Eco-Nutrition and Systems-Based Practice: A Narrative Review

Introduction

Nutrition-sensitive ill-health is a wicked problem that has been resistant to resolution. Systems thinking and systems-based practice (SBP) offer a more relational, contextual approach but there remains the need for an integrative framework that operationalises systems thinking in a way that is transformative. Eco-nutrition addresses this gap, conceptualising food, nutrition, health and wellbeing as products of interacting biological, environmental, sociocultural, economic and political systems.

Methods

A narrative review was undertaken using meta-narrative and hermeneutic approaches to synthesise the historical evolution of ecological thinking and its application to nutrition. Databases searches, citation chaining and targeted searching identified seminal and contemporary literature. Sources were selected for conceptual relevance rather than exhaustive coverage.

Results

Eco-nutrition is articulated as an interconnected systems-within-systems approach grounded in biodiversity, temporal relationality and intergenerational dynamics. It consists of three domains: biological ecologies, tangible systems and meta-contextual domains (that include system anchors, connectors, shapers and interpreters). Eco-nutrition reframes nutrition as SBP and the behavioural expression of systems literacy. The framework illustrates how misaligned systems generate biological and sociocultural consequences that manifest as eco-health disorders across economic contexts. The framework enables practitioners to work inter-sectorally, with multiple actors and across scales: recognise how structures, policies and resource flows shape eco-health outcomes; anticipate unintended consequences; identify leverage points; and build transformative ecological, social and institutional capacities.

Conclusion

Eco-nutrition provides a coherent, integrative approach for advancing SBP in nutrition. By identifying the capabilities required for future-ready practitioners, including cultural responsiveness, reflexivity, critical and systems thinking, ethical practice, leadership and communication, it positions nutrition professionals as accountable systems stewards aligned with the realities of the Anthropocene.

Summary

• Eco-nutrition offers an integrative systems perspective describing how interacting biological, environmental, sociocultural, economic and political systems shape nutrition-sensitive health outcomes or eco-health disorders.
• The framework comprises biological ecologies, tangible systems and meta-contextual domains, including systems anchors, connectors, shapers and interpreters that influence nutrition across scales.
• Eco-nutrition supports practitioners to identify leverage points, anticipate unintended consequences, address commercial and political determinants, and design equitable, contextually grounded and sustainable nutrition interventions for individuals, communities and populations.