World Food Day - Latest Current Affairs for Competitive Exams

Question: When is the World Food Day celebrated every year?
(a) October 14
(b) October 16
(c) October 17
(d) October 18
Answer: (b)
Related facts:

World Food Day is celebrated every year on October 16.
The theme of this year was Our Actions Are Our Future. Healthy Diets for A #ZeroHunger World.
There have been a dramatic change in diet in recent decades as a result of globalization, urbanization and income growth with a shift from seasonal, mainly plant-based and fibre-rich dishes to diets that are high in refined starches, sugar, fats, salt, and other animal-source products.
Also less time is spent preparing meals at home, and consumers, especially in urban areas, increasingly rely on supermarkets, fast food outlets etc.
A combination of unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles has sent obesity rates soaring, not only in developed countries, but also low-income countries, where hunger and obesity often coexist.
Now over 670 million adults and 120 million girls and boys (5-19 years) are obese, and over 40 million children under 5 are overweight, while over 820 million people suffer from hunger.
Over 30,000 edible plant species are known but only 200 are cultivated at the farm level. Around 50 per cent of humans’ calorie intake comes from just eight major crops namely wheat, maize, rice, barley, beans, groundnut, maize, potatoes, and sorghum.
There is a need to cultivate more seasonal, indigenous crops to meet nutritional needs.

Unhealthy diet:

An unhealthy diet is the leading risk factor for deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and certain cancers. It is linked with one fifth of deaths worldwide.
Unhealthy eating habits are also taking a toll on national health budgets costing up to $2 trillion per year.
Obesity and other forms of malnutrition affect nearly one in three people. Projections indicate that the number will be one in two by 2025.

A healthy diet:

A healthy diet is one that meets the nutritional needs of individuals by providing sufficient, safe, nutritious and diverse foods to lead an active life and reduce the risk of disease.
Eating a healthy diet would help in reaching the target of zero Hunger as decided in the “UN Sustainable Development Goals”.
It includes, among others, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains, and foods that are low in fats (especially saturated fats), sugar and salt.