Examining Food Sources and Their Interconnections over Time in Small Island Developing States: A Systematic Scoping Review

Background: Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face high rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and a key structural driver includes SIDS’ heavy reliance on imported food. Yet, our knowledge about food sources in SIDS is limited. Methods: We systematically searched 14 peer-reviewed databases and 17 grey literature repositories, identifying 56 articles and 96 documents concerning food sources in SIDS. Our study aimed to map these sources while considering broader societal, cultural, and environmental aspects. Results: We found high heterogeneity of food sources beyond store-bought foods, highlighting the complexity of food landscapes in this context. To explore these food sources and their interconnections, we developed a classification including Aid, Buy, Grow, Share, State and Wild food sources, and offered contextually-sensitive insights into their variety (types), extent (relevance), nature (characteristics) and changes over time. We developed an interactive open-access evidence map that outlined the identified interconnections between food sources following our proposed classification. There are numerous interrelations between food sources, showing that pathways from food sourcing to consumption can be unexpected and complex. Conclusions: In 2014, SIDS governments collectively committed to ending malnutrition by 2030. A deeper understanding of food sourcing is essential to achieve this goal.