Beyond Growth: Dilemmas of Food Security, Development and Sustainability in the Americas

abstract

Hunger currently affects approximately 10% of the global population, underscoring not only socio-economic disparities but also deep-rooted ethical and environmental challenges. This study investigates the interrelationship between food security and development in the Americas, focusing on how these dimensions evolve across time and space. The objective is to analyze the evolution and correlation between the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Sustainable Development Index (SDI) in 21 countries of the Americas between 2012 and 2022, in order to answer the question: How can the right to food be guaranteed without compromising the development of nations? A comparative analysis was carried out using simple averages, cumulative percentage changes and correlations between the three indicators, complemented by a critical interpretation of the ethics of development and sustainability. The results show an average increase of 13% in the GFSI and 2% in the HDI, while the IDS showed a decrease of 1.2%. Some middle-income countries showed significant improvements in sustainability, while nations with high human development showed setbacks. The correlations reveal a positive association between food security and human development, but a weak one between development and sustainability. The analysis shows that economic development alone does not guarantee food security or environmental sustainability. It is necessary to reformulate development measurement frameworks and implement integrated policies that harmonize growth, equity and ecological protection to guarantee the human right to adequate food. © The Author(s) 2025.