Meat supply in mitigating food insecurity, undernourishment, and anemia among women: a study of selected countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa

Anemia in women (AiW), food insecurity (FiS), and the prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) remain major global health concerns that undermine productivity and increase healthcare costs. This study analyzed trends and interactions among the supply of meat (SoM), PoU, FiS, and AiW across eight countries using data from the Food System Dashboard (2010–2022). Trend and regression analyses (p<0.05) revealed that SoM rose significantly in Pakistan, Indonesia, Georgia, Egypt, and Bangladesh, with Pakistan’s supply increasing by 16.72% (2010–2013 to 2014–2017) and 18.54% (2014–2017 to 2018–2021). However, FiS in Pakistan sharply rose by 54.62% (2016–2017 to 2018–2019) and 94.55% (2018–2019 to 2020–2021). Afghanistan exhibited the highest PoU and FiS, while Pakistan and Iran showed similar PoU levels in 2010–2013 and 2018–2021. Between 2007 and 2019, Pakistan had the second-highest AiW prevalence (42.18%). Regression analysis indicated strong positive associations between PoU and AiW in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and between FiS and AiW in Afghanistan, Georgia, and Nigeria. Significant correlations also occurred between FiS and PoU in Pakistan, Nigeria, and Afghanistan. Notably, SoM was strongly and positively related to AiW reduction in Pakistan (R²=0.91) and Afghanistan (R²=0.87). Strengthening sustainable meat supply chains could thus mitigate undernutrition and improve women’s health.