Food Systems Sustainability, Food Security and Nutrition in the Mediterranean Region: The Contribution of the Mediterranean Diet

This chapter aims at highlighting the potential contribution of the Mediterranean diet to food systems sustainability, food security and nutrition in the region. After a brief introduction, Section 1 considers the determinants of food unsustainability and food insecurity in the Mediterranean region, with focus on the biophysical, environmental, demographic, economic, socio-cultural, political and institutional factors. Then, Section 2 considers the environmental, economic, socio-cultural and nutrition-health benefits and impacts of the Mediterranean diet, in the context of the achievement of food security and nutrition as well as of the improvement of the sustainability of food systems in the region.