Impact of Proximity to Protected Areas on Children's Diet Quality in Southeast Asia

Recent research conducted by scientists at Pennsylvania State University has shed light on how the location of protected conservation areas influences the diets of children in Cambodia and Myanmar. While protected zones help preserve biodiversity and support conservation goals, they may inadvertently affect local food accessibility and nutrition, especially among Indigenous populations.

The study, published in the journal People and Nature on October 3, 2025, analyzed dietary data from caregivers of nearly 3,000 children aged six to 59 months. Researchers measured the distance of communities from the nearest protected areas and examined how this proximity correlated with diet diversity and the consumption of vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables.

Findings revealed a non-linear relationship: children living approximately 80 kilometers from protected areas had the highest diet quality, characterized by greater variety in their foods and increased intake of vitamin A-rich produce. This mid-distance coincides with landscapes that blend forests and agriculture, providing a rich mix of natural resources and cultivated foods. In Indigenous communities, this pattern was most prominent, with children more likely to consume vital nutrients like vitamin A at these intermediate distances. Beyond this point, diet quality declined, indicating that both very close and very distant communities might face challenges in accessing diverse, nutrient-rich foods.

Vitamin A is crucial for child development, immune function, and preventing conditions like night blindness. Understanding how the environment influences access to vitamin A-rich foods can help align conservation efforts with public health objectives. Dr. Lilly Zeitler, the lead researcher, emphasizes that conservation strategies should consider local land uses; a balanced approach—often called an 'agroecological matrix'—that integrates farming and natural ecosystems may better support the dietary needs of local populations.

The research further highlights the importance of recognizing indigenous land rights and land use practices. Since much protected land overlaps with Indigenous territories, policies that promote mixed land uses could enhance dietary diversity and nutrition without compromising conservation goals. The findings advocate for conservation planning that emphasizes sustainable, land-sharing models rather than strict segregation of human activities from natural habitats.

However, the researchers acknowledge limitations, such as the inability to establish causality or account for all policy differences between Cambodia and Myanmar due to the use of secondary datasets. They call for further research to explore these relationships over time and to include direct interviews to better understand community behaviors and motivations.

Overall, this study encourages a reevaluation of conservation approaches, advocating for strategies that support both biodiversity and local human health. By fostering integrated land use systems, it is possible to achieve conservation targets while simultaneously improving nutritional outcomes, especially for vulnerable Indigenous populations.