The social and environmental dimensions of nutrition science.

OBJECTIVE To emphasise the importance of defining a new nutrition science and food policy that includes social and environmental dimensions. DESIGN Nutrition science and food policy is put in the context of sustainable development. Examples are presented to show that a number of factors including exploitation of resources, disrespect for land and food insecurity contribute to the decline of a culture. The fate of cultures that lack implemented sustainable development strategies is discussed. CONCLUSION Pressure from low-income and economically challenged countries combined with the efforts of not-for-profit private institutions is proposed. The goal is to produce and provide science-based evidence and guidelines to be used as a tool to encourage institutions and organisations to redefine their policies to deal effectively with global issues.