Impact of biodiversity loss on children’s nutrition in low- to middle-income countries

Biodiversity underpins ecosystem services crucial for human health, including food security and diversity, in particular in regions where communities are highly dependent on natural resources. The rapid decline of biodiversity can however weaken the resilience of ecosystems and thus reduce their capacity to deliver these vital services for humans. Several studies have shown that access to mammalian bushmeat in low-income countries could reduce stunting and anemia of children, as bushmeat can be the only source of iron and other proteins necessary for growth. However, we do not know whether there is a causal and consistent link between changes in biodiversity and children’s health outcomes across disparate regions. To address this knowledge gap, we present the first comprehensive analysis of this relationship at a near global scale. Using the Demographic Health Survey data, a public dataset, collected in 59 low- to middle-income countries, since 2000 and to 2023, we investigated the relationship between biodiversity decline and child nutritional status. We collated data on child nutrition: the prevalence of anemia and wasting, as well as information on the context of surveyed households, such as the wealth score or children eating habits. We used the global biodiversity loss map from the PREDICT database, which provides a biodiversity intactness index value, every five years between 2000 and 2020, offering the opportunity of evaluating the temporal trend. Based on the literature, we produced plausible Directed Acyclic Graphs to display assumptions about the relationship between the different factors of interest. We then run structural equation models, allowing us to test causal relationships while controlling for socio-economical context. Results revealed a consistent negative association between biodiversity loss and the prevalence of childhood anemia, independent of confounding socio-economic variables, as well as a negative relationship with wasting in children. By providing evidence of the human health consequences of biodiversity decline, we reinforce the urgent need to promote conservation not only to safeguard ecological integrity, but also to ensure sustainable development, food security, and improved human health. Our results support integrating biodiversity monitoring into human health policy, especially in the context of strengthening the Global Biodiversity Framework targets implementation.