Journal of Nutrition and Food Security
Volume:6 Issue: 2, May 2021

The study examined the impact of a contract farming scheme on the farmers’ income, food security, and nutrition.

Simple random sampling was used to select 100 respondents for the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics as well the Propensity Score Matching technique.

The major determinants of participation in contract farming included commercialization index, distance from the collection center, and total labor available in the household. The average treatment effect on the treated, the average effect of the treatment, and the average treatment on the untreated shows that contract farming will enhance the income from Maize production by ₦50234.8 ($131.79)/hectare, ₦37170.8 ($97.53)/hectare, and ₦28809.8 ($75.59)/hectare respectively.

Contract farming participation can affect farming households negatively if food security concerns are not considered into the contract farming agreements.

Independent association between legume intake and psychological disorders is not well documented. This study was carried out to examine legume consumption in relation todepression, anxiety, and stress in women in Tehran city of Iran.

In this cross-sectional study, 458 women aged 20-50 years who referred to the health centers of Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected by multistage cluster sampling method. The usual dietary intake in the past year was evaluated using a 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire with confirmed validity and reliability. Legume intake was calculated by summing up the consumption of lentils, peas, chickpeas, and different kinds of beans including broad beans and chickling vetch. Psychological disorders were assessed using a validated depression, anxiety, stress scales questionnaires with 21items. In the logistic regression analysis, the results were adjusted to the confounding factors.

The mean age of the study participants was 31.85 ± 7.67 years. The prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and psychological distress among study participants was 34.6%, 40.6%, and 42.4%, respectively. After adjustment of the confounding variables, legume consumption had no significant association with depression (P = 0.72), anxiety (P = 0.17), and stress (P = 0.89). However, a significant association was found between moderate legume consumption and depression (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.30–0.90; P = 0.01).

Higher legume consumption has no significant relationship with depression, anxiety, and anxiety in women. However, a significant association was observed between moderate legume consumption and depression. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Hibiscus sabdariffa linnaeus (HSL) is a tropical plant with a high content of anthocyanin, traditionally found to have beneficial biological activities. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and parallel trial was conducted to assess some renal and cardiovascular effects of supplementation with HSL in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

The study protocol was completed by 60 patients (38 females and 22 males) who were randomly assigned into the supplemented (SG) and Placebo groups (PG). The SG was treated with 425 mg of HSL twice daily and the PG received the placebo. Anthropometric and dietary information as well as fasting blood and urine samples were collected at the baseline and end of an 8-week intervention period.

Compared with the PG, supplementation with HSL significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (P = 0.01) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P = 0.004). A significant increase was observed in total antioxidant capacity levels in the SG (P = 0.03). Moreover, we found a significant reduction in the levels of blood urea nitrogen (P < 0.001), blood creatinine (P = 0.002), urine creatinine (P < 0.001), and urine albumin (P < 0.001) in the SG compared with the PG. However, no significant change was observed in diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and glomerular filtration rate following intervention between two groups.

HSL supplementation seems to be beneficial in improving the outcomes of patients with diabetic nephropathy; however, no considerable effect was observed on fasting glucose levels. Large-scale trials are needed to better understand its efficiency and safety for long-term use.

Plastic and polymeric materials remain in the soil given the fact that they are derived from petroleum resources. However, such pollution has created a special challenge for human societies. The use of biodegradable packaging has received more attention. The general purpose of this study was to investigate the use of a mixture film of whey protein concentrate and reinforced hydroxypropyl methylcellulose with chitosan nanoparticles to package ground meat and Kashar cheese. Furthermore, this package was compared with ordinary polyethylene coating.

Two samples of ground meat and Kashar cheese were packaged using a nano-biocomposite film of whey protein concentrate/ hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (70:30) containing 3% chitosan nanoparticles. The antimicrobial properties of the optimal produced film were examined. The total population of microorganisms and pH for ground meat were tested during 6 days of storage. The total population of microorganisms, weight loss, moisture content, pH, and mold count and yeast for Kashar cheese were examined during 2 months of storage. The results of the tests were analyzed by Duncan one-way analysis of variance with 95% confidence and 5% error by Minitab16 software.

Samples of ground meat and cheese packaged in whey protein film and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose containing chitosan nanoparticles had less mold count, yeast, and total microorganism population than polyethylene packaging (P ≤ 0.05) after storage period.

The use of biodegradable films based on plants and the loading of nanoparticles can lead to the use of this type of packaging for perishable food to prevent environmental hazards in addition to greater safety of perishable food products.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing among women. Since diet quality and quality of life are two indicators of healthy lifestyle, we conducted this study to examine the relationship between these two indicators among overweight and obese women.

This study was carried out among a sample of 111 overweight and obese women, aged 35-60 years in the west of Tehran, Iran. Dietary data were collected using a 168-item food frequency questionnaire and the Nutrient-Rich Food index (NRF9.3) algorithms were used to estimate the nutrient density. The quality of life was measured using 26-item WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire.  The SPSS 24 was run for statistical analysis.

We found that the participants’ quality of life had a significant relationship with their occupational, marital, and educational status, but no significant association was observed between the quality of life and diet quality (P = 0.50). Pearson correlation showed that NRF9.3 score was positively associated with body mass index (P = 0.01), but no difference was found between obese and overweight women regarding quality of life.

The NRF9.3 index was not associated with WHOQOL-BREF questionnairechr('39')s score, while job, marriage, and education were significantly associated with the quality of life. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between quality of life and diet quality among overweight and obese women

Food and nutrition services in hospitals are one of the factors effecting patients’ satisfaction. Appropriate management and supervision in the nutrition sector is an essential factor in reducing the costs and gaining patient satisfaction. The optimal performance of the nutrition sector accelerates improvement and can be useful in their satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients’ satisfaction with food and nutrition services in 2016-2017, Yazd, Iran.

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study population included patients referring to the selected hospitals affiliated to Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences. A researcher-made questionnaire was used for data collection. This questionnaire had 19 questions that should be answered on a 5-point Likert scale (strongly agree, agree, no idea, disagree, and strongly disagree).  At the end of this questionnaire, a question was presented about the individual’s overall satisfaction with nutrition.

The average of patients’ satisfaction with food services was 4.40 ± 0.90. The lowest satisfaction rate was related to the inappropriate quality of dinner with an average of 4.02 ± 1.50. The highest level of satisfaction was related to the hygiene of food with an average of 4.69 ± 0.55.

Hospital managers are required to take measures to increase the awareness of nutrition service personnel regarding the health and quality of food, their active presence by patients’ beds, give patients the right to choose, and take the necessary supervision to increase the variety of meals.

Malnutrition is responsible for one third of the mortality rate among children less than 5 years old. Worldwide, 54% of the child deaths are due to malnutrition and the caseload in Pakistan is equal to 46%. In the current study, we attempted to identify the possible risk factors related to malnutrition among6-59-month children in Pakpattan, Punjab province.

A total of 500 severe acute malnourished (SAM) 6-59-month children were assessed during a period of 12 months (March 2018 to Feb 2019) to find out the possible risk factors for SAM.

Based on the findings, significant possible determinants risk factors related to acute malnutrition include edema, blurred vision, illness history, birth interval, mother body mass index (BMI), complementary feeding, family size, and family member working status.

Malnutrition risk factors depend upon children nutrition status and early detection of these risk factors may improve the nutrition status and functional recovery in children

Use of additives in food industry is of specific importance. Currently, more than 2,500 additives are added to foods to achieve the desired goals or to extend the product’s shelf life. However, application of these substances has raised concerns about the consumers’ health. Since public information on these substances is inadequate, promoting people’s knowledge can play a key role in this regard. Therefore, knowledge, attitude, and practices of the personnel of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences toward food additives were evaluated.

This cross-sectional descriptive study included 800 participants selected randomly among the personnel of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran. The participants’ demographic information, knowledge, attitudes, and practices were measured via a self-administered questionnaire. The relationship of participants’ educational level, age, and gender with their knowledge, attitudes, and practices were determined.

The participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices average scores were calculated as 30.6±1.3, 32±0.9, and 15±1.5 for food additives, respectively.

The participants’ knowledge, attitude, and practices were at a poor level. So, people should receive the necessary education and training in terms of food additives as well as food labels in order to prevent misinterpretations regarding food additives.

Achievement of food security has become one of the major challenges of most developing countries, including Zimbabwe. This study was designed to investigate the effect of agricultural commercialization on household food security.

This study used cross-sectional data for the 2017/18 farming season collected from 165 smallholder farmer households in Zhombe north rural district in Zimbabwe. Instrumental variable regression model was applied for data analysis over the effect of agricultural commercialization. Agricultural commercialization was measured using the crop output market participation share (COMPS).

The results revealed that COMPS, household head age, household head gender, and income per capita had a significant positive influence on household food security.

The results indicate that agricultural commercialization and socio-economic characteristics have a role to play in defining the household’s food security. Therefore, the findings recommend policies that would promote agricultural commercialization, which improve household food security in turn. The study recommends policymakers to promote agricultural commercialization, since it positively contributed towards household food security. In addition, young-headed, female-headed, and low-income earning households that were identified as the food insecure households.

Food security refers to accessing to desirable, nutritious, and healthy foods to live a healthy and productive life. Household food insecurity is an underlying cause of malnutrition in children. In this study, the household food security and its influence on the nutritional status of under-five year children were investigated.

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from August to November 2019 in Syangja district of Nepal. Of six rural municipalities of the district, Phedikhola Rural Municipality was selected using the lottery method. We found 905 eligible households that have an under-five year child. A total of 289 children entered the study after considering the 40% overall prevalence rate of malnutrition among children under five years of age.  Data were collected proportionately from each ward considering the health status and anthropometric measurements of children and household food security using a structured interview schedule and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied to assess the situation and determine the association.

Food insecurity was observed in more than half (52.3%) of the households. Food insecurity was associated (P < 0.001) with the socioeconomic status of the family. Prevalence of stunting (height-for-age), underweight, and wasting (weight-for-height) in children were 28.7%, 20.0%, and 13.9%, respectively. Food security, exclusive breastfeeding, and initiation time of complementary feeding were significantly associated with wasting and underweight (P < 0.05).

Food insecurity and under-five year malnutrition were highly frequent in the study areas. The improvement of educational, occupational, and economic conditions of the households may be a solution to this problem

Food security has been a target in India since its independence; the primary aim of food security is to ensure enough staple food for the entire population. Although substantial progress was made through the adoption of green revolution (GR) technologies and implementation of the food public distribution system (PDS), desirable food and nutrition security, as defined by the food and agriculture organization (FAO), is far from being realized. This paper scrutinized the potential contribution of millets in achieving food and nutrition security in India.

The present study was conducted based on the secondary data obtained from FAO Corporate Statistical Database and published literature on food and nutrition security. The impact of the GR technologies and the PDS on food and nutrition security was examined using 58 years of acreage, production, and yield of rice, wheat, and millet, as well as comprehensive information on relevant issues including climate.

Both GR technologies and PDS unduly favored two principal crops, namely rice and wheat, marginalizing all other crops cultivated for thousands of years to meet the food and nutrition requirement of mostly developing countries including India. Millets constitute one such neglected group of crops in India, which have tremendous potential for contributing to food and nutrition security.

Millets are to be included in the PDS alongside rice and wheat so that they receive an appropriate Minimum Price Support. Appropriate implementation of relevant regulations, continued research and development, and adequate support for cultivation and marketing of millets are necessary in this regard.