Dietary Diversity Research Articles

Dietary diversity and associated factors among infants and young children in three West African countries.

Providing children healthy diversified diets is important for their optimal growth and development. The high prevalence of under-nourishment during the critical early life period is of serious concern in West Africa. We assessed the level of dietary diversity and associated factors for children aged 6-23 months in Côte d'Ivoire, Niger and Senegal. Prior 24 h dietary intake was assessed for 3,528 children (Côte d'Ivoire: N = 118; Niger: N = 763; Senegal: N = 2,647) using the Diet Quality Questionnaire survey tool administered to primary caregivers. Cluster random sampling was conducted for urban and rural areas in Niger and Senegal and simple random sampling was used in Côte d'Ivoire, where only rural households were selected. Survey data were analyzed to determine children's intake of items from eight food groups: breast milk; grains, roots, tubers and plantains; pulses, nuts and seeds; dairy products; flesh foods; eggs; vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables; and other fruits and vegetables. Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) was assessed based on the consumption of ≥5 of the 8 food groups. In all countries, the majority of children were ≥ 12 months of age and from rural households. Children from poor/very poor households ranged from 32.4 to 41.9%. MDD prevalence was 54.2% in Côte d'Ivoire, 33.3% in Niger and 30.8% in Senegal. In all three countries, children 12-23 months had significantly higher consumption of six of the food groups, compared to those 6-11 months, and children ≥12 months had a higher likelihood of MDD, compared to infants, in Niger (aOR = 4.25; 95% CI: 2.46, 7.36) and Senegal (aOR = 2.69; 95% CI: 2.15, 3.35). MDD prevalence was higher among children in urban, compared to rural, areas in Niger (p = 0.020) and Senegal (p < 0.001) and significantly higher in the wealthiest, compared to poorest, households. This study suggests most young children in Côte d'Ivoire, Niger and Senegal are not receiving an adequately diversified diet, with a reliance on starchy staples and lower intake of high-quality protein sources. Our results highlight socio-economic barriers to attaining dietary diversity in these settings and stress the urgent and continuing need for investments in strategies that support optimal complementary feeding practices.

Are first-trimester pregnant women consuming adequate and diverse diet? A hospital-based cross-sectional study in Karachi, Pakistan

BackgroundMaintaining a healthy and diverse diet during pregnancy is crucial for maternal well-being and fetal development. The first trimester marks the beginning of vital developmental processes influenced by maternal nutritional status. Therefore, we aimed to determine dietary adequacy and diversity among first-trimester pregnant women.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we recruited 306 first-trimester pregnant women from the antenatal clinics of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi (January 2020 to September 2021). Eligible women possessed smartphones (for the mHealth intervention trial) and reported no major comorbidities or medication use. Data about socio-demographic, obstetric, and dietary history were collected through interviews using a structured questionnaire. Booking weight, height, blood pressure, and haemoglobin levels were extracted from medical records. An aggregate dietary risk score (DRS) was calculated separately for quantity and quality by summing the DRS for each of the six major food groups. A score of 0 was assigned to adequate, 1.5 to intermediate, and 3 to inadequate quantity or quality categories. Data were analysed using STATA 14.0.ResultsThe mean ± SD for DRS quantity and quality were 10.6 ± 2.4 and 7.5 ± 2.5, respectively. Adequate dietary quantity and quality per week for starch-based food were reported by 14.4% and 21.2%, for vegetables by 0.3% and 49%, for fruits by 41.2% and 88.6%, for animal and plant protein by 19% and 0%, for milk and milk products by 1% and 37.6% and for oils and fats by 90.5% and 8.8%, respectively. Sweet and savoury snacks were eaten by 74.8% and 53.9%, respectively. Ready-made meals, carbonated beverages, packaged juices, and additional salt were consumed by 55.2%, 46.4%, 34.3%, and 7.5%, respectively. The median (IQR) water intake was 6 (4–8) glasses/day.ConclusionsDuring the early stages of pregnancy, women enrolled for antenatal care at an urban private tertiary care hospital report inadequate dietary intake for various food groups, except for the quantity of oils/fats and the quality of fruit consumption. Poor dietary practices underscore the need for focused and impactful dietary counselling during the initial stages of pregnancy.

Dietary diversity, undernutrition, and predictors among pregnant adolescents and young women attending Gulu University teaching hospitals in northern Uganda.

Undernutrition has deleterious consequences to both the mother and the unborn child, significantly contributing to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. We assessed dietary diversity, the prevalence, and predictors of undernutrition among pregnant adolescents and young women (PAYW) attending antenatal clinic (ANC) at two large teaching hospitals in northern Uganda. Between 12th June 2023 to 27th October 2023, we conducted a facility-based, cross-sectional study at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital (GRRH) and St Mary's Hospital Lacor (SMHL), both in Gulu district, Uganda. We recruited PAYW aged 15-24 years attending ANCs. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the study participants were collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. Undernutrition was defined as a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of < 23 cm. Modified Poisson regression analysis was performed to determine factors independently associated with undernutrition. Data analyses was performed using STATA version 17.0. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 324 participants, with a mean age of 21.2±2.2 years were enrolled. About 62.0% (n = 201) of the participants dewormed during pregnancy. The prevalence of undernutrition was 12.7% [n = 41]. Prevalence was higher among participants who maintained pre-pregnancy diet (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 2.27, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.26-4.05, p = 0.006), those who did not receive nutritional education (aPR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.21-4.20, p = 0.011) and consumption of non-green leafy vegetables (aPR = 4.62 95% CI: 1.64-13.01, p = 0.004). The prevalence of undernutrition was lower among participants who consumed milk and milk products (aPR = 0.44 95% CI: 0.24-0.81, p = 0.009) and among those who consumed fish and seafood compared to those who did not (aPR = 0.45 95% CI: 0.20-1.00, p = 0.050). About 1 in 8 of PAYW attending GRRH or SMHL had undernutrition, particularly those who lacked education about feeding habits during pregnancy and limited access to milk and milk products, fish and seafoods. We recommend health workers to offer timely education of pregnant adolescent and young women mothers about good feeding habits during pregnancy, appropriate monitoring of weight gain and physiological changes during pregnancy.

Gathering, agriculture, and exchange: an ethnoecological approach to the study of food patterns and feedstuff sources in communities of the Central Andes, Peru

BackgroundHistorically, the Andean people have experienced uncertainty in terms of the availability of food resources because of climatic and ecological variations that are typical of mountainous environments. Risk management strategies, including the diversified and complementary use and management of species and ecosystems at different elevations, have faced such uncertainty. The current effects of climate change on food security motivate studies on subsistence adaptative strategies. TEK offers extraordinary experience and local biocultural memory to meet present and future needs. From an ethnoecological perspective, we aim to identify the variety of local foods in Andean communities, their cultural and nutritional value for local people, their use frequencies, and their forms to obtain them from different environments, productive systems, and interchanges. We expected to identify traditional Andean diversified subsistence patterns despite the pressure of modern food and interchange systems.MethodsThis study was conducted in two communities in the highlands of the Department of Huánuco, Peru. We conducted 24 semistructured interviews with households sampled through the snowball method. We asked about their daily life food, plant and animal components of diet, frequencies and seasons in which they are consumed, and ways to obtain them. We complemented the information through ethnobotanical collection of wild, weedy, and ruderal edible plants and records on domestic and wild animals included in the diet.ResultsWe recorded 37 crop species, 13 domestic animals, 151 wild, weedy, and ruderal food plant species, the 3 most commonly consumed wild animals, and 52 processed products obtained from local stores and markets. The main crops are potato and maize, while the main domestic animals included in the diet are cattle, pigs, and sheep. Rice, pasta, and bread are the main raw and processed foods included in the diet. Crops represent nearly half of the food consumed and purchased (in kg/year), and tubers and cereals provide most of the kilocalories, carbohydrates and proteins. Wild, weedy, and ruderal plants are consumed in relatively low amounts and at relatively low frequencies per species, but overall, they constitute a significant proportion of the kg of annually consumed food (14.4% in Cani and 9.6% in Monte Azul). Knowledge and use of these resources play a key role in local cuisine and nutrition.ConclusionThe current food patterns studied are based on diverse diets, including multiple feedstuffs, sources, and practices to obtain them, which reflects the traditional Andean subsistence pattern. The increasing adoption of processed food has influenced the declining consumption of local food, mainly among young people. Communication and policies to promote local food, emphasizing the role of wild plants and their adequate consumption, and provide information on their nutritional value are recommended to support efforts toward food sovereignty and conservation of Andean biocultural diversity.

Gendered financial & nutritional benefits from access to pay-as-you-go LPG for cooking in an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya

This study investigates the association between adoption of pay-as-you-go (PAYG) liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), an emerging alternative to full cylinder LPG, and women's economic empowerment in an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. From December 2021-January 2022, 293 customers of a PAYG LPG company (PayGo Energy) were surveyed on their cooking patterns, financial savings and shifts in dietary behaviors following uptake of the technology. Among PayGo Energy customers that previously cooked only with polluting fuels (N = 78; 27 % of customers), daily cooking time was reduced by an average of 42 min/day; 82 % of PayGo Energy customers that previously cooked with full cylinder LPG (N = 216; 73 % of customers) also decreased their cooking time (average of 20 min/day) when switching to PAYG LPG. The majority (58 %; N = 70) of female household heads took on additional employment after switching to PAYG LPG, compared with 36 % (N = 55) of females living in male-headed households. Among female household heads, the proportion of informal sector workers earning wages on an irregular (71 %) or daily basis (61 %) that took on new income-generating activities after transitioning to PAYG LPG was over 20 % higher than those earning monthly salaries (39 %). Increased dietary diversity and consumption of protein-rich foods (legumes, meat, fish) from cooking with PAYG LPG was reported by 15 % of female household heads compared with 5 % of those living in male-headed households. While nearly three-quarters (73 %) of PayGo Energy customers would recommend the service to others because of the added convenience it provides, only one-third (29 %) reported associated health benefits as a key reason for promoting use of PAYG LPG to community members. Female household heads were more likely than non-household heads to be socioeconomically empowered when adopting PAYG LPG, illustrating that women's agency may influence the associated benefits of clean energy transitions. Nonetheless, the time savings reported by nearly all women who switched to PAYG LPG for cooking suggests that promoting the increased convenience of cooking with PAYG LPG may be useful for accelerating its adoption..

Public Health Significance of Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli: An Overview

Meat is a global vital protein source catering to diverse diets. By 2050, world’s population may rise to 9 billion and the demand for meat will exceed supply, necessitating a doubling of meat production. Nutritionally rich composition makes meat, a fertile ground for numerous microbes, leading to spoilage and foodborne illnesses, impacting human health. External factors like poor hygiene, inadequate post-production storage, mishandling and more contribute to meat contamination. The zoonotic strains of E. coli can cause severe food poisoning, with over 700 identified serotypes, hence it is crucial to identify, monitor and control E. coli to ensure food safety. Among E. coli pathotypes, Verocytotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) stands out as major cause of food poisoning. The VTEC toxin (Shiga toxin), can induce mild diarrhea to severe form of illness like Hemorrhagic Uremic Syndrome and Hemorrhagic Colitis, posing a severe public health risk. The Cattle is a primary reservoir for VTEC, which, by faecal shedding, can pollute food, water and the environment. Furthermore, E. coli can spread through contaminated meat, raw milk and milk products. This bacterium is commonly found in the immediate surroundings of animal reservoir, including soil, grass and manure, leading to potential contamination of milk. E. coli infections not only impact humans but also animals, with cattle, sheep and poultry acting as reservoirs for different E. coli strains. Cattle populations frequently harbor E. coli O157:H7 asymptomatic carriers, contributing to faecal contamination of food and water sources. Educating the public about the risks associated with improper meat handling and contamination is essential to reduce foodborne illnesses. Monitoring and surveillance of meat quality in local markets, as are crucial steps towards ensuring food safety. This underscores the importance of understanding and managing E. coli contamination in meat to safeguard public health and ensure the safety of meat products in the global food supply chain.

Maternal dietary diversity and its association with infant birth weight: a healthcare centre based cross-sectional study

BackgroundMaternal nutrition during pregnancy is essential to fetal growth and producing a healthy child. This study aims to investigate the relationship between maternal dietary diversity and neonatal weight among pregnant women referred to health centers in Qazvin.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of 1076 pregnant women referred to healthcare centers affiliated by Qazvin University of Medical Sciences from April to June 2019. The dietary information of study participants was collected by a food frequency questionnaire. It was used to determine their dietary patterns by applying a factor analysis with a varimax rotation using SPSS software, version 20. Regarding the women's Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), women were categorized into two groups: inadequate (DDS < 4) and adequate (DDS ≥ 4) dietary diversity. The primary outcome was birth weight, and a log-binomial model was run to test the association between DSS and birth outcomes in the study population. The analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics for Windows version 20.0.ResultsStudy findings revealed that mothers with higher dietary diversity scores were those with normal BMI and normal levels of hemoglobin who had 8–10.9 kg maternal weight gain and were headed by an employed husband (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the risk of low birth weight in newborns of mothers with inadequate dietary patterns was 2.6 times higher (ARR = 95% CI 2.6, 1.4, 5.12) compared to the newborns from mothers with adequate diets.ConclusionInsufficient intake of dietary diversity during pregnancy can potentially increase the likelihood of low birth weight in newborns. Thus, we recommend that health system authorities prioritize the planning for healthy nutrition of pregnant mothers in different geographical regions, specifically remote, rural, and deprived areas of the country.

Diet Quality Among Mothers and Children in India: Roles of Social and Behavior Change Communication and Nutrition-Sensitive Social Protection Programs

BackgroundLimited evidence exists on determinants of maternal and child diet quality. ObjectivesThis study examined the role of social and behavior change communication (SBCC) and nutrition-sensitive social protection (NSSP) programs on maternal and child diet quality. MethodsData were from cross-sectional phone survey on 6627 Indian mothers that took place in late 2021. The Diet Quality Questionnaire (DQQ) was used to measure maternal and child diet quality, including minimum dietary diversity (MDD), dietary diversity scores (DDSs), noncommunicable disease (NCD)-protect and NCD-risk scores, adherence to dietary guidelines (All-5 and India-All-6), and unhealthy child feeding. Multivariate regression models were used to explore the association between diet indicators and coverage of SBCC and NSSP programs. ResultsMaternal and child diet quality was suboptimal, with more mothers (57%) achieving MDD than children (23%). SBCC was positively associated with healthy food consumption in children (odds ratio [OR]: 2.14 for MDD; β: 0.60 for DDS and 0.54 for NCD-protect) and mothers (β: 0.38 for DDS and 0.43 for NCD-protect). Cash transfers were associated with healthier diets in mothers (OR: 1.45 for MDD, 1.86 for All-5, and 2.14 for India-All-6; β: 0.43 for DDS and 0.26 for NCD-protect), but less associations noted for children (β: 0.14 for NCD-protect). Receiving food was associated not only with healthier diets in mothers (OR: 1.47 for MDD; β: 0.27 for DDS and 0.33 for NCD-protect) and children (β: 0.19 for DDS and 0.15 for NCD-protect) but also with unhealthy food in children (OR: 1.34). Exposure to multiple programs showed stronger associations with diet quality. ConclusionsSBCC has greater positive impact on child feeding than food and cash transfers, while cash has a stronger association with improved maternal diets. Food and cash are also associated with unhealthy food consumption. Our study underscores the importance of interventions that combine education, resource provision, and targeted support to promote maternal and child diet quality.

Animal source foods consumptions on complementary feeding during COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia

PurposeComplementary feeding practices was more difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic due to economic instability, especially for animal source foods (ASFs) consumption. According to the problem, the purpose of this study was to determine the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic on ASFs consumption and ASFs consumption related factors on complementary feeding in Indonesia.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional study was targeted at mothers of children aged 6–23 months during pandemic. A total of 574 respondents were obtained through online questionnaire.FindingsThis study found that flesh food, including fish/seafood, organ meat, meat, poultry and processed meat, were associated with all economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic; in contrast, those economic impacts did not affect the dairy product and egg consumption. Multivariate analysis showed children with older age (AOR: 1.13, 95%CI: 1.04–3.26), meet minimum dietary diversity (AOR: 2.17, 95%CI: 1.56–5.44) and are from high income level household (AOR: 1.14, 95%CI: 1.09–2.10) contributed to ASFs consumption.Practical implicationsOther strategies aimed at enhancing food security to increase ASFs consumption on complementary feeding. The government may consider short-term emergency purchasing subsidies and macro-control of the ASFs market. Nutrition education is also required to improve knowledge related to importance of ASFs consumption for children.Originality/valueThis study reveals the association between each food group of ASFs consumption on complementary feeding and the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

Influence of Certain Biostimulants on the Vegetative Growth of Annual Moringa (Moringa oleifera. Lam)

Due to the importance of moringa leaves which can help improve the dietary diversity and quality of households that need to improve their nutritional intake, being a potential alternate source of protein, and for the sake of increasing its growth and yield, this study is determine the effect of some biofertilizers, amino acids and seaweed extract on vegetative growth of moringa seedlings As well as, to find out the best fertilization treatment to improve the vegetative growth of Moringa and reducing the intensive use of chemical fertilizers. This study was conducted in the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture (Saba-Basha), Alexandria University, Egypt, during two consecutive seasons of 2020 and 2021, to study the effect of biofertilizers, amino acids, and seaweed extract and its combinations on the growth of Moringa (Moringa oleifera, L.). The experiment was designed as split-split plot design it included 27 treatments with three replicates. The results revealed that the highest significant values of vegetative growth as plant height (171.8 cm), stem length (87.30 cm), stem diameter (3.49 cm), leaves fresh weight (70.61 g), leaves dry weight (13.35g), number of leaves per plant (72.03), and number of leaves per shoot (54.41) were achieved when the trees were soil bio-fertilized and sprayed with the investigated amino acid 700 mg/l + seaweed extract 700 mg/l + cerealine (T26) for both seasons of study. While the number of branches per plant (15.28), shoot fresh weight (138.1g), and shoot dry weight (24.07g) were concerned, the highest values were obtained when the plants were treated with soil bio-fertilization (Phosphorine), sprayed with amino acids, and seaweed extract, as the abovementioned treatments, amino acid 700 mg/l + seaweed extract 700 mg/l + Phosphorine (T25), for both seasons of study compared to the other treatments and control.

Analysis of the Occurrence and Influencing Factors of Oral Frailty in Elderly Residents of Elderly Care Facilities

To investigate the occurrence and influencing factors of oral frailty in elderly residents of elderly care facilities and to provide a basis for the development of effective intervention programs for oral frailty in this population. A combination of subjective and objective measurements of oral frailty, a general information questionnaire, a leisure activity questionnaire, the Dietary Variety Score (DVS), the Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ), the Short-Form Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF), Barthel Index (BI), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), 15-Item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-2 (GAD-2) were used to survey 348 elderly residents in three elderly care facilities in Chengdu and to analyze the factors related to oral frailty. The prevalence of oral frailty in elderly residents of elderly care facilities was 31.0% (108/348). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that advanced age (odds ratio [OR]=1.347, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.237-1.496, P<0.001), cognitive impairment (OR=6.769, 95% CI: 2.628-18.916, P<0.001), and depression (OR=8.632, 95% CI: 1.931-44.387, P=0.007) were risk factors for oral frailty in elderly residents of elderly care facilities. High scores in leisure activities (OR=0.883, 95% CI: 0.786-0.986, P=0.030), and dietary diversity (OR=0.199, 95% CI: 0.069-0.530, P=0.002) were protective factors against oral frailty. The prevalence of oral frailty is relatively high among elderly residents of elderly care facilities. Risk factors for oral frailty include advanced age, cognitive impairment, and depression, while increased levels of leisure activities and dietary diversity can help prevent the occurrence of oral frailty in elderly individuals.

Study of prevalence of minimum acceptable diet and associated factors among children aged 6-24 months in rural Gurugram, Haryana, India

Background: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) is the key area to improve survival of child and promotion of growth and development of the child. For assessing the IYCF for children aged 6-24 months, minimum acceptable diet (MAD) is one of the core indicators. A community based cross sectional study was done to assess the MAD and its associated factors among children aged 6-24 months in rural Gurugram, Haryana. Methods: A sample of 200 mother-child dyads were interviewed. Majority of children (90.1%) did not receive MAD. Results: The proportion of children who has received minimum diet diversity (MDD) and minimum meal frequency (MMF) were 14% and 61% respectively. More than three fourth (77.5%) of children consumed junk food in last 24 hours dietary recall. Conclusions: Counselling of mothers, encouraging involvement of fathers and extended family members in adequate feeding practices was done.

Association of combined low physical activity and low dietary diversity with mild cognitive impairment among community-dwelling Japanese older adults.

This study aimed to investigate the potential association between the combination of low physical activity and low dietary diversity with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older Japanese adults. Data from 600 older adults (mean age 74.1 ± 6.4 years; 62.0% women) were analyzed. We evaluated dietary variety based on the Food Frequency Score (FFS) (maximum 30 points) by assessing the one-week consumption frequencies of ten foods. An FFS of ≤ 16 indicated low dietary diversity. We assessed MCI using the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology (NCGG) Functional Assessment Tool. Physical activity levels was determined based on participant responses to two questions: "Do you engage in moderate levels of physical exercise or sports aimed at health?" and "Do you engage in low levels of physical exercise aimed at health?". Participants who responded "No" to both questions were classified as having low physical activity levels. We classified the participants into robust, low-dietary diversity, low-physical activity, and coexistence groups. The overall prevalence of MCI was 20.7%, with rates in the robust, low dietary diversity, low physical activity, and coexistence groups of 17.7%, 24.7%, 25.0%, and 41.9%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that low dietary diversity and physical activity were associated with MCI in older adults (odds ratio [OR] 2.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-6.28). The results of the present study demonstrated the association of the co-occurrence of low dietary diversity and low physical activity with MCI. Older adults with both risk factors may require early detection, as well as physical activity and dietary interventions.

Text messages to improve young child diets: Results from acluster-randomized controlled trial in Kanchanpur,Nepal.

The objective of this study was to test whether adding a text message campaign about the importance of eating eggs and other nutrition-related behaviours to an on-going package of large-scale, diverse social and behaviour change interventions would improve four types of nutrition-related knowledge and behaviour outcomes: child diets (egg consumption as the primary outcome), maternal diets, maternal nutrition knowledge, and maternal participation in additional interventions. The cluster-randomized controlled trial involved a repeat cross-sectional design, recruiting families with children 12-23 months of age at baseline and endline in one plains district of Nepal. Throughout the 1000-day period, 51 text messages were sent to each household at specific time points to reinforce ideal diets and other nutrition-related practices and promote engagement with community health workers and other intervention platforms. The primary outcome was egg consumption and dietary diversity among young children. We found no population-level effect. Some evidence supports that for those who received and opened the SMS intervention, it improved child egg consumption (odds ratio [OR]: 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.93), child minimum dietary diversity (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.07-1.73), child dietary diversity scores (β: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.01-0.24), as well as maternal IYCF knowledge (β: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.08-0.35), participation in health mothers' groupmeetings (OR: 3.03, 95% CI: 1.91-4.84) and Bhanchhin Aama listenership (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.07-1.73). This study highlights the importance of more research to understand the effectiveness of emerging digital interventions for behaviour change among specific populations, to facilitate nuanced targeting to those who can best benefit from these investments. Registered at clinicaltrials.gov with identifier NCT03926689.

Urban-rural disparities in minimum acceptable diet intake among children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia: A multivariable Decomposition analysis of Ethiopian demographic and health survey 2019.

The achievement of the minimum acceptable diet intake (MAD) stands at 14% among urban and 10% among rural under-five children in Ethiopia. Consequently, identifying the determinants of the urban-rural gap is vital for advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering healthier communities, and developing evidence-driven approaches to enhance health outcomes and address disparities. The objective of the study was to decompose the urban-rural disparities in minimum acceptable diet intake in Ethiopia using the Ethiopian Mini-Demographic and Health Survey 2019 data. The study was conducted using the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2019 report. A total of 1,496 weighted children aged 6-23 months were included using stratified sampling techniques. The main outcome variable minimum acceptable diet was calculated as a combined proportion of minimum dietary diversity and minimum meal frequency. A decomposition analysis was used to analyze the factors associated with the urban-rural discrepancy of minimum acceptable diet intake, and the results were presented using tables and figures. The magnitude of minimum acceptable diet among children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia was 11.0%. There has been a significant disparity in the intake of minimum acceptable diet between urban and rural under-five children with 14 and 10%, respectively. Endowment factors were responsible for 70.2% of the discrepancy, followed by 45.1% with behavioral coefficients. Educational status of college and above was responsible for narrowing the gap between urban and rural residents by 23.9% (β = 0.1313, 95% CI: 0.0332-0.245). The number of children in the household and the age of the child between 18 and 23 months were responsible for widening the gap in minimum acceptable diet intake discrepancy between urban and rural residents by 30.7% and 3.36%, respectively (β = -0.002, 95% CI: -0.003 to -0.0011 and β = -30.7, 95% CI: -0.025 - -0.0085). From the effect coefficients, the effect of institutional delivery was responsible for 1.99% of the widening of the gap between urban and rural residents in minimum acceptable diet intake (β = -0.0862, 95% CI: -0.1711 - -0.0012). There is a significant variation between urban and rural residents in minimum acceptable diet. The larger portion of the discrepancy was explained by the endowment effect. Educational status of mothers with college and above, parity, age of child, and place of delivery were the significant factors contributing to the discrepancy of minimum acceptable diet intake between urban and rural residents.

Feeding behavior varies based upon prey defenses in the ground snake (Squamata: Serpentes: Sonora episcopa)

AbstractPredators with diverse diets can use generalized feeding behavior to consume different prey types or can alter behavior based upon the functional demands of each prey type. Prey choice and feeding behavior are especially important for limbless, gape‐limited predators, such as snakes, because the head must capture, subdue, and ingest prey. Although previous studies have described how snakes feed on dangerous prey, these studies have not compared how behaviors might vary with different prey types. We analyzed the feeding behavior of ground snakes (Sonora episcopa) that were fed scorpions, spiders, and centipedes. Ground snakes successfully consumed each prey type using different behaviors for each prey. To capture prey, snakes used the unusual behavior of pinning prey with the ventral surface of the head with a closed mouth strike before biting. Snakes grasped and envenomated scorpions in all trials, and this behavior lasted significantly longer for scorpions than for spiders. During envenomation, snakes used their body to pin the telson of the scorpion to reduce the likelihood of being stung. Rather than using body restraint to subdue spiders, the snakes often dragged spiders across the substrate with the mandible. Scorpions repeatedly pinched and stung snakes during feeding and snakes used body restraint to subdue this prey significantly more often than spiders. Our study revealed that ground snakes alter feeding behavior based upon prey defenses and use novel prey capture and handling behaviors to subdue prey, suggesting there is yet unappreciated diversity of feeding behavior in snakes allowing them to exploit dangerous arthropod prey.

Nutritional and Medicinal Contribution of Wild Fruit Plants in Ethiopia

Wild fruit plants are used by rural populations around the world, including Ethiopia, as supplemental foods to improve dietary diversity. Because wild fruits are inexpensive and widely accessible in rural regions, they can help prevent hunger or malnutrition and ensure food diversity. This review aims to give a summary of the most recent research on the nutritional value and potential medical benefits of wild fruits for rural households. Antioxidant-rich naturally-occurring compounds found in wild fruits help to reduce non-communicable diseases. These days, non-communicable diseases like cancer, chronic respiratory conditions, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are the world’s biggest health problems. These plants, which are grown widely throughout nearly all of Ethiopia, offer a number of health and nutritional benefits. Many ethnic groups use these fruits as a seasonal or emergency food source, which helps to reduce food insecurity.

Trends in Complementary Feeding Indicators in Children Aged 6-23 Months According to Participation in a Conditional Cash Transfer Program: Data from the Brazilian Food and Nutrition Surveillance System, 2015-2019.

Inadequate practices during complementary feeding are associated with malnutrition, especially in children experiencing vulnerable conditions and social inequality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the trends in complementary feeding indicators (CFIs) according to participation in a Brazilian cash transferu program-the Bolsa Família Program (BFP). This was a time-series study with secondary data from 600,138 children assisted from 2015 to 2019 and registered within the Brazilian Food and Nutrition Surveillance System. The CFIs assessed were food introduction, minimum meal frequency and appropriate consistency, minimum dietary diversity, iron-rich food, vitamin A-rich food, ultra-processed food consumption, and zero vegetable or fruit consumption. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the CFIs according to BFP, the region of residence, and the child's age. The Prais-Winsten regression method was used to analyze the temporal trend. There was a steady trend for all CFIs of a healthy diet. A decrease in ultra-processed food consumption for both BFP (-10.02%) and non-BFP children (-9.34%) was observed over the years. Children residing in the North and Northeast regions and those enrolled in the BFP were more distant from the recommended feeding practices when compared to the other regions and non-BFP children. The results highlight the relevance of nutritional surveillance and the need to improve food and nutrition public policies for children aged 6-23 months, particularly for those experiencing greater social vulnerability.

The role of Gut Microbiota and Probiotics in physical performance of athletes - Literature review

INTRODUCTION: The human gut microbiota is an extremely diverse and complex ecosystem that inhibits the mucous membranes of the intestines. It is probable that the microbiota, with its capacity to influence the immune system and establish the conditions required for metabolic and structural functions essential for maintaining homeostasis, may significantly affect the health, well-being, and performance of athletes. PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to present the current state of knowledge about the differences in athletes’ gut microbiota, how these changes affect their physical performance and uncover the mechanisms behind gut microbiota and probiotics in physical performance among population of athletes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The following review was conducted using the articles from the Pubmed and Google Scholar databases, employing keywords related to gut microbiota, athletes, physical performance. We collected studies performed on populations of athletes, exploring different sport disciplines. CONCLUSIONS: Numerous studies have investigated the gut microbiota of athletes, emphasizing the impact of both training and diet. Athletes' unique dietary regimens, including higher protein or carbohydrates intake, influence their gut microbiome, leading to enhanced performance. These findings uncover that diet diversity correlates with gut diversity, which is linked to metabolic benefits and a lean phenotype. Studies on rugby players, cyclists, and marathoners reveal that certain microbial species, like Prevotella and Veillonella, are more abundant in athletes and play significant roles in nutrient metabolism and exercise recovery. These findings suggest that the interaction between athletic lifestyle and the gut microbiota affects positively the metabolism of the host, by enhancing microbiota diversity, and increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria.

Effects and remediation of heavy metals contamination in soil and vegetables from different areas: A review

Heavy metals are non-biodegradable and thus persist in the environment, potentially infiltrating the food chain via crop plants and accumulating in the human body through biomagnification. Due to their toxic nature, heavy metal poisoning poses a severe threat to human health and the environment. Consuming vegetables contaminated with heavy metals can lead to increased accumulation of these metals in the human body. This review discusses the risks of heavy metal contamination in various areas, as reported in some research studies, and the implications for human health. Data obtained from several journals indicated that levels of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in vegetables were generally within permissible limits, though cadmium concentrations were found to be low in some studies. High concentrations of lead (Pb) can affect metabolic functions, growth, and photosynthetic activities. Cadmium (Cd) levels, which are lower than the permissible limit of 0.2 mg kg−1 set by WHO, can lead to chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in cells. Zinc (Zn) levels were within permissible limits except in lettuce and spinach in some findings. Low zinc content in vegetables impacts human health, plant health, and agricultural productivity. Addressing zinc deficiency requires integrated approaches such as soil management, crop biofortification, and dietary diversification. Ensuring adequate zinc levels is essential for improving public health and achieving sustainable agricultural practices. Addressing heavy metal contamination in vegetables requires a combination of remediation and preventive strategies. Implementing soil and water management practices can mitigate these risks and ensure the safe production of vegetables.