Adam E. Ahmed

Food and Nutrition Security in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Vol. 3

Food and nutrition security remains a major concern for Saudi Arabia and neighboring regions, given the diverse and persistent challenges they continue to face: extreme water scarcity, high dependency on global food markets, climate change, significant food loss and waste, and a dual burden of malnutrition characterized by rising obesity rates and persistent micronutrient deficiencies. The work consists of five volumes. This volume, volume 3, titled "Insights, Indicators, and Determinants", provides a rigorous, evidence-based framework for moving from description to measurement and causal analysis. It covers key aspects such as food availability indicators, accessibility metrics, utilization indicators including the Cost and Affordability of a Healthy Diet (CoAHD), stability indicators, the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) across GCC countries, knowledge-based economy applications, geospatial technologies, agricultural transformations, agri-food marketing, post-harvest handling, fruit and vegetable production, agricultural labor dynamics, women's empowerment, obesity and non-communicable diseases, COVID-19 implications, and Saudi Arabia's progress toward Sustainable Development Goals.This volume holds substantial value for professionals, researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs involved in food and nutrition security in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and various national and international organizations. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the obstacles and possibilities in ensuring food and nutrition security, along with practical, data-driven approaches to address these issues. Graduate students in related fields will also benefit. All readers can use this volume's indicators and recommendations to prioritize investments, design measurable programs, and institute data systems that convert Saudi diagnostics into policy results.