The socio-economic factors and innovative technologies in improving fatty acid profiles of common foodstuffs

Food and nutrition security exists when ―all people and at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle‖ - (FAO, 2006). This is based upon an individual's, household, community or the world population ability in having adequate resources to access sufficient and stable quantities of quality and nutritious food which he or she can effectively utilise to maintain a healthy body system. It is worthwhile to appreciate that this system is difficult to achieve but certain components of one's socio economic status especially income, will help promote food and nutrition security thereby improving one's health status (Bowman, 2007). However, it is important to realise that all components of socio-economic status including, education and occupation, are intertwined together and need to be well defined to understand the needs of an individual in the attainment of a healthy wellbeing (Adler & Newman, 2002). However, other factors such as gender, customs, cultural beliefs and religion have a bearing on the attainment of food and nutrition security especially in more spiritual communities than observed in most third world countries. It has been over emphasised in recent research for a need for bigger population-based studies to address the lack of information on the needs, availability and effects of fat and fatty acid consumption on human health of all socioeconomic strata.