Desafios para a adoção de dietas sustentáveis em países de média e baixa renda: uma revisão de escopo

Abstract

Sustainable diets are an alternative to mitigate the impacts of food systems on the planet, as they protect and respect biodiversity and ecosystems. However, the global debate on transitioning to sustainable diets has been led by high-income countries, overlooking the structural challenges of low- and middle-income countries. In light of this, this scoping review aimed to investigate the challenges faced in adopting sustainable diets by the adult population in low- and middle-income countries. Articles that examine the challenges in adopting sustainable diets, considering cultural, subcultural, geographic, socioeconomic, political, and environmental characteristics of low- and middle-income countries, were included. The methodology followed JBI recommendations and the PRISMA-ScR guideline, utilizing the EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, and LILACS databases. The article search was conducted in November 2023, and references were managed with Rayyan software, where researchers assessed articles for inclusion or exclusion. The results revealed that socioeconomic, sociodemographic, sociocultural factors, and food literacy are key determinants that hinder access to healthy diets in low- and middle-income countries. The analysis also highlighted a scarcity of studies focused on low-income countries, limiting the understanding of challenges faced by these populations in contexts of extreme poverty. Finally, the research concludes that the transition to healthy and sustainable diets requires an approach adapted to local realities, considering regional particularities and individual experiences.