Adequate Food Supply Research Articles

Demographic Dynamics and the Changing Faces of Nutrition Literacy in India: A Tryst with the Transition among Communities Over Two Decades.

The development of a nation depends on well-nourished individuals. A country's economic independence also depends on adequate food supply for all sections of its population and the proper selection of the right kinds of food, called nutritional literacy. This review will show the transition of dietary selection and practices across India over the last two decades and its impact on health. We conducted a literature search to review the evidence of the last two decades. The literature search was done using the PubMed search engine and the MeSH words "Nutrition Literacy, Dietary Practices, Diet Transition, Nutrition transition, India and Food pattern." Evidence from the last two decades was collectively reviewed, and observations on the transition in nutrition literacy were summated. The literature search revealed 18 articles, out of which 13 articles were included in this review based on inclusion-exclusion criteria. Nine were review articles, and five were cross-sectional studies. The studies done over the last two decades on nutrition culture revealed that most of the studies related to transition have been done during the second decade of the twenty-first century. Most have found that the shift has been happening more among the urban poor and rural rich people. Indian diets have diversified and shifted away from cereals towards processed food. It was found that there is a shift in feeding preferences in diet-deprived sections in India. The findings are similar in rural and urban areas where the poor fall prey to the food fads, make poor nutrition choices, and gradually develop chronic ailments. Such a transition over the years clearly shows that a malnourished child, having faulty feeding practices, becomes prey to the triple burden of hidden hunger, lack of nutrition, and repercussions of chronic non-communicable diseases, including dental ailments.

HUBUNGAN POLA ASUH ORANG TUA DENGAN KEJADIAN STUNTING PADA BALITA DI PAUD MELATI KECAMATAN SEMENDAWAI TIMUR KABUPATEN OKU TIMUR TAHUN 2023

Introduction : Stunting is a condition of failure to thrive in children under five years of age due to chronic malnutrition so that children are too short for their age. Factors that cause stunting are maternal factors and poor parenting, especially in the behavior and practice of feeding their children. Parenting is very closely related to the growth and development of children, where children really need an adequate supply of food and nutrition. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the prevalence of stunting under five is still a public health problem. Purpose : This study aims to determine the relationship between parenting styles. parents with the incidence of stunting in toddlers. Methods : The research design used in this study was analytic with a cross-sectional approach using primary data by measuring the height of toddlers. Sampling was carried out at Early Childhood Education Melati, East Semendawai District, East Oku Regency. The sample used in this study was 30 people who met the inclusion criteria. Data analysis using Chi Square. Results : The results of this study are that there is a relationship between parenting style and the incidence of stunting in toddlers in Early Childhood Education, Semendawai Timur District, East Oku Regency with a p-value = 0.000. Conclusion : From the results of this study it can be concluded that the parenting style applied by parents can influence the occurrence of stunting.

Linking microbial contamination to food spoilage and food waste: the role of smart packaging, spoilage risk assessments, and date labeling.

Ensuring a safe and adequate food supply is a cornerstone of human health and food security. However, a significant portion of the food produced for human consumption is wasted annually on a global scale. Reducing harvest and postharvest food waste, waste during food processing, as well as food waste at the consumer level, have been key objectives of improving and maintaining sustainability. These issues can range from damage during processing, handling, and transport, to the use of inappropriate or outdated systems, and storage and packaging-related issues. Microbial growth and (cross)contamination during harvest, processing, and packaging, which causes spoilage and safety issues in both fresh and packaged foods, is an overarching issue contributing to food waste. Microbial causes of food spoilage are typically bacterial or fungal in nature and can impact fresh, processed, and packaged foods. Moreover, spoilage can be influenced by the intrinsic factors of the food (water activity, pH), initial load of the microorganism and its interaction with the surrounding microflora, and external factors such as temperature abuse and food acidity, among others. Considering this multifaceted nature of the food system and the factors driving microbial spoilage, there is an immediate need for the use of novel approaches to predict and potentially prevent the occurrence of such spoilage to minimize food waste at the harvest, post-harvest, processing, and consumer levels. Quantitative microbial spoilage risk assessment (QMSRA) is a predictive framework that analyzes information on microbial behavior under the various conditions encountered within the food ecosystem, while employing a probabilistic approach to account for uncertainty and variability. Widespread adoption of the QMSRA approach could help in predicting and preventing the occurrence of spoilage along the food chain. Alternatively, the use of advanced packaging technologies would serve as a direct prevention strategy, potentially minimizing (cross)contamination and assuring the safe handling of foods, in order to reduce food waste at the post-harvest and retail stages. Finally, increasing transparency and consumer knowledge regarding food date labels, which typically are indicators of food quality rather than food safety, could also contribute to reduced food waste at the consumer level. The objective of this review is to highlight the impact of microbial spoilage and (cross)contamination events on food loss and waste. The review also discusses some novel methods to mitigate food spoilage and food loss and waste, and ensure the quality and safety of our food supply.

Tracking indirect water footprints, virtual water flows, and burden shifts related to inputs and supply chains for croplands: A case for maize in China

Increasing crop yields to ensure an adequate food supply under water and land scarcity is dependent on intensive agricultural inputs (such as fertilizers, pesticides, agri-films, or energy) which consume water resources and generate water pollution. However, the burden shifting of water quantity and quality stress from producers to importer and consumers through agricultural input production, trade, and consumption have been largely overlooked. Here, taking maize in China as the study case, we mapped step-by-step indirect water footprint (IWF) of maize production, virtual water (VW) flows related to inputs driven by maize consumption, and the resulting burden shifting of water quantity and quality. Bottom-up WF accounting approach was applied. The maize consumption was intercepted into two stages: the crop production stage (CPS) from raw materials to the farm, and the crop trade stage (CTS) from farm to fork. Results show that the national average blue and grey IWF of maize production was 3.91 and 26.86 m3/t, respectively. In the CPS, the input-related VW flowed from the west and east coast to the north. In the CTS, the VW flows from the north to the south. Blue and grey VW flows in CTS caused by secondary flows of VW in CPS accounted for 48% and 18% of the total flows, respectively. In total VW flows along the maize supply chain, 63% of blue VW and 71% of grey VW net exports occurred in the north of severe water scarcity and water pollution levels. The analysis highlights the impact of the crop supply chain on water quantity and water quality in the consumption of agricultural inputs, the importance of step-by-step supply chain analysis for regional crop water conservation management, and the urgent need for integrated management of agricultural and industrial water resources.

Food insecurity among households with children during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic

Understanding impacts of the COVID-19 pan­demic among households with children is neces­sary to design appropriate public health responses that protect food and nutrition security. The objec­tive of this research was to understand predictors of food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic among households with at least one child (<18 years), including whether foods reported as out-of-stock were associated with the likelihood of food insecurity. An online survey using validated measures and open-ended questions was distrib­uted to a convenience sample in five states—Louisiana, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, and West Virginia—during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic (April through September of 2020). Predictors of food insecurity (race/ethnicity, age, marital status, education, federal nutrition assistance program participation, number of adults and children in the household, rurality, and missing foods when shopping) among households with children during the COVID-19 pandemic were modeled using logistic regression (p < 0.05, a priori). To further illuminate household experiences during this time, two researchers independently coded open-ended survey question data using inductive and deductive approaches to construct themes. Households with children had increased odds of experiencing food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic if they had the following characteristics: Hispanic ethnicity; age between 25 and 44 years; additional adult household members; economic hardship; SNAP/WIC participation; being widowed, divorced, or separated; and report­ing foods not available when shopping. Partici­pants described mainly negative changes to dietary patterns and practices as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also described food security chal­lenges and ideas for improving food security. Con­sistent with other data collected and analyzed dur­ing the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study contributes findings that emphasize the need for enhanced public health responses and emer­gency preparedness measures that protect food and nutrition security. Because of the increased short- and long-term consequences including exposure to adverse circumstances, impaired learning, risks to mental health, and poor health outcomes, ensuring an adequate food supply is especially important for households with children.

Reflections on the multi-sectoral response to COVID-19 in Bangladesh’s Rohingya refugee camps

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact people globally, refugees comprise a vulnerable population, particularly those living in densely populated areas. In Bangladesh, Cox’s Bazar is currently home to almost a million Rohingya refugees. Because of the lack of healthcare, sanitation and water, as well as overcrowding, refugees were at high risk of becoming ill during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Moreover, superstitions and lack of trust in the healthcare system threaten to put the community at further risk. To prevent tragic consequences, national and international attention and action are required to strengthen the health system for Rohingya refugees. The community will require surveillance and testing, infection prevention and control measures, adequate food supplies, and access to improved healthcare services. This paper calls for a multi-sectoral approach to developing an action plan and implementation strategy to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on this vulnerable population.

Vegetables with Enhanced Iron Bioavailability-German Consumers' Perceptions of a New Approach to Improve Dietary Iron Supply.

Iron deficiency is still widespread as a major health problem even in countries with adequate food supply. It mainly affects women but also vegans, vegetarians, and athletes and can lead to various clinical pictures. Biofortification of vitamin C-rich vegetables with iron may be one new approach to face this nutritional challenge. However, so far, little is known about the consumer acceptance of iron-biofortified vegetables, particularly in developed countries. To address this issue, a quantitative survey of 1000 consumers in Germany was conducted. The results showed that depending on the type of vegetable, between 54% and 79% of the respondents were interested in iron-biofortified vegetables. Regression analysis showed a relationship between product acceptance, gender, and area of residence. In addition, relationships were found between consumer preferences for enjoyment, sustainability, and naturalness. Compared to functional food and dietary supplements, 77% of respondents would prefer fresh iron-rich vegetables to improve their iron intake. For a market launch, those iron-rich vegetables appear especially promising, which can additionally be advertised with claims for being rich in vitamin C and cultivated in an environmentally friendly way. Consumers were willing to pay EUR 0.10 to EUR 0.20 more for the iron-biofortified vegetables.

The impact of the social grants programme on household vulnerability to food insecurity in South Africa: application of a two-stage least squares and implications

Although South Africa has an adequate food supply nationally, household level food insecurity is still prevalent. One well-known social security intervention, the South African social grant programme, aims to provide financial relief to food-insecure households. However, there is lack of empirical evidence on how deep and broad the food security impact of this programme has been. Employing data from a nationally representative sample and using the instrumental variable method, the study examines this issue by measuring the resilience these households have towards vulnerability to food insecurity. The findings revealed that households receiving social grants are vulnerable to food insecurity. Chronic food insecurity prevails in rural-dominated provinces, while urban-dominated provinces mostly have transient food insecurity. Although this programme targets the poor, its unintended negative impact on economic activities would require policy priority. People with disabilities, female-dominated rural households, and environmentally friendly economic activities should all be prioritised in policy.

DETERMINATION OF HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION IN SOME SELECTED VEGETABLES FROM MAMUDO, POTISKUM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, YOBE STATE

Soil is a vital environmental, ecological and agricultural resource that has to be protected from further degradation as an adequate supply of healthy food is needed for the world’s increasing population. Heavy metals’ accumulation in the soil is of great concern in agricultural production due to the adverse effects on food quality, crop growth and environmental health. The concentration of heavy metals [Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd) and Chromium (Cr)] in vegetables (Tomato fruit and Spinach leaves) and soils (Tomato and Spinach soils) were collected from different farmlands in Mamudo, Potiskum L.G.A of Yobe State and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). The results revealed all the heavy metals were detected in all the samples with Zn (7.2), Fe (7.5), Pb (4.0), Cu (113.9), Cd (29.1), Cr (4.7) mg/kg respectively for the tomatoes samples and Zn (7.1), Fe (18.3), Pb (21.8), Cu (95.7), Cd (50.8), and Cr (2.7) mg/kg respectively for the spinach. The concentration of the heavy metals were within the normal range World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) safe limits of 20 – 100, 400 – 500 and 0.5 – 30 for Zn, Fe and Pb respectively in plants samples. But the concentration of the heavy metals were above the normal range WHO/FAO safe limits of 2.5 < 2.4 and < 0.1 – 1 for Cu, Cd, and Cr respectively in plants samples. The high concentration level of Cu, Cd and Cr could be attributed to the high level of metal work, vehicular emissions, addition of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals to the soil to enhance the agricultural crops. Therefore, the vegetables samples are not safe for consumption with regards to Cu, Cd and Cr.

Technology Adoption in Food Supply Chain Management in Developing Countries: A Review

Food loss and waste is one of the major reasons for global food insecurity. Food losses occur at all stages of the food supply chain, including agricultural produce, harvesting, transport, storage, and processing. Food loss and waste are exacerbated by a lack of adequate and effective food supply chain management (FSCM). An effective food supply chain (FSC) includes designing processing and distribution centres, managing the cold chain, and designing reverse logistics. It also includes functions like allocating warehouse storage capacity, vehicle routing and material flow issues, delivery scheduling, and inventory management issues. Adoption of new information technology such as big data and Internet of Things can improve FSC performance and have a significant impact on reducing food waste and loss. An effective system for sharing information can enhance FCC performance, and intelligence in automated retail ordering can prevent food spoilage, while machine learning, and blockchain can improve FSC traceability. However, there are several obstacles to the use of technology in the FSC, particularly in developing countries. These are classified as technical, financial, social, operational, educational, and governmental. This paper provides an in-depth review of the existing literature on the FSC, technology applications in improving FSCM, key challenges associated with technology adoption, and interventions that may help overcome these challenges. It adds to the existing literature on FSCM, especially on issues related to technology adoption in the FSC by developing countries, and is a useful resource for students, researchers and food supply chain professionals.

Decision support systems in irrigation management: Irrigation Facilities Spatial Information System

AbstractAgricultural production and food are strategically important for nutrition, which is the basic requirement of living. Adequate supply of food depends on the sustainability of agricultural activities. Despite the proportional increase in other sectors in water use on a global scale, agriculture is still the largest user. Since Türkiye is located in a semi‐arid climate region, most of the year is dry. Apart from the rainy period, there is not enough water in our streams, especially in periods when irrigation water is needed. For this reason, the water stored in the months when there is a lot of precipitation is used in the months when it is needed for irrigation. The main purpose of irrigation management is to ensure that irrigation water demands within the irrigated area are shared fairly from the spring to the downstream areas in the desired time and amount, in accordance with the current water potential, the capacity of the irrigation system and the actual needs. Although the initial establishment and facility costs of automation and related decision support systems are high, the benefits and added value provided in the medium‐ and long‐term result in the irrigation facilities being preferred more during the operation and maintenance process. Automation applications, especially in closed irrigation systems, can prevent external intervention and water can be supplied to the network according to the real needs. The web‐based application, the Irrigation Facilities Spatial Information System (SUTEM), is designed to monitor, evaluate and report on the operation, maintenance and management activities of the facilities operated by the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works or whose operation, maintenance and management responsibilities are transferred. The requirements are met through a single application that saves time and labour, facilitates control and supervision, standardizes reports and enables transition to a centralized data security structure.

Potential technical parameters for the authentication of carrion meat (tiren): A review

Assuring halal status of animal-based foods is an ongoing challenge in Indonesia. An adequate halal food supply will make it easier for the people to obtain halal-certified foods that contain animal products. The government must reach an agreement on quality infrastructure for its supply chain, considering that basic foodstuffs are the essential ingredients for all edible derivatives. One major obstacle in implementing halal assurance for the consumer is the presence of carrion meat (raw or processed) in the market. The testing standards for the authentication of carrion meat are currently not a priority for either cattle or poultry. Therefore, the aim of this review was to identify important procedures that some experts have carried out for the detection or testing of carrion meat. The information and data collected and analysed may provide potential technical parameters for detecting carrion meat. This review used a descriptive exploratory method and the forum group discussion. As a preliminary result, 14 potential technical parameters were obtained and tested with further verification and evaluation. The technical parameters studied included malachite green-H2O2, correlated protein with meat texture, peroxiredoxin-6, blood biochemistry, blood pH, capacitance value, meat colour, Warner-Bratzler shear force, blood loss variation, meat quality, water holding capacity (WHC), resistance value, E. coli load, and coliform load. The proposed parameters will be discussed by the technical committee by consensus when submitted to the national standard draft.

Geoinformatic approach to potential soil erosion risk assessment in Tulasi watershed

The disintegration of soil grains caused by raindrops initiates the erosion process and is the primary source of erosion on small and steep slopes. Soil loss occurs all across the world, but poor countries are more vulnerable to it due to failure to replenish lost soil and minerals. Asian countries have been highlighted as one of the locations on the globe where soil erosion has proven to be a difficult challenge in terms of development and land resource conservation. Because India is the world's second most populous country and agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, sustainable land management approaches are urgently needed to protect production potential and provide an adequate supply of healthy food for millions. The Tulasi watershed in Maharashtra, India, is distinguished by heavy rain during the monsoon season, undulating and rocky topography and bare hilltops, all of which increase runoff capacity and make top soil more prone to detachment and loosening. In light of this, the current study employs geo-information technologies and the RUSLE model to derive erosion factors such as rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, land cover and management and to estimate the amount and spatial distribution of soil loss in the study area.

Global distribution, traditional and modern detection, diagnostic, and management approaches of Rhizoctonia solani associated with legume crops.

Sustainable development relies heavily on a food system that is both safe and secure. Several approaches may lead to sustainability and food safety. An increase in the cultivation of legume crops is one of the approaches for enhancing agricultural viability and ensuring adequate food supply. Legumes may increase daily intake of fiber, folate, and protein as substitutes for meat and dairy. They are also crucial in various intercropping systems worldwide. However, legume production has been hampered by Rhizoctonia solani due to its destructive lifestyle. R. solani causes blights, damping off, and rotting diseases in legume crops. Our knowledge of the global distribution of R. solani associated with legume crops (alfalfa, soybean, chickpea, pea, lentil, common bean, and peanut), detection, diagnosis, and management of legume crops diseases caused by R. solani is limited. Traditional approaches rely on the incubation of R. solani, visual examination of symptoms on host legume crops, and microscopy identification. However, these approaches are time-consuming, require technical expertise, fail to detect a minimal amount of inoculum, and are unreliable. Biochemical and molecular-based approaches have been used with great success recently because of their excellent sensitivity and specificity. Along with conventional PCR, nested PCR, multiplex PCR, real-time PCR, magnetic-capture hybridization PCR, and loop-mediated isothermal amplification have been widely used to detect and diagnose R. solani. In the future, Next-generation sequencing will likely be used to a greater extent to detect R. solani. This review outlines global distribution, survival, infection and disease cycle, traditional, biochemical, molecular, and next-generation sequencing detection and diagnostic approaches, and an overview of the resistant resources and other management strategies to cope with R. solani.

AVACARD – Menu evaluation index: Construction and validation

IntroductionFood Services are leading actors in the promotion of healthy eating, and menus are tools that provide access to an adequate food supply. Thus, proper menu planning offers healthy food and consecutively healthy food choices. While there is broad recognition of the importance of nutrition, diet, and menu planning for preventing NCDs and other comorbidities, the existing tools for menu analysis mostly lack a validation process. ObjectiveTo develop and validate (content and criteria) the AVACARD - Menu Evaluation Index to measure the instrument's validity, reliability, and reproducibility. MethodologyThe AVACARD was developed from a literature review with five dimensions, including the food laws proposed by Pedro Escudero and a Sustainability/Food Culture dimension. Content validation, internal consistency, reliability, and criteria were performed. The Delphi Technique was used for content validation, using a five-point Likert scale that verified the pertinence and understanding of the items. The instrument was applied to 32 menus practiced in Food Services in the Federal District/Brazil by two independent evaluators and compared to the results obtained by the expert evaluator to verify the reliability, internal consistency, and criterion validation. Internal consistency was analyzed using Cronbach's Alpha, and test-retest reliability between evaluators used the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Criterion validation was performed based on the correlation (Pearson) between the evaluation of the menus and theoretical definitions of the five dimensions that compose the instrument. ResultsThe final instrument (AVACARD) has 59 items and five dimensions (Quantity, Quality, Harmony, Adequacy, and Sustainability/Food Culture). The items obtained CVI> 0.80 for relevance and semantics for all dimensions in content validation. For the other stages of the validation process, AVACARD showed good reproducibility - reliability (ICC >0.90) and excellent internal consistency (α = 0.89), and criterion validation presented a strong correlation (r = 0.98). ConclusionThe analysis offered strong evidence of AVACARD's quality in evaluating menus, thus contributing to better planning of menus in Food Service and offering a healthier and more sustainable diet.

Altered Organic Matter Chemical Functional Groups and Bacterial Community Composition Promote Crop Yield under Integrated Soil–Crop Management System

Sustainable agricultural production is essential to ensure an adequate food supply, and optimal farm management is critical to improve soil quality and the sustainability of agroecosystems. Integrated soil–crop management based on crop models and nutrient management designs has proven useful in increasing yields. However, studies on its effects on the chemical composition of soil organic carbon (SOC) and microbial community composition, as well as their linkage with crop yield, are lacking. Here, we investigated the changes in SOC content, its chemical functional groups, and bacterial communities, as well as their association with crop yield under different farmland management based on four farmland management field trials over 12 years (i.e., FP: farmer practice; IP: improved farmer practice; HY: high-yield system; and ISSM: integrated soil–crop system management). The crop yield increased by 4.1–9.4% and SOC content increased by 15–87% in ISSM compared to other farmland management systems. The increased proportion of Methoxy C and O-alkyl C functional groups with a low ratio of Alkyl C/O-alkyl C, but high Aliphatic C/Aromatic C in ISSM hints toward slow SOC decomposition and high soil C quality. The relative abundances of r-strategists (e.g., Firmicutes, Myxobacteria, and Bacteroidetes) was highest under the ISSM. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed highly complex bacterial communities under ISSM, with greater positive links with labile SOC functional groups. The soil fertility index was the main factor fueling crop yields, as it increased with the relative abundance of r-strategists and SOC content. Our results indicated that crop yield advantages in ISSM were linked to the high C quality and shifts in bacterial composition toward r-strategists by mediating nutrient cycling and soil fertility, thereby contributing to sustainability in cropping systems.

СТАБІЛІЗАЦІЯ ЕКОНОМІКИ КРАЇНИ В УМОВАХ КРИЗИ

Ukraine is currently facing difficult economic conditions caused by Russia's military expansion. At the same time, despite the negative consequences caused by the Russian aggression, the country's economy is showing positive dynamics towards structural changes. In such circumstances, it is important to analyse the methodology for stabilising the country's economy and to find effective forms of attracting international financial assistance, which is a significant factor of supporting the country in times of crisis. The article examines the issues of stabilisation of the country's economy in the context of the crisis. The article analyses forms and methods of stabilisation of the country's economy in crisis conditions. An empirical study of financial measures at the macro and micro levels that had a positive effect on the recovery of the economic situation in the country has been carried out. It is established that under the conditions of martial law, the country's economy has begun to gradually recover since the beginning of 2023. Despite the low production volumes, the overall financial performance is tending to improve. The expected growth in economic forecasts is explained by the fact that Ukraine's energy sector has withstood the air attacks of the aggressor country. Due to this, the economic performance of enterprises, primarily in the retail and service sectors, has improved. The improvement of households' expectations and the growth of state budget expenditures, thanks to international assistance, will support consumer demand. However, the destruction of production facilities and infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, will continue to limit economic activity, and its recovery will require significant resources. It is specified that inflation is decreasing faster than expected, which is facilitated by an adequate supply of food and fuel, a lower electricity shortage, and a favourable situation on the foreign exchange market. An analysis of the activity of other countries in providing assistance to Ukraine made it possible to note that international aid covers the balance of payments gap and helps to build up financial reserves. It has been found that, in general, the National Bank of Ukraine forms positive theses on improving the economic situation in the country for future periods. In conclusion, the main source of financing of the country's budget is international aid and a minor percentage of its own GDP. Due to the stable inflow of international aid, the economy's liquidity has improved. The created liquidity buffer creates the conditions for increasing internal expenditures and paying expenses and fulfilling external obligations in a timely manner.

THE ROLE OF MUSIC THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY AND METABOLIC SYNDROME – PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL CONTEXT

Music therapy is a therapeutic method used in dealing with people suffering from various somatic and mental disorders. The pa¬per discusses the current state of knowledge about the use of music therapy in the management of people suffering from obesity. Attention was paid to the possible positive effect of music therapy on weight control. It also reviews the literature of controlled clinical trials conducted over the past 10 years on the importance of music therapy in the treatment of obesity. These studies show that music therapy can have a positive effect on both weight loss and maintaining an adequate caloric supply of food. The small number of studies, however, does not allow to formulate precise conclusions and unambiguous conclusions. The issue of the ef¬fect of music therapy on the clinical condition of patients suffering from obesity requires further research.

Morbidity and mortality during wars and armed conflicts: trends and patterns

Wars cause an increase in morbidity that occurs not only during but also after war due to damage to medical infrastructure, water and food systems, transportation infrastructure, and power grids. It is known that the incidence of coronary heart disease, arterial hypertension, cerebrovascular and endocrine diseases, mental disorders increases during armed conflicts. Unhealthy lifestyle, as well as lack of physical activity and anxiety-depressive disorders contribute to increased cardiovascular risk in wartime. A separate problem is the health of internally displaced persons, who have higher rates of morbidity and mortality compared to the national average. Accurate data on morbidity and mortality in Ukraine are currently unavailable. A significant part of the morbidity and mortality of Ukrainian civilians during the war is caused by the forced displacement of the population, the unavailability of medical care, and the lack of adequate supply of water and food, the deterioration of the material and financial support of most citizens. These same reasons, combined with the increase in population density, the deterioration of hygienic measures and the violation of immunization campaigns, contribute to the spread of infectious diseases, primarily diarrheal (cholera) and respiratory (measles, COVID-19, tuberculosis). The impact of the war in Ukraine on the health of the population is being actively studied, which will allow to determine the leading trends of this impact and create a plan for the restoration of full-fledged medical care.

Sustainable Food Production from a Labor Supply Perspective: Policies and Implications

Sustainable food production is an important foundation for a country’s development. With the accelerated pace of China’s economic development, many farmers are relocating to cities. This change in farmers’ part-time employment may lead to a shortage of agricultural labor supply and can result in insufficient food production. Therefore, the government implemented grain subsidies to promote food production. This study investigates the impact of grain subsidies on the labor supply of farm households, using panel data from fixed observations in rural China. The results show that grain subsidies increase the agricultural labor time of incompletely divided part-time farmers, especially the time spent growing food. This increase is because the members of these households are more likely to be engaged in temporary-seasonal-nonfarm work, and they can switch between nonfarm and agricultural work more easily. Moreover, this study finds that as the total amount of subsidies received by farmers increases, the effect of per-unit subsidies becomes more pronounced. These findings may provide evidence of subsidy effects and present policy implications for ensuring adequate food supply and sustainable agricultural development in the future.