Malnutrition, including over- and under-nutrition and micro-nutrient deficiencies, is the top contributor to the global disease burden. Globally, 800 million people are under-nourished, 2 billion are overweight or obese and 2 billion are micronutrient deficient.

The vast majority of the world’s hungry live in developing countries. Southern Asia faces the greatest hunger burden, with about 281 million undernourished people. In sub-Saharan Africa, the current rate of undernourishment is currently around 23 per cent. Despite decreasing under-nutrition, levels remain unacceptably high.