High Levels Of Food Insecurity Research Articles

A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach to Identifying Facilitators and Barriers to Social Service Utilization for Food Pantry Clients in the South Bronx

Noting the importance of food assistance programs to low income families in New York City (NYC), the research questions for the present study were: (1) What are the facilitators and barriers to social service utilization for food pantry clients in the South Bronx?, and (2) Does receiving food pantry services serve as a point of entry for social service utilization? We surveyed 218 food pantry clients at a community-based, social service organization based in the South Bronx. Our findings indicate that being aware of local social services was the strongest predictor for utilizing social services. Social service utilization was also predicted by high use of the food pantry (weekly or more); high levels of food insecurity, depressive symptoms; and the ability to communicate ef-fectively in English. Given rising inflation costs and the continued higher expenses as-sociated with food consumption in the United States generally and in NYC specifically, our findings suggest that food pantry sites in the South Bronx bear the potential to be vital entry points for social service referral and utilization, particularly for the screen-ing and assessment of depressive symptoms. Given these findings, nonprofit leaders and social service funders should prioritize capacity building of food pantries as sites for the delivery of health promotion interventions and social services.

A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach to Identifying Facilitators and Barriers to Social Service Utilization for Food Pantry Clients in the South Bronx

Noting the importance of food assistance programs to low income families in New York City (NYC), the research questions for the present study were: (1) What are the facilitators and barriers to social service utilization for food pantry clients in the South Bronx?, and (2) Does receiving food pantry services serve as a point of entry for social service utilization? We surveyed 218 food pantry clients at a community-based, social service organization based in the South Bronx. Our findings indicate that being aware of local social services was the strongest predictor for utilizing social services. Social service utilization was also predicted by high use of the food pantry (weekly or more); high levels of food insecurity, depressive symptoms; and the ability to communicate ef-fectively in English. Given rising inflation costs and the continued higher expenses as-sociated with food consumption in the United States generally and in NYC specifically, our findings suggest that food pantry sites in the South Bronx bear the potential to be vital entry points for social service referral and utilization, particularly for the screen-ing and assessment of depressive symptoms. Given these findings, nonprofit leaders and social service funders should prioritize capacity building of food pantries as sites for the delivery of health promotion interventions and social services.

The COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity, and psychosocial well-being in young South Africans newly diagnosed with HIV: a mediation analysis.

Poor psychological well-being, including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, is both prevalent among young South Africans living with HIV and associated with poor HIV clinical outcomes. By impacting food insecurity and employment, the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced psychological well-being in this population. This analysis sought to examine whether food insecurity and unemployment mediated the relationship between study cohort (pre- versus during-pandemic) and psychological well-being in our sample of young South Africans living with HIV. This was a secondary analysis comparing baseline data from two cohorts of young South Africans ages 18-24 from the Cape Town and East London metro areas who tested positive for HIV at clinics (or mobile clinics) either before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. Baseline sociodemographic, economic, and psychological outcomes were analyzed through a series of bivariate logistic regression and mediation analyses. All data were analyzed in 2023 and 2024. Reported food anxiety, insufficient food quality, and insufficient food quantity were lower in the cohort recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic than those recruited before the pandemic (p<0.001). Higher levels of food insecurity predicted higher depressive and anxiety symptoms and lower self-esteem. Food anxiety, insufficient food quality, and insufficient food quality, but not unemployment, mediated the relationship between study cohort and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and self-esteem. Food insecurity may have decreased amongst our sample of young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings build on our understanding of how the psychological well-being of young people living with HIV was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and may lend support to interventions targeting food insecurity to improve psychological well-being in this population.

Exploring reasons for high levels of food insecurity and low fruit and vegetable consumption among university students post-COVID-19

High rates of food insecurity and low consumption of fruit and vegetables among university students have been observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and intensified during the pandemic. This study aimed to investigate food insecurity among university students and its associations with sociodemographic factors, fruit and vegetable consumption behaviours, and preferred campus programs to address these issues. A convenience sample of 237 Australian university students completed a cross-sectional online survey from October to December 2022. Food insecurity was assessed using the 10-item US Adult Food Security Module, applying the Canadian classification scheme. Sociodemographic variables, fruit and vegetable consumption behaviours, and perceptions of fruit and vegetable access and their affordability were included in the survey. Students were also asked to select the most suitable program(s) and provide reasons for their choice using open-ended questions. Approximately half of respondents (46.4%) were identified as food insecure. The proportion of students meeting the recommended intake of vegetables as specified in the Australian Dietary Guidelines was very low (5.1%) compared with fruit (46.2%). Low fruit consumption was significantly associated with food insecurity (OR = 1.81; 95%CI 1.03, 3.18, p = 0.038). Factors such as the perceived lower accessibility and higher price of fruit and vegetables were significantly associated with higher odds of food insecurity. In terms of potential programs, a free fruit and vegetable campaign was the most popular program, with affordability and physical access being the most frequently cited reasons. These findings suggest that food insecurity is associated with low fruit and vegetable consumption in university students. Therefore, transforming campus food environments and developing food policies at the university level must be considered to address food and nutrition security in university students.

Food insecurity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Appalachian Ohio.

Food insecurity and inadequate nutrition are two major challenges that contribute to poor health conditions among U.S. households. Ohioans continue to face food insecurity, and rates of food insecurity in rural Southeast Ohio are higher than the state average. The main purpose of this project is to evaluate the associations between Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation and food security in rural Ohio, and to explore the association between SNAP participation and fruit/vegetable consumption. We control for food shopping patterns, such as shopping frequency, because previous research reports a significant relationship between shopping patterns and food security. To achieve our purpose, we use novel household-level data on food insecurity and SNAP participation in rural Southeast Ohio, collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that people who experience higher levels of food insecurity than others are more likely to participate in SNAP, though this is likely a function of selection bias. To correct for the bias, we employ the nearest neighbor matching method to match treated (SNAP participant) and untreated (similar SNAP nonparticipant) groups. We find that participating in SNAP increases the probability of being food secure by around 26 percentage points after controlling for primary food shopping patterns. We do not find any significant association between SNAP participation and estimated intake of fruits and vegetables. This study provides policymakers with suggestive evidence that SNAP is associated with food security in rural Southeast Ohio during the pandemic, and what additional factors may mediate these relationships.

Nutritional condition and nutrient intake predict moral condemnation of food wasting

People believe that food wasting behaviour is immoral. This judgment could be partially driven by increasing awareness of global environmental threats associated with the current scale of food waste. Recent research indicates that moral judgments of food wasting behaviour may also reflect higher levels of food insecurity—potentially serving an adaptive role in harsh environments. In our research, we tested this hypothesis at both the population and individual levels. The study was conducted among individuals from subsistence-economy populations: the Hadza hunter-gatherers (n = 72) and the Datoga pastoralists (n = 70), where levels of food insecurity are higher than in industrialised populations. To infer about food insecurity at the individual level, we analysed body composition, muscle strength, and nutrient intake. We found that individuals who had lower levels of muscle strength and those who consumed less calorie-dense foods judged food wasting behaviour as more immoral. These findings show that food wasting moral judgments reflect the short-term nutritional condition and current nutrient intake. We also found that individuals with greater muscle mass—likely shaped by activities associated with food provisioning—judged food-wasting behaviour as more immoral. The study supports the idea that food wasting moral judgments are shaped by food insecurity and points to some novel social factors that may also influence these judgments.

Food insecurity, COVID-19 and diets in Fiji – a cross-sectional survey of over 500 adults

IntroductionFood insecurity is associated with inadequate nutrition and increased rates of chronic disease. The primary aim of this study was to assess self-reported food insecurity and the perceived impact of COVID-19 on food security, in two regional districts of Central Fiji, as part of a broader program of work on strengthening and monitoring food policy interventions. The secondary aim was to explore the relationship between food insecurity and salt, sugar and fruit and vegetable intake.MethodsSeven hundred adults were randomly sampled from the Deuba and Waidamudamu districts of Viti Levu, Fiji. Interview administered surveys were conducted by trained research assistants with data collected electronically. Information was collected on demographics and health status, food security, the perceived impact of COVID-19 on food security, and dietary intake. Food insecurity was assessed using nine questions adapted from Fiji’s 2014/5 national nutrition survey, measuring markers of food insecurity over the last 12 months. Additional questions were added to assess the perceived effect of COVID-19 on responses. To address the secondary aim, interview administered 24-hour diet recalls were conducted using Intake24 (a computerised dietary recall system) allowing the calculation of salt, sugar and fruit and vegetable intakes for each person. Weighted linear regression models were used to determine the relationship between food insecurity and salt, sugar and fruit and vegetable intake.Results534 people participated in the survey (response rate 76%, 50.4% female, mean age 42 years). 75% (75.3%, 95% CI, 71.4 to 78.8%) of people reported experiencing food insecurity in the 12 months prior to the survey. Around one fifth of people reported running out of foods (16.8%, 13.9 to 20.2%), having to skip meals (19.3%, 16.2 to 22.9%), limiting variety of foods (19.0%, 15.9 to 22.5%), or feeling stressed due to lack of ability to meet food needs (19.5%, 16.4 to 23.0%). 67% (66.9%, 62.9 to 70.7%) reported becoming more food insecure and changing what they ate due to COVID-19. However, people also reported positive changes such as making a home garden (67.8%, 63.7 to 71.6%), growing fruit and vegetables (59.5%, 55.6 to 63.8%), or trying to eat healthier (14.7%, 12.0 to 18.0%). There were no significant associations between food insecurity and intakes of salt, sugar or fruit and vegetables.ConclusionParticipants reported high levels of food insecurity, exceeding recommendations for salt and sugar intake and not meeting fruit and vegetable recommendations, and becoming more food insecure due to COVID-19. Most participants reported making home gardens and/or growing fruit and vegetables in response to the pandemic. There is an opportunity for these activities to be fostered in addressing food insecurity in Fiji, with likely relevance to the Pacific region and other Small Island Developing States who face similar food insecurity challenges.

Abstract 13184: Relationships Between Food Insecurity and Dietary Quality in Persons With Cardiovascular Disease in NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), 2009-2020

Background: Most guidelines recommend a nutrient-rich, heart-healthy diet for management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Following dietary guidelines may be challenging for individuals experiencing food insecurity, but there is limited knowledge on how food insecurity relates to diet quality in persons with CVD. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that for persons with CVD (hypertension, heart disease, angina, MI, heart failure, or stroke), higher levels of food insecurity would be associated with lower levels of dietary quality. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of 5 cycles of data (2009-2020) from the nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Participants aged &gt; 19 with self-reported CVD were included. Food insecurity was measured using the 10-item Food Security Scale. Dietary intake was measured using 24-hour dietary recall from which individual nutrients were derived. Key nutrients examined as indicators of diet quality included sodium, potassium, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, fiber, and total sugars. Relationships between food insecurity and diet quality were quantified using multivariable linear regression models, incorporating NHANES sample weights and controlling for common sociodemographic confounders. Results: The sample consisted of 17,102 persons (weighted study N = 311,708,767). Half were female (55.48%); most were non-Hispanic White (68.74%) and in middle (45-64 years, 44.82%) or late adulthood (≥65 years, 32.29%). Nearly a quarter (23.9%) were food insecure. With the exception of sodium intake (sodium, mg, β=-156, p=0.02), higher levels of food insecurity were significantly associated with poorer diet quality (potassium, mg: β=-157, p&lt;0.004; polyunsaturated fats, gm: β=-1.81, p&lt;0.003; monounsaturated fats, gm: β= -2.19, p=0.003, fiber, mg: β= -1.08, p=0.003, total sugars, gm: β=13.15; p&lt;0.010). Conclusions: In persons with CVD, higher levels of food insecurity were significantly associated with lower diet quality in key nutrients essential for a heart-healthy diet. This study underscores the importance of considering social determinants of health to support patient and family success in following heart-healthy guidelines.

The Importance of Screening for Food Insecurity in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia: An Ancillary Study to the Severe Acute Malnutrition Feasibility Trial in Nigeria

Introduction Household food insecurity-lacking access to, or having uncertain access to, food that meets a person's dietary needs-is a longstanding problem in Nigeria that has continued to worsen in recent years. One of its most severe consequences is malnutrition, particularly affecting children due to their high nutrient demand coupled with higher energy expenditure. Even in high-income countries, such as the United States, many children with sickle cell anemia have lower weights and heights than their healthy peers. Due to their elevated nutrient requirements, children with sickle cell anemia may be at an even greater risk of malnutrition when faced with limited access to adequate food. The relationship between childhood food insecurity and malnutrition has been previously studied in younger children in Nigeria, but rarely in older children, and to our knowledge, never in older children with sickle cell anemia. We tested the hypothesis that there is a direct association between increased food insecurity and more severe malnutrition (lower body mass index [BMI] z-score) in older children with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria. Methods This was a planned analysis of the data of children enrolled in a feasibility trial for managing severe acute malnutrition in older children with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria (SAMS trial; #NCT03634488). In this study, children 5-12 years old with sickle cell anemia and uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition (BMI z-score &amp;lt;-3.0) were randomly assigned to receive either supplemental ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) only or RUTF combined with moderate fixed-dose hydroxyurea therapy for 12 weeks. Baseline anthropometric data were obtained for each participant. Upon enrollment in the trial, the participants' caregivers completed the US Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM). Using the eight questions in the childhood portion of this standardized survey, we categorized the participants into three food security statuses: food security (0-1), low food security (2-4), and very low food security (5-8). Childhood food security scores were also measured as a continuous variable on a scale of 0-8, with higher scores indicating greater food insecurity. We constructed a linear regression model to estimate the association between childhood food insecurity and baseline BMI z-score. Results Data were collected between August 2021 and May 2022. The median age of the 108 participants in the study was 10.3 years (IQR 8.8-11.5). Most participants had low (55%) or very low (34%) food security. BMI z-score was not associated with categorical food security status (p=0.108). However, higher food insecurity as a continuous variable was associated with a lower BMI z-score (Pearson correlation -0.23, p=0.015; Figure 1). In a multivariable linear regression with sex, age at study entry, total hemoglobin, employment status, and head of household educational status, the childhood food insecurity score was negatively associated with the BMI z-score (Beta coefficient = -.05, p=0.047). Conclusions Our study reveals a high prevalence of food insecurity among older children with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria. Moreover, children experiencing higher food insecurity also exhibited more severe malnutrition, as evidenced by their lower BMI z-scores. Based on these results, we have started implementing food insecurity assessment as routine medical care in children with sickle cell anemia at multiple clinics in northern Nigeria. Children experiencing higher levels of food insecurity are referred to nutritional counseling, where they receive guidance on locally available nutrient-dense foods and preparation strategies. Figure 1.The predicted baseline body mass index z-score with 95% confidence intervals based on childhood food insecurity scores from a linear regression model of the participants in the SAMS trial.

Community Clustering of Food Insecurity and Malnutrition Associated With Systemic Drivers in Chad.

Chad suffers from protracted hunger, facing high food insecurity (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification 3 and above), and acute malnutrition levels that surpass the emergency threshold (15% global acute malnutrition) yearly. The Food Security Sector, with European Union support, leads an inclusive effort to increase synergy between humanitarian, development, and peace-building actors to understand and address drivers of hunger. To understand the spatial distribution of child wasting and household food insecurity and systemic drivers (conflict, livelihoods, vegetation, cultural norms) as well as better understand the relationship between child wasting and household food insecurity in Kanem and Bahr el Ghazal (BeG) region, Chad, with the goal of improving nexus programming and targeting. A cross-sectional randomized cluster survey was conducted in August 2021 in Kanem and BeG across 86 villages, reaching 7002 households and 6136 children. Data were collected on child anthropometry, household food security, and livelihoods. Using mixed methods, primary data were triangulated with secondary geospatial data on vegetation index and conflicts as well as qualitative interviews with local actors. Analysis was conducted using comparison tests, linear and logistic crude, and adjusted models, as well as looking at the design effect as a measure of clustering of outcomes at the community level. The geospatial distribution of hunger indicators shows child wasting and food insecurity are highly clustered. However, communities with a high prevalence of child wasting were not those with the highest levels of food insecurity, indicating different pathways. Clustering of food insecurity and child wasting is due to basic drivers of conflict, health, and seasonal access to natural resources. The high levels of food insecurity and child wasting are each concentrated in specific survey clusters and are not necessarily connected. They result from different causal pathways at the community level linked to the systemic drivers of the rule of access to natural resources, environmental seasonality, and livelihoods. This suggests a greater need for an integrated humanitarian, development, and peace-building interventions to address the persistent high prevalence of food insecurity and child wasting. It also suggests that these community-level and systemic drivers require greater consideration from the start in research design and data collection.

Low-Income Asian Americans: High Levels Of Food Insecurity And Low Participation In The CalFresh Nutrition Program.

Little is known about food insecurity and the extent of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation in the heterogeneous Asian American population. Using California Health Interview Survey data from the period 2011-20, we examined both issues among low-income Asian American adults from six origin groups: Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, South Asian, and Vietnamese. We found high and varied levels of overall food insecurity, with the highest burden among Filipino adults (40percent). Food insecurity by severity was also heterogenous; very low food security affected 2percent of Chinese adults but 9percent and 10percent of Filipino and Japanese adults, respectively. Participation in CalFresh (California-implemented SNAP) ranged from 11percent and 12percent among Korean and Chinese adults, respectively, to 20percent among Vietnamese adults. Compared with English-proficient low-income Asian American adults, those with limited English proficiency were no less likely to participate in CalFresh, possibly reflecting language assistance required by California law and provided by community-based organizations. These results underscore the importance of collecting and reporting disaggregated data by Asian origin group that could inform targeted outreach and interventions.

Support Provided by Caregivers for Community-Dwelling Obesity Individuals: Focus on Elderly and Hispanics.

Obesity is a chronic disease marked by the buildup of extra adipose tissue and a higher chance of developing concomitant illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some malignancies. Over the past few decades, there has been a global increase in the prevalence of obesity, which now affects around one-third of the world's population. According to recent studies, a variety of factors, including genetics and biology as well as environmental, physiological, and psychosocial factors, may have a role in the development of obesity. The prevalence of obesity is often higher among Hispanic American groups than among White people in the U.S. Obesity is a widespread condition with a high risk of morbidity and death, and it is well-recognized that the prevalence of comorbidities rises with rising levels of obesity or body mass index. To combat the rising prevalence of obesity in the USA, especially among Hispanics, one of the fastest-growing racial/ethnic groups in the country, there is an urgent need for obesity therapies. The exact cause of this disparity is unclear, but some responsible factors are a lack of education, high unemployment rates, high levels of food insecurity, an unhealthy diet, inadequate access to physical activity resources, a lack of health insurance, and constricted access to culturally adequate healthcare. Additionally, managing obesity and giving needed/timely support to obese people is a difficult responsibility for medical professionals and their loved ones. The need for caregivers is increasing with the increased number of individuals with obesity, particularly Hispanics. Our article summarizes the status of obesity, focusing on Hispanic populations, and we also highlight specific factors that contribute to obesity, including genetics, epigenetics, biological, physiological, and psychosocial factors, medication and disease, environment, and socio-demographics. This article also reviews caregiver duties and challenges associated with caring for people with obesity.

Estimates of Gaps in Supportive Housing Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness in New York City Boroughs: Manhattan, Bronx, and Brooklyn

ObjectiveThis study aimed to estimate gaps in supportive housing services for racially and ethnically diverse older adults with SMI residing in supportive housing. MethodsThis study had a total of 753 respondents split into two diagnostic groups, the Delusional and Psychotic Disorders Group, and the Mood (Affective) Disorder Group. Demographic and primary ICD diagnosis data (F2x and F3x) were extracted from medical records. Three elements were measured: supportive housing service needs, fall prevention, and activities in daily living and instrumental activities in daily living. Descriptive statistics (i.e., frequencies and percentages) were used in assessing the demographic characteristics of the sample. ResultsRespondents had reasonable fall prevention measures in place, did not have challenges carrying out activities in daily living or instrumental activities of daily living and did not need homecare services (n = 515, 68.4%). Respondents needed support managing chronic medical conditions (n = 323, ∼43%). Approximately 57% of the total respondents in this study (n = 426) reported the need for hearing, vision, and dental services. Respondents showed high levels of food insecurity (n = 380, 50.5%). ConclusionsThis is the most extensive study of racially and ethnically diverse older adults with SMI residing in supportive housing. Three areas of unmet need were found: accessing hearing, vision, and dental services, managing chronic health conditions, and food insecurity. These findings can be used to develop new research programs addressing the needs of older adults with SMI and improve late-life circumstances for older adults with SMI.

Barriers and supports to traditional food access in Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia)

Canada is a signatory nation on international covenants, conventions, and declarations supporting the human right to food, but has not granted constitutional protection thereof. Failure to uphold the right to food contributes to unacceptably high levels of food insecurity that vary geographically and demographically, undermines health, and creates structural obstacles to food system sustainability. It is well recognized that Indigenous populations in Canada face disproportionately high rates of food insecurity compared to non-Indigenous people, and little attention is paid to the Indigenous conceptions of food security, including access to traditional food systems. The purpose of this research was to better understand the importance of, as well as barriers and supports that exist in accessing traditional food for Indigenous Peoples in Nova Scotia. Two focus groups were held with individuals who identify as Indigenous (n=16), one for those who live within a First Nations community and one for those who live outside of a First Nations community, in Nova Scotia. Focus groups were held in a talking circle format to facilitate discussion on traditional food access. Focus groups were transcribed and analyzed using the Medicine Wheel Evaluation Framework to understand in a culturally relevant way, how traditional foods impact Indigenous Nova Scotians’ health. Bronfenbrenner’s Social Ecological Model was used to locate barriers and supports to traditional food. Supports identified were community engagement, consultations and partnerships, and strength of cultural values. Barriers included knowledge transmission, lack of community, land access, cost, programs and policies, and identity loss. Nuances specific to each community are discussed. Both supports and challenges exist for traditional food access in Nova Scotia; however, barriers outweighed supports in both number and magnitude. Stronger community and political partnerships, as well as consultations with Indigenous Peoples by public and private sector developers are necessary to develop upstream solutions to traditional food access.

Food Security in the Time of COVID-19 for a Marshallese Community

Using an individual and family ecological systems model, we explored food security among a Marshallese cohort in Northwest Arkansas during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that Marshallese households were experiencing high rates of food insecurity due to socioeconomic and systemic risk factors. Seventy-one Marshallese adults shared socioeconomic information about their household via an online survey. Descriptive results indicate that 91% of respondents report food insecurity. In terms of systemic barriers, almost half of Marshallese respondents do not have health insurance. Additionally, while most respondents report feeling calm, peaceful, and energetic, paradoxically, 81% report feeling depressed and downhearted at least some of the time. Logistic regression findings suggest that food insecurity is significantly related to education levels and household economic strain. These results are analogous with national findings, whereby non-native households are more likely to experience higher levels of food insecurity, lower rates of education, and higher economic strain than native households. As a collective community, the Marshallese could benefit from culturally responsive individual and family systems approaches for improving educational, social, financial, and health opportunities through workforce development, household income and asset development, and food security initiatives. Additional implications for policy, practice, and research are provided.

Changing childcare demands due to COVID-19 lockdown regulations and household food security in South Africa

This study examined the effect of increased childcare demands during the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal work and household food security in South Africa. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were conducted with 1890 mothers using the National Income Dynamics Study – Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM) Wave 2. About seven out of ten mothers did not work (74.8%), and one-third (29%) had increased childcare demands, limiting their work opportunities. About half of the households experienced food insecurity (44%). Unemployed mothers who reported that childcare affected their ability to work had increased odds of food insecurity (OR = 2.20, p = 0.000). Household food insecurity was significantly related to maternal age, province and childcare effect on employment. This study established that mothers whose work was affected by increased childcare demands had higher levels of food insecurity. Therefore, we recommend implementing food security and gender equality interventions that promote change in childcare cultural norms.

Current climate change impacts and risks reviewed in Africa by giving especial emphasis in Ethiopia: Short review

Climate change is a long-lasting change in the weather arrays across tropics to polls. It is a global threat that has embarked on to put stress on various sectors in the world. Climate change represents a major threat to Africa. The climate change grave consequences of a temperature increase above 1.5°C, Rainfall patterns are disrupted, glaciers are disappearing and key lakes are shrinking. In all Africa in general, and east Africa in particular is the most vulnerable continent to climate change impacts under all climate scenarios. Despite that Africa having contributed the least to global warming and having the lowest co2 emissions, the continent faces exponential collateral damage, posing systemic risks to its economies, infrastructure investments, water and food systems, public health, agriculture, and livelihoods, threatening to undo its modest development gains and slip into higher levels of extreme poverty. By 2030, 108-116 million people be exposed to sea level rise risk and Drought. Similarly Ethiopia faces numerous development challenges that exacerbate its vulnerability to climate change, including high levels of food insecurity and ongoing conflicts over natural resources. Climate resolvase projects solve problems of increases in temperature, erratic rainfall and unpredictability of seasonal rain, drought and other extreme events. Therefore it is timely call to control and work on climate smart agriculture and adaptability practices that Climate change would have not negative impacts on agriculture, livestock, water and human health in Ethiopia. Thus the present reviews aims to point out climate impact and risk management with organizing publication from concerned scholars so that make easy for researchers, implementers and police makers working on climate resilient and mitigation as well as to support researcher for father gaze ring information about disaster of climate change.

Assessing changes in food pantry access after extreme events.

Food pantries play a growing role in supporting households facing or at risk of food insecurity in the United States. They also support emergency response and recovery following disasters and extreme weather events. Although food pantries are often placed in close proximity to communities with the highest rates of poverty and risk of food insecurity, access to these facilities can be disrupted during and after extreme events. Decreased access to food pantries following disasters can be particularly problematic as the need for these services is also likely to grow after such events. Despite the vast body of research on food retail access and food environments, relatively little research has utilized spatial analysis to understand food pantry access, particularly after extreme events. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), we characterize changes in access to food pantries following flooding events in Harris County, Texas-a highly populated and flood prone region with high levels of food insecurity and poverty. Specifically, our study models disruptions in road networks due to flooding and assesses the impacts of these disruptions on proximity to food pantries. The results reveal that much of Harris County sees only small increases in travel distance to food pantries due to extreme flooding, but some areas may be unable to access food pantries at all. This research highlights the potential and some of the limits of private food assistance networks to support emergency response efforts.

Some effects of convulsive political scenarios on food systems. The Venezuelan case

Crises in countries outside of war may give rise to complex emergencies in which man -made situations and political issues, among others, lead to humanitarian calamities with high levels of food insecurity and displaced populations. Venezuela is chosen as an example of a country under such circumstances. The number of Venezuelans refugees and migrants worldwide has reached 7.1 million people out of a population of 28.5 million, the vast majority hosted by Latin America and the Caribbean. In Venezuela, all sectors of the economy and actors of the food system have been disrupted by an administration ruling for 23 years during which, declines in oil production, fuel availability and flawed macroeconomic decisions caused relevant drops in food production and deterioration of real income and living conditions generating malnutrition, food insecurity, and forcing survival strategies not only by the population but also by the food industry which has been subjected to strong pressures having to appeal to resilience and reinvention, abandoning innovation. In the midst of this context a humanitarian space was opened. In this article an attempt is made to describe the effects on the food industry, the academic and scientific sector, the international agencies and NGOs, national humanitarian organizations, as well as the government itself, to feed Venezuelans.

When the flood passes, does health return? A short panel examining water and food insecurity, nutrition, and disease after an extreme flood in lowland Bolivia.

Flooding is the most frequent extreme-weather disaster and disproportionately burdens marginalized populations. This article examines how food and water insecurity, blood pressure (BP), nutritional status, and diarrheal and respiratory illnesses changed during the 2 months following a historic flood in lowland Bolivia. Drawing on longitudinal data from Tsimane' forager-horticulturalist (n=118 household heads; n=129 children) directly after a historic 2014 flood and ~2 months later, we use fixed effects linear regression and random effects logistic regression models to test changes in the markers of well-being and health over the recovery process. Results demonstrated that water insecurity scores decreased significantly 2 month's postflood, while food insecurity scores remained high. Adults' systolic and diastolic BP significantly declined 2 months after the flood's conclusion. Adults experienced losses in measures of adiposity (BMI, sum of four skinfolds, waist circumference). Children gained weight and BMI-for-age Z-scores indicating buffering of children by adults from food stress that mainly occurred in the community closer to the main market town with greater access to food aid. Odds of diarrhea showed a nonsignificant decline, while cough increased significantly for both children and adults 2 months postflood. Water insecurity and BP improved during the recovery process, while high levels of food insecurity persisted, and nutritional stress and respiratory illness worsened. Not all indicators of well-being and health recover at the same rate after historic flooding events. Planning for multiphase recovery is critical to improve health of marginalized populations after flooding.