Low Dietary Diversity Research Articles

The effect of occupational stress on diseases of the cardiovascular system of teachers

The teaching profession is accompanied by risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The lifestyle of teachers is characterized by low physical activity, skipping meals, and low dietary diversity. Teachers are affected by chronic emotional stress. Stress can lead to narrowing of the arteries, promote intravascular inflammation, increase blood clotting, and may increase the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and sudden death. Research indicates the widespread prevalence of diseases of the cardiovascular system among teachers and, first of all, arterial hypertension. The study showed that teachers in a stressful situation were 3.027 times more at risk of developing hypertension. There is low awareness among teachers about their existing diseases and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Professional stress in the workplace of teachers requires control and regulation. It is necessary to inform teachers about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

Dietary intake and quality in irritable bowel syndrome: a comparative study with controls and the association with symptom severity.

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often attribute the onset or worsening of gastrointestinal symptoms to intake of food. Hence, in order to alleviate symptoms, patients with IBS may avoid triggering foods, potentially impacting their dietary intake and diet quality. This study aimed to compare the habitual diet intake and quality of IBS patients with controls, and to explore the association between dietary habits and symptoms in IBS patients. IBS patients were included from four clinical studies reporting habitual dietary intakes at baseline. Age- and sex-matched controls representing the general population were derived from the Swedish population-based Riksmaten study. Dietary intakes were assessed using 4-day food diaries. Diet quality was measured using a diet quality index (DQI-SNR), and diet diversity was scored based on the variety of food groups consumed. The study included 646 patients with IBS and 646 controls (38±14 years, 77% female). Both groups adhered to Nordic nutrition recommendations for macronutrients, except patients consumed fewer carbohydrates. Patients reported eating less carbohydrates, coffee, and dairy products, and more fats, lactose-free dairy products, and nuts and seeds compared to controls. Fewer patients had a good diet quality according to the DQI-SNR. In patients, symptom severity and gastrointestinal-specific anxiety were associated with reduced energy and carbohydrate intake, lower diet diversity, and worse diet quality. Poor diet quality was associated with younger age, more severe IBS symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Patients with IBS exhibit different dietary patterns compared to controls, with poorer dietary habits linked to more severe symptoms. Understanding food-symptom associations may enhance the optimization and personalization of dietary management for IBS patients.

Promoting sustainable agri‐food production to achieve food and nutrition security: The role of soil conservation practices

AbstractWe examine the role of soil conservation practices (SCPs) in promoting sustainable agri‐food production to achieve food and nutrition security. To this end, we use the endogenous treatment regression model, as it allows us to address the selection bias associated with SCP adoption. Data sourced from the 2020 China Land Economic Survey, collected by Nanjing Agricultural University, China, are examined. First, we analyse the association between the adoption of SCPs and rice yield; we focus on rice as it is the most common staple food globally. Then, we examine the links between SCP adoption and dietary diversity and the consumption of seven specific foods (rice, potato, pork, poultry, egg, fruits and vegetable oil). This allows us to glean insights into how SCPs may affect the dietary patterns in rural communities. The findings show that adopting SCPs is associated with an 8.5% increase in rice yield. Rice yields increase with the intensification of SCP adoption. Disaggregated analysis suggests that low‐income farmers receive the most rice yield promotion by adopting SCPs compared with wealthier ones. Meanwhile, among the three SCPs (i.e. soil remediation, commercial organic fertiliser application and formulated fertilisation) considered in our study, only formulated fertilisation increases rice yields. Furthermore, adopting SCPs is associated with higher consumption of protein‐rich foods and lower dietary diversity.

Association between dietary diversity, nutritional status, and academic performance of school-age children in Southeast Ethiopia using structural equation modelling

BackgroundUndernutrition, manifested as stunting and/or thinness, is a major public health concern in low-income countries, including Ethiopia. Factors such as sociodemographic, economic, and dietary status influence children’s academic achievement. This study aimed to assess the association between dietary diversity, nutritional status, and academic performance of school-age children in pastoral communities in Southeast Ethiopia.MethodsA school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 395 randomly selected school-age children. A multistage sampling followed by systematic random sampling was used to collect the data. Students’ academic performance (AP) was evaluated by computing two-semester average grade scores of the 2016/17 academic year in all disciplines using the school record. A pre-tested, interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. To assess nutritional status, the z scores of height for age (HAZ) and BMI for age (BAZ) were employed according to WHO’s new reference values. The WHO Anthroplus software was used to generate nutritional indices. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to examine the direct, indirect, and total effects of the dietary diversity score (DDS), HAZ score, and BAZ score on AP. The beta coefficient (β) along with the confidence interval (CI) were used to estimate the strength of the association.ResultsThe prevalence of stunting and thinness was 26.6% (95% CI: 21.8, 31.4%) and 28.9% (95% CI: 24.3, 33.2%), respectively. The proportion of dietary diversity (DD) among school-age children was 40% (95% CI: 35.7, 45.3%) low DD and 60% (95% CI: 54.7, 64.3%) adequate DD. The SEM revealed that a unit increment in the child’s DDS (unstandardised β = 0.130, 95% CI: 0.049 to 0.211) did have direct and total effects on the HAZ score. However, HAZ score, BAZ score, and DDS did not have direct, indirect, or total effects on AP. Similarly, DDS did not have direct or total effects on the BAZ score.ConclusionThe academic performance (AP) was low among these school-age children, and the prevalence of stunting and thinness was high. Thus, nutrition interventions on dietary diversity for school-age children would be crucial interventions for increasing academic achievement.

Determinants of pre-conception care awareness among young and middle-aged women in the Morena district of Madhya Pradesh

Pre-conception care pertains to any preventive, promotive, and curative interventions for improving the health outcomes of women. Contrary to the growing burden of intergenerational transmission of chronic diseases, women lacked awareness and access to services for pre-conception care. Considering this, we conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the awareness, perceptions, and practices of pre-conception care among women from young and middle-aged groups in the Morena district of Madhya Pradesh. It was a cross-sectional study conducted with 383 women of reproductive age group (15-40 years) using a structured and pre-validated quantitative questionnaire. Out of 383 women, 171 belonged to the younger age group (15-24 years) and 212 to the middle-aged group (25-40 years). More than 50% of women had not heard of pre-conception care, and more than 90% of women in both groups had low dietary diversity. Middle-aged women had higher pre-conception care compared to younger women (βeta coefficient (95% Confidence Interval); p-value: 0.49 (0.03, 0.95); 0.03).

Pre- and post-harvest aflatoxin contamination and management strategies of Aspergillus spoilage in East African Community maize: review of etiology and climatic susceptibility.

Globally, maize (Zea mays L.) is deemed an important cereal that serves as a staple food and feed for humans and animals, respectively. Across the East African Community, maize is the staple food responsible for providing over one-third of calories in diets. Ideally, stored maize functions as man-made grain ecosystems, with nutritive quality changes influenced predominantly by chemical, biological, and physical factors. Food spoilage and fungal contamination are convergent reasons that contribute to the exacerbation of mycotoxins prevalence, particularly when storage conditions have deteriorated. In Kenya, aflatoxins are known to be endemic with the 2004 acute aflatoxicosis outbreak being described as one of the most ravaging epidemics in the history of human mycotoxin poisoning. In Tanzania, the worst aflatoxin outbreak occurred in 2016 with case fatalities reaching 50%. Similar cases of aflatoxicoses have also been reported in Uganda, scenarios that depict the severity of mycotoxin contamination across this region. Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan seemingly have minimal occurrences and fatalities of aflatoxicoses and aflatoxin contamination. Low diet diversity tends to aggravate human exposure to aflatoxins since maize, as a dietetic staple, is highly aflatoxin-prone. In light of this, it becomes imperative to formulate and develop workable control frameworks that can be embraced in minimizing aflatoxin contamination throughout the food chain. This review evaluates the scope and magnitude of aflatoxin contamination in post-harvest maize and climate susceptibility within an East African Community context. The paper also treats the potential green control strategies against Aspergillus spoilage including biocontrol-prophylactic handling for better and durable maize production.

Determinants of stunting among adolescent girls in schools of Digo Tsion Town, Northwest Ethiopia: Unmatched case control study.

Stunting is a height-for-age (Z-score) less than minus two standard deviations below the mean of reference standard. It is the most important sign of long-term chronic undernutrition and public health problem in Ethiopia. However, little information was known regarding determinants of stunting among adolescents since it had mostly been investigated in late infancy, especially among children under the age of five. Therefore, identifying determinants of stunting among adolescent girl is still crucial. To identify determinants of stunting among adolescent girls in schools of Digo Tsion Town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022. Case-control study was conducted among 417 adolescent girls (104 cases and 313 controls) in schools of Digo Tsion Town with computer generated simple random sampling technique. World Health Organization Anthroplus 2007 software was used for analyzing anthropometrics data. Data was collected by epicollect5 mobile application through interview by using structured questionnaire. The data was entered in epi data 4.6 and exported into Statistical Package for Social Science version 26. Variables with p- value ≤ 0.25 in bivariable analysis were candidate for multivariable analysis. Model fitness was checked by Hosmer and Lemon Show fitness of test. Variables having a P-value < 0.05 in multivariable analysis were declared as statistically significant at 95% Cl. The result was presented by statement, figures, and tables. A total of 409 (100 cases and 309 controls) adolescent girls participated, with a response rate of 96% for cases and 98.72% for controls. Food insecurity (AOR = 2.13, CI [1.15, 3.93]), low dietary diversity score (AOR = 1.99, CI [1.06, 3.73]), drinking coffee/tea immediately while eating meals (AOR = 2.19, CI [1.22, 3.95]), not getting nutritional counsel (AOR = 2.07, CI [1.17, 3.66]), chronic illness (AOR = 3.78, CI [1.16, 12.3]), and not visited by health extension workers at home (AOR = 1.85, CI [1.03, 3.31]) were statistically significant determinants of stunting. Stunting among adolescents is influenced by a low dietary diversity score, a food-insecure household, drinking coffee or tea immediately while eating a meal, not receiving nutritional counseling, having a chronic illness, and not being visited by health extension workers at home. Future researchers would do better to undertake prospective studies. Health extension workers are better able to provide nutritional counsel for adolescent.

The influence of minimum dietary diversity on undernutrition among children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia: a multilevel mixed-effect analysis based on 2019 Ethiopian mini demographic and health survey.

Undernutrition persists as a critical issue in developing countries like Ethiopia due to poor feeding practices for infants and young children. The impact of dietary diversity on children's health in Ethiopia remains unclear, necessitating further investigation to develop effective prevention strategies. To examine the association between minimum dietary diversity and undernutrition among children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia. Data from the 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey, including 1,501 women with children aged 6-23 months, were analyzed using STATA version 17 software. Child stunting, wasting, and underweight were assessed using Z-scores. Dietary diversity was measured using minimum dietary diversity. Multilevel logistic regression analysis determined associations, presenting results as crude odds ratios (COR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, 10.99% of children had adequate minimum dietary diversity, with Addis Ababa (44.57%) and Somalia (1.47%) showing the highest and lowest prevalences, respectively. The highest stunting prevalence was in the Amhara region (45.86%), while Addis Ababa had the lowest (9.78%). Wasting was lowest in Addis Ababa (1.09%) and highest in Tigray (17.07%). Underweight prevalence ranged from 2.17% in Addis Ababa to 33.33% in Tigray. Children with adequate minimum dietary diversity (MDD) had significantly lower odds of stunting (AOR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.45, 0.96), underweight (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.27, 0.99), and wasting (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.17, 0.97) compared to those who had inadequate minimum dietary diversity (MDD). This study highlights the association between minimum dietary diversity and stunting, wasting, and underweight among Ethiopian children aged 6-23 months. Urgent nutrition-specific interventions are needed, particularly in regions with high undernutrition rates and low dietary diversity. Targeted interventions focusing on promoting diverse and nutritious diets for children, along with improving access to essential healthcare services, are imperative to mitigate the burden of undernutrition and ensure the well-being of Ethiopia's youngest population and reinforcing existing programs is crucial to address this public health issue effectively.

Dietary pattern and prevalence of malnutrition among lactating mothers and their under-five children attending primary health centres in Owo, Ondo State

Background: The lactation period is crucial in developing countries due to its positive impact on infant health and nutrition. Objective: This study assessed the dietary patterns and malnutrition among lactating mothers and their under-five children attending primary health centres in Owo, Ondo State. Method: A simple random sampling method was used to select 250 healthy lactating mothers with infants aged 0-59 months. Information on socio-demographic variables, health-seeking behaviours, food consumption patterns, and nutritional status was obtained using a well-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 25. The chi-square test determined associations between variables, with significance considered at p&lt;0.05. Result: The study revealed that 68.4% of the mothers were aged 20-29, 94.4% were married, and 48.0% had household sizes of 1-3. About 97.6% of the mothers had babies of normal birth weight, while 54.0% received health services at the health centres. Approximately 89% of the mothers did not consume alcohol, and 55.2% ate cereal or cereal products daily. The Food Consumption Score (FCS) showed that 53.6% had an acceptable score, while 8.4% had a poor score. For the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), 73.6% had a highly diverse diet, while 19.6% had low dietary diversity. The prevalence of obesity among the mothers was 31.2% based on BMI, 38.8% based on waist circumference, and 68.0% based on waist-hip ratio. Among the children, 17.4% of males and 11.1% of females were underweight, while 72.0% had a normal weight for their age. Only 14% were overweight, and stunting was observed in 16% of the children, more prevalent among males. Wasting was seen in 10.0% of the under-five children. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of a double burden of malnutrition among the mothers and their children.

Abundance, diet and food availability of Citreoline Trogon (Trogon citreolus) in a regenerating tropical dry forest in the Central Pacific, Mexico

Trogonidae make up a family of birds with a mixed diet composed of fruit and animal matter. However, there is little research examining the foraging ecology of Trogon citreolus in regenerating tropical forest. We studied T. citreolus abundance and diet from November 2020 to April 2022 in a regenerating dry tropical forest of Central Pacific Mexico. Also, we investigate the relationship between food availability and trogon abundance. The relative trogon abundance was 2.6 ± 2.3 individuals per point count, which varied temporally. The species consumed the fruits of 14 plant species from 10 families. The three most consumed species were Ficus cotinifolia, Comocladia engleriana, and Randia gentlei. Trogon citreolus displayed a moderate niche breadth (Best = 0. 420) whit low food diet diversity (H’ = 0.94), and the dominance of a particular type of food (λ = 0.85). Our results demonstrated a positive correlation between trogon abundance and food resource availability. The dietary breadth of T. citreolus enable the species to adapt to fluctuations in fruit availability in regenerating forests. These findings highlight the ecological importance of forest regeneration in providing food resources for T. citreolus and other frugivorous birds.

Maternal diet in pregnancy and the risk of inflammatory bowel disease in the offspring: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundDiet has been hypothesized as a risk factor for the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to explore associations between maternal diet diversity and quality in pregnancy and the offspring’s risk of IBD. MethodsWe used data from a nationwide cohort study on 85,129 Norwegian children followed from birth (1999–2009) with information on maternal diet in pregnancy from validated food frequency questionnaires. Hazard ratios (HRs) for IBD, Crohn disease (CD), and ulcerative colitis (UC) by maternal diet diversity, quality, and intake amounts of individual food groups were adjusted for maternal BMI, parental IBD, and sociodemographic factors. Sensitivity analyses were adjusted for the child’s early-life diet quality and antibiotic treatment. Dietary exposures were classified into tertiles, comparing low (reference) with medium, and high levels. ResultsDuring a mean follow-up time of 16.1 y (1,367,837 person-years of follow-up), 268 children developed IBD (CD, n = 119; UC, n = 76; IBD-unclassified, n = 73). High compared with low diet diversity in pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of UC in the offspring [adjusted HR (aHR) 0.46, 95% confidence interval: 0.25, 0.87], with consistent findings after further adjustment for the child’s early-life diet quality and antibiotic treatment. High compared with low diet diversity in pregnancy yielded aHRs of 0.81 for CD (0.51–1.28) and 0.75 for any IBD (0.55–1.02) in the offspring. A high compared with low diet quality in pregnancy or intakes of specific food groups were not associated with the offspring’s risk of IBD or its subtypes. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that a higher maternal diet diversity in pregnancy may be associated with a lower risk of UC in the offspring.

Undernutrition and associated factors among lactating mothers in Chiro district, eastern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Maternal undernutrition during lactation is a worldwide public health problem. It causes impaired cognitive ability, poor productivity, irreversible loss, and intergenerational malnutrition, which has harmful effects on the next generation. Overall, there is little information on undernutrition and risk factors among lactating mothers, especially in resource-poor settings, including Ethiopia. This study assessed undernutrition and associated factors among lactating mothers in rural Chiro district, eastern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 629 lactating mothers in the Chiro district from July 2-30, 2019. Data were collected from participants using pretested, structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Data were entered using EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with undernutrition. Undernutrition among lactating mothers was 26.9% (95% CI: 23.2%, 30.2%). Female-headed household (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI:0.13, 0.94), medium (AOR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.95) and rich (AOR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.51) wealth quintiles, lack of dietary advice (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.39), chewing khat (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.70), low dietary diversity (AOR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.82, 5.29), and household food insecurity (AOR = 3.67, 95% CI:1.47, 9.20) were factors significantly associated with undernutrition. Around one in every four lactating mothers in rural eastern Ethiopia had undernutrition. Poor wealth, lack of dietary feeding advice, substance use disorder, low minimum dietary diversity, and household food insecurity were factors significantly associated with the undernutrition of lactating mothers. Thus, focusing on implementing existing strategies/programs for effective nutritional interventions and poverty alleviation that enhance food security status would be essential to improving the nutritional status of lactating mothers and children.

Understanding the Crisis: Prevalence and Key Determinants of Stunting in Children Aged 2 to 5 Years in an Afghan Refugee Camp in Kohat.

Stunting, characterized by impaired growth and development due to malnutrition and illness, is a significant public health concern with profound implications for cognitive and physical development. This issue is particularly severe in refugee settings, where food insecurity and limited access to healthcare exacerbate the problem. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and determinants of stunting among children aged 2 to 5 years in an Afghan refugee camp in Kohat, Pakistan. A cross-sectional observational design was employed, collecting data from children aged 2 to 5 years who had resided in the camp for at least six months. A pre-validated, standardized questionnaire was administered to parents or guardians to gather data on socio-demographic factors, dietary intake, and health history. Stunting was defined as a height-for-age Z-score less than -2 SD from the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards. Anthropometric measurements were taken following WHO guidelines. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of stunting. Out of 384 children, 153 (40%) were found to be stunted. The prevalence was slightly higher among boys (80 out of 153, 52%) compared to girls (73 out of 153, 48%). Significant predictors of stunting included a lack of parental education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for fathers 1.8, 95% confidence level (CI) 1.2-2.9; AOR for mothers 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.4), a history of infectious diseases (AOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-3.0), and low dietary diversity (AOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4-3.7). The study highlights the high prevalence of stunting among children in the refugee camp, underscoring the need for comprehensive interventions targeting healthcare improvement, parental education, economic support, and dietary diversity to reduce stunting rates and improve children's health outcomes.

P128 ESTABLISHING A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BLOOD PRESSURE AND HANDGRIP STRENGTH AMONG OBESE PATIENTS

Background: While grip strength is known to correlate with cardiovascular health, its relationship with blood pressure (BP) remains unclear, especially when considering adiposity. Methods: We investigated the grip strength-BP association in 12,000 individuals aged 18–65 years, stratifying by body mass index (BMI) and Dietary diversity (DDS). Grip strength, BP, and Body-fat(BF%) were measured using hand dynamometry, digital blood pressure instrument, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. DDS was measured using the FAO validated DDS tool. Results: Overall, elevated BP was associated with greater grip strength (37.1 kg vs 36.5 kg, p &lt; 0.001), particularly in overweight or obese individuals (42.0 kg vs 40.2 kg, p = 0.003 and 41.7 kg vs 40.0 kg, p = 0.03), and those in the highest DDS (12 Vs 9, p &lt; 0.01). Higher grip strength increased the odds of elevated BP (OR = 1.014, p = 0.004), particularly in overweight or obese individuals (OR = 1.025, p &lt; 0.001) and those with the highest DDS (OR = 1.036, p &lt; 0.001). However, individuals with low grip strength and high DDS had lower odds of elevated BP (OR = 0.514, p = 0.002), while those with low grip strength and low DDS had higher odds (OR = 2.162, p = 0.043). Conclusion: Our study reveals that increased grip strength is linked to higher blood pressure in overweight or obese individuals or those with a high dietary diversity score (DDS). However, individuals with a BMI &lt; 25 kg/m2 or lower DDS may experience a reduced association between grip strength and blood pressure. These findings underscore the importance of considering both body mass index and dietary diversity in assessing cardiovascular health. We suggest integrating dietary analysis and handgrip evaluation in hypertension screening. Intervention trials combining dietary modifications with strength training are vital. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential interventions targeting grip strength, adiposity, and dietary factors to mitigate the risk of hypertension.

Nutrition for all? Input subsidies and equitable diets

AbstractWhile agricultural input subsidies can improve productivity and nutrition, a key unanswered question is whether such government initiatives influence equitable nutrition access across genders. We study gender disparities in dietary diversity among 7783 smallholder farms in Zambia, evaluating the potential of subsidies to mitigate gaps. Using Oaxaca‐Blinder decomposition methods, results reveal female‐headed households (FHHs) have significantly lower dietary diversity than male‐headed ones, with gaps ranging from 6% to 12% along the distribution. Male‐headed households (MHHs) also show 9% higher input subsidy participation, influenced by education and agricultural extension access among others. Crucially, increased FHHs' participation in input subsidies could potentially close the gendered dietary diversity gap, even surpassing MHHs by 17.8%, underscoring the promise of targeted efforts to improve gender equity. However, achieving socioeconomic parity with MHHs further amplifies positive impacts. Given these findings, facilitating FHHSs' access to input subsidies can promote more equitable nutrition outcomes between genders. Broader participation could be enabled by strengthening agricultural extension and education to equip farmers, especially marginalized female‐headed and remote households, to leverage subsidized inputs. Overall, this study demonstrates that prioritizing female‐headed households' inclusion in input subsidy programs, alongside integrated support, holds strong potential to narrow gendered disparities in dietary diversity among smallholder farms in Zambia. It provides key insights to inform the design of nutrition‐sensitive, gender‐aware agricultural policies.

Impact of floods on food security in rural Afghanistan

Floods, affecting roughly one million Afghans annually and causing substantial economic losses, is one of the most frequent disasters. This study examines the impacts of floods on household food security in rural Afghanistan, where 80 % of the population relies on subsistence farming and consists of 80 % of the food-insecure population. Based on the 2022 Data in Emergency Monitoring Round 5 dataset, a two-stage least squares with an instrumental variable is applied to analyze the relationship, considering district altitude and unconditional aid. Our findings reveal the negative impacts of floods, i.e., flood exposure decreases the Food Consumption Score (FCS) by 7.1 points and the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) by 0.14 points. Additionally, flood exposure increases the Household Hunger Scale (HHS) by 0.77 points and significantly raises the probability of moderate and severe food insecurity by 11 % and 20 %, respectively. Food aid offers a lifeline, boosting FCS by 1.54 points and reducing HHS by 0.42 points while mitigating food insecurity risks. High-altitude areas experience greater vulnerability, with higher hunger levels and lower dietary diversity compared to lowlands. Our research suggests prioritizing preventative strategies like area-based policies and flood preparedness plans over solely relying on post-disaster relief initiatives. Additionally, accounting for topographical variations, at least at the district level, is crucial for future food security studies in Afghanistan and similar contexts. These findings hold significant implications for achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 13 (Climate Action).

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.

Dietary Diversity and Nutritional Status Among Rwandan Women Engaged in Agriculture: A Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACTBackgroundDietary diversity is crucial for nutritional adequacy, particularly among women of reproductive age who have increased nutritional needs due to menstruation, pregnancy, and lactation. This is especially important in addressing anemia in Rwanda, which poses significant health risks for both mothers and children. This study assessed the dietary diversity, nutritional status, and related factors among Rwandan women engaged in agriculture.MethodsIn 2022, a cross‐sectional study in Nyamagabe, Karongi, and Nyabihu districts, Rwanda, focused on high malnutrition rates. Agriculture households with children under 5 were sampled using a multistage method. Data, including nutritional status via MUAC and dietary diversity via 24‐h recall, were collected digitally through Kobo Collect.ResultsThe study included 439 respondents, with a mean age of 33 years. Among participants, 359 (81.8%) had low dietary diversity, with Nyamagabe having the highest proportion at 39%. Anemia prevalence was 22.1%, with Karongi having the highest at 10.7%. Factors associated with higher odds of high dietary diversity included the education of the household head (adjusted OR = 6.4, 95% CI: 1.05–39.7), age of women (adjusted OR = 3.03, 95% CI: 1.1–7.8), and wealth status (adjusted OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 0.51–5.4). Conversely, the occupation of women (adjusted OR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.001–0.19), reading skills (adjusted OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.1–0.72), and family size (adjusted OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.35–1.1) were associated with lower odds of lower dietary diversity.ConclusionThe findings highlight a significant nutritional challenge among Rwandan women, with low dietary diversity, significant rates of anemia, and food insecurity. The study calls for an urgent need for targeted nutritional interventions to improve dietary diversity and address micronutrient deficiencies among women in agriculture to enhance maternal health and child development, thereby contributing to broader public health goals.

A Cross-sectional Study on Dietary Diversity and Diet Cost in Type 2 Diabetic Population

Background: Globally, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is considered a major public health disease, influenced by nutrition and lifestyle patterns. The majority of people worldwide consume nutritionally poor, cereal-based diets. Therefore, assessing dietary diversity, macronutrient intake, and food costs is essential for better diabetes management. Objective: To compare the dietary diversity of the Type 2 diabetic population with estimated dietary costs and other relevant parameters. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 adult Type 2 adult diabetic population. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on dietary diversity using the Individual Dietary Diversity Score (IDDS), Food Variety Score (FVS) and diet cost estimation using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. FVS was associated with nutrition status, Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c), macronutrient consumption, socio economic status and the average daily diet cost of the study population. Results: The majority of the population were overweight. 50% of the population had low dietary diversity and had uncontrolled diabetes with HbA1c of 7-8%. Dietary diversity influenced the nutritional status of diabetic people. There was no difference between socioeconomic and living status, HbA1c and FVS. Females had higher per day cost when compared to males. Mean per day increased with the increase in the macronutrient consumption. Conclusion: Diabetic patients often have low dietary diversity, which affects their nutritional status. Therefore, dietary diversity, along with diet cost, is integral to the effective nutritional care of the diabetic population.

Informal caregiver and healthcare professional perspectives on dementia and nutrition.

Persons living with dementia and informal caregivers are at a higher risk for malnutrition. Most caregivers are not experts at identifying nutritional complications of dementia. Therefore, we aimed to identify nutrition knowledge and challenges related to feeding and caring for persons with dementia to develop a meaningful intervention. A mixed-methods approach was used. Eight focus groups were conducted with caregivers of persons living with dementia (n = 28) and healthcare professionals (n = 23). Data was analysed using NVivo software. A questionnaire was administered to identify nutritional challenges. A modified food frequency questionnaire assessed food patterns of caregivers and persons with dementia. Results were compared to Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) dietary guidelines. Data were analysed using SPSS software. Four major themes emerged: forgetting to eat, developing food aversions, strong preferences for sweets and weight changes. Findings revealed common strategies used to improve nutrition intake included cueing, supplements and quiet eating environment. Caregivers were impacted by stress leading to poorer food choices and exhaustion. Recommendations for a caregiver program made by participants included education, resources and support. Findings from the food frequencies questionnaire survey showed most participants had a lower dietary diversity compared to the MIND diet guidelines. With both groups being more prone to malnutrition, this research shows that participants were less likely to obtain adequate nutrition for brain health. Additionally, caregivers are dealing with nutrition issues themselves and their person living with dementia. The findings support the need for registered dietitians to provide tailored nutrition interventions for these families.