers to the phenomenon that under nutrition early in life contributes to an increased propensity for over nutrition in adulthood. The DBM affects all countries, rich and poor, and is a particular concern in countries with high stunting rates. The consequences of the DBM are enormous; early life under nutrition is an underlying cause associated with about a third of young child deaths. Among the survivors who become stunted during the first two years of life, their capacity to resist disease, to carry out physical work, to study and progress in school, are all impaired across the life course. Later in the life course, diet and nutrition, and especially obesity, are important underlying causes of many Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including hypertension, diabetes, cancer, stroke, and ischemic heart disease. The causes of the DBM are related to a series of changes occurring in the world called the nutrition transition, the demographic transition, and the epidemiological transition of countries. The variables associated with the nutrition transition and obesity epidemic can be grouped into four cross-cutting themes, which include: (i) the health/biological environment; (ii) the economic/food environment; (iii) the physical/built environment; and (iv) the socio/cultural environment. The solutions for the DBM problems are reasonably well recognized in each of its parts: under nutrition and over nutrition. However, the solutions have not been combined into an overarching policy and program framework, which together with raising awareness about the serious future implications for the low-and middle income countries is the aim of this paper.

Published
2012