Table Of ContentAdvances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences
Aakriti Grover
Anju Singh
R. B. Singh Editors
Sustainable
Health Through
Food, Nutrition,
and Lifestyle
Advances in Geographical and Environmental
Sciences
Series Editors
Yukio Himiyama, Hokkaido University of Education, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
Subhash Anand, Department of Geography, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences synthesizes series
diagnostigation and prognostication of earth environment, incorporating challeng-
ing interactive areas within ecological envelope of geosphere, biosphere, hydro-
sphere, atmosphere and cryosphere. It deals with land use land cover change
(LUCC), urbanization, energy flux, land-ocean fluxes, climate, food security,
ecohydrology, biodiversity, natural hazards and disasters, human health and their
mutual interaction and feedback mechanism in order to contribute towards
sustainable future. The geosciences methods range from traditional field techniques
and conventional data collection, use of remote sensing and geographical
information system, computer aided technique to advance geostatistical and
dynamic modeling.
The series integrate past, present and future of geospheric attributes incorporat-
ing biophysical and human dimensions in spatio-temporal perspectives. The
geosciences, encompassing land-ocean-atmosphere interaction is considered as a
vital component in the context of environmental issues, especially in observation
and prediction of air and water pollution, global warming and urban heat islands. It
is important to communicate the advances in geosciences to increase resilience of
society through capacity building for mitigating the impact of natural hazards and
disasters. Sustainability of human society depends strongly on the earth environ-
ment, and thus the development of geosciences is critical for a better understanding
of our living environment, and its sustainable development.
Geoscience also has the responsibility to not confine itself to addressing current
problems but it is also developing a framework to address future issues. In order
to build a ‘Future Earth Model’ for understanding and predicting the functioning
of the whole climatic system, collaboration of experts in the traditional earth
disciplines as well as in ecology, information technology, instrumentation and
complex system is essential, through initiatives from human geoscientists. Thus
human geoscience is emerging as key policy science for contributing towards
sustainability/survivality science together with future earth initiative.
Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences series publishes books
that contain novel approaches in tackling issues of human geoscience in its broadest
sense—books in the series should focus on true progress in a particular area or
region. The series includes monographs and edited volumes without any limitations
in the page numbers.
· ·
Aakriti Grover Anju Singh R. B. Singh
Editors
Sustainable Health Through
Food, Nutrition, and Lifestyle
Editors
Aakriti Grover Anju Singh
School of Global Affairs Department of Geography
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Aditi Mahavidyalaya
New Delhi, Delhi, India University of Delhi
New Delhi, Delhi, India
R. B. Singh
Department of Geography
Delhi School of Economics
University of Delhi
New Delhi, Delhi, India
ISSN 2198-3542 ISSN 2198-3550 (electronic)
Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences
ISBN 978-981-19-7229-4 ISBN 978-981-19-7230-0 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7230-0
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature
Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether
the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse
of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and
transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar
or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed.
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication
does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant
protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book
are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or
the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any
errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional
claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
The registered company address is: 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721,
Singapore
A Homage to the Memory of Our
Mentor-Master and Co-Editor
Prof. R. B. Singh
(b. 3 February 1955 ~ d. 22 July 2021)
Life is ‘time’ between birth and death, and
therefore until we have time, we may relish
the moments on the planet Earth. Professor
Ram Babu Singh, unfortunately, could not see
the child of his efforts as ‘time’ surpassed
him. However, he lives through the ripples
caused by his deeds such as this book, for it is
a manifestation of his endeavors. Until his
last breath, he dreamed of this book…Alas,
his last book.
Having faith that we have had infinite past
lives and indefinite yet to come in the future,
we hope to meet again, sooner or later, in this
unfathomable cosmic geographic space.
Preface
Health has always been a paramount necessity for the growth and development of a
society and more so in the present times where pandemic like COVID-19 has shaken
the healthcare system of all countries of the world. Despite good healthcare facilities
also, many developed countries could not cope with the existing crises. Time and
again, it is reiterated that the health of a human resource is vital for the holistic
development and growth of the nation. Health is a prerequisite for happiness, and
both have a two-way relationship wherein good health is an input for happiness and
vis-a`-vis.
Health not only encompasses physical health or the mere absence of disease
and illness but is a composite of mental/emotional, social, and spiritual health. In
this context, the universe of health is magnified making it hard to comprehend and
therefore harder to solve! The health systems have become complex and multilayered.
Hence, micro-level systems analysis of health care is needed to be understood to solve
larger problems and challenges.
For sustainable recovery as well as sustainable preparedness to combat disasters
of any scale and sustainable health is imperative. Sustainable health ensures a healthy
population at a reasonable cost and is accessible to all. The focus is to have affordable
and accessible health care at all levels from teaching and training to the provision of
healthcare facilities and research. Sustainable health can be achieved by providing
high-quality health care and improved public health services without compromising
or harming natural resources or causing severe ecological damage.
The most important drivers of sustainable health are food, nutrition, and lifestyle.
Food consumption and its drivers are changing in both urban and rural areas with
profound implications for food production. Mapping where food comes from, and
why, is critical to understanding consumer trends and their implications. Healthy food
is a basic need of human beings. In underdeveloped regions, people are underweight
and face malnutrition and deficiency diseases of different micronutrients such as
vitamin A, iodine, and protein. A good diet and lifestyle have a tremendous bearing
on a person’s health, emotional stability, and enthusiasm for life. However, research
on sustainable agriculture, nutritional security, food fortification, food machinery and
food safety, farmers–industry–start-ups–academia interface, and lifestyle changes
vii
viii Preface
needs attention to achieve sustainable health. The book aims at improving under-
standing of goals number 1, 2, 3, 6, and 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals. It
further tries to uncover the multiple layers of challenges posed to achieve sustainable
health.
This book is a well-timed contribution in the field of health/medical geography for
it reiterates the importance of food, nutrition, and lifestyle in promoting sustainable
health. It also aims to ignite geographers across the Globe to reinvent the subject of
Geography of Health. With chapters on diverse topics, the book will be pertinent in
unfolding the challenges of health and the means to overcome them in an ecologically
viable manner. This book will be valuable to health and epidemiology research
institutes. It is ideal reference material for students of geography, sociology, medical
science, epidemiology, and social work.
New Delhi, India Aakriti Grover
Anju Singh
R. B. Singh
Acknowledgements
The genesis of this book can be traced back to astute conversations with
Prof. R. B. Singh on the importance of the much-neglected Geography of Health
and the consequent need for its resurgence. Needless to say, the devastation and
disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have reasserted the value of health,
particularly through the means of food, nutrition, and lifestyle. Our foremost thanks
to the pathfinder of the book, Prof. Singh.
As the world goes through the grim reality of the pandemic, researchers are contin-
uously working hard to put a drop of water into this fire by contributing academically.
We thank all the contributors who, despite being unhealthy, wrote about varied aspects
of good health and well-being.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Prof. Sagnik Dey, Indian Insti-
tute of Technology—Delhi, Prof. D. Parthasarathy Indian Institute of Technology—
Bombay, Prof. Subhash Anand, Prof. Tejbir S. Rana, Dr. Pankaj Kumar, and our
colleagues for supporting us. We also take this opportunity to thank Prof. Rana. P.
B. Singh for sharing his insightful learnings and to support this project.
Further, we thank Mr. Ashique V. V. and Ms. Shahnaz Basheer for their constant
help. It is said—family is where life begins and love never ends. Deepest thanks to
our family for their untiring support and enduring faith.
Our sincere gratitude to the reviewers, editors, and the team of Springer Nature
Publishers for your diligent contribution to improving the manuscript.
New Delhi, India Aakriti Grover
February 2022 Anju Singh
Vasant Panchami R. B. Singh
ix
