Healthy consumption habits play a crucial role in food security because they influence not only what we eat, but also how food systems respond to demand. When people have access to and choose more nutritious, diverse, and locally produced foods, it supports more sustainable agriculture, reduces waste, and strengthens communities. Promoting better food choices is therefore not just about individual health—it is a key part of building resilient food systems that can feed everyone, today and in the future.
Latin America and the Caribbean: the poverty-obesity paradox
Latin America and the Caribbean face the world's highest cost of a healthy diet, while grappling with the double burden of malnutrition, which contributes to an annual GDP loss of up to 16%. The region has made important progress in reducing hunger, but a new challenge is emerging: nearly one in three adults is now living with obesity and, for the first time, more children are overweight than underweight.
Some governments are taking action to shape healthier consumption habits—introducing taxes on ultra-processed food, restricting advertising of unhealthy products during family viewing hours, and requiring clear front-of-package nutrition labels to help consumers make more informed choices.
“We’re working hard to improve food supply, but a growing challenge lies in consumption habits—especially when junk food is often more accessible and affordable.”, said Lena Savelli, WFP Regional Director in Latin America and the Caribbean. “Making the healthy choice is not always the easy choice. That’s why clear information, education, and smart policies are essential to help families navigate what they buy and eat, and to ensure that healthier options become both visible and within reach.”
Across the region, WFP supports initiatives that bring social change to scale by embedding social and behavioural change communications in national programs. In Guatemala, the Generación Chispuda program promotes improved food choices among the population. In Honduras, cartoons like Lita (milk) and Lito (fortified beans) teach schoolchildren and parents about balanced diets, while reinforcing food procurement from local farmers. In Cuba, WFP promotes healthier diets and resilience by leveraging local foods and turning social protection programs into engines of lasting behavior change. In Venezuela, community-designed resources like NutriPedia encourage household decision-making on nutrition while advancing inclusion and gender equity. In Ecuador, behavior change initiatives promote healthy eating among children through arts, as in the Buque Azar experience—a transformed grounded ship turned into a cultural hub that uses art for nutrition awareness.
