Introduction

Most of the health problems that result from both deficiency and excess of nutrient intake can be found in South East Asia, with those of particular public health significance being protein-energy malnutrition, iodine deficiency disorders, vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency and the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) for which food intake is an important causal factor. However, the relative importance of each of these has shifted significantly over the last few decades. Social, economic and agricultural developments have brought dramatic achievements in the reduction of poverty and the extent of famine, hunger and starvation in the region, as economies dominated by agricultural production have shifted to those based predominantly on secondary and service industries. These industries have also brought rapid urban growth, dietary and lifestyle changes and demographic ageing of populations, all of which directly or indirectly influence health profiles of nations. But these transitions have not been uniform either across or within countries, and they have features that present significant challenges for governments and agencies in the region.

This chapter focuses on Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – the five original members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). After describing some of the key features of these countries, I review overall trends in food production, consumption and nutritional health for the region since the 1960s.