Land use, food and nutrition security – case study in rural Uzbekistan

Comparing Food Security Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Considerations When Choosing Measures

Since 2002, a range of South African policies have attempted to address the disproportionate burden of food and nutrition insecurity on the population. Yet malnutrition among the poor has worsened. This study reviewed policies to examine their implications for food security and the treatment of malnutrition. Policies enacted between 2002 and 2017 were retrieved from government departments and the data were thematically analysed. A preliminary analysis shows that policy has aided production through input provision and capacity building. Taxation, school nutrition programmes and social grants are some of the food access initiatives, whilst micronutrient supplementation, breastfeeding campaigns and food fortification are policies specifically focused on nutrition. However, despite these interventions, food insecurity has remained due to gaps in and contradictions among policies and the lack of coordination in policy development and implementation, especially across sectors. To improve food and nutrition security, government must better engage with ideas about how to address food and nutrition security systemically, and develop the appropriate coordination mechanisms for a more holistic approach to this challenge.

How smallholders may contribute to food and nutrition security remains a key challenge in many developing countries. Despite being the main rural actors, smallholders are frequently the most food insecure, given an array of biophysical and socioeconomic challenges that were addressed during the workshop. These proceedings discuss the potential role of smallholders in food security and in poverty reduction. The opportunities and constraints are assessed, by analysing the availability, access and utilisation of production factors. The key message is that enhancing smallholders’ production capacities and their economic and social resilience may have a positive impact on food security and nutrition at different levels. However, not all smallholders are the same, and assistance strategies need to differentiate between smallholders who should be ‘moving up’ into more productive systems and those who should be ‘moving out’ of farming. The choice should depend on the type of constraints smallholders face. The analysis considers, in addition to the role of small farmers as food suppliers, smallholders’ role as consumers and their level of nutrition security. The link between agriculture and nutrition is analysed to understand how agriculture affects human health and dietary patterns. Given the importance of smallholdings, strategies to increase productivity in agriculture are essential to improve food and nutrition security, as is food diversity. Finally, synergies and trade-offs between economic, environmental and social objectives and outcomes are analysed through an overview of the methods and tools used to assess food security on small farms at household level. Models at country level are usually focused on long-term conditions, but short-term analyses would also be welcome. Developing global models to assess food security is also relevant, to include trade issues in the analysis. Models at farm household level in developing countries have a valuable role to play in the analysis of the impact of any policy on small farmers.

Food (in)security in relation to nutrition (in)security in a national cross-sectional sample of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants: considerations of an emerging construct

Some 815 million people world-wide suffer from chronic malnutrition and the most devastating and persistent problem of food security and environmental degradation are found in rural areas. These people are also information marginalized due to remote nature of most of such areas as in Nigeria. The objective of the research study was to identify opportunities in ICTs for sustainable food and nutrition security and propose policy framework towards achieving sustainable food and nutrition security through the use of ICTs. The information generated through literature showed that to be food secure, households need information and the understanding of what constitutes an appropriate diet, as well as the skills and motivation to make sound choices on family care and feeding practices. It was determined that nutrition knowledge is significantly associated with child nutrition, independent of mothers’ level of formal education or household income. Acceleration of agricultural development by increasing agricultural production, improved marketing and distribution that would lead to food and nutrition security can only be possible through knowledge and information. Bridging the digital divide through development and utilization of information communication technologies (ICTs) which include fixed lines, mobile phones and Internet services will go a long way in making significant impact in solving the problem of food security and malnutrition. Key words: Hunger, malnutrition, ICTs, access, capacity building, policy advocacy.

This research seeks to enhance the understanding of the multifaceted drivers of food and nutrition insecurity in emergency-affected countries within the Eastern Mediterranean region and investigate the dynamics of food and nutrition security in countries facing emerging emergencies. This is a descriptive aim to determine the key factors and challenges affecting food security and nutrition status in ten countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region (Afghanistan, Djibouti, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine (Gaza Strip), Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen). The research reveals that all selected countries experienced severe levels of food insecurity, with many reaching Phase 3 or above according to the IPC classification. In 2020, Afghanistan and Yemen were particularly hard-hit, with food insecurity affecting 42% and 45% of their populations; in 2024 in Gaza and Sudan, the same figures were 93% and 54% of the population, respectively, representing worse food insecurity crises in the region. Somalia, Sudan, and Djibouti also faced significant food insecurity rates. Many key drivers of food security are standard in most countries, and the linkage between food insecurity and malnutrition levels has a similar trend in almost all countries. However, none of the countries achieved all the 2025 global nutrition targets, while some reached one or two targets. Reaching sustainable development goals is still challenging in these countries since nutrition and food security levels, included in many goals, have not yet been reached. Food security and malnutrition in emergency-affected countries are driven by conflict, political instability, natural disasters, and socioeconomic conditions, which disrupt agricultural activities and infrastructure, exacerbating these challenges. To address these issues, we recommend a multisectoral approach, conflict resolution, climate-smart agriculture, integration of emergency responses with long-term strategies, and strengthening health and nutrition information systems.

The objective of the study was to determine the level of food and nutritional security in families of children under 10 years of age with malnutrition attended in the program for growth and development of the hospital State Social Enterprise of Galapa (ESE Galapa) in Galapa (Atlántico, Colombia). A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample randomly selected of 170 families that attended the program during 2015, with 70% of minimum attendance required. The variables considered were, social and demographic conditions, nutritional status and level of food security. Food security status was classified using the Latin-American and Caribbean Scale of Food Safety (ELCSA) as an instrument for data collection. Forty-five-point three percent of the families presented food and nutritional insecurity, families with children in risk of malnutrition and obesity presented major trend of food and nutritional severe insecurity. The prevalence of the nutritional condition as well as the food and nutritional insecurity of this population is related directly on the parent’s occupation, their income and their ages, since 57.64% was unemployed, 39.41% of the parents only earn a minimum wage and 68.3% are between 15 and 30 years old. The study showed that families with boys and girls with malnutrition are on low food insecurity level corresponding to 25.9% among all.

Increasing the development impact of agricultural research as it relates to promoting food and nutrition security continues to be a major challenge in Sub Saharan Africa. The preceding review explores the opportunities and constraints that are associated with increasing the development impact of agricultural research in enhancing food and nutrition security in Sub Saharan Africa. The engendered agricultural research approach in promoting food production and security is examined. There is an attempt to describe the impact of gender-sensitive agricultural research on food production and its implication for food and nutrition security. The influence of policy environment, inclusion of micro-livestock and insects farming in the mainstream agriculture production and agricultural research priorities in increasing the development impact of agricultural research are highlighted. It is also suggested that incorporating indigenous knowledge as the basis of agricultural research may promote increasing development impact of agricultural research in the region. Climate smart agricultural research should become increasingly important such that it influences food production and achieve the primary objective of achieving food and nutrition security. Sub Saharan Africa is endowed with potential good agricultural space which can be put in good use through increasing the development impact of agricultural research in a manner that the ultimate goal of self food and nutrition sustenance is attained. The review concludes that in the planning and implementation of agricultural research to enhance food and nutrition security, gender sensitive agricultural policies should be put in place such that women become the focal point of food production in Sub Saharan Africa. The sustainable development goals aimed at achieving food security and improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture can be only realized through increasing the development impact of agricultural research in Sub Saharan Africa.

The Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of Innovative Strategies to Reduce Food Insecurity among Children in the United States

The Need for Investment in Rigorous Interventions to Improve Child Food Security

Food Insecurity Among Adults With Severe Mental Illness

Understanding Triggers of Food Insecurity

Abstract
 Objectives: The prevalence of student food insecurity at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) is relatively high (58.0%) compared to the national population (12.7%). We explored the relationship between food security status, perceived health, and student experience among MUN students.
 Methods: Through an online survey of returning MUN students at the St. John’s campus, we assessed food security using Statistics Canada’s Canadian Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM), and self-reported physical health, mental health, and stress. We used logistic regression to compare health and stress ratings between students of different food security levels. We thematically coded open-ended responses to describe students’ experiences related to food insecurity.
 Results: Among the 967 study eligible students, 39.9% were considered food insecure, 28.2% were moderately food insecure, and 11.7% were severely food insecure. After controlling for significant predictors, students who were moderately or severely food insecure were 1.72 [95% CI:(1.20,2.48)] and 2.81 [95% CI:(1.79,4.42)] times as likely to rate their physical health as ‘fair’ or ‘poor’ than food secure students, and 1.66 [95% CI:( 1.22,2.27)] and 4.23 [95% CI: (2.71-6.60] times as likely to rate their mental health as ‘fair’ or ‘poor’ than food secure students, respectively.
 Conclusion: Food security level experienced by MUN students was closely related to their perceived physical and mental health. As food security level worsened among participants, their self-reported physical and mental health also worsened. Health professionals working with university student populations should screen for food security and consider its relationship to students’ health.

Food is a primary need that is basic to all human needs and a fundamental human right (Maxwell, 2001; Ingram, 2011). Improved food security is vital in the alleviation of poverty, promotion of people’s health and labor productivity, contributes to the political stability of a country and ensures sustainable development of citizens (FAO, 2011). Food and nutrition security are achieved adequate food is available, accessed and satisfactorily utilized by all individuals at all times to live a healthy and happy life. Nutrition security goes beyond food security by considering adequate access to essential nutrients, not just calories. Nutritional security means guaranteed constant adequate dietary intake that helps the body to resist and recover from disease. Food insecurity leads to severe health problems for individuals and to the society including malnutrition, obesity, disease and poverty (Hammond & Dube, 2011). Indigenous knowledge refers to the knowledge and know-how unique to a given society or culture which encompasses “the cultural traditions, values, beliefs and worldviews of local people” (UNESCO, 2016). The fundamental differences between indigenous and scientific knowledge paradigms are characterized by an old African proverb which states when a knowledgeable old person dies, a whole library disappears (Naanyu, 2013). The study explored the role of indigenous knowledge in achieving food security and nutrition in Garissa county whose major economic is livestock keeping. The study found out that in the dry season resources are rare; the pastoralist manage their herd composition in regard to age and sex to preserve herd viability; and splitting up herds during wet and dry season, milk preservation is through gourds cleaning, drying and disinfecting for long-term, milk preservation is via spontaneous fermentation or back slopping and drying remain to be the most use approach for raw cereal grains, supported by the addition of ash, minerals or activated charcoal to absorb moisture and oxygen. The study concludes that despite the rich practices, indigenous knowledge is marginalized in favor of high-tech modern knowledge. The agro-pastoralist have no clearly defined channels through which they can share their lived indigenous knowledge, experiences and practice and it is rational and easy for pastoralist to practice indigenous methods of control of pests and diseases learnt over generations. The study recommends that documentation of indigenous knowledge from aging experts for future references, repackage indigenous knowledge towards food security and sustainable pastoral production in communal ranches. Article visualizations:

Introduction: Nutrition security is an emerging concept that expands upon the definition of food security – consistent access to sufficient quantity and quality of food – to include prevention, management, and treatment of disease. There is limited evidence on how nutrition security is related to heart health, specifically in populations disproportionately impacted by cardiovascular disease risk, such as Latina women. Hypothesis: Latina women experiencing food and/or nutrition insecurity will have poorer indicators of Life’s Essential 8 compared to those with food and/or nutrition security. Methods: Vida Sana y Completa is randomized controlled trial of a multi-component Food is Medicine (FIM) intervention for Latina women with obesity (BMI>30kg/m 2 ). This analysis uses survey data from baseline assessment (n=165). Food security status was assessed using the USDA 6-item screener and nutrition security status was assessed using the 4-item Nutrition Security Scale. Outcomes included vegetable and fruit intake, BMI, blood pressure (BP), and mental health. Within group differences by food and nutrition security status were performed using ANOVA with Fischer’s least significant difference and independent two-sample t-tests. Results: The majority (82%) reported food insecurity and approximately half (47%) reported nutrition insecurity. Women with very low or low food security consumed fewer vegetables compared to those with food security (1.7 vs. 2.1 vs. 3.0, respectively; p=0.02). Women with nutrition insecurity also consumed fewer servings of vegetables compared to participants with nutrition security (1.7 vs. 2.5; p=0.01). Systolic BP was higher among women with low food security, compared to participants with very low food security or participants with food security (p=0.01). Diastolic BP was higher for participants with low and very low food security compared to participants with food security (p=0.03). There was no difference in BP by nutrition security status. Participants with food and nutrition insecurity had more symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to participants with food and nutrition security(p<0.05). There were no differences in daily servings of fruit or BMI by food and/or nutrition security status. Conclusion: Latina women with food and/or nutrition insecurity are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. FIM interventions may effectively address food and/or nutrition insecurity, as well as Life’s Essential 8, to improve heart health.