Americas

The medical cost of obesity was 2.4 percent of all health care spending in Chile in 2016 and could rise to 4 percent by 2030. (Photo: Victor Ruiz Caballero/NYT)

In Sweeping War on Obesity, Chile Slays Tony the Tiger

by Andrew Jacobs The New York Times February 8, 2018

The Chilean government, facing skyrocketing rates of obesity, is waging war on unhealthy foods with a phalanx of marketing restrictions, mandatory packaging redesigns and labeling rules aimed at transforming the eating habits of 18 million people. New regulations, which corporate interests delayed f...

Photo: Rio de Janero [1News]

Brazil in danger of being reinstated on the UN’s World Hunger Map

by Associated Press TVNZ December 25, 2017

The UN World Food Programme is considering re-listing Brazil on its World Hunger Map after a multi-year absence as increasing numbers of Brazilians face unemployment and hunger....

Photo: Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press

New Montreal food policy council will tackle important issues

by Celine Cooper Montreal Gazette December 25, 2017

Launching in 2018, the new council will focus on food security for all Montrealers, urban agriculture, institutional and alternative procurement, and food waste....

Photo: Meridith Kohut

As Venezuela Collapses, Children Are Dying of Hunger

by Meridith Kohut and Isayen Herrera The New York Times December 18, 2017

For five months, The New York Times tracked 21 public hospitals in Venezuela. Doctors are seeing record numbers of children with severe malnutrition. Hundreds have died. But deaths from malnutrition have remained a closely guarded secret by the Venezuelan government....

Tere Caicedo, left, packs boxes with donated items at Olarte Transport, a private shipping company in Los Angeles. A total of 16 boxes were filled up with donated necessities, to be shipped to Caicedo’s brother, Jose, in Caracas, Venezuela. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

To combat hunger, Venezuelans in the U.S. ship food to relatives

by Andrea Castillo LA Times October 22, 2017

Food prices in Venezuela have skyrocketed as production of oil, agriculture and cars has plummeted. Inflation since the beginning of the year has risen by more than 536%. In response, individuals and groups are sending food and supplies....

The FAO said tackling rising obesity, a form of malnutrition, in the region is a main concern. [Photo: Reuters]

Hunger and Obesity on the Rise in Latin America, UN Food Body Warns

by teleSUR teleSUR October 11, 2017

“Nowadays, it is easy to find homes with one malnourished child and an overweight mother, or a chronically malnourished and overweight child or one with a vitamin and mineral deficiency”...

Photo: Haitian agriculture was devastated by Hurricane Irma [Food Tank]

Hurricane Irma Devastated Already Vulnerable Agriculture in Haiti

by Rocco Pallin Food Tank October 6, 2017

Hurricane Irma brought severe damage to the Caribbean in early September, destroying buildings, homes, roads, and threatening livelihoods before moving north towards the Florida Keys....