DefinePK

Abstract

Both undernutrition and diet-related diseases continue to be major global issues, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities such as low-income families, rural populations, refugees, children, and the elderly. These groups often struggle to access nutritious food due to poverty, food insecurity, and inadequate health and education systems. Our systematic work, which analyzed 47 studies published between 2011 and 2025, examined public health nutrition strategies designed to promote healthy eating in these populations. We identified five primary types of interventions: technology-enabled techniques, healthcare-integrated approaches, education and awareness campaigns, policy-level indicators, and community-based programs. The most well-liked and effective interventions, according to our study, were community-based and policy-based, especially when they included cross-sector cooperation and cultural sensitivity. While medical and educational campaigns raised consciousness about nutrition and led to temporary dietary adjustments, technology-based treatments, however promising, struggled to gain widespread adoption. The results of this study emphasize how important it is to address dietary disparities using long-term, integrated, and context-sensitive strategies. The helpful structure of best practices provided by this research can be used by community leaders, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to boost nutrition programs and more effectively address local needs..