Vol. 8 No. 76 (2026): February
Artículos

Analysis of the theoretical approach to food insecurity in relation to overnutrition

Valeria Ideth Guadalupe Negrete Barajas
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México
Israel Reyes Reza
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México
Ofelia Márquez Molina
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México

Published 2026-02-23

Keywords

  • Food security,
  • Malnutrition,
  • Public health

How to Cite

Negrete Barajas, V. I. G., Reyes Reza, I., & Márquez Molina, O. (2026). Analysis of the theoretical approach to food insecurity in relation to overnutrition. Desarrollo Sustentable, Negocios, Emprendimiento Y Educación, 8(76), 98–117. https://doi.org/10.51896/rilcods.v8i76.1153

Abstract

Food insecurity has traditionally been linked to the lack of access to sufficient and nutritious food, focusing primarily on deficiency malnutrition. However, in recent decades, a new phenomenon has emerged: overnutrition, characterized by the high consumption of high-calorie foods deficient in essential nutrients, which contributes to overweight, obesity, and the development of chronic non-communicable diseases. The objective was to analyze the evolution of the theoretical approach to food insecurity to determine whether it incorporates overnutrition as part of its conceptualization. To this end, a literature review was conducted of scientific articles, books, and reports available in academic databases and institutional websites. The search was conducted using terms such as: food insecurity, overnutrition, overweight, obesity, and double burden of malnutrition. The selected documents were analyzed to determine whether they incorporated overnutrition into the conceptualization of food insecurity. The findings were organized into stages, in which the evolution of the theoretical approach was discussed. Based on this analysis, conceptual limitations were identified that demonstrate the persistence of a narrow view of food insecurity, focused primarily on food scarcity and malnutrition. However, this traditional perspective is beginning to coexist with broader approaches that incorporate social, economic, and dietary quality dimensions. In the new paradigm of food insecurity, malnutrition due to excess must continue to be strengthened.

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