Engaging Communities in a Sustainable Dietary Approach: A Thai Perspective

Abstract

Lessons learned from developing countries indicate that various development attempts, including nutrition, are not sustained because of inadequate community participation. Although technologies can be introduced, their sustainability will depend almost entirely on the local population. More than a decade of experience in promoting consumption of vitamin A–rich foods in Thailand points to the understanding of contexts and trends of overall national development, strategic positioning of the change process, effective social mobilization, and importance of policy communication as being essential for engaging communities in sustainable endeavours. Information technology, current diet, and the health movement as well as future development approaches will lead to improved opportunities for a sustainable dietary approach. However, the need to reconsider the current nutrition science paradigm and the new market system remains a challenge.