Effective strategies to improve food sovereignty and health Indigenous communities in the Americas

Abstract

Introduction: food sovereignty is defined as the right of peoples to define their own agricultural and food policies, prioritizing local production and access to nutritious foods. This concept is particularly relevant for indigenous communities, which face unique challenges that affect their ability to maintain traditional food practices.
Methodology: a systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, focusing on intervention studies addressing food sovereignty and health in indigenous communities. An exhaustive search was performed in databases such as PubMed and Taylor & Francis, identifying a total of 12 relevant studies after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Results: the included studies focused on various indigenous communities in the United States and addressed strategies such as improving access to healthy foods through mobile stores and fruit and vegetable prescription programs, promoting traditional food practices through family gardens and education about native foods, as well as nutritional education that fosters lifestyle changes.
Additionally, multicomponent interventions, such as the delivery of healthy food boxes, showedeffectiveness in reducing hypertension. Facilitators and barriers for implementing traditional food activities were identified, highlighting the need to integrate indigenous knowledge into health programs.
Conclusions: the review suggests that a variety of strategies may be effective in improving food sovereignty and health in indigenous communities. Promoting food sovereignty not only contributes to physical health but also reinforces cultural identity and connection to the land, essential elements for the holistic well-being of these communities.