Diabetes and Hypertension Are Associated with Food Insecurity in a Cameroonian Population: A Case-Control Study

Diabetes and hypertension are the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors. Recent studies showed an increase in the prevalence of food insecurity in our country. The aim of this study was to assess how food insecurity affects the dietary habits, socio-demographic characteristics and metabolic profile of individuals with diabetes or hypertension. This case-control study was conducted among diabetic and hypertensive participants (cases) and diabetic and hypertensive normal (controls) during the screening campaigns for nutrition-related chronic diseases. The sociodemographic, clinical and biochemical parameters of the participants were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with diabetes and hypertension in the study population. Bivariate analyses showed that male gender (OR = 1.972;95% CI: 1.250 - 3.089), regular alcohol consumption (OR = 2.012;95% CI: 1.294 - 3.130), low fruit consumption (OR = 1.590;95% CI: 1.016 - 2.488), low dietary diversity (OR = 2.915;95% CI: 1.658 - 5.127) and abdominal obesity (OR = 1.893, CI 95% 1.203 - 2.978) were significantly associated with hypertension. In addition, low fruit consumption (OR = 1.829;95% CI 1.092 - 3.064), low legume consumption (OR = 3.515;95% CI 1.861 - 6.635), and hypertriglyceridaemia (OR = 2.241, 95% CI 1.139 - 4.408) were significantly associated with diabetes. The indirect association observed between food insecurity and diabetes and hypertension suggests the need for nutritional policies aimed at popularizing the production and consumption of fruits and legumes. Similarly, health services need to be aware and informed of the important role that food insecurity can play in the development of diabetes and hypertension.

Food insecurity increases the risk of overweight and chronic diseases in adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To investigate the relationship between food insecurity(FI)and overweight/obesity(OW/OB)or corresponding chronic diseases in adolescents,33 studies with 181135 individuals were included in this meta-analysis.Six studies and 10 studies,reported a higher risk of overweight and obesity in adolescents experiencing FI,respectively(OR 1.38,95%CI 1.20‒1.58,P<0.0001;OR 1.11,95%CI 1.01‒1.22,P=0.035,respectively).Based on the pooled results,adolescents with severe FI had the highest risk of OW/OB(OR 1.45,95%CI 1.20‒1.75,P<0.0001).The pooled OR indicated no signifi cant association between FI and OW/OB,when the adolescents were stratifi ed into those under 6 years old and those between 6 and 18 years old.Eleven studies assessed the relationship between FI and the risk of chronic diseases.The anemia subgroup was significantly associated with FI(OR 1.67,95%CI 1.30‒2.13,P<0.0001).Severe FI was reported to increase the risk of hypertension(OR 1.59,95%CI 1.28‒1.98,P<0.0001).Furthermore,a pooled analysis revealed a signifi cant association between FI and the risk of chronic diseases in both 6 and 6-18-year-old subgroups.

Food insecurity and other possible factors contributing to low birth weight: A case control study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Objective: To determine the association between low birth weight and household food insecurity at government hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: A case control study was carried out on 468 mothers with term neonates from February 1, 2017 to May 15, 2017. The cases were women who gave term babies weighing less than 2500 g and the controls were those having 2500 g or above. In the included hospitals, choices of cases were done as the cases found and the next three eligible newborns in the maternity room were the controls. Data were collected by using pretested and structured questionnaire. Standard beam balance was used to measure the neonatal weight by trained midwifery. The data were entered into a computer using Epi-Data 3.1 and exported to Stata version 14 for data management and analysis. Results: Mothers having food insecurity [adjusted odd ratio (AOR) 3.58;95% confidence interval (CI) (1.79-7.16)], mid-upper arm circumference [AOR 7.70;95% CI (4.39-13.60)], hypertension [AOR 4.81;95% CI (2.33-9.93)], and early age [AOR 3.88;95% CI (1.35-11.15)] showed statistically significant association with low birth weight. Conclusions: Household food insecurity, hypertension, mid-upper arm circumference and early age in women were significant predictors of low birth weight. The provision of adequate nutrient for pregnant mothers having household food insecurity should be assured in order to prevent adverse birth weight outcomes.

Food Insecurity and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents Aged 12–15 Years from Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Purpose:Little is known about the role of food insecurity(FIS)on depressive symptoms among adolescents.Thus,this study aimed to explore the association between FIS and depressive symptoms among adolescents aged 12–15 years from low-and middle-income countries across the world.Methods:Data from the Global school-based Student Health Survey were analyzed in 51,702 adolescents[mean(SD)age 13.8(1.0)years;49.3% girls].Self-reported measures assessed depressive symptoms during the past 12 months,and food insecurity.Partici-pants reporting yes for depressive symptoms.FIS was categorized intofive levels,including‘never’,‘rarely’,‘some-times’,‘most of the time’and‘always’.Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed,and a country-wise meta-analysis was undertaken to compare country difference in the associations between FIS and depressive symptoms.Results:The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 30.0%,respectively.Compared with those reporting never for FIS,adolescents with increased severity of FIS were more likely to report depressive symptoms regardless of gender.Country-wise meta-analysis demonstrated that having FIS versus not having FIS was asso-ciated with 60%greater odds for depressive symptoms(OR=1.60;95%CI:1.52–1.69)but with a moderate between-country heterogeneity(I^(2)=12.7%).Conclusion:The current study indicates that alleviating FIS may be an effective prevention against depressive symptoms among adolescents from LMICs.Future studies should adopt improved study design to confirm or negate our researchfindings,which informs more efficient public mental health interventions.

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic and Poverty on Food Insecurity: Yearly Spatial Analysis

Spatial regression analysis was applied separately to the annual US state-level food insecurity data from 2015 through 2018, and 2020 to examine the effects of race, region of residency, and poverty particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the analysis suggested that the US food insecurity level was trending downwards between 2015 and 2018 but increased by 33.5% in 2020, obviously due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, residents from the West experienced higher food insecurity levels relative to the Mid-West between 2015 and 2018. The analysis also revealed that race is not a determining factor of food insecurity as both White and Black are equally affected to a significant level. Rather, the most salient determinant of food insecurity is poverty. The effects of poverty were positive and strongly significant from 2015 through 2018. The effect was, however, mild in 2020 probably due to the stimulus and unemployment checks people received through the Care Act. This result underscored the importance of SNAP and other government intervention programs in addressing the country’s food insecurity problems.

Psychological Well-Being of Adolescents in South Western Nigeria: Its Association with Sociodemographic Characteristics and Perceived Food Insecurity

Psychological well-being (PWB) which is a measure of life satisfaction in adolescence plays a great role in their behavioral lifestyle. The aim of this study was to assess the adolescents’ psychological well-being, its association with perceived food insecurity, and their sociodemographic characteristics. Using multistage random sampling, 352 students from three secondary schools in Ado Local Government in Nigeria were recruited. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from existing literature was used for data collection. About fifty-six percent of the adolescents had high psychological well-being. Most of the students studied had a high estimate of themselves in their self-autonomy and personal growth development. While Tribe (p = 0.032), type of family (p < 0.001), present class (p = 0.039) and class repetition (p = 0.018) were significantly associated with psychological well-being of adolescents, most adolescents had a medium to high food insecurity. Self-autonomy and personal growth development in adolescents are associated with the type of family structure, the higher the social class of the family and the lower of the occurrence of repetition of a class shall be. A stable family environment is beneficial to adolescents.

Food and Nutritional Insecurity before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Households of Women Belonging to a Social Program

Introduction: According to the National Health and Nutrition Survey, the Mexican households in 2018 had food insecurity at 55.5% while in 2012 it was 70%. Food insecurity is a global health problem and now with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has increased. Objective: To compare the levels of food and nutritional insecurity in women’s households from two Social Impulse Centers of the Secretary for Human Social Development (SEDESHU) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A comparative and cross-sectional study was carried out in 41 women participating in a nutritional intervention program in two social promotion centers. Food security was measured with the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA), comparing it in a period from January to April 2020: before and during the health contingency. Socio-economic and demographic variables were also measured, as well as access to water during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Food insecurity levels during the COVID-19 contingency were found to have increased by more than 60% (from 31.7% to 93%);the main risk factors associated with unemployment and access to healthy food. The COVID-19 contingency reflects impacts on households, but because women participated in the nutritional intervention program, it could influence by observing that, at least, the use of food was adequate since apparently food waste was minimal. Conclusions: The implementation of an educational nutrition program can be a strategy in the face of contingencies or extraordinary situations. In this way, the negative impact could be less in the population that does not have any type of food education.

Coping with the Impact of Climate Change: A Dive into Precision Agriculture in the United States

With the continued increase in the number of people that are food insecure globally, which could be increasing because of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, leading to reduction in international agribusinesses, coupled with drastic climate change exacerbating the problem of food insecurity, there is a constant need to come up with innovative approaches to solve this global issue. In this article, we articulated how precision agriculture can be a tool for ensuring food security in the United States. This study aims to reiterate the significance of precision agriculture in solving global food insecurity.

The Comparative Performance of Nutrient-Film Technique and Deep-Water Culture Method of Hydroponics for GREENBOX Technology

With the rising pressures on food security, GREENBOX technology was developed as an avenue for fresh leafy vegetable crop production in urban settings. GREENBOX units were designed to be thermally insulated and climate controlled, with an artificial lighting source that utilized soilless cultivation techniques. Previous studies conducted on GREENBOX technology used the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT);however, various hydroponic methods exist, such as the Deep-Water Culture (DWC) method being the most used. The APS Laboratory for Sustainable Food at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) compared the crop growth performance between DWC and NFT systems using GREENBOX technology. The following study monitored environmental conditions and compared productivity and biomass data of Rex Butterhead Lettuce crops between DWC and NFT systems. We assembled two GREENBOX units using commercially available materials and the standard nutrient solution for fertigation. The crops grown in DWC and NFT were in a 4 × 6 configuration. The DWC and NFT systems were used to grow Lettuce Lactuca sativa “Rex Butterhead” over 30 days to full bloom from prepared plugs grown for 14 days. We collected environmental data including Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD, μmol/m2∙s), Daily Light Integral (DLI, mol/ m2∙d), temperature (˚C), relative humidity (%), and Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD, kPa). We collected lettuce crop growth data, which included wet weight (g), dry weight (g), leaf area (cm2), and chlorophyll concentration (μmol/m2). We derived data, including the Specific Leaf Area (SLA, cm2/g) and biomass productivity (kg/m2), from previously collected data. We used descriptive statistics to present the collected data. A paired t-test was performed to understand the differences in biomass and productivity parameters between the DWC and NFT-grown lettuce crops. Both the DWC and NFT-grown crops could grow lettuce crops to harvest weight at full bloom. Observed data demonstrated that the biomass parameters and productivity did not differ significantly between the two hydroponics techniques. Therefore, we believe both hydroponic methods may be similar in growth performance and may be used in future iterations of GREENBOX design and prove suitable for fresh vegetable crop production in urban settings.

The Assessment of Growth Performance of Brassica rapa var. chinensis ‘Li Ren Choi’, Spinacia oleracea ‘Auroch’, Eruca sativa ‘Astro’, and Brassica rapa var. japonica Using GREENBOX Technology

Obtaining nutritious food is becoming increasingly difficult due to the growing urban population and the degradation of soil, water, and air from mechanized and industrialized agricultural techniques. More than half the global population resides in urban areas, with not enough surrounding agricultural land to meet food requirements. Food traveling long distances, an average of 1020 miles, has resulted in increased food miles for the average food item in the United States of America, representing wasted resources. The novel GREENBOX technology was invented in response to increasing pressures on food security. Previous studies conducted on GREENBOX technology assessed the technical feasibility of utilizing Lettuce Lactuca sativa ‘Rex Butterhead’. We at the APS Laboratory for Sustainable Food at Florida Gulf Coast University assessed the technical feasibility of growing different leafy green vegetable crops. GREENBOX technology consists of thermally insulated climate-controlled enclosures, an artificial lighting source, a soilless cultivation method (hydroponics), and environmental control modules. We assembled two GREENBOX units to assess the environmental conditions and growth performance of Brassica rapa var. chinensis ‘Li Ren Choi’, Spinach Spinacia oleracea ‘Auroch’, Arugula Eruca sativa ‘Astro’, and Mizuna Brassica Brassica rapa var. japonica. Plugs were cultivated and then transplanted in a randomized manner to the nutrient film technique (NFT) channels, subsequently grown for 30 days to full bloom and ready for harvest. Fertigation was carried out using a standard concentration nutrient solution. Crops were arranged in twelve blocks of four species each. We collected environmental data including daily light integral (DLI, mol/m2∙d), temperature (˚C), relative humidity (%), and vapor pressure deficit (VPD, kPa). Collected biomass data included wet weight (g), dry weight (g), leaf area (cm2), and chlorophyll concentration (mg/cm2). We then derived the Specific Leaf Area (SLA, cm2/g). Descriptive statistics were utilized to understand the differences in biomass parameters between the four crops grown. We also compared the performance parameters of our crops with existing peer-reviewed literature and found it superior, if not comparable to commonly found industrial output. We determined that all crops grew to full bloom, demonstrating that GREENBOX technology may be used to grow a variety of different leafy green vegetable crops.

Nutritional Composition of Four Underexploited Wild Fruits in Mali

Malnutrition and food insecurity are major concerns for the Malian authorities. The objective of this study was to strengthen the knowledge about the nutritional and physicochemical values of four underutilized edible wild fruits picked at two cities belonging to different bioclimatic zones of Mali. The physicochemical and nutritional parameters were performed using standard methods. The findings revealed that all these parameters varied from one fruit to another, this outcome could be associated with the provenances of the wild fruits (p-value < 0.05). The protein contents varied from 4.53 g/100g by dry matter (DM) for R. sudanica fruits to 5.34 g/100g DM for those of B. aegyptiaca, all these samples were being harvested from Sikasso. The highest concentrations of vitamins are C (150,800 to 151,000 μg/100g DM), E (1,310 to 1,350 μg/100g DM) and A (38 to 40 μg/100g DM) respectively for the fruits of Z. mauritiana, B. aegyptiaca and S. senegalensis. In addition, these fruits would constitute a potential source of minerals such as iron, phosphorus and calcium. Thereby, these fruits are promising raw materials to be used against the malnutrition linked to the micronutrients deficiencies and the management of certain pathologies related to oxidative stress.

Knowledge, perception and practices about malaria, climate change, livelihoods and food security among rural communities of central Tanzania

Background:Understanding the interactions between malaria and agriculture in Tanzania is of particular significance when considering that they are the major sources of illness and livelihoods.The objective of this study was to determine knowledge,perceptions and practices as regards to malaria,climate change,livelihoods and food insecurity in a rural farming community in central Tanzania.Methods:Using a cross-sectional design,heads of households were interviewed on their knowledge and perceptions on malaria transmission,symptoms and prevention and knowledge and practices as regards to climate change and food security.Results:A total of 399 individuals(mean age=39.8±15.5 years)were interviewed.Most(62.41%)of them had attained primary school education and majority(91.23%)were involved in crop farming activities.Nearly all(94.7%)knew that malaria is acquired through a mosquito bite.Three quarters(73%)reported that most people get sick from malaria during the rainy season.About 50%of the respondents felt that malaria had decreased during the last 10 years.The household coverage of insecticide treated mosquito nets(ITN)was high(95.5%).Ninety-six percent reported to have slept under a mosquito net the previous night.Only one in four understood the official Kiswahili term(Mabadiliko ya Tabia Nchi)for climate change.However,there was a general understanding that the rain patterns have changed in the past 10 years.Sixty-two percent believed that the temperature has increased during the same period.Three quarters of the respondents reported that they had no sufficient production from their own farms to guarantee food security in their household for the year.Three quarters(73.0%)reported to having food shortages in the past five years.About half said they most often experienced severe food shortage during the rainy season.Conclusion:Farming communities in Kilosa District have little knowledge on climate change and its impact on malaria burden.Food insecurity is common and community-based strategies to mitigate this need to be established.The findings call for an integrated control of malaria and food insecurity interventions.

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine period on physical activity and dietary habits of college-aged students

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic led to sudden extreme changes in lifestyle,potentially causing adverse changes in physical activity,sedentary behavior,and dietary habits.The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 quarantine on physical activity,dietary habits,and food insecurity among college students who were impacted by the quarantine periods and campus closures.The findings of the study will provide preliminary evidence on dietary,physical activity,and sedentary behavior changes induced by the pandemic among college students.Participants(n=403)completed a cross-sectional self-report online questionnaire,evaluating the physical activity,sedentary behavior,and dietary behaviors before-and during-COVID-19 campus closures(March–May 2020).Sociodemographic and descriptive information was also obtained from each participant.Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to assess changes in physical activity,sedentary behavior,and dietary habits.McNemar's test was used to compare food insecurity changes.Data were presented as median and interquartile range.A total of 291 participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study(college-aged,18–24 years).Physical activity decreased at vigorous(2 days/week to 1 day/week,p<0.001),moderate(4 days/week to 1 day/week,p<0.001),and light(4 days/week to 2 days/week,p<0.001)intensity levels,while sedentary behavior increased(4 h/day to 7 h/day,p<0.001)from pre-to during-COVID-19 quarantine period.Frequencies of meals at home and alcohol consumption increased(Z=-3.911 and Z=-4.022,p<0.001),while frequency of fruit consumption decreased(Z=-2.116,p<0.001)from pre-to during-COVID-19 quarantine period.Daily alcohol intake also increased during COVID-19 quarantine period(Z=-4.442,p<0.001).Lastly,the percentage of individuals reporting food insecurity significantly increased during COVID-19 quarantine(p<0.001).College-aged students in quarantine significantly decreased physical activity participation and increased sedentary behavior.Changes in dietary habits were observed,including increased meals at home,alcohol con-sumption,and decreased fruit consumption.Food insecurity also doubled among college-aged students during quarantine.Public health strategies to attenuate these changes in lifestyle habits should be implemented during a global pandemic.