Resilience effects for household food expenditure and dietary diversity in rural western China

A more resilient livelihood is increasingly recognized as an efficient way to improve vulnerable households’food security and optimize their dietary decisions.This study quantifies rural household resilience in western China,identifies the three pillars(absorptive capacity,adaptive capacity,and transformative capacity)contribution to resilience,and then establishes the estimated Resilience Capacity Index(RCI)linked with food security and dietary diversity supported by the multiple indicator multiple cause(MIMIC)model.Results show that,despite geographical heterogeneity,the RCI consistently increased from 2015 to 2021.Households with a higher RCI inheriting better capacity to deal with risk and shocks are significantly and positively correlated with increasing food expenditure and diversifying food choices.It can be because resilient households will allocate more money to food expenditure instead of saving for livelihood uncertainty.Thus,policymakers can provide more incentives for rural households to adopt more dynamic and effective risk management strategies.This,in turn,could yield positive spillover effects by preventing human capital loss associated with dietary-related chronic diseases and mortality.

Off-farm employment,agriculture production activities,and household dietary diversity in environmentally and economically vulnerable areas of Asia

Access to off-farm employment has been expected to be a critical approach to ending hunger and all forms of malnutrition,two important targets of achieving Zero Hunger.This study aims to investigate the role of off-farm employment in improving dietary diversity through substitution effect and complementary effect with agricultural production activities and income effect.This study adopts Poisson/Tobit/Probit/OLS regressions and the instrument variable method based on the primary survey data collected among 1,282 households at 12 sites in environmentally and economically vulnerable areas of China,Nepal,Cambodia,Thailand,and Myanmar in 2019.The results show that off-farm employment is positively associated with household dietary diversity and the consumption of flesh meat,fish and other aquatic animals,fruits,and milk and dairy products,which are rich in protein and micronutrients.The results of mechanism analysis show that off-farm employment contributes to household dietary diversity by improving crop diversity,especially for poor households,boosting the probability of livestock raising for households with the middle one-third disposal income,and increasing household income.The positive association between off-farm employment and household dietary diversity is much higher for households with the bottom one-third disposal income,low illiteracy,and from upper-middle income countries.These findings imply that off-farm employment does play a vital role in achieving multiple benefits of poverty alleviation,malnutrition reduction,and agrobiodiversity conservation in environmentally and economically vulnerable areas.However,it may enlarge the gaps in dietary diversity between households with low human capital and from low and lower-middle income countries and those with high human capital and from middle-high countries.

Lifestyle Habits and Dietary Diversity among Medical Students at Université Gaston Berger (UGB) of Saint-Louis in 2023

Introduction: At university, habits, particularly eating habits, can negatively impact well-being. This study aimed to describe lifestyle habits and dietary diversity among medical students. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study, carried out at the UFR 2S of the University Gaston Berger from May 23 to June 3, 2023. The collection tool focused on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle habits and dietary diversity. Statistical analyzes were carried out using R software. Results: A total of 471 students participated in this study. Which corresponds to a participation rate of 89.2% with a M/F sex ratio of 1.66. The age of participants, varying from 18 to 32 years, had a median of 23 years and a mean of 22.4 years with a standard deviation of 2.2 years. Among the participants, 67.2% skipped breakfast, and 28.5% did not practice any physical sports activity. Alcohol and tobacco were consumed by 2.5% and 0.6% of participants, respectively. The most consumed foods were starchy foods (97.5% of men and 98.4% of women);and the least consumed were dark green leafy vegetables (21.9% of men and 15.1% of women) and offal (16.9% of men and 11.9% of women). The dietary diversity score was low for 31.9% of men and 28.7% of women. Conclusion: Certain lifestyle habits (skipping breakfast, dining late at night, lack of sports practice) of Medicine students at UGB can prove deleterious to their well-being. These students are at risk of developing several deficiencies in terms of food groups that are underrepresented in their diet. Awareness sessions on good lifestyle habits and diet would be relevant recommendations for improving the health of these students.

Assessing Malnutrition in Pregnant Women Using the Dietary Diversity Score and the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference: A Cross-Sectional Study, Zambia

The dietary diversity score (DDS) and the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) can be used to assess nutritional status. The DDS is a qualitative measure of food consumption reflecting an individual’s access to different food items and therefore a proxy indicator of the nutritional status. The aim of the study was to assess whether the dietary diversity score and MUAC can be used to assess the nutritional status of pregnant women attending antenatal. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Chilenje level I Hospital in a township located in Lusaka city, Lusaka province. The study employed quantitative methods to collect and analyse data on the dietary patterns of individuals in the previous 24 hours before the survey. Health facilities were randomly selected and systematic sampling was used to select a sample of 299 pregnant women. An interview schedule was used to collect data. Median and interquartile range were used to compare demographic data. Spearman’s Correlation for two continuous variables was used to establish associations between DDS and the MUAC. The median age was 27 years. About 44% of the women were in the lowest dietary diversity category, indicating inadequate nutrient intake, 31% in the medium category and 24% in the high intake. Dietary diversity score was negatively correlated with mid-upper arm circumference (p = 0.1295). However, most of the women in the lower dietary diversity score category (75%) had a high mid-upper arm circumference meaning that their nutritional status was good. Dietary diversity score can be used to predict malnutrition in pregnant women. The mid-upper arm circumference was negatively correlated with the 24hour dietary diversity score implying that we might not rely on this measurement to assess the nutritional status.

Study of the Determinants of Dietary Diversity among Pregnant Women in the Dakar Region (Senegal) in 2017

Introduction: Many health problems in pregnant women result in part from inadequate nutrition. Much progress has been made in improving the nutritional situation in Dakar, but it remains a concern to this day. Promoting dietary diversity is an effective way to combat any kind of nutrient deficiency. This study aims to investigate the determinants of dietary diversity in pregnant women in the Dakar region. Method: It was a cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study with a three-stage survey. The calculated sample was 292 pregnant women. Socio-demographic, economic, pregnancy-related data, related to practices and knowledge on nutrition were collected using a questionnaire and an observation grid. The collection was conducted from November 01 to December 15, 2017 among pregnant women in the Dakar region. Data were entered using epi info software and analyses were done with R. Simple linear regression was used to find the explanatory factors of dietary diversification. The fit of the regression model was done by the Hosmer Lemeshow test. The odds ratios were measured with a 5% alpha risk. Results: A total of 300 pregnant women were surveyed in two different health districts. The mean dietary diversification score was 5.47, the median was 5 and the standard deviation was 1.24. Factors associated with dietary diversity were age -1.14 [-1.8;-0.48], place of follow-up 0.39 [0.12;0.67], number of children 0.56 [0.25;1.1], mineral water consumption 0.27 [0.001;0.5] and husband’s income 0.79 [0.24;1.35]. Discussion-Conclusion: The Dietary Diversity Score was average, although it is important to note a real lack of dietary variety among women, which needs to be corrected through quality communication at prenatal consultations, but also the training of midwives in the field of nutrition remains essential.

Linkages between Agricultural Diversification, Dietary Diversity, and Nutrition Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

An enabling policy environment and good governance are fundamental drivers for agriculture and food systems, framing how they work and for whom in the global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 and food justice for all. The review examined the policy environment in sub-Saharan Africa in relation to linkages between agricultural diversification, dietary diversity, and nutrition. The systematic review of literature entailed searching Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, African Journals Online and PsychINFO databases from Jan 1, 2010, to Feb 30, 2021, for eligible studies and technical reports. Publications reporting on agricultural diversification, dietary diversity, and nutrition outcomes in relation to policy environment were included. Qualitative synthesis of the abstracted evidence was conducted. SSA countries recognise the crucial role of agricultural diversification as a pathway to achieving food security with increasing emphasis on smallholder farmers. There is a rich base of policies that are complemented by lived experiences and best practices which can strengthen linkages between agricultural diversification, agribusiness and dietary diversity. For instance, the application of precision farming, agro-ecological zones targeted agricultural intensification and gender sensitive land administration, access and tenure in countries experiencing declining farm size could potentially ensure the youth, men and women have equitable and innovative opportunities of access to elements of improved agricultural systems. Smallholder farmers with the majority in rural settings, maintain de facto agricultural diversity. It is essential for any policy design or intervention to take into account the specific country’s context;pay particular attention to socioeconomic capabilities of the rural population along with fiscal capacity and trade-offs. Empirical evidence on the nexus between agricultural diversification and nutrition is mixed and limited.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Dietary Diversity of Children and Adolescents:Evidence from a Rural/Urban Panel Study

This paper offers the first empirical evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on dietary diversity among children and adolescents in urban and rural families by using panel data collected in 2019(before COVID-19)and 2020(during COVID-19)in northern China.Our study uses panel data from 2,201 primary school students and 1,341 junior high-school students to apply the difference in differences(DID)method to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on dietary diversity among students in urban and rural families.We found that the dietary diversity score(DDS)of rural students decreased by 0.295 points(p<0.01)compared with that of urban students during COVID-19.Specifically,COVID-19 significantly reduced the frequency of rural students'consumption of vegetables by 1.8 percent,protein-rich foods such as soybean products and nuts by 6.0 percent,meats by 4.0 percent,aquatic products by 6.7 percent,and eggs by 5.3 percent,compared with urban students.Further,COVID-19 had a significant negative effect on the dietary diversity of students from low-and middle-income groups,with the DDS of the low-income group decreasing by 0.31 points(p<0.01)and that of the middle-income group by 0.12 points(p<0.1).

Characterization and risk factors for unexplained female infertility in Sudan:A case-control study

BACKGROUND Female infertility with unknown causes(unexplained)remains one of the mysteries in the reproductive health field,where the diagnostic evidence is still weak and the proposed treatments still work with unknown methods.However,several studies have proposed some possible causes and risk factors for unexplained female infertility.AIM To characterize and identify factors associated with unexplained infertility in Sudanese women.METHODS A matched(age and body mass index)case-control study was conducted from March 2021 to February 2022.The study samples were 210 women with unexplained infertility(UI)and 190 fertile women of reproductive age who were attending the maternity hospitals and fertility clinics in Khartoum,Sudan.The risk factors of unexplained infertility were identified using a structured,pretested questionnaire containing information on socio-demographic variables,anthropometrics,clinical diagnosis of infertility,behavioral factors,physical activity assessment,diversity,and consumption of different food groups by the study participants.RESULTS The results showed a higher proportion of women diagnosed with UI were residents of rural areas than controls(21.4%vs 11.1%,P<0.05),and previous miscarriages and/or abortions were more common in fertile women compared with infertile women(13.16%vs 5.71%,P<0.05).Additionally,infertile women had a significantly(P<0.05)higher proportion of family history of infertility(explained and unexplained)compared with controls.Finally,after controlling for the effects of potentially confounding variables using multivariable logistic regression analysis,only marital status,family history of infertility,use of modern contraceptives,smoking,caffeine consumption,physical activity level,meals consumed,other vitamin-A-rich fruits and vegetables,and other vegetables were found to be significant(P<0.05)factors associated with unexplained infertility among Sudanese women.CONCLUSION Married women with a family history of infertility who smoke and consume a high amount of caffeine,who live a sedentary lifestyle,and who consume more than two meals free of vitamin-Arich fruits and/or vegetables and/or other vegetables per day are at the highest risk of developing unexplained infertility.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Caregivers of Children 0 - 23 Months in Eastern and Central Uganda

Introduction: Appropriate feeding and consequently good nutritional status of young children largely depends on their caregivers. Aim: The current study aimed at assessing maternal/caregivers’ current knowledge, attitudes, practices, and beliefs regarding different aspects of infant and young child feeding in Eastern and Central Uganda. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey design with mixed methods employing both qualitative and quantitative methods was used for data collection. Results: The study participants included 556 caregivers and 572 children. Results indicate that most caregivers (77%) were knowledgeable about key infant and young child feeding practices such as breastfeeding, complementary feeding and meal frequency. However, culture and economic hardships were a major barrier to the applicability of this knowledge. Nearly all (98%) children were ever breastfed with 41% having been initiated on breast milk in the first hour after birth and 68% of all the children below 6 months exclusively breastfed. Three percent of the children aged 6 - 23 months were classified as having either Moderate (2%) or Severe (1%) Acute malnutrition. The median birth weight was 3.2 Kgs with nine percent of the children classified as underweight at birth. The majority (78%) of the children consumed foods from at least four food groups however only 44% consumed heme-rich animal flesh food such as meat, poultry, organ meats and fish, 29% consumed milk and milk products while only 11% consumed eggs. The barriers to improved nutritional status and health-seeking behaviour in children from both regions were largely similar. Some of these included cultural practices which prohibit children from eating certain foods and lack of drugs in the health facilities. Lack of male involvement was a key barrier to health-seeking behaviour and the nutritional well-being of children. Males were, however, more knowledgeable about the key childcare practices that are critical to positive outcomes because they listen to radios, have access to social media and usually congregate at bars where this information is disseminated and exchanged. Conclusion: There should be continuous sensitization of mothers on the benefits of breastfeeding with special focus on early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding as well as child feeding practices during illness. To increase protein intake in children 6 - 23 months, interventions aimed at increasing consumption of these vital nutrients such as promotion of nutrition-sensitive agricultural enterprises like rearing of small livestock and chickens should be emphasized. Consumption of these foods is critical, especially during pregnancy and infancy. Finally, male involvement in maternal and child feeding should be encouraged.