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Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and...
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Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2021) | Viewed by 68683

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Joanne E. Cecil

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
University of St Andrews, School of Medicine, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, UK.
Interests: appetite regulation; ingestive behaviour; eating behaviour and obesity in children and adults; healthcare communication within primary care; wellbeing, resiliency and health behaviours.
Dr. Samantha Caton

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
The University of Sheffield, Section of Public Health; School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), UK.
Interests: promotion of healthful; sustainable diets in children within the broader familial;social and environmental context; taste preference development; portion size control, bodyweight; appetite regulation.

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Suboptimal diets are responsible for more deaths than any other risk factor at a global level. Over the last 20 years, dramatic changes to the food environment in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have been observed. Globalisation and urbanisation have brought about profound alterations to food intake and dietary patterns, with a subsequent impact on health. The process of nutrition transition observed in many LMICs describes the shift from a more traditional dietary pattern to a more unfavourable “Western” dietary pattern, characterised by the increased intake of nutrient-poor, high-energy-density foods and a reduction in the consumption of plant-based foods. Over- and undernutrition coexist in many LMICs, which is a significant concern for the current and future health of the population. Undernutrition was typically prevalent in both rural and urban areas, whereas overnutrition was generally observed in more affluent urban dwellers. However, recent evidence demonstrates that overnutrition is also becoming increasingly prevalent in the rural poor. Complex changes in the food environments in some countries has also resulted in the coexistence of obesity with hunger as a result of food insecurity.

The aim of this Special Issue is to publicize research that investigates food security, food intake and eating behaviour in LMIC. We are seeking research articles that relate to aspects of appetite, food choice, food intake, food quality, energy balance, malnutrition (over/undernutrition), food systems and epidemiology. We welcome research works comprising experimental studies, observational works, trials, scoping reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and quantitative and or qualitative methodologies. The context for this Special Issue is a focus on LMIC-related research.

Dr. Joanne E. Cecil
Dr. Samantha Caton
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • food security
  • food intake
  • eating behaviour
  • low- and middle-income countries

Published Papers (15 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 2778 KiB  
Article
The Contributions of Food Groups to the Daily Caloric Intake in Mongolian Population: A Mon-Timeline Study
by Oyuntugs Byambasukh, Anar Bayarmunkh, Agiimaa Byambaa, Anujin Tuvshinjargal, Delgermaa Bor, Urangoo Ganbaatar, Byambasuren Dagvajantsan and Tsolmon Jadamba
Nutrients 2021, 13(11), 4062; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13114062 - 13 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3448
Abstract
(1) Background: The “Ger Recommendations” have been advised to promote a healthy diet in Mongolia. These recommendations emphasize the ratio of six macro-food components to ensure proper nutrition. In this study, the ratio of these six groups to the total daily caloric intake [...] Read more.
(1) Background: The “Ger Recommendations” have been advised to promote a healthy diet in Mongolia. These recommendations emphasize the ratio of six macro-food components to ensure proper nutrition. In this study, the ratio of these six groups to the total daily caloric intake was determined. (2) Methods: This study was conducted as part of a study at the Clinical Cohort (“Mon-Timeline”) of the Mongolian National University of Medical Science. A macro-community ratio was calculated using a 24-h dietary recall diary of a total of 498 people. (3) Results: The mean age of the study participants was 43.9 ± 12.9 years. Among them, 21.8% (n = 110) were male. Of the total calories, 44.7% were grains, 29.2% were meat and protein products, 9.3% were fats, 7.1% were dairy products, 6.6% were vegetables, and 3.1% were fruits. According to the ratio of the six groups in the Ger Recommendations, meat and grains exceeded the recommended amount, while fruits, milk, and vegetables were consumed less. It has been observed that the older a person ages, the closer they are to following these recommendations. In terms of gender, women consumed more fruit and milk than men. (4) Conclusions: The ratio of macronutrients in the daily caloric intake of Mongolians is inadequate. Therefore, knowledge about the “Ger Recommendations” needs to be studied in relation to people’s healthy eating knowledge and attitudes. If necessary, the appropriate awareness needs to be increased to educate the public on proper eating habits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries)
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16 pages, 1062 KiB  
Article
A Cross-Sectional Study of the Street Foods Purchased by Customers in Urban Areas of Central Asia
by Sofia Sousa, Inês Lança de Morais, Gabriela Albuquerque, Marcello Gelormini, Susana Casal, Olívia Pinho, Carla Motta, Albertino Damasceno, Pedro Moreira, João Breda, Nuno Lunet and Patrícia Padrão
Nutrients 2021, 13(10), 3651; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13103651 - 19 Oct 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2845
Abstract
This study aimed to describe street food purchases in cities from Central Asia, considering customers’ characteristics and the nutritional composition of the foods and beverages. Cross-sectional studies were conducted in 2016/2017 in Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Ashgabat (Turkmenistan) and Almaty (Kazakhstan). Direct observation [...] Read more.
This study aimed to describe street food purchases in cities from Central Asia, considering customers’ characteristics and the nutritional composition of the foods and beverages. Cross-sectional studies were conducted in 2016/2017 in Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Ashgabat (Turkmenistan) and Almaty (Kazakhstan). Direct observation was used to collect data on the purchases made by street food customers, selected by random and systematic sampling. Nutritional composition was estimated using data from chemical analyses, food composition tables or food labels. A total of 714 customers (56.6% females, 55.5% aged ≥35 years, 23.3% overweight/obese) were observed, who bought 852 foods and beverages, the most frequent being savoury pastries/snacks (23.2%), main dishes (19.0%), sweet pastries/confectionery (17.9%), tea/coffee (11.3%) and soft drinks/juices (9.8%). Fruit was the least purchased food (1.1%). Nearly one-third of customers purchased industrial food items (31.9%). The median energy content of a street food purchase was 529 kcal/serving. Saturated and trans-fat median contents were 4.7 g/serving and 0.36 g/serving (21.4% and 16.5% of maximum daily intake recommendations, respectively). Median sodium and potassium contents were 745 mg/serving (37.3% of maximum recommendation) and 304 mg/serving (8.7% of minimum recommendation), respectively. In general, the purchases observed presented high contents of energy, saturated-fat, trans-fat and sodium, and low levels of potassium. Policies towards the improvement of these urban food environments should be encouraged. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries)
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15 pages, 902 KiB  
Article
Role of Government Financial Support and Vulnerability Characteristics Associated with Food Insecurity during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Young Peruvians
by Katherine Curi-Quinto, Alan Sánchez, Nataly Lago-Berrocal, Mary E. Penny, Claudia Murray, Richard Nunes, Marta Favara, Anisha Wijeyesekera, Julie A. Lovegrove, Victor Soto-Cáceres and Karani Santhanakrishnan Vimaleswaran
Nutrients 2021, 13(10), 3546; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13103546 - 09 Oct 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5379
Abstract
Peruvian households have experienced one of the most prevalent economic shocks due to COVID-19, significantly increasing their vulnerability to food insecurity (FI). To understand the vulnerability characteristics of these households among the Peruvian young population, including the role of the government’s response through [...] Read more.
Peruvian households have experienced one of the most prevalent economic shocks due to COVID-19, significantly increasing their vulnerability to food insecurity (FI). To understand the vulnerability characteristics of these households among the Peruvian young population, including the role of the government’s response through emergency cash transfer, we analysed longitudinal data from the Young Lives study (n = 2026), a study that follows the livelihoods of two birth cohorts currently aged 18 to 27 years old. FI was assessed using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Household characteristics were collected before and during the COVID-19 outbreak in Peru to characterise participants’ vulnerability to FI. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between government support and participants’ vulnerability characteristics to FI. During the period under study (March to December 2020), 24% (95% CI: 22.1–25.9%) of the participants experienced FI. Families in the top wealth tercile were 49% less likely to experience FI. Larger families (>5 members) and those with increased household expenses and decreased income due to COVID-19 were more likely to experience FI (by 35%, 39% and 42%, respectively). There was no significant association between government support and FI (p = 0.768). We conclude that pre-pandemic socioeconomic status, family size, and the economic disruption during COVID-19 contribute to the risk of FI among the Peruvian young population, while government support insufficiently curtailed the risk to these households. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries)
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12 pages, 952 KiB  
Article
Perceived Food Insecurity, Dietary Quality, and Unfavorable Food Intake among Children and Adolescents from Economically Disadvantaged Households
by Chiu-Wen Yeh, Yuan-Ting C. Lo, Yi-Chieh Chen, Wei-Chih Chen and Yi-Chen Huang
Nutrients 2021, 13(10), 3411; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13103411 - 27 Sep 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2728
Abstract
Few studies have investigated food security, dietary quality, or unfavorable food intake through self-reports among children and adolescents in Asia. This study assessed the association of perceived food insecurity with dietary quality and unfavorable food intake among 1111 children and 538 adolescents from [...] Read more.
Few studies have investigated food security, dietary quality, or unfavorable food intake through self-reports among children and adolescents in Asia. This study assessed the association of perceived food insecurity with dietary quality and unfavorable food intake among 1111 children and 538 adolescents from economically disadvantaged families in Taiwan. Food security status was collected by a validated questionnaire. Dietary quality was examined using a dietary diversity score (DDS). Unfavorable food intake was defined as fried food, bread/cake/pastries, sugar-sweetened beverages, and biscuits/chips. Food-insecure participants had lower DDS, whole grains and protein-rich food intake than food-secure participants. Furthermore, food-insecure children had a higher frequency of unfavorable food consumption. The level of children’s food insecurity was inversely associated with DDS (β: −0.047, 95% CI: −0.085 to −0.009) but positively with bread/pastry (β: 0.103, 95% CI: 0.022–0.184) and sugar-sweetened beverages (β: 0.117, 95% CI: 0.018–0.215) intake. Adolescents who reported food insecurity and not enough money for household expenses had an odds ratio of 2.85 (95% CI: 1.15–7.10) for poor DDS relative to their food-secure and financially able counterparts. We recommended that health policy needs to include diversifying food and nutrition education for vulnerable children and adolescents to improve dietary quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries)
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11 pages, 271 KiB  
Article
Development of a Scale to Measure Infant Eating Behaviour Worldwide
by Charlotte M. Wright, Jessica Megan Gurney, Antonina N. Mutoro, Claudia Shum, Amara Khan, Beatrice Milligan, Widya Indriani, Loukia Georgiou, Stephanie Chambers, Rachel Bryant-Waugh and Ada L. Garcia
Nutrients 2021, 13(8), 2495; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13082495 - 22 Jul 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2785
Abstract
In order to create a short, internationally valid scale to assess eating behaviour (EB) in young children at risk of undernutrition, we refined 15 phrases describing avidity or food refusal (avoidance). In study one, 149 parents matched phrases in English, Urdu, Cantonese, Indonesian [...] Read more.
In order to create a short, internationally valid scale to assess eating behaviour (EB) in young children at risk of undernutrition, we refined 15 phrases describing avidity or food refusal (avoidance). In study one, 149 parents matched phrases in English, Urdu, Cantonese, Indonesian or Greek to videos showing avidity and avoidance; 82–100% showed perfect agreement for the avidity phrases and 73–91% for the avoidant phrases. In study two, 575 parents in the UK, Cyprus and Indonesia (healthy) and in Kenya, Pakistan and Guatemala (healthy and undernourished) rated their 6–24 months old children using the same phrases. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) was high for avidity (0.88) and moderate for avoidance (0.72). The best-performing 11 items were entered into a principal components analysis and the two scales loaded separately onto 2 factors with Eigen values > 1. The avidity score was positively associated with weight (r = 0.15 p = 0.001) and body mass index (BMI) Z scores (r = 0.16 p = 0.001). Both high and low avoidance were associated with lower weight and BMI Z scores. These scales are internationally valid, relate to nutritional status and can be used to inform causes and treatments of undernutrition worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries)
13 pages, 409 KiB  
Article
Characteristics of Distinct Dietary Patterns in Rural Bangladesh: Nutrient Adequacy and Vulnerability to Shocks
by Zakari Ali, Pauline F. D. Scheelbeek, Kazi Istiaque Sanin, Timothy S. Thomas, Tahmeed Ahmed, Andrew M. Prentice and Rosemary Green
Nutrients 2021, 13(6), 2049; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13062049 - 15 Jun 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3382
Abstract
Food security in Bangladesh has improved in recent years, but the country is now facing a double burden of malnutrition while also being highly vulnerable to climate change. Little is known about how this may affect food supply to different sectors of the [...] Read more.
Food security in Bangladesh has improved in recent years, but the country is now facing a double burden of malnutrition while also being highly vulnerable to climate change. Little is known about how this may affect food supply to different sectors of the population. To inform this, we used a national dietary survey of 800 rural households to define dietary patterns using latent class analysis. Nutrient adequacy of dietary patterns and their potential vulnerability to climate shocks (based on diversity of calorie sources) were assessed. We fitted mixed effects logistic regression models to identify factors associated with dietary patterns. Four dietary patterns were identified: rice and low diversity; wheat and high diversity; pulses and vegetables; meat and fish. The wheat and high diversity and meat and fish patterns tended to be consumed by households with higher levels of wealth and education, while the rice and low diversity pattern was consumed by households with lower levels of wealth and education. The pulses and vegetables pattern was consumed by households of intermediate socio-economic status. While energy intake was high, fat and protein intake were suboptimal for all patterns except for the wheat and high diversity pattern. All patterns had fruit and vegetable intake below the WHO recommendation. The wheat and high diversity pattern was least vulnerable to shocks, while the rice and low diversity pattern was the most vulnerable, relying mainly on single cereal staples. The diets showed “double vulnerability” where the nutrient inadequate patterns were also those most vulnerable to shocks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries)
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12 pages, 262 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Behavior Change Skills in Health Extension Workers in Ethiopia: Evaluation of an Intervention to Improve Maternal and Infant Nutrition
by Vivien Swanson, Joanne Hart, Lucie Byrne-Davis, Rowena Merritt and Wendy Maltinsky
Nutrients 2021, 13(6), 1995; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13061995 - 10 Jun 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3207
Abstract
Maternal and infant nutrition are problematic in areas of Ethiopia. Health extension workers (HEWs) work in Ethiopia’s primary health care system, increasing potential health service coverage, particularly for women and children, providing an opportunity for health improvement. Their roles include improving maternal and [...] Read more.
Maternal and infant nutrition are problematic in areas of Ethiopia. Health extension workers (HEWs) work in Ethiopia’s primary health care system, increasing potential health service coverage, particularly for women and children, providing an opportunity for health improvement. Their roles include improving maternal and infant nutrition, disease prevention, and health education. Supporting HEWs’ practice with ‘non-clinical’ skills in behavior change and health communication can improve effectiveness. This intervention study adapted and delivered a UK-developed training intervention for Health Extension Workers (HEWs) working with the United Nations World Food Programme in Ethiopia. The intervention included communication and behavioral training adapted with local contextual information. Mixed methods evaluation focused on participants’ reaction to training, knowledge, behavior change, and skills use. Overall, 98 HEWs were trained. The intervention was positively received by HEWs. Pre-post evaluations of communication and behavior change skills found a positive impact on HEW skills, knowledge, and motivation to use skills (all p < 0.001) to change women’s nutritional behavior, also demonstrated in role-play scenarios. The study offered substantial learning about intervention delivery. Appropriate cultural adaptation and careful consideration of assessment of psychological constructs are crucial for future delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries)
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18 pages, 1277 KiB  
Article
Nutrition Transition with Accelerating Urbanization? Empirical Evidence from Rural China
by Yanjun Ren, Bente Castro Campos, Yanling Peng and Thomas Glauben
Nutrients 2021, 13(3), 921; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13030921 - 12 Mar 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3681
Abstract
Although rapid urbanization is often considered as one of the most important drivers for changing dietary patterns, little attention has been paid to rural areas despite the profound transformation they have undergone. Using longitudinal data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) [...] Read more.
Although rapid urbanization is often considered as one of the most important drivers for changing dietary patterns, little attention has been paid to rural areas despite the profound transformation they have undergone. Using longitudinal data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) for the period from 2004 to 2011, this study seeks to better understand the relationship between the urbanization of rural areas and dietary transition, with the focus on nutrition intake and dietary quality. Our results suggest that with increasing urbanization, rural residents tend to have on average lower calorie intakes but higher dietary quality. Specifically, increasing urbanization consistently reduces carbohydrate consumption and reduces fat consumption after a turning point; protein consumption first decreases and then increases after the turning point with increasing urbanization. Urbanization shows a significant and positive effect on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). In addition to sociodemographic changes, we find that changing consumer preferences and knowledge serve as important determinants in explaining the dietary transition in rural China from 2004 to 2011. In our study, urbanization appears to positively affect rural residents’ healthy food preferences and dietary knowledge. This study is a first attempt for better understanding the nutrition transition resulting from accelerating urbanization in rural China; several limitations and areas for future research have been highlighted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries)
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21 pages, 1537 KiB  
Article
Consumer Eating Behavior and Opinions about the Food Safety of Street Food in Poland
by Michał Wiatrowski, Ewa Czarniecka-Skubina and Joanna Trafiałek
Nutrients 2021, 13(2), 594; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13020594 - 11 Feb 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5895
Abstract
Street food plays an increasingly important role in the nutrition of the inhabitants of European cities. Our study aimed to analyze Polish consumers’ attitudes toward food offered in street food outlets, consumers’ eating out behavior, and the factors that determine their choice of [...] Read more.
Street food plays an increasingly important role in the nutrition of the inhabitants of European cities. Our study aimed to analyze Polish consumers’ attitudes toward food offered in street food outlets, consumers’ eating out behavior, and the factors that determine their choice of meals from street food vendors. A survey was conducted of 1300 adult respondents who eat street food in Poland. The research enabled a detailed and comprehensive assessment of consumer behavior toward the use of street food outlets, as well as consumer opinions on vendors’ functioning, including hygiene and meals offered. Factors determining the frequency of street food consumption, preferred food types, and factors influencing the use of such outlets were identified. The most important factors were the quality of services and meals, personal preferences and price. Using cluster analysis, consumer profiles based on the types of street food outlets and food preferred were identified. Four main street food consumer preference profiles were identified: ‘burger-enthusiasts’, ‘kebab-enthusiasts’ and ‘ice-cream enthusiasts’, and ‘no specific-oriented consumers’. The Internet and social media were identified as information and promotion channels for this form of gastronomy. Results also revealed Polish consumer behavior and opinions about the food safety of street food in Poland. In summary, in Poland the habits of eating typical Polish homemade dishes is being replaced by eating meals in street food outlets, which can be classified as fast food. Increasing consumer knowledge and awareness of the quality and safety of street food may counteract improper hygiene practices of sellers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries)
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Review

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44 pages, 2459 KiB  
Review
Food Security Interventions among Refugees around the Globe: A Scoping Review
by Christine Nisbet, Kassandra E. Lestrat and Hassan Vatanparast
Nutrients 2022, 14(3), 522; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14030522 - 25 Jan 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 7175
Abstract
There are 26 million refugees globally, with as many as 80% facing food insecurity irrespective of location. Food insecurity results in malnutrition beginning at an early age and disproportionately affects certain groups such as women. Food security is a complex issue and must [...] Read more.
There are 26 million refugees globally, with as many as 80% facing food insecurity irrespective of location. Food insecurity results in malnutrition beginning at an early age and disproportionately affects certain groups such as women. Food security is a complex issue and must consider gender, policies, social and cultural contexts that refugees face. Our aim is to assess what is known about food security interventions in refugees and identify existing gaps in knowledge. This scoping review followed the guidelines set out in the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. We included all articles that discussed food security interventions in refugees published between 2010 and 2020. A total of 57 articles were eligible for this study with most interventions providing cash, vouchers, or food transfers; urban agriculture, gardening, animal husbandry, or foraging; nutrition education; and infant and young child feeding. Urban agriculture and nutrition education were more prevalent in destination countries. While urban agriculture was a focus of the FAO and cash/voucher interventions were implemented by the WFP, the level of collaboration between UN agencies was unclear. Food security was directly measured in 39% of studies, half of which used the UN’s Food Consumption Score, and the remainder using a variety of methods. As substantiated in the literature, gender considerations are vital to the success of food security interventions, and although studies include this in the planning process, few see gender considerations through to implementation. Including host communities in food security interventions improves the refugee–host relationship. Collaboration should be encouraged among aid organizations. To assess intervention efficacy, food security should be measured with a consistent tool. With the number of refugees in the world continuing to rise, further efforts are required to transition from acute aid to sustainability through livelihood strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries)
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20 pages, 1403 KiB  
Review
Food Security in Ghanaian Urban Cities: A Scoping Review of the Literature
by Robert Akparibo, Richmond Nii Okai Aryeetey, Evans Atiah Asamane, Hibbah Arabah Osei-Kwasi, Elysa Ioannou, Gisele Infield Solar, Vicki Cormie, Kingsley Kwadwo Pereko, Francis Kweku Amagloh, Samantha J. Caton and Joanne E. Cecil
Nutrients 2021, 13(10), 3615; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13103615 - 15 Oct 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5315
Abstract
Urbanisation in Ghana could be negatively impacting the state of food security, especially in economically vulnerable groups. Food supply, safety, and quality are all aspects of food security which could be impacted. We conducted a scoping literature review to understand the nature and [...] Read more.
Urbanisation in Ghana could be negatively impacting the state of food security, especially in economically vulnerable groups. Food supply, safety, and quality are all aspects of food security which could be impacted. We conducted a scoping literature review to understand the nature and magnitude of evidence available on the urban food security situation in Ghana. A literature search was conducted in Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Global Health, Scopus, Web of Science, Africa Wide Information and Google Scholar to identify relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature. 45 studies, mainly cross-sectional surveys/food samples analysis, met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were concentrated in the Greater Accra Region (n = 24). Most studies focused on food safety and quality (n = 31). Studies on supply and stability were, however, scarce. Qualitative research methods were uncommon in the included studies. The existing literature on food security are concentrated in two regions: The Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. Future studies exploring food security in urban Ghana should focus on exploring the lived experiences and perceptions of food insecurity and food stability by urban-dwellers using qualitative methods. The evidence suggesting that the safety/quality of foods sold in Ghanaian markets is poor should be a concern to consumers and policy makers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries)
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39 pages, 611 KiB  
Review
A Food Insecurity Systematic Review: Experience from Malaysia
by Norhasmah Sulaiman, Heather Yeatman, Joanna Russell and Leh Shii Law
Nutrients 2021, 13(3), 945; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13030945 - 15 Mar 2021
Cited by 38 | Viewed by 10682
Abstract
Living free from hunger is a basic human right. However, some communities still experience household food insecurity. This systematic literature review explored different aspects of household food insecurity in Malaysia including vulnerable groups, prevalence, risk factors, coping strategies, and the consequences of food [...] Read more.
Living free from hunger is a basic human right. However, some communities still experience household food insecurity. This systematic literature review explored different aspects of household food insecurity in Malaysia including vulnerable groups, prevalence, risk factors, coping strategies, and the consequences of food insecurity. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Thirty-three relevant articles were selected from scientific databases such as CINAHL, Pubmed and Google Scholar, scrutiny of reference lists, and personal communication with experts in the field. The prevalence of household food insecurity in Malaysia was unexpectedly reported as high, with affected groups including Orang Asli, low-income household/welfare-recipient households, university students, and the elderly. Demographic risk factors and socioeconomic characteristics included larger household, living in poverty, and low education. Coping strategies were practices to increase the accessibility of food in their households. Consequences of household food insecurity included psychological, dietary (macro- and micronutrient intakes), nutritional status, and health impacts. In conclusion, this review confirmed that household food insecurity in Malaysia continues to exist. Nevertheless, extensive and active investigations are encouraged to obtain a more holistic and comprehensive picture pertaining to household food security in Malaysia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries)
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33 pages, 3117 KiB  
Review
The Food Environments of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in East and Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review
by Jason Tsz Him Cheung, Johnson Lok, Stuart Gietel-Basten and Keumseok Koh
Nutrients 2021, 13(1), 148; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13010148 - 04 Jan 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4893
Abstract
Fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption benefits the health of populations. This can be especially the case in locations which have undergone significant changes in their food environments, such as East and Southeast Asian countries. This current systematic review is the first to study [...] Read more.
Fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption benefits the health of populations. This can be especially the case in locations which have undergone significant changes in their food environments, such as East and Southeast Asian countries. This current systematic review is the first to study the food environments—facilitators, barriers, and moderators—associated with FV consumption in East and Southeast Asia. We consulted five electronic academic databases of English peer-reviewed papers published between 2010 and 2020 and found 31 studies. Results of these studies show that individuals strongly perceive FVs as being high-quality and safe, and having trust in their benefits. Food businesses with modernized systems have significantly fostered the consumption of FVs. A main barrier to FV consumption, however, is financial concerns, exacerbated by food businesses with FV unavailability and urbanization-induced FV price inflation and dietary patterns. Demographics and shopping patterns further hinder FV consumption. The fragmented and conditionalized findings of the 31 studies require standardized FV consumption measurements. Unlike the impact of FV consumption determinants and their interactions in Western countries, those in Asia, particularly countries other than China, have been substantially understudied. Therefore, as the research gaps in studies of food environments and FV consumption in East and Southeast Asia urgently demand scholarly attention, this paper proposes recommendations that favour the consumption of FVs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries)
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24 pages, 1130 KiB  
Systematic Review
Risk Factors for Overweight and Obesity within the Home Environment of Preschool Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review
by Albert L. Kwansa, Robert Akparibo, Joanne E. Cecil, Gisele Infield Solar and Samantha J. Caton
Nutrients 2022, 14(9), 1706; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14091706 - 20 Apr 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3375
Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is experiencing an increasing prevalence of young children being overweight and obese. Many feeding and physical activity-related behaviours are established at home during preschool years, yet the precise factors that contribute to preschool overweight and obesity have not been fully [...] Read more.
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is experiencing an increasing prevalence of young children being overweight and obese. Many feeding and physical activity-related behaviours are established at home during preschool years, yet the precise factors that contribute to preschool overweight and obesity have not been fully elucidated. This review aims to identify factors in the home environment associated with overweight and or obesity in preschool children in SSA. Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Africa Journals Online (AJOL) and the African Index Medicus databases were systematically searched for qualitative and quantitative studies published between 2000 and 2021. Eleven studies (ten quantitative, one qualitative) met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the results highlight the paucity of studies exploring factors in the home environment associated with overweight and obesity in preschool children in Sub-Saharan Africa. The home food environment and maternal BMI appear to be important factors associated with overweight and obesity in preschool children; however, the information for all other factors explored remains unclear due to the lack of evidence. For successful obesity prevention and treatment interventions to be developed, more research in this area is required to understand how different aspects of the home environment contribute to overweight and obesity in preschool Sub-Saharan African children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries)
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7 pages, 479 KiB  
Brief Report
Qualitative Accounts of School-Aged Children’s Diets during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rural, Central, Kenya
by Megan Jarman, Henriette Zeidler, Laura Shapiro, Rebecca Clarke, Haatembo Mooya, Barnabas Simatende, Danielle Matthews, Grace Koteng, Pamela Wadende and Claire Farrow
Nutrients 2021, 13(10), 3543; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13103543 - 09 Oct 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1959
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption to food security in many countries, including Kenya. However, the impact of this on food provision to children at an individual level is unknown. This small study aimed to provide a qualitative snapshot of the diets of [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption to food security in many countries, including Kenya. However, the impact of this on food provision to children at an individual level is unknown. This small study aimed to provide a qualitative snapshot of the diets of children during the COVID-19 pandemic. During completion of 24-h food recalls, with 15 families with children aged 5–8 years, caregivers were asked about changes they had made to foods given to their children due to the pandemic. Food recalls were analysed to assess nutrient intakes. Qualitative comments were thematically analysed. Most of the families reported making some changes to foods they provided to their children due to COVID-19. Reasons for these changes fell into three themes, inability to access foods (both due to formal restriction of movements and fear of leaving the house), poorer availability of foods, and financial constraints (both decreases in income and increases in food prices). The COVID-19 pandemic has affected some foods parents in rural Kenya can provide to their children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Intake and Eating Behaviour in Low- and Middle- Income Countries)
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