Abstract
Food insecurity and malnutrition remains a public health threat in developing countries including Ethiopia, as millions of people continue to suffer from these problems. Therefore, fish consumption is one of the most important sources of micro and macronutrients for human health and overcome food insecurity and malnutrition problems. Ethiopia is endowed with lakes, reservoirs and rivers, which could be the potential resources for fisheries production and consumption. However, their exploitation and contribution to food security and poverty alleviation in the country was scarce. Therefore, this review was designed to provide the current information concerning the health benefits of fish consumption and its contribution to poverty alleviation and food security issues in Ethiopia. Peer-reviewed articles, gray literature, key reports from national and international organizations, research findings in developed and developing countries were used to collect information for this work. Fish is a source of protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, minerals and vitamins, which could prevent non-communicable diseases. However, access to road infrastructure, pond management level, water sources, fish feed status, location of ponds and consumption habits were factors affecting fish production and consumption. Other factors which could affect fish production were climate change and variability, low fish supply, lack of awareness, lack of support, lack of facilities, low profit, and distance from market place. Therefore, a strategic partnership and collaboration of all responsible bodies should determine the long term impacts of fisheries production and consumption patterns on the poverty alleviation, food and nutrition security in the country.
Highlights
Through the Sustainable Development Goals [45], the world has committed to ending all forms of food and nutrition insecurity
This review concluded that fish production and consumption is highly liked with food and nutrition security
The review revealed that fish production and consumption were affected by consumers’ social and cultural habits, economic status, eating behaviors, personal health status, age, and education level, fish management, sources of water and marketing problem, fish feed and status of fish ponds
Summary
Through the Sustainable Development Goals [45], the world has committed to ending all forms of food and nutrition insecurity. Fish products provide about 17% of global animal proteins and omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins A, B and D, minerals like zinc, iodine, selenium, calcium and iron They provide essential micronutrients which are necessary to end malnutrition and reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases [33]. The total annual fish production of the country’s major inland water bodies was estimated to be 51,481 metric tons per annum on the basis of maximum sustainable yield [17] Their exploitation and their contribution to food security and growth in the country are minimal despite the technologies capable of resolving the problem of livestock and fisheries production [17]. This review was initiated to identify this gap and provide the updated information regarding the health benefits of fish consumption and its role in poverty alleviation and food security issues in the country
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.