Nutrition Security Policy Research Articles

The Association of Socio-Economic Factors and Indigenous Crops on the Food Security Status of Farming Households in KwaZulu-Natal Province.

Indigenous crops have been proposed as part of a solution for household food security and sustainable farming systems. However, they have been overlooked and underutilised by households and farmers despite their potential contribution to household food security. The objective of this paper was to determine the association of socio-economic factors and indigenous crops with the household food security of farming households. About 260 farming households were selected using a simple random sampling procedure. The food security status was measured through the use of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The Chi-square test and extended ordered probit regression model assessed the relationship of socio-economic factors and indigenous crops with household food security status. The results from the HFIAS showed that farming households were largely in the mildly and moderately food-insecure categories, with 34.2% and 36.2% of the sampled farmers found in these categories, respectively. The Chi-square test showed a statistically significant relationship between food security status and socio-economic factors. Young men and everyone were perceived to be the ones likely to consume indigenous crops. Consumption of indigenous crops was perceived to be associated with food security. The results also showed that farming experience is likely to positively contribute to the food security status of the farming households. Selling indigenous crops in a formal market is perceived to be associated with food security compared to selling in an informal market. This study concludes that consuming indigenous crops is likely associated with improved food security. Identifying an appropriate market for sales of indigenous crops is imperative. Government, extension officers, and nutritionists must conduct training workshops to encourage households to grow, market and buy indigenous crops. Government and policymakers need to include indigenous crops in the national food and nutrition security policy and create formal markets for indigenous crops.

Effects of the Reduction of the Food Purchase Program Resources for the Family Farmer

The Food Acquisition Program (FAP) created in 2003 during the first term of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva represents a change in the way family farmers are benefited. However, in the period of 2019-2022 (Bolsonaro’s Government) the setback in the implementation of social policies, which began during President Dilma Roussef’s second term, worsened. In this context, this article sought to investigate the effects of the partial implementation of the FAP on the lives of family farmers in the municipality of Maracanaú-CE in that period. This is an excerpt from the dissertation “Evaluation of the Municipal Food and Nutrition Security Policy in the Municipality of Maracanaú-Ceará”, which was developed through a Fourth Generation Assessment from February to November 2022, using the Hermeneutic Circle Dialectic. The informants were family farmers benefiting from the program. Empirical data were constructed through individual semi-structured interviews, field observation and field diary, which allowed creating the empirical categories: Benefit of participating in the FAP; Challenges for maintaining family farming in recent years and Support from municipal managers to family farmers. The study concluded that the partial execution of the FAP due to the reduction in the transfer of federal resources had effects regarding the guarantee of sales, the reduction of sales and the value of products, on the conditions for purchasing equipment and supplies. This situation was worsened by insufficient support from municipal management in terms of providing resources and technical assistance, which generated instability in the segment and discouraged people from continuing with family farming. These findings allow us to reflect on the importance of the FAP to keep family farmers in the field, generate security and stability, and promote quality of life not only for the segment, but for consumers who seek healthy food produced in a sustainable way.

How Does Energy Intake Change in China? A Life Cycle Perspective.

China's population is showing the characteristics of "fewer children" and "aging", which will have a long-term and far-reaching impact on the food and nutritional needs of China and the world. In this paper, adult equivalent scale (AES) variables representing the household population structure were introduced into the energy intake model to quantify the impact of population structure changes on energy intake and reveal the characteristics of energy intake changes in the life cycle of Chinese residents. It is found that the change in the population structure has a significant impact on the energy intake of urban households in China, and the elasticity is 0.446. The energy intake of Chinese elderly over the age of 60 shows a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, especially after the age of 65, which indicates that the aging will promote a decline in food consumption in China. The energy intake of 1-10-year-old children, 22-30 year old, and 40-45 year old women all showed a change of first a decrease and then an increase, which may be related to parents' care for young children and women with children's management of body size. The average household size expressed by the adult equivalent scales of energy consumption is 2.341, which is smaller than the 3.052 calculated by the population number. The conclusion indicates that the prediction of the food and nutritional demand should be adjusted according to the changes and differences in accordance with the intensification of "fewer children" and "aging", as well as the life cycle changes in residents' energy intake, which is conducive to the formulation of food and nutrition security policies.

Water insecurity is associated with greater food insecurity and lower dietary diversity: panel data from sub-Saharan Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic

There is growing recognition that water insecurity – the inability to reliably access sufficient water for all household uses – is commonly experienced globally and has myriad adverse consequences for human well-being. The role of water insecurity in food insecurity and diet quality, however, has received minimal attention. Data are from panel surveys conducted during 2020–21 among adults involved in smallholder agriculture in Niger (n = 364, 3 rounds), Nigeria (n = 501, 5 rounds), Senegal (n = 501, 5 rounds), and Ghana (n = 543, 5 rounds). We hypothesized that household water insecurity (measured using the brief Household Water Insecurity Experiences Scale) would be associated with greater individual food insecurity (using 5 of the 8 Food Insecurity Experiences Scale items) and lower dietary diversity (using the Minimum Dietary Diversity Score for Women). At baseline, 37.1% of individuals were living in water-insecure households and of these, 90.6% had some experience of food insecurity. In multilevel mixed-effects regressions, individuals living in water-insecure households had 1.67 (95% CI: 1.47, 1.89) times higher odds of reporting any food insecurity experience and were estimated to consume 0.38-fewer food groups (95% CI: -0.50, -0.27) than those living in water-secure households. Experiences with suboptimal water access and use are associated with poor nutrition. The pathways by which water insecurity impacts nutrition should be identified. Global and national food and nutrition security policies could be strengthened by monitoring and developing strategies to address household water insecurity.

Policy and Strategic Responses to Food and Nutrition Security in Ethiopia.

Food and nutrition insecurity continues to be one of the persistent challenges in Ethiopia. The country has been responding to the challenges in various ways to foster sustainable development. The objective of the study is to assess national food and nutrition security policy and strategic responses. A qualitative review of policies, strategies, programs, guidelines, and a government commitment, document was conducted. Interviews with experts from food and nutrition-implementing governmental and nongovernmental organizations were also employed. Thematic analysis with description was used. The results of the study revealed that global initiatives stimulated Ethiopia to progressively take various strategic directions to address the ongoing food and nutrition challenges. In addition to various policy directions, the country has been implementing nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive programs under the multisectoral approach. The concepts and practices of food and nutrition security shifted from simply balancing the demand and supply of food to a broader and more inclusive food system approach with the involvement of multiple actors. However, more has been said than done. The policy, strategic objectives, and initiatives have not been adequately translated into practices. Actions toward ensuring food and nutrition security, on the other hand, are constrained by institutional, environmental, technological, and emerging priorities like an outbreak of a pandemic and political instability. The study concluded that available policy and strategic intents have sufficiently addressed food and nutrition challenges in documents and need to be fully translated into practices.

Integrated Knowledge Translation in the Food and Nutrition Security for Manitoba Youth study

Abstract Background There are concerns that many children do not have healthy diets, which may be related to dietary choices as well as lack of access to healthy foods. The Food and Nutrition Security for Manitoba Youth (FANS) study examined diet, nutrition-related behaviours and food security of 1587 grade nine students in Manitoba, Canada. Results show that while one in five students were food insecure, almost all need significant dietary improvements. Engaging stakeholders through multiple communication channels is key to disseminating research outcomes to drive action for policy change. Methods Principles of integrated knowledge translation were followed, including a breadth of dissemination activities, to maximize impact of study results. These included diverse partnerships, academic and non-academic research outputs, and use of media. Results Study partners including academic co-investigators, school authorities, government agencies and non-profit organizations advocating for child nutrition contributed to study design, interpretation and dissemination. Results were published in academic journals, as well as translated into a suite of non-academic outputs including a community report, infographics (circulated on social media), and a searchable data dashboard, available through a web-based portal. This approach allows for tracking of research output downloads, which number over 500 to date. Due to active outreach to traditional media, study results received widespread attention adding to the breadth of knowledge translation methods employed. This also led to uptake by provincial health education curriculum developers. Results will also be circulated during an upcoming provincial election as part of engaging candidates around child nutrition and food security issues and policies. Conclusions This broad approach to integrated knowledge translation has resulted in extensive distribution of FANS study results and has potential to influence public health nutrition policy. Key messages • Integrated knowledge translation and a breadth of dissemination strategies in the FANS study has led to extensive distribution of research outputs and media coverage. • The FANS knowledge portal, with diverse academic and non-academic research outputs including a data dashboard, is strategic for public health nutrition promotion and advocacy.

Barriers to Overcoming Child Hunger and Malnutrition: Applying a Human Rights Approach to Improve Policy and Action.

Objective: Analyze key barriers to achieving children's right to food under Colombia's food and nutrition security policies and programs. Methods: A literature review was conducted along with 17 semi-structured expert interviews. The law framework on the right to food was applied to analyze findings. Results: Four key barriers were found. First, a reductionist approach prevails in the political narrative. This focuses on ensuring personal food access overlooking societal and environmental impacts. Second, the implementation of policies and programs is passed on to third parties, preventing civic participation and accountability. Third, there are insufficient national data sources and indicators to monitor the impact of interventions and funding. Fourth, program implementation is unequal and inadequate, which inadvertently supports illicit economies that thrive on conditions of hunger and poverty. Conclusion: Children's food and nutrition are reliant on organizations that focus on personal food supply without strengthening civic participation. Strengthening participation requires a human rights approach. International organizations can help the government to engage communities in policy and program improvement and oversight.

Policies for optimal nutrition-sensitive options: a study of food and nutrition security policies, strategies and programs in Ghana, Kenya and South Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing the coexistence of overnutrition, undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Comprehensive programs and coherent public policies are required to address this problem. A study of food and nutrition security policies, strategies and programs in Ghana, Kenya and South Africa was conducted between February and July 2022 through desk reviews and key informant interviews. The aim was to generate evidence on the extent to which the policies, strategies and programs were nutrition-sensitive and add value to the scaling up of nutrition and food security. The assessment of the documents was based on the four dimensions of food security, and the Food and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations guidelines on nutrition-sensitive agriculture. A total of 48 policies, strategies and programs were reviewed. To ensure food availability, most reviewed documents tend to focus on food production and income generation, with limited attention on production and supply of diverse and nutrient-dense foods. Access to inputs, credit and land is targeted at smallholder farmers, without little sensitivity to women and youth engagement. Food access is promoted through improved market access by upgrading infrastructure and promoting social safety nets for vulnerable populations. However, information systems for agricultural marketing as well as labor- and time-saving technologies are lacking. Although nutrition education is widely promoted, especially for mothers and children, there is a gap in addressing the nutrition needs of adolescent girls. Regarding food stability, inadequate funding, poor leadership and governance and inadequate monitoring and evaluation systems are the main barriers to successful implementation of policies, strategies and programs. While efforts have been made to promote nutrition-sensitive options in the agriculture and food system value chains, the study identified several gaps that need to be addressed to ensure adequate food and nutrition security.

Inclusive diets within planetary boundaries

Inclusive diets within planetary boundaries

Social policy and environment in Brazil: Why does community-supported agriculture matter?

Recent political measures in Brazil, in conjunction with new environmental policies, could reverse previous achievements that had put the country at the forefront of social policy making. This article discusses the implications of Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) for social policy. It is based on qualitative methods, namely, semi-structured interviews with subscribers from six administrative regions who participated through digital platforms. The results indicate that the factors determining consumer participation in CSA are health impact, strengthening local production, environmental concerns, and eating as a human right and political act. This article also demonstrates the need to promote participation among low-income and socially vulnerable families in CSA and to firmly connect food and nutrition security policy with health, and environment aimed at poverty alleviation. The novelty of this research lies in its consideration of the implications of CSA for environmental preservation and the promotion of a healthier and sustainable food system, namely for the low-income population, which can lead to the growth of eco-social policies in developing welfare states in the global south.

Nutrition and food security in Nepal: a narrative review of policies.

In the past few decades, the Nepali government has endorsed several nutritional policies, strategies, and guidelines. Given the lack of a comprehensive review of such policy documents, this review aims to describe the nutrition and food security policies and understand the existing policy gaps in Nepal. Findings from this study can be used to develop policies and programs to address Nepal's current and future nutritional needs. Policies relevant to nutrition and food security were identified by searching government websites and directly approaching relevant government ministries. Thematic analysis was conducted using framework methods under 8 predetermined themes: nutrition intervention, food security, food system, capacity building of human resources, nutrition education, nutrition governance, research, and monitoring and evaluation. The contents of each document reviewed were manually extracted in a spreadsheet stratified by the themes, and the findings were summarized for the respective themes. A total of 30 policy documents were reviewed. Most policies have focused on undernutrition; only a few have addressed overnutrition and diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Food security through a sustainable food system has been considered a key policy area in Nepal. Other areas in the food and nutrition policy landscape are capacity building for human resources, behavior change practices, nutrition governance, monitoring, and evaluation. Policy gaps have been identified in the quality and sustainability of nutrition programs; access to health care services; competent human resources for nutrition; intersectoral coordination and commitment; and support for monitoring, evaluation, and research activities. Most policies have tried to address a wide range of components of food and nutrition security; however, strategies focused on overnutrition and diet-related noncommunicable diseases are lacking. Several gaps are identified in this policy review; the findings can guide the policymakers to address these gaps via further policy development.

Consumer Perception & Awareness on Food Safety in the Developing Countries – A Critical Review

World Health Day focuses on demonstrating the importance of food safety along the whole length of the food chain in a globalized world. Food safety is the shared responsibility. It is important to work all along the food production chain from farmers, manufactures to vendors and consumers. Unsafe food creates a vicious cycle of disease and malnutrition, particularly affecting infants, young children, elderly and the sick. Unsafe food is linked to the deaths of an estimated 2 million people annually including many children. There is an urgent need for strengthening the existing food policies to incorporate the importance of food safety, which is ignored most of the times, improving the food governance. This study is based on exploratory research by reviewing available literature on consumer perception and awareness on food safety in developing countries. The food we eat must be nutritious and safe, but we often ignore or overlook the issue of food safety. There is need to Improve the nutrition center in the country, actively spread information and raise consumer awareness about food safety issues. There are other issues related to the costs of implementation of food safety measures and the compliance with the standards which the Government should take care. There is an urgent need for strengthening the existing food policies to incorporate the importance of food safety. The policy makers must include “safe food” as a top priority and integrating “food safety” in the nutrition and food security policies and programs. Good collaboration between governments, producers and consumers helps ensure food safety.

The Food and Nutrition Security Policy in Brazil between 2015 and 2019: an integrative review

Resumo: O artigo objetivou analisar a execução da Política de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional no Brasil, por meio de uma revisão integrativa. As potencialidades identificadas foram o controle social e os programas, e as fragilidades foram o déficit de recursos físicos e humanos, a atuação insípida dos conselhos, a baixa adesão e qualificação, e o desafio da intersetorialidade. O fortalecimento da educação permanente e a integração das políticas públicas são proposições para a reorientação dessa política.

Evaluation of the United Nations’ global nutrition and food security policies

Birleşmiş Milletlere bağlı Tarım ve Gıda Örgütü (FAO), Dünya Sağlık Örgütü (WHO), Dünya Gıda Programı (WFP) ve Uluslararası Tarımsal Kalkınma Fonu (IFAD) küresel beslenme ve gıda güvencesi konularında çeşitli politikalar üretmekte ve politikalara uygun çalışmalar yapmaktadır. Çalışma ile günümüzün en kritik küresel sorunların başında gelen açlık, kıtlık, obezite ve gıda güvencesizliğinin çözümüne yeni bir yaklaşım getirmek için Birleşmiş Milletler ‘in ilgili politikalarının belirlenmesi ve tartışılması amaçlamıştır. Çalışmada nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden olan literatür tarama ve doküman inceleme teknikleri kullanılmıştır. Çalışma bulguları incelendiğinde Birleşmiş Milletler ’in küresel beslenme ve gıda güvencesi politikalarının büyük oranda adil gıda paylaşımına odaklandığı belirlenmiştir. Bu bağlamda BM açlığın azaltılmasını gıda güvencesini ve adil gıda paylaşımını teşvik ederek hedeflemektedir. Bununla birlikte açlık ve obezitenin aynı zamanda var olması gıda paylaşımının eşit olmadığını göstermektedir. BM’nin ilgili kurumlarının iki sorunun çözümü için çalışmalar yapmaktadır. BM‘nin 1995-1997 yılları arası yaptığı araştırmalar sonucu aç ve yetersiz beslenen 824 milyon insanın var olduğu tespit edilmiştir. BM 2015 yılında aç ve yetersiz beslenen insan sayısını 400 milyon seviyesine düşürmeyi hedeflemiş ancak bu sayı 795 milyona yükselmiştir. Buna ek olarak 2015 yılı sonrası açıklanan tüm raporların verileri arasında büyük çelişkiler mevcut olup bazı raporlar ise ağır şekilde eleştirilmektedir. Aslında bu haklı eleştiriler, verilerin manipüle edilerek istenilen sonucun elde edilmesi ile ilişkili olduğu şüphesinden kaynaklanmaktadır. Sonuç olarak BM’nin kalkınma hedefleri 2030 yılında sonuçlanmayı beklerken FAO’nun ortaya koyduğu hedeflerden oldukça uzak olması ilgili politikaların istenen sonucu vermediğini göstermektedir.

Food demand and the nutrient intake of households in underdeveloped rural regions of China: an instrumental variable approach

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effects of price and income changes on food and nutrient demand of rural households by including own-produced food and production-side effects in the demand estimation to correct potential measurement bias in the income and price elasticities for rural households in underdeveloped areas. Simulation results of income and grain price changes on food and nutrition security are provided for economic nutrition security policy applications.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyzes survey data of 1,555 households from underdeveloped rural areas of China to find out how price and income changes affect food and nutrition insecurity of rural households. The authors employ the quadratic almost ideal demand system (QUAIDS) in a two-stage budgeting framework, using quality adjusted prices that were retrieved with regressions of the difference between the unit value surveyed at household level and its village average on household characteristics. The bias correction is implemented by using an augmented IV (instrumental variable) method, in which each market price is instrumented with farm-specific variables. Important macro- and micronutrient elasticities are computed for (a) households with agriculture as main income and (b) other households (of which still many have agriculture as a side business). Finally, the authors use these elasticities to simulate how changes in income or grain prices affect the food and nutrition security in the studied areas.FindingsIn general, food income elasticities of agricultural households are at a higher level than those for other households, and so are the food price elasticities. Income changes also have a greater nutritional effect on agricultural households than on other households. Nutrient income elasticities ranged from 0.22 (energy) to 0.27 (Vitamin A) for agricultural households and from 0.19 (energy) to 0.23 (Vitamin A) for other households. Grain price increases have greater effect on nutritional status of non-agricultural households, while a grain price reduction is not clearly favoring the nutritional situation of a particular household group.Originality/valueThis demand study contributes to the literature by taking into account differences in consumption of own production between households and the potential endogeneity of prices resulting thereof. The authors also demonstrate that merely reporting nutrient elasticities might not be sufficient for policy recommendations, and simulations should be reported as a valuable addition.

Deforestation reduces fruit and vegetable consumption in rural Tanzania

SignificanceTwo billion people across the planet suffer from nutrient deficiencies. Dietary diversification is key to solving this problem, yet many food and nutrition security policies, especially in low- and middle-income countries, still focus on increasing agricultural production and access to sufficient calories as the main solution. But calories are not all equal. Here, we show how deforestation in Tanzania caused a reduction in fruit and vegetable consumption (of 14 g per person per day) and thus vitamin A adequacy of diets. Using a combination of regression and weighting analyses to generate quasi-experimental quantitative estimates of the impacts of deforestation on people's food intake, our study establishes a causal link between deforestation and people's dietary quality.

How country policy actors understand sustainability of food and nutrition security policy

Sustainability is important for food nutrition security policies (FNSP) that require long-term processes for impact. We examined how country policy actors understand sustainability of FNSP after 7 years of adoption by using qualitative grounded-theory methods in Guatemala, sampling purposefully 52 policy actors for interviews and 39 policy documents for content analysis. We coded interview data on the emergent understandings of sustainability that captured variability. Country actors vary in understanding sustainability. Participants reported understanding sustainability by describing drivers like attitudes, social norms, transferred capacities, shared commitment, resilience, ownership, empowerment, livelihood, self-functioning, and coherence. They also described processes of accumulating, adding up, reaching, and maintaining. Meaning of sustainability in documents aligned with and complemented (although environment and governance drivers emerged) understandings reported by actors but did not do so fully. Sustainability advocates will succeed by acknowledging that country policy actors vary in understanding of sustainability and by bridging collaborations toward compromise.

The importance of forest foods for diet quality: A case study from Sangthong District, Laos

Forests can make important contributions to the diet quality of forest proximate people for example through the direct provision of food. However, ongoing deforestation and forest degradation influence the availability of forest food – potentially decreasing the diet quality of people relying on forest food. Using a combination of food frequency questionnaires, wealth questionnaires, interviews, principal component analysis and land cover maps, this study examines the importance of forest food for diet quality in the two villages of Houay Tom and Maipaksang, Sangthong District, Laos (N = 49 households). We found that 71% of the respondents consumed forest food in the past week – and that a decrease in the forest area appears to have affected local people's diet quality negatively. Overall, forest food contributed to the consumption of six different food groups, and food sourced from the forest resulted in the consumption of minimum one additional food group for 48% of the respondents. Specifically, we found a significant positive association between forest food consumption and the consumption of more meat, poultry, and fish. Also, our findings suggest that the forest was most important for people belonging to the bottom wealth group. That is, this group exhibited higher consumption frequencies of forest food and forest food contributed more to their mean dietary diversity score and total consumption frequency compared to the upper- and middle wealth groups. Finally, the diet quality of households in the bottom wealth group might be more negatively affected by deforestation because these households typically are less engaged in various income-generating activities. These results point to the need of integrating forests into food and nutrition security and agriculture development policies.

The National Council for Food and Nutrition Security: dynamics and agenda (2006-2016).

Food insecurity is a worldwide public health problem. In Brazil, the configuration of a Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) policy has gained prominence in the government agenda since 1980. We highlight the creation of the National Council for Food and Nutrition Security (CONSEA) aiming at articulation between sectors and social participation. This article examines the role of CONSEA in coordinating FNS policy in Brazil from 2006 to 2016. The research was based on the approaches of historical institutionalism and used the dynamics of action and the CONSEA agenda as axes of analysis. The methodological strategies carried out were: bibliographic review, document analysis and semi-structured interviews. It was observed that CONSEA was marked by an expressive performance by civil society and variable participation of government representatives. Regarding the agenda, conflicting topics were much debated, but had little impact on the adoption of legal and normative measures. It is concluded that the strengthening of CONSEA, combined with the confrontation of economic interests, adequate financing and the performance of the State in social protection, are essential for overcoming challenges, implementing the FNS policy and promoting the health of the population.

Emergence and evolution of the National Policy for Food and Nutrition Security in Brazil (2003-2015)

The article presents an overall analysis of the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy, its conceptions and central concepts, in a context of significant advances in the making and implementation of policies and the creation of an institutional framework for the promotion of food and nutrition security (SAN), in the period 2003-2015. It addresses the interaction between the formulation and implementation of the SAN National Policy (PNSAN), the construction of the National SAN System (Sisan) and the strategies used to promote intersectionality and social participation in government actions. The theoretical framework brings together approaches on food politics and analyses of public policies in order to identify the political nature of food and the conflicts it expresses, the social actors, interests and institutions involved, aspects of the construction of SAN as a public problem and its incorporation into the Brazilian political agenda, and the making and implementation of public policies. The main conclusions regarding the continuities and discontinuities in SAN policies in Brazil point to a significant inflection in the orientation of policies to overcome hunger, food insecurity and poverty, simultaneously with the continuity of conflicting and even contradictory programs and actions.