A recent assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has highlighted a troubling reality at the heart of Pakistan’s food landscape: the country produces enough calories to feed its population, yet fails to ensure diets that are diverse, nutritious, and healthy. The analysis, presented at a food systems workshop in February, points to deep structural imbalances that are undermining public health and weakening long-term human development outcomes.
The findings reveal a paradox that has long gone under-recognised. Pakistan’s food system succeeds in generating energy-rich foods but struggles to provide adequate nutrition. As a result, millions face malnutrition, stunting, and diet-related diseases, while the health system confronts rising burdens from both undernutrition and obesity. The issue is no longer simply about food availability — it is about the quality, diversity, and accessibility of what people consume.
The FAO assessment describes a clear asymmetry in Pakistan’s food production and consumption patterns. Cereals, sugar, and edible oils dominate the national diet, exceeding levels recommended for healthy eating. In contrast, nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, pulses, and legumes remain in short supply and are consumed far below dietary recommendations.
This imbalance has entrenched a cereal-heavy diet across the country, especially in rural communities where affordability and availability strongly shape food choices. While milk and dairy products are widely consumed and serve as an important source of nutrition, intake of fruits and vegetables remains limited. Protein sources beyond dairy — including meat, poultry, and eggs — are often consumed only occasionally, leaving many households with insufficient intake of essential nutrients.
Pulses do play a role in supplementing protein needs, yet domestic production has not kept pace with demand, forcing reliance on imports and limiting accessibility for lower-income families.
Perhaps the most alarming trend highlighted in the analysis is the rapid rise in consumption of sweets, snacks, and highly processed foods. As these products become more affordable and widely available, especially in rural areas, diets are shifting toward energy-dense but nutrient-poor choices.
The growth in processed food sales reflects changing consumption habits driven by urbanisation, lifestyle shifts, and price considerations. When nutrient-rich foods are expensive or difficult to access, households naturally gravitate toward cheaper options that offer immediate satiety but limited health benefits. Over time, this dietary transformation contributes to a cycle of poor nutrition and chronic illness.
The increased intake of free sugars and unhealthy fats is particularly concerning because it coexists with longstanding deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals. This dual reality has created what experts call the “double burden” of malnutrition.
Pakistan now faces two overlapping nutrition crises. On one hand, chronic undernutrition remains widespread, especially among women and children. On the other, obesity and non-communicable diseases are rising rapidly, placing unprecedented stress on healthcare services.
Recent data indicate that around 41 percent of women in Pakistan suffer from anaemia, contributing to poor maternal health and a maternal mortality rate of approximately 186 deaths per 100,000 live births. Child malnutrition is similarly severe, with stunting affecting roughly 40 percent of children under five, reflecting long-term nutritional deprivation.
At the same time, obesity rates among adults have surged, increasing risks of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes. The country ranks among those with the highest diabetes prevalence globally, underscoring how dietary patterns are reshaping public health. This convergence of undernutrition and overnutrition not only harms individuals but also strains national health budgets, forcing increased spending on treatment rather than prevention.
The assessment highlights that rural communities may be particularly vulnerable to unhealthy dietary shifts. Limited access to diverse foods, lower incomes, and inadequate market infrastructure push families toward inexpensive, calorie-heavy staples. As a result, rural diets often contain fewer fruits, vegetables, and high-quality proteins compared to urban areas.
This trend has implications beyond health. Poor nutrition reduces productivity, impairs cognitive development, and limits educational outcomes — all factors that weaken economic growth and human capital development over time.
Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive and coordinated policy action. The FAO recommends realigning agricultural incentives and subsidies to encourage the production and affordability of nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and pulses rather than focusing predominantly on staple crops.
Equally important is reducing excessive sugar consumption through fiscal and regulatory measures. Higher taxes on sugary drinks, confectionery, and ultra-processed foods could discourage unhealthy consumption patterns while generating revenue for nutrition and health programmes. Policymakers could also incentivise producers to reduce sugar content and improve nutritional profiles of processed foods.
Such measures would not only influence consumer choices but also send market signals encouraging healthier food production practices.
Policy reforms alone will not be enough. Public awareness campaigns are crucial to shifting dietary habits and promoting informed food choices. Nutrition education in schools, community outreach programmes, and clearer food labelling can help households understand the long-term consequences of dietary patterns.
Strengthening local food markets and supply chains — particularly for perishable produce — can also improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables, reducing dependence on processed alternatives.
Pakistan’s food system stands at a critical juncture. While the country has made progress in ensuring calorie availability, the deeper challenge now lies in delivering nutrition that supports healthy lives and sustainable development. The findings presented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations serve as a wake-up call: producing more food is not enough if diets remain unbalanced and nutrient-deficient.
Transforming the food system will require bold policy choices, smarter incentives, and a renewed focus on human health rather than calorie counts alone. If these reforms are implemented effectively, Pakistan can shift from a cycle of nutritional insecurity toward a future where food supports both public wellbeing and long-term economic resilience. If not, the country risks allowing preventable health crises to undermine its development potential for generations to come.