Key predictors of food security and nutrition in Africa: a spatio-temporal model-based study.

There is voluminous literature on Food Security in Africa. This study explicitly considers the spatio-temporal factors in addition to the usual FAO-based metrics in modeling and understanding the dynamics of food security and nutrition across the African continent. To better understand the complex trajectory and burden of food insecurity and nutrition in Africa, it is crucial to consider space-time factors when modeling and interpreting food security. The spatio-temporal anova model was found to be superior(employing statistical criteria) to the other three models from the spatio-temporal interaction domain models. The results of the study suggest that dietary supply adequacy, food stability, and consumption status are positively associated with severe food security, while average food supply and environmental factors have negative effects on Food Security and Nutrition. The findings also indicate that severe food insecurity and malnutrition are spatially and temporally correlated across the African continent. Spatio-temporal modeling and spatial mapping are essential components of a comprehensive practice to reduce the burden of severe food insecurity. likewise, any planning and intervention to improve the average food supply and environment to promote sustainable development should be regional instead of one size fit all.

Associação entre insegurança e consumo alimentar em universitários brasileiros durante a pandemia de COVID-19 / Association between food insecurity and consumption in Brazilian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introdução. A COVID-19 impactou a garantia de uma alimentação adequada e saudável, inclusive entre universitários, que parecem constituir um grupo suscetível à Insegurança Alimentar (IA). Objetivo. Verificar a associação entre IA e marcadores de consumo alimentar em universitários durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Materiais e métodos. Estudo transversal com 5407 estudantes de instituições de ensino superior de todas as regiões do Brasil. Os dados foram coletados entre agosto/2020 e fevereiro/2021. O consumo alimentar foi avaliado por marcadores de alimentação saudável utilizados num inquérito nacional de saúde (VIGITEL). Os níveis de IA foram classificados pela Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar em Segurança Alimentar (SA) e IA leve, moderada e grave. A associação entre IA e marcadores de consumo foi avaliada por meio de regressão logística, considerando frequência semanal de consumo < 3 dias e ≥ 3 dias. Resultados. 37% dos universitários estavam em algum grau de IA. Verificou-se maior chance de baixa frequência de consumo de feijão (OR 1,81), verduras e legumes (OR 4,76), frutas (OR 3,99), lácteos (OR 3,98) e carnes (OR 3,41), e maiores chances de maior consumo de frango (OR 1,14) e ovos (OR 2,04) entre aqueles em IA (p<0,05). Em sua maioria, os valores foram mais expressivos quanto maior o grau de IA. Conclusões. Maiores níveis de IA mostraram-se associados a uma menor chance de consumo alimentar saudável por universitários. Instituições de ensino superior podem executar papéis importantes no combate e assistência à IA nessa população(AU)

Introduction. COVID-19 has impacted access to an adequate and healthy diet, including university students, who seem to constitute a group susceptible to Food Insecurity (FI). Objective. To verify the association between FI and food consumption markers in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods. We conducted a cross- sectional study with 5407 students from higher education institutions from all regions of Brazil. Data were collected between August/2020 and February/2021. We evaluated food consumption using the healthy eating markers from a Brazilian national health survey (VIGITEL). We classified the FI levels according to the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale into Food Security (FS) and mild, moderate, and severe FI. We evaluated the association between FI and consumption markers using logistic regression, considering the weekly frequency of consumption of < 3 days and ≥ 3 days. Results. 37% of the university students had in some degree of FI. We found a greater chance of lower frequency of consumption of beans (OR 1.81), vegetables (OR 4.76), fruits (OR 3.99), dairy products (OR 3.98), and meat (OR 3. 41), and greater chances of increased consumption of chicken (OR 1.14) and eggs (OR 2.04) among those in FI (p<0.05). Overall, the values were more expressive the higher the degree of FI. Conclusions. Higher FI levels were associated with a lower chance of healthy food consumption in university students. Higher education institutions can play a relevant role in addressing and administering the FI in this population(AU)

Seguridad Alimentaria Nutricional de la República Argentina, análisis de sus dimensiones y de los planes de acción. Revisión sistemática de la literatura / Nutritional Food Security in Argentina: analysis of its dimensions and food action plans. A systematic literature review

Fundamentos: La alimentación es un derecho humano y se encuentra íntimamente relacionado con el concepto de seguridad alimentaria nutricional. Para intentar garantizarlo, el Estado argentino ha implementado planes de acción. Los objetivos del presente trabajo son determinar el estado de cumplimiento de las dimensiones de la Seguridad Alimentaria Nutricional e identificar los planes de acción en respuesta a la Inseguridad Alimentaria Nutricional, en la República Argentina entre 1984 y 2017. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de artículos publicados en cinco bases de datos electrónicas: Scopus, SciELO, PubMed, BVS y Redalyc. Las categorías analizadas fueron las dimensiones de la Seguridad Alimentaria Nutricional y los planes de acción. Resultados: Tras la búsqueda se seleccionaron 41 artículos para su análisis. Conclusiones: La seguridad alimentaria nutricional en Argentina no se encuentra garantizada, esto es debido a la falla en la dimensión acceso económico a los alimentos y en la disponibilidad (no es plena en las frutas, hortalizas y lácteos). El acceso económico puede disminuir o aumentar, dependiendo de las políticas públicas que el Estado pueda implementar en materia ingresos. Casi todos los planes de acción, son medidas asistencialistas y focalizadas, solucionando de una manera parcial, paliativa y transitoria la seguridad alimentaria nutricional. (AU)

Background: Food is a human right and is closely related to the concept of food security and nutrition. In order to guarantee it, Argentina has implemented action plans. The objectives of this work are to determine the status of compliance with the dimensions of food security and nutrition and identify action plans in response to Nutritional Food Insecurity in Argentina, between 1984 and 2017. Methods: A systematic search of articles was conducted of the following five electronic databases: Scopus, SciELO, PubMed, BVS and Redalyc. The categories analyzed were the dimensions of food security and nutrition and action plans. Results: After the search, 41 articles were included in the analysis. Conclusions: Food security and nutrition in Argentina is not guaranteed, this is mainly due to the failure in the economic access to food and availability (it is no full in fruits, vegetables and dairy products). This access to food can decrease or increase, depending on the public policies that the state can implement in terms of income. Almost all the action plans are assistanceoriented and focused, solving the food security and nutrition in a partial, palliative and transitory way. (AU)

Processo formativo a distância em Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional na Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa: construindo práticas educativas / Proceso formativo a distancia en Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional en la Comunidad de los Países de Lengua Portuguesa: construcción de prácticas educativas / Distance formative process in Food Security and Nutrition in the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries: building educational practices

Resumo Processos formativos para fortalecer a segurança alimentar e nutricional (SAN) como política são demandas da Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa (CPLP). Objetivamos descrever e analisar práticas educativas desenvolvidas pelos docentes, visando refletir e propor ajustes para aprimorar o processo formativo a distância em SAN no contexto da CPLP. O curso foi composto por alunos do Brasil; Cabo Verde; Moçambique e São Tomé e Príncipe. A pesquisa é aplicada, teve abordagem qualitativa e natureza descritiva e explicativa, empregando videoaulas como materiais de estudo, principalmente, com base na Análise Textual Discursiva. A proposta indica que cursos de mesma natureza requerem da gestão educacional formação docente; reconhecimento do conhecimento dos discentes; inserção de dialogia nas videoaulas; oferecimento de atividades locais capazes de gerar compreensão da realidade; criação de sequência para elaboração do Trabalho de Conclusão (TCC); e desenvolvimento do TCC visando à transformação da realidade. (AU)

Resumen Procesos formativos para fortalecer la Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional (SAN) como política son demandas de la Comunidad de los Países de Lengua Portuguesa (CPLP). El objetivo es describir y analizar prácticas educativas desarrolladas por los docentes, con el objetivo de reflexionar y proponer ajustes para el perfeccionamiento del proceso formativo a distancia en SAN en el contexto de la CPLP (Brasil, Cabo Verde, Mozambique y Santo Tomé y Príncipe). Se realizó la investigación, con abordaje cualitativo y naturaleza descriptiva y explicativa, empleando videoclases como material de estudio, principalmente con base en el Análisis Textual Discursivo. La propuesta indica que cursos de la misma naturaleza demandan de la gestión educativa: formación docente, reconocimiento del conocimiento de los discentes, inserción de dilogía en las videoclases, ofrecimiento de actividades locales capaces de generar comprensión de la realidad, creación de secuencia para elaboración del Trabajo de Conclusión (TCC) y desarrollo del TCC con el objetivo de transformación de la realidad. (AU)

Abstract Formative processes to strengthen Food Security and Nutrition (FSN) are demanded by the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP). Our objective was to describe and analyze the educational practices developed by teachers, aiming to reflect and propose adjustments to improve the distance formative process in FSN in the CPLP context (Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe). This is applied research, with a qualitative approach and a descriptive and explanatory nature, using video classes as study material, mainly based on Discursive Textual Analysis. The proposal indicates that courses of the same nature require: teacher education; recognition of students' knowledge; insertion of dialogue in the video lessons; offering local activities capable of generating an understanding of the reality; creation of a sequence for the elaboration of the undergraduate thesis (UT); and writing UTs aimed at transforming reality. (AU)

What Kigali's open-air markets reveal about achieving food and nutrition security: the role of African indigenous crops.

BACKGROUND: Household dietary diversity in Rwanda remains low and significantly contributes to the double burden of malnutrition. Rwanda has one of the highest under five stunting rates globally, and malnutrition remains one of the most pressing public health issues; therefore, factors that shape food and nutrition security are of utmost concern. Globally, the variety of foods available in open-air markets has been shown to affect dietary diversity. Furthermore, the consumption of indigenous foods can contribute to a diverse diet and improve nutrition status. At present, there are limited data on foods available for purchase in open-air markets in Africa. Therefore, this study was designed to provide data on food availability in the largest open-air markets of Rwanda's most populated city, Kigali, and to highlight which foods indigenous to Africa can be purchased. METHODS: All consumables were inventoried between October and December of 2020 in three open-air markets of Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. Consumables were organized by the site of domestication and the nutritional contents of some African indigenous crops were compared to similar non-indigenous items. RESULTS: A variety of raw and processed consumables was available in the open-air markets inventoried; however, only 25.8% of available species are indigenous to Africa. All Rwanda's staples, including sweet potatoes, plantains, beans, maize, banana, and cassava, are endemic to other continents. Indigenous plant species, which are often drought-resistant and more nutritious, for example, Africa's pineapple fruits (Myrianthus holstii), could not be purchased in Kigali's open-air markets. Pineapple fruits are richer in iron, vitamin C, protein, and vitamin A than banana, which is the most consumed fruit in Rwanda. CONCLUSIONS: Given rapid population growth, limited arable land, and erratic climate patterns, policies to conserve and promote indigenous species, especially those already adapted to harsh environmental conditions, should be enacted in Rwanda. The cultivation of native vegetables and fruits in home gardens, and the conservation of edible wild species, can improve dietary diversity and enhance food and nutrition security across the entire country.

Neglected and Underutilized Crop Species: The Key to Improving Dietary Diversity and Fighting Hunger and Malnutrition in Asia and the Pacific.

Asia continues to suffer from a high prevalence of malnutrition. Persistent malnutrition can be attributed to low dietary diversity, together with low production diversity. Dietary diversity represents a more healthy, balanced, and diverse diet, which ensures nutrient adequacy. The principle of dietary diversity is affirmed in all national food-based dietary guidelines. Food-based approaches that address malnutrition, especially micronutrient deficiencies, are embedded in evidence-based healthy diet patterns; however, they are disconnected from the current agricultural production system. Promising neglected and underutilized species (NUS) that are nutrient-dense, climate-resilient, profitable, and locally available/adaptable are fundamental to improving dietary and production diversity. The Future Smart Food Initiative, led by FAO's Regional Initiative on Zero Hunger, aims to harness the enormous benefits of NUS in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. Recognizing that NUS covers crops, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, and forests, the FAO has set crops as an entry point for NUS to address hunger and malnutrition.

Conceptual Links between Landscape Diversity and Diet Diversity: A Roadmap for Transdisciplinary Research.

Malnutrition linked to poor quality diets affects at least 2 billion people. Forests, as well as agricultural systems linked to trees, are key sources of dietary diversity in rural settings. In the present article, we develop conceptual links between diet diversity and forested landscape mosaics within the rural tropics. First, we summarize the state of knowledge regarding diets obtained from forests, trees, and agroforests. We then hypothesize how disturbed secondary forests, edge habitats, forest access, and landscape diversity can function in bolstering dietary diversity. Taken together, these ideas help us build a framework illuminating four pathways (direct, agroecological, energy, and market pathways) connecting forested landscapes to diet diversity. Finally, we offer recommendations to fill remaining knowledge gaps related to diet and forest cover monitoring. We argue that better evaluation of the role of land cover complexity will help avoid overly simplistic views of food security and, instead, uncover nutritional synergies with forest conservation and restoration.

A review of health and wellness studies involving Inuit of Manitoba and Nunavut.

The purpose of this review is to summarise past Inuit health and wellness studies in Manitoba and the Kivalliq region of Nunavut to provide a snapshot of the types of studies available and identify the gaps in knowledge. Research to date has largely been disease-based and often provides comparisons between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Distinct Inuit experiences are rarely written about from an Inuit perspective. However, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national organisation of Inuit in Canada, and Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada have been leaders in strengths-based community research and publications that address priorities determined by the Inuit, including the 2018 Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami document National Inuit Strategy on Research (132).

Gênero, segurança alimentar e nutricional e vulnerabilidade: o Programa das Mulheres Mil em foco / Gender, food and nutrition security and vulnerability: the Thousand Women Program in focus

Resumo A desigualdade de gênero se revela nas questões de educação, renda e acesso a Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional. No Brasil, o Programa Nacional Mulheres Mil tem como objetivo intensificar o processo de desenvolvimento regional e institucional, pela melhoria do acesso de mulheres em situação de vulnerabilidade social à educação e ao mundo do trabalho. O objetivo é analisar a contribuição do Programa para redução da vulnerabilidade à insegurança alimentar dos domicílios chefiado por mulheres. Aplicou-se um questionário semiestruturado para 384 participantes contendo as variáveis demográficas e socioeconômicas e a Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar. Constataram-se diferenças significativas em relação à renda, especialmente, entre aquelas em situação de insegurança alimentar, variando o número de participantes da faixa de renda superior a um salário mínimo. O avanço na renda não foi suficiente para intervir na Insegurança Alimentar. Mais pesquisas devem ser realizadas com objetivo de aprofundar a compreensão das relações entre renda, educação e Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional, sobretudo sob a ótica das ações direcionadas ao gênero feminino.

Abstract Gender inequality is revealed in the issues of education, income and access to Food and Nutrition Security. In Brazil, the National Women Thousand Program aims to intensify the process of regional and institutional development by improving the access of women in situations of social vulnerability to education and the world of work. The objective is to analyze the contribution of the Programa Nacional Mulheres Mil's to reduce vulnerability to food insecurity of households headed by woman. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to 384 participants, which contained the demographic and socioeconomic variables as well as the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. It was observed that, although there was no change in the Food Security situation, there were significant differences in relation to income, especially among women in situation of food insecurity, varying from 20.5% to 46% the number of participants with an income range higher than one minimum wage. The advance in the identified income was not enough to intervene in Food Insecurity. Further research should be carried out in order to deepen the understanding of the relationships between income, education and food and nutritional security, especially from the point of view of actions directed at the female gender.

Cesta básica e assistência social: notas de uma antiga relação / The basic food and social assistance: notes from an old relationship

Resumo: Este texto busca refletir sobre o papel que a cesta básica vem cumprindo junto à política de assistência social, uma vez que é prevista a criação de um Sistema Nacional de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional que reconhece a alimentação como um direito humano fundamental, o que permitiria considerar que a provisão de alimentos, de modo regular e frequente, não seria papel da assistência social, tampouco se configuraria como um dos benefícios eventuais dessa área.

Abstract: This text aims to reflect on the role that the basket has been meeting today with the social welfare policy, since it is envisaged the creation of a National System of Food and Nutritional Security that recognizes food as a fundamental human right, which would allow consider that the provision of food, regular and frequent manner, would not the role of social assistance, nor would be configured as one of the possible benefits of this area.

Sustainable diets within sustainable food systems.

Sustainable diets and sustainable food systems are increasingly explored by diverse scientific disciplines. They are also recognised by the international community and called upon to orient action towards the eradication of hunger and malnutrition and the fulfilment of sustainable development goals. The aim of the present paper is to briefly consider some of the links between these two notions in order to facilitate the operationalisation of the concept of sustainable diet. The concept of sustainable diet was defined in 2010 combining two totally different perspectives: a nutrition perspective, focused on individuals, and a global sustainability perspective, in all its dimensions: environmental, economic and social. The nutrition perspective can be easily related to health outcomes. The global sustainability perspective is more difficult to analyse directly. We propose that it be measured as the contribution of a diet to the sustainability of food systems. Such an approach, covering the three dimensions of sustainability, enables identification of interactions and interrelations between food systems and diets. It provides opportunities to find levers of change towards sustainability. Diets are both the results and the drivers of food systems. The drivers of change for those variously involved, consumers and private individuals, are different, and can be triggered by different dimensions (heath, environment, social and cultural). Combining different dimensions and reasons for change can help facilitate the transition to sustainable diets, recognising the food system's specificities. The adoption of sustainable diets can be facilitated and enabled by food systems, and by appropriate policies and incentives.

Med Diet 4.0: the Mediterranean diet with four sustainable benefits.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the multiple dimensions and benefits of the Mediterranean diet as a sustainable diet, in order to revitalize this intangible food heritage at the country level; and to develop a multidimensional framework - the Med Diet 4.0 - in which four sustainability benefits of the Mediterranean diet are presented in parallel: major health and nutrition benefits, low environmental impacts and richness in biodiversity, high sociocultural food values, and positive local economic returns. DESIGN: A narrative review was applied at the country level to highlight the multiple sustainable benefits of the Mediterranean diet into a single multidimensional framework: the Med Diet 4.0. Setting/subjects We included studies published in English in peer-reviewed journals that contained data on the characterization of sustainable diets and of the Mediterranean diet. The methodological framework approach was finalized through a series of meetings, workshops and conferences where the framework was presented, discussed and ultimately refined. RESULTS: The Med Diet 4.0 provides a conceptual multidimensional framework to characterize the Mediterranean diet as a sustainable diet model, by applying principles of sustainability to the Mediterranean diet. CONCLUSIONS: By providing a broader understanding of the many sustainable benefits of the Mediterranean diet, the Med Diet 4.0 can contribute to the revitalization of the Mediterranean diet by improving its current perception not only as a healthy diet but also a sustainable lifestyle model, with country-specific and culturally appropriate variations. It also takes into account the identity and diversity of food cultures and systems, expressed within the notion of the Mediterranean diet, across the Mediterranean region and in other parts of the world. Further multidisciplinary studies are needed for the assessment of the sustainability of the Mediterranean diet to include these new dimensions.

Estamos seguros? Reflexões sobre indicadores de avaliação da segurança alimentar e nutricional / Are we secure? Reflections on indicators for evaluating food and nutritional security

O conceito de segurança alimentar e nutricional, construído coletivamente no cenário brasileiro, apresenta-se como um elemento catalizador de importantes reflexões na área de Nutrição Social. Este texto tem como objetivo refletir sobre as formas e os indicadores de avaliação em segurança alimentar e nutricional no Brasil. Esta breve reflexão se debruça sobre os desafios dos especialistas e pesquisadores da área em questão para abarcar seus princípios interdisciplinares; além disso, espera motivar o interesse pela elaboração de novos indicadores de avaliação e de metodologias e instrumentos de coleta de informação mais abrangentes e sistêmicos. Julga-se importante promover a reflexão sobre as limitações das escalas de mensuração da (in)segurança alimentar e nutricional em apontar e abarcar as complementaridades entre a vivência dessa insegurança e os processos e agentes de produção do fenômeno. Ressalta-se como desejável a inclusão da leitura do processo saúde-doença e o cuidado das morbidades resultantes da insegurança alimentar e nutricional como questões a serem exploradas em futuros estudos dessa temática.

The concept of food security, collectively constructed in the Brazilian scenario, is considered an important element to promote reflections in the area of Social Nutrition. This article aims to reflect on the evaluation indicators for food and nutrition security in Brazil. This brief reflection focuses on the challenges of experts and researchers in food and nutritional security to embrace its interdisciplinary principles. One expects to motivate the interest in developing new indicators and evaluation methodologies and more comprehensive and systemic instruments to collect information about food insecurity. It is deemed important to promote reflection on the limitations of the scales of measurement of food and nutrition (in)security in pointing and covering the complementarities between the experience of such insecurity and the processes and agents that produce this phenomenon. Issues to be explored in future studies are the inclusion of understanding the health-disease process and the care of morbidity resulting from food and nutrition insecurity.

Insegurança alimentar e sua associação com consumo de alimentos regionais brasileiros / Food insecurity and its association with consumption of Brazilian regional foods

Objetivo: Verificar se existem diferenças no consumo de alimentos regionais entre adolescentes em situação de insegurança alimentar quando comparados aos seguros.Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com adolescentes estudantes do 9º ano das 26 capitais brasileiras e Distrito Federal em 2011/2012. A amostra foi composta por 15.084 jovens. O consumo de alimentos regionais foi avaliado por meio de imagens. O participante deveria identificar o alimento, referindo seu consumo ou não. A situação de segurança alimentar foi aferida através da Escala Curta de Insegurança Alimentar, adaptada da escala americana e validada para o público adolescente brasileiro.Resultados: Foram analisados os dados de 14.690 adolescentes com média de idade de 14,4 anos, predominantemente do sexo feminino (55,7%) e alunos de escolas públicas (78,2%). Apenas 3,1% das mães eram analfabetas. A insegurança alimentar foi mais prevalente nos domicílios com jovens do sexo masculino, que estudavam em escolas púbicas, filhos de mães analfabetas e residentes na região Norte. O consumo de hortaliças e frutas foi maior entre adolescente residentes em domicílios em insegurança alimentar e insegurança alimentar grave do que entre os seguros, em todas as regiões geográficas brasileiras. As preparações regionais são mais consumidas por jovens que vivem em domicílios seguros.Conclusão: Observou-se que a insegurança alimentar está associada ao maior consumo de alimentos marcadores de dieta saudável, como frutas e hortaliças regionais. A produção e consumo de alimentos regionais deve ser estimulada e valorizada como forma de promoção da alimentação saudável e de garantia da segurança alimentar e nutricional.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate whether the consumption of regional food among Brazilian adolescents is associated with household food security status.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that includes a sample of 15,084 adolescents, ninth-grade students in 26 Brazilian large cities in 2011/2012. The consumption of regional foods was evaluated using various food images; the adolescents were asked to identify the food and indicate whether they consumed that food. Household food security status was evaluated using a Short Form of the Food Insecurity Scale, adapted from the American Scale and validated for Brazilian adolescents.Results: Data of 14,690 adolescents with a mean of the age was 14.4 years were analyzed. The majority of the adolescents were female (55.7%) and public school students (78.2%). Only 3.1% of mothers were illiterate. Food insecurity was more prevalent among households with male students who were enrolled in public schools and whose mothers with were illiterate and lived in the Northern region of the country. The consumption of fruits and vegetables was higher among adolescents living in households with moderate and severe food insecurity than among those living in households that are food secure in all regions investigated. Home prepared regional foods are more commonly consumed by adolescents who live in households that are food secure.Conclusion: It was found that food insecurity is associated with greater consumption of foods that are part of a healthy diet, such as regional fruits and vegetables. The production and consumption of regional foods should be encouraged as a way to instill healthy eating habits and ensure food security.

Determinantes sociales y conductuales en salud nutricional: evidencia para Chile / Social and behavioral determinants on nutritional health: evidence for Chile

Due to the nutritional transition in the last decades, the risk factors linked to food nutrition are in the spotlight of public policy and reduction of their prevalence is a key goal in the public health promotion strategies involving food security and nutrition (FSN). Understanding the factors underlying poor nutrition status is a must in order to execute successful policy interventions in the general population. This paper analyses the impact that social and individual behavior variables have on the risk factors linked to poor nutrition (obesity, high levels of cholesterol, glycaemia and sodium) using data from the National Health Survey 2009-2010 using a Seemingly Unrelated Equations (SUR) approach in order to have a consistent estimation outcome. Findings suggest that variables linked to social environment and individual behavior have a significant impact on the food-related health risk factors, taking account for social, demographic, genetic and economic controls. Unsurprisingly, when people underestimate their nutritional status, it conduces to a greater health risk, explaining up to 6 cms of abdominal girth and 3 points of the BMI index. Also, an insecure neighborhood and weak social networks explain part of the health risk. These results are a starting point to discuss the design of public policy regarding health and nutrition in order to promote the food security especially regarding information and education programs, where there is the possibility to strengthen the social support networks.

Los factores de riesgo a la salud asociados con la alimentación son un foco clave en las estrategias de promoción de la salud y de seguridad alimentaria y nutricional en Chile (SAN). Este artículo entrega un análisis de los efectos que variables conductuales y sociales tienen sobre los factores de riesgo asociados a una mala nutrición (obesidad, altos niveles de colesterol, glicemia elevada y altos niveles de sodio), en base a la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2009-2010 utilizando una estimación por regresiones aparentemente no relacionadas (SUR). Los resultados revelan que las variables asociadas a aspectos conductuales y sociales tienen un impacto significativo en los factores de riesgo de salud alimentaria, controlando por variables demográficas, genéticas y socioeconómicas. Destaca el efecto de la subestimación de las personas respecto a su estado nutricional, que puede explicar hasta 6 cm de circunferencia abdominal y 3 puntos en el IMC. Asimismo, las redes de apoyo social y económico a nivel individual juegan un rol fundamental. Los resultados entregados son un insumo relevante para la discusión sobre los mecanismos que la política pública debiese tener a fin de promover la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional, en particular al diseñar programas de educación e información a la población, donde existe la posibilidad de fortalecer las redes de apoyo existentes.

Rede neural artificial e o modelo de apoio à decisão em segurança alimentar nutricional / Artificial neural network and the decision support in nutritional food safety model / Rede neuronal artificial y el model de apoyo de decisiones en seguridad alimentaria nutricional

Objetivo: criar uma rede neural artificial para o apoio à decisão em segurança alimentar nutricional. Método: estudo observacional, transversal, de base populacional, cuja unidade amostral foi de 287 famílias residentes em São José dos Ramos, no interior do estado da Paraíba, retirados do banco de dados da pesquisa publicada em 2008 e definidas por amostragem aleatória estratificada, em que o município foi dividido em dois estratos: área urbana e área rural. O projeto de pesquisa teve a aprovação do Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa do CCS/UFPB na sua 53º reunião ordinária. Resultados: a rede neural artificial gerada obteve 81% de acertos na decisão sobre segurança alimentar x insegurança alimentar e 80,2% na decisão de insegurança alimentar levemoderada x insegurança grave para São José dos Ramos; Nova Floresta obteve 80,7% de acertos na decisão sobre segurança alimentar x insegurança alimentar e 80,4% na decisão de insegurança alimentar levemoderada x insegurança grave. Conclusão: este modelo demonstrou auxiliar na tomada de decisões em segurança alimentar nutricional.(AU)

Objective: to create an artificial neural network for decision support in nutritional food security. Method: observational and cross-sectional study, population-based, whose sample unit was 287 families who live in São José dos Ramos, in the state of Paraíba, taken from the research database published in 2008 and defined by stratified random sampling; the city was divided into two sections: urban and rural areas. The research project was approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of the CCS / UFPB in its 53rd regular meeting. Results: the generated artificial neural network has achieved 81% of hits in deciding on food security and food insecurity x 80.2% in the decision to mild-moderate food insecurity x severe insecurity for São José dos Ramos; Nova Floresta have obtained 80.7% of hits in deciding on food security and food insecurity x 80.4% in the decision to mild-moderate food insecurity x severe insecurity. Conclusion: this model demonstrated to assist in making decisions on nutritional food security.(AU)

Objetivo: Crear una red neuronal artificial para apoyar las decisiones en la seguridad alimentaria nutricional. Método: estudio observacional y transversal, de base poblacional, la unidad muestra de 287 familias que viven en São José dos Ramos, en el estado de Paraíba, tomada de la base de datos de investigación publicado en 2008 y se define mediante un muestreo aleatorio estratificado en que la ciudad se dividió en dos estratos: zonas urbanas y rurales. El proyecto de investigación fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética e Investigación de la CCS/UFPB en su 53º reunión ordinaria. Resultados: la red neuronal artificial generada alcanzó 81% de aciertos en la decisión sobre la seguridad alimentaria y la inseguridad alimentaria x 80,2% en la decisión de la inseguridad alimentaria leve-moderada x incertidumbre grave para São José dos Ramos; Nova Floresta obtuvo el 80,7% de respuestas correctas en la decisión sobre la seguridad alimentaria y la inseguridad alimentaria x 80,4% en la decisión de la inseguridad alimentaria leve-moderada x grave inseguridad. Conclusión: Este modelo demostró ayudar en la toma de decisiones sobre la seguridad alimentaria nutricional.(AU)

Food security and sustainability: can one exist without the other?

OBJECTIVE: To position the concept of sustainability within the context of food security. DESIGN: An overview of the interrelationships between food security and sustainability based on a non-systematic literature review and informed discussions based principally on a quasi-historical approach from meetings and reports. SETTING: International and global food security and nutrition. RESULTS: The Rome Declaration on World Food Security in 1996 defined its three basic dimensions as: availability, accessibility and utilization, with a focus on nutritional well-being. It also stressed the importance of sustainable management of natural resources and the elimination of unsustainable patterns of food consumption and production. In 2009, at the World Summit on Food Security, the concept of stability/vulnerability was added as the short-term time indicator of the ability of food systems to withstand shocks, whether natural or man-made, as part of the Five Rome Principles for Sustainable Global Food Security. More recently, intergovernmental processes have emphasized the importance of sustainability to preserve the environment, natural resources and agro-ecosystems (and thus the overlying social system), as well as the importance of food security as part of sustainability and vice versa. CONCLUSIONS: Sustainability should be considered as part of the long-term time dimension in the assessment of food security. From such a perspective the concept of sustainable diets can play a key role as a goal and a way of maintaining nutritional well-being and health, while ensuring the sustainability for future food security. Without integrating sustainability as an explicit (fifth?) dimension of food security, today's policies and programmes could become the very cause of increased food insecurity in the future.

Programa Bolsa Família: a interface entre a atuação profissional e o direito humano a alimentação adequada / The "Bolsa Família" family grant scheme: the interface between professional practice and the human right to adequate food and nutrition

O Direito Humano à Alimentação Adequada deve ser garantido através de políticas públicas de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN). Nesse contexto está inserido o Programa Bolsa Família (PBF), que, além da transferência de renda, visa a garantia de acesso aos direitos sociais básicos. Este estudo objetiva analisar a operacionalização do PBF e, consequentemente, o entendimento dos profissionais de saúde a respeito do programa, enquanto eixo estruturante da política pública de SAN. Para isso, realizou-se entrevistas semiestruturadas com trabalhadores da atenção primária, envolvidos diretamente, tanto com o PBF, quanto com as famílias que recebem este beneficio. Ao final do estudo, foi possível evidenciar a importância da formação dos profissionais que atuam nessa área, pois, ao desconectar a realidade social em que os beneficiários estão inseridos, dos objetivos do programa, colabora-se para a simples mecanização dessas práticas. Nesse sentido, aponta-se que os profissionais de saúde precisam entender as proposições do programa como estratégias político-sociais, as quais, para além do alívio imediato, visam a superação dos problemas relacionados à pobreza e à fome.

The Human Right to Adequate Nutrition must be ensured through the public policies included in SAN, namely the Food and Nutritional Security campaign. Besides the income transfer geared to ensuring access to basic social rights, the "Bolsa Família" Program (PBF) is included in this context. This study seeks to analyze the operational aspects of the PBF and also ascertain whether or not the health professionals see the program as a core element of the SAN public policy. With this in mind, semi-structured interviews were conducted with primary healthcare workers involved directly both with the PBF and with the families who receive this benefit. By the end of the study, it was possible to perceive the importance of training health professionals who work in this area, because when one dissociates the social reality in which the beneficiaries live from the program objectives, this can lead to the simple mechanization of these practices. In this respect, it should be stressed that health professionals need to understand the proposals of the program as political and social strategies which, in addition to providing immediate relief, strive to overcome the problems related to poverty and hunger.

Conselho de segurança alimentar e nutricional: análise do controle social sobre a política estadual de segurança alimentar e nutricional no estado do Espírito Santo / Food and nutritional security council: analysis of the social control over the food and nutritional security state policy in the state of Espírito Santo

A fome, as carências nutricionais específicas e todas as outras formas de manifestação de insegurança alimentar não são fenômenos recentes, assim como a preocupação em estancá-las. Para tanto, ao longo dos anos, o conceito de segurança alimentar e nutricional foi reformulado e ampliado, e a atual concepção prima não somente por preservar, mas ampliar o princípio de controle social na formulação e no monitoramento das ações de segurança alimentar e nutricional. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o controle social do Conselho de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional do Espírito Santo em relação à política estadual de SAN, por meio da análise de seu regimento interno; das deliberações contidas nas atas das reuniões ordinárias e extraordinárias do conselho e da avaliação complementar da frequência dos conselheiros representantes das entidades. Observou-se uma predominância de deliberações sobre a organização da estrutura e dinâmica interna e informe, em relação às deliberações sobre o monitoramento, as propostas e as ações de SAN. Constatou-se também quantidade significativa de ausências dos conselheiros representativos das entidades civis e do estado nas reuniões do conselho. Conclui-se que embora o Conselho se constitua em uma importante estratégia de controle social na realização das políticas de SAN no Estado, essa participação ainda não tem sido realizada de forma plena.