Sustainable Diets: Governance, Equity, and Evidence-Based Policies for Human and Planetary Health

The intersection of public health nutrition and planetary health is central to advancing global sustainability. The food system, both a major driver of environmental degradation and a key contributor to the global burden of disease, sits at the heart of the “Global Syndemic” of obesity, undernutrition, and climate change. Although “Planetary Health Diets” propose nutritionally adequate and environmentally sustainable patterns, translating these models into culturally appropriate, feasible, and equitable practices remains challenging. Evidence increasingly addresses implementation beyond theoretical modeling, yet substantial gaps persist regarding scalability, effectiveness, and equity across diverse contexts. Sustainable dietary transitions require more than individual behavior change. Food environments are shaped by subsidies, trade and regulatory frameworks, fiscal measures, corporate practices, and social protection systems that determine access and affordability. Governance across sectors, health, agriculture, environment, and trade, is therefore crucial. In Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), rapid urbanization, informal markets, micronutrient deficiencies, and climate vulnerability further complicate progress. Addressing the triple burden of malnutrition within planetary boundaries demands integrated food and nutrition policies that prioritize equity and ecological resilience. International policy frameworks increasingly seek to align nutrition and sustainability goals. The Farm to Fork Strategy under the European Green Deal, led by the European Commission, exemplifies efforts to integrate environmental and public health objectives within agricultural reform. However, questions remain regarding implementation, political feasibility, commercial determinants of health, and equity outcomes. Advancing sustainable diets thus requires deeper examination of governance innovation, accountability, and rights-based approaches. This Research Topic aims to strengthen the evidence base for implementing and scaling sustainable diets that advance both human and planetary health. We encourage interdisciplinary research bridging epidemiology, environmental science, behavioral theory, political economy, and policy innovation, with explicit attention to trade-offs involving micronutrient adequacy, affordability, and social justice. Our goal is to inform coherent and equitable policies capable of driving dietary shifts within ecological limits. We welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to: -Epidemiological Links: Sustainable dietary patterns and long-term health and environmental outcomes; -The Triple Burden of Malnutrition: Integrated strategies addressing undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity; -Equity and Food Justice: Affordability and access in LMICs and vulnerable groups; -Intervention and Behavior Change: Evaluation of public health and other measures promoting sustainable diets; -Food and Nutrition Policy Governance: Cross-sectoral coherence, regulatory tools, and institutional procurement; -Food System Innovation: Novel proteins, fortified foods, and circular systems; -Methodological Advancements: Metrics assessing “Nutri-Environmental” value; -Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in Nutrition: Environmental evaluation of dietary guidelines; -Multilevel and Comparative Policy Analysis: Effectiveness and equity of food policy frameworks; -Rights-Based and Participatory Approaches: The right to food and inclusive governance. This Research Topic seeks to provide a roadmap for developing dietary guidelines and food policies that protect both population health and planetary systems for future generations. Topic editors: João Lima, Sara Moreno Pires Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78542/sustainable-diets-governance-equity-and-evidence-based-policies-for-human-and-planetary-health