Abstract
BackgroundPrevious studies have identified poor dietary intake as a health risk affecting survivors of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. We examined the association between different social factors (eg, living conditions and perceptions of community social capital) and dietary intakes among disaster-affected survivors.MethodsWe studied 6,724 survivors in four municipalities of Iwate Prefecture 3 years after the disaster. Social capital was assessed via four items inquiring about respondents’ perceptions of social cohesion in their communities. Good dietary intake was defined according to the following criteria: intake of staple food ≥three times a day; intake of meat, fish and shellfish eggs, or soybean products ≥twice a day; vegetable intake ≥twice a day; and intake of fruit or dairy products ≥once a day. An individual who did not meet any of these criteria was defined as having poor dietary intake. We adjusted for covariates, including socioeconomic status, marital status, and residential area.ResultsPoor dietary intake was reported by 31.6% of respondents. Poisson regression analyses revealed that the following factors were related to poor dietary intake: age <65 years (men: prevalence ratio [PR] 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29–1.71 and women: PR 1.55; 95% CI, 1.36–1.77), difficulties in living conditions (men: PR 1.18; 95% CI, 1.00–1.39 and women: PR 1.19; 95% CI, 1.01–1.40), and low perceptions of community social capital (women: PR 1.20; 95% CI, 1.04–1.38).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that social capital plays a role in promoting healthy dietary intake among women in disaster-affected areas.
Highlights
Food shortages and disruptions to the food supply can affect dietary intakes in the aftermath of a natural disaster.[1,2] The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11, 2011 caused widespread destruction of retail services and transport infrastructure, which adversely affected the food supply in the affected region.[3]
Previous studies have focused on relationships between dietary intakes and various social factors, such as living conditions and housing arrangements of survivors.[4,5,6]
A total of 57.4% of the study population were aged 65 years or older, 31.6% were classified as having poor dietary intake, 17.2% answered that their living conditions were difficult=severe, 30.5% were living in temporary housing, 18.9% were in the low Social capital (SC) group, and 28.5% had some mental health problems
Summary
Food shortages and disruptions to the food supply can affect dietary intakes in the aftermath of a natural disaster.[1,2] The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11, 2011 caused widespread destruction of retail services and transport infrastructure, which adversely affected the food supply in the affected region.[3]. High consumption of meat and eggs and was more prevalent in younger-aged survivors and men.[4] In another survey conducted in 2012, evacuees living in temporary housing were found to have low dietary intakes of fruits and vegetables, meat, soybean products, and dairy products.[6]. Previous studies have identified poor dietary intake as a health risk affecting survivors of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. We examined the association between different social factors (eg, living conditions and perceptions of community social capital) and dietary intakes among disaster-affected survivors
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