scholarly journals Regional Overview on Maternal and Child Nutrition and Examples of Nutrition Governance and Policy Responses: Europe, Central Asia and Eastern Mediterranean Regions

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-138
Author(s):  
Amirhossein Yarparvar ◽  
Jo Martin Jewell ◽  
Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Double Burden ◽  
Governance Capacity ◽  
Mediterranean Regions

The Eastern Mediterranean Regions and Europe and Central Asia Regions are facing an epidemiological and nutrition transition, especially among vulnerable groups including mothers, children and adolescents. This has led to a double burden of malnutrition (DBM). Poor infant and young child feeding (IYCF), poor dietary diversity, excessive consumption of energy dense unhealthy foods, a growing obesogenic environment for children, including aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods for children, and reduced physical activity are among the main causes. In addition, several countries in the region lack the nutrition governance capacity to respond effectively to the DBM. This article reviews the context and provides a set of conclusions in which countries are called to reduce the marketing of unhealthy foods for children, enforce the fortification of staple foods with micronutrients to reduce micronutrient deficiencies and improve IYCF, including breastfeeding in the region. Also, the call is strong for cross-border multi-sectoral efforts to address the DBM in these regions.

MEDITERRANEAN AND ASIAN TAXA OF ANEMONE (SECTION ERIOCEPHALUS) WITH TUBEROUS ROOTSTOCKS

1967 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 725-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecily Madahar
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
New World ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
World Species ◽  
Old World ◽  
Limited Success ◽  
Mediterranean Regions

Old World species of Anemone L. (section Eriocephalus Hook. f. & Thoms.) with tuberous rootstocks have been classified into three groups on the basis of their distribution and karyotypes. Anemone coronaria L., A. pavonina Lam., and A. hortensis L. of the northern, central, and eastern Mediterranean regions have karyotypes characteristic of the genus: three acrocentric, one submetacentric, and four metacentric chromosomes. Chromosomes of A. coronaria are smaller than those of A. pavonina and A. hortensis. Anemone palmata L. from the western Mediterranean differs from these in having four acrocentric and four metacentric chromosomes. Karyotypes of taxa from central Asia received as A. "bucharica", A. "petiolulosa", and A. "biflora" have three acrocentrics, two submetacentrics, and only three metacentrics. All taxa are diploid, 2n = 16, except A. palmata in which tetraploid populations are also known.Crosses between Old and New World species of Anemone with tuberous rootstocks were failures while those between Old World species with tuberous rootstocks and New World species with fibrous or woody rootstocks met with limited success.

scholarly journals Nutrition in contemporary Zimbabwe: a situational analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. S25-S35
Author(s):  
Tonderayi Mathew Matsungo ◽  
Prosper Chopera
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Situational Analysis ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Political Commitment ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Poor Households

Background: Malnutrition in all its forms continues to be a global public health challenge affecting mostly women and children in Africa. The socioeconomic consequences of poor nutrition are far-reaching and cross-generational. Objective: To provide an update on the nutrition situation in Zimbabwe in the context of the United Nations 2030 sustainable development agenda. Key findings: In Zimbabwe, the leading nutrition problems include high levels of childhood stunting, micronutrient deficiencies (Vitamin A, Iron, Zinc, and Selenium) affecting mostly children younger than 5 years and women aged 15-49 years. This paper presents evidence on the emergence of obesity and associated complications like diabetes, hypertension, and several cancers in addition to the traditional problem of undernutrition burden “multiple burden of malnutrition”. These nutrition challenges can be attributed to poor breastfeeding and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, the low dietary diversity affecting mostly rural households and nutrition transition. Cultural and religious beliefs are barriers to the adoption of appropriate breastfeeding and IYCF practices. Conclusion: The multiple burden of malnutrition exists in Zimbabwe. Although there is political, commitment and multisectoral initiatives to address malnutrition and food insecurity, the declining socio-economic situation and the COVID-19 associated restrictions are worsening the situation and poor households are getting more vulnerable. Considering that Zimbabwe’s economy is agriculture-based there is a need to put emphasis on promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture initiatives and urgently implement the Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) to propel the adoption of healthy lifestyles and dietary behaviors. Keywords: Stunting, Breastfeeding, IYCF, Micronutrient deficiency, SDGs, COVID-19, Zimbabwe.

scholarly journals Diet Quality of Malaysians across Lifespan: A Scoping Review of Evidence in a Multi-Ethnic Population

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1380
Author(s):  
Amutha Ramadas ◽  
Su Ming Tham ◽  
Shehzeen Alnoor Lalani ◽  
Sangeetha Shyam
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Double Burden ◽  
Diet Diversity ◽  
Disease Risks

Malaysia is a rapidly developing economy experiencing a nutrition transition. It suffers from a double burden of over- and undernutrition, making it essential to understand diet quality in the population. In this scoping review, we have collated the existing literature on Malaysian diet quality, including factors that influence it, and the association between diet quality and health outcomes across the lifespan of Malaysians. Overall, diet quality was poor in all age groups studied. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and its iterations were predominantly used in urban and clinical settings to evaluate diet-chronic disease relationships. These indices were significantly associated with cardio-metabolic and disease risks in adults. The Diet Diversity Score (DDS) and Food Variety Score (FVS) were used to gauge diet quality in maternal and child nutrition studies and were associated with appropriate growth and caloric intake. Deficiencies were found in fruit, vegetable, legumes, and dairy intake. Meat, salt, and sugar intake were found to be excessive in many studies. The findings can inform policies to improve diet quality in this population. The review also identified knowledge gaps that require further investigation.

scholarly journals Review of the Nutrition Situation in Jordan: Trends and Way Forward

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Narmeen Jamal Al-Awwad ◽  
Jennifer Ayoub ◽  
Rawhieh Barham ◽  
Wafaa Sarhan ◽  
Murad Al-Holy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Double Burden ◽  
Diet Diversity ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Infant And Young Child

Jordan is witnessing an escalating pace of nutrition transition, which may be associated with an increased burden of malnutrition and related non-communicable diseases. This review analyzes the nutrition situation in Jordan by exploring specific nutrition indicators, namely infant and young child feeding, low birthweight, micronutrient deficiencies, anthropometric indicators, and food consumption patterns. Results showed that although most children were ever breastfed and early initiation of breastfeeding had a two-fold increasing trend, rates of exclusive breastfeeding below 6 months of age and continued breastfeeding until two years of age were low. Complementary feeding indicators, particularly minimum diet diversity and minimum acceptable diet standards, were suboptimal. An overall low burden of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children under 5 years and remarkable progress in optimizing iodine status among school-aged children were reported. Conversely, the burden of low birthweight and overweight/obesity exacerbated, coexisting with anemia, vitamin A deficiency, and vitamin D deficiency. Overall, fruit and vegetable consumption were inadequate. The consumption of soft drinks and salt on the other hand was higher than recommended. This review acknowledges the double burden of malnutrition in Jordan and recommends the prioritization and evaluation of interventions towards improving the population’s nutritional status and achieving nutrition targets.

scholarly journals Nutrition in contemporary Zimbabwe: a situational analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 04 (09) ◽  
pp. S25-S35
Author(s):  
Tonderayi Mathew Matsungo ◽  
Prosper Chopera
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Situational Analysis ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Political Commitment ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Young Child Feeding ◽  
Poor Households

Background: Malnutrition in all its forms continues to be a global public health challenge affecting mostly women and children in Africa. The socioeconomic consequences of poor nutrition are far-reaching and cross-generational. Objective: To provide an update on the nutrition situation in Zimbabwe in the context of the United Nations 2030 sustainable development agenda. Key findings: In Zimbabwe, the leading nutrition problems include high levels of childhood stunting, micronutrient deficiencies (Vitamin A, Iron, Zinc, and Selenium) affecting mostly children younger than 5 years and women aged 15-49 years. This paper presents evidence on the emergence of obesity and associated complications like diabetes, hypertension, and several cancers in addition to the traditional problem of undernutrition burden “multiple burden of malnutrition”. These nutrition challenges can be attributed to poor breastfeeding and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, the low dietary diversity affecting mostly rural households and nutrition transition. Cultural and religious beliefs are barriers to the adoption of appropriate breastfeeding and IYCF practices. Conclusion: The multiple burden of malnutrition exists in Zimbabwe. Although there is political, commitment and multisectoral initiatives to address malnutrition and food insecurity, the declining socio-economic situation and the COVID-19 associated restrictions are worsening the situation and poor households are getting more vulnerable. Considering that Zimbabwe’s economy is agriculture-based there is a need to put emphasis on promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture initiatives and urgently implement the Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) to propel the adoption of healthy lifestyles and dietary behaviors. Keywords: Stunting, Breastfeeding, IYCF, Micronutrient deficiency, SDGs, COVID-19, Zimbabwe.

scholarly journals Conflict, Nutritional Status and Patterns of Young Child Feeding

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azza M.A. Abul-Fadl ◽  
Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh ◽  
Samaah AlYassin
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Nutritional Deficiencies ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Young Child Feeding

Background: Malnutrition in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) impedes their development. Aim: To study patterns of complementary feeding (CF) and continued breastfeeding (CBF) on nutritional status and deaths from micronutrient deficiencies (MDs) in EMR countries. Methods: Data from ten EMR countries were compiled using UNICEF Global expanded health survey (2018). Data included EBF, CBF rates. CF core indicators included introduction of soft and semi-solid and solid food (ISSS) at 6-8 months, minimum acceptable diet (MAD), minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and minimum meal frequency (MMF). Analysis was done in relation to age, sex, residence, wealth quintiles, maternal education, anemia, stunting and wasting in children under-five of age (CU5) and deaths from MDs. Results: CBF was higher in the uneducated, poor and rural areas. MMF, MDD and MAD increased significantly by education and higher wealth quintiles and urban residence (P<0.01). Correlations were significant for stunting with CBF (r0.76), MDD (r0.96), MAD (r-0.96), wasting with CBF (r0.79), MAD (r-0.96) at P<0.01, anemia in CU5 (r0.62). MDs were significantly associated with CBF, stunting and wasting (P<0.05). Conclusions: In the poor, inadequate food diversity and suboptimal breastfeeding practices in the second year of life influence nutritional status of CU5 and cascade nutritional deficiencies.

scholarly journals An overview on the nutrition transition and its health implications: Tunisia case

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. S75-S86
Author(s):  
Radhouene Doggui ◽  
Hajer Aounallah-Skhiri ◽  
Pierre Traissac ◽  
Jalila El Ati
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Double Burden ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Food Consumption Data

Background: In the last decades, Tunisia has undergone major demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle (including diet) changes, with drastic increases in excess adiposity and nutrition related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This review provides an update of the nutritional situation in Tunisia. Methods: Several Tunisian datasets or international databases were used to assess availability and consumption of foods and health outcomes. Results: Both from national aggregated availability data and individual food consumption data, there was a trend both of increasing food intake and modernization/westernization of the diet (especially in urban areas), towards more consumption of dairy and meat products, sugar, fat and salt. But consumption of fruits and vegetables was still above WHO recommendations. Except for iodine, micronutrients deficiency (iron, vitamin A and D) was markedly, but unevenly, present among specific groups (e.g., a third of adult women had anemia). Among infants, both exclusive and predominant breastfeeding were low, while the minimum diet diversification rate was 63%. Among children, stunting was residual but increase of overweight was a concern. In 2016 17.6% of men and 34.6 % of women over 15 y. were obese and 15.5% had diabetes, a twofold increase in the last decades. These prevalence were much higher in urban and more developed areas. Also, 86% of the mortality rate was attributable to NCDs. Conclusion: Addressing the double burden of malnutrition and NCDs is a priority and should be based on a sustainability framework, involve a diversity of stakeholders and emphasize double duty actions and reduction of nutrition and health inequalities. Keywords: Tunisia, diet, food insecurity, micronutrient deficiencies, nutritional status, obesity, non-communicable diseases.

scholarly journals Cash transfers and child nutritional outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (12) ◽  
pp. e003621
Author(s):  
James Manley ◽  
Yarlini Balarajan ◽  
Shahira Malm ◽  
Luke Harman ◽  
Jessica Owens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cash Transfer ◽  
Animal Source Foods ◽  
Animal Source ◽  
Z Scores ◽  
Households With Children ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundCash transfer (CT) programmes are implemented widely to alleviate poverty and provide safety nets to vulnerable households with children. However, evidence on the effects of CTs on child health and nutrition outcomes has been mixed. We systematically reviewed evidence of the impact of CTs on child nutritional status and selected proximate determinants.MethodsWe searched articles published between January 1997 and September 2018 using Agris, Econlit, Eldis, IBSS, IDEAS, IFPRI, Google Scholar, PubMed and World Bank databases. We included studies using quantitative impact evaluation methods of CTs with sample sizes over 300, targeted to households with children under 5 years old conducted in countries with gross domestic product per capita below US$10 000 at baseline. We conducted meta-analysis using random-effects models to assess the impact of CT programmes on selected child nutrition outcomes and meta-regression analysis to examine the association of programme characteristics with effect sizes.ResultsOut of 2862 articles identified, 74 articles were eligible for inclusion. We find that CTs have significant effects of 0.03±0.03 on height-for-age z-scores (p<0.03) and a decrease of 2.1% in stunting (95% CI −3.5% to −0.7%); consumption of animal-source foods (4.5%, 95% CI 2.9% to 6.0%); dietary diversity (0.73, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.19) and diarrhoea incidence (−2.7%, 95% CI −5.4% to −0.0%; p<0.05). The effects of CTs on weight-for-age z-scores and wasting were not significant (0.02, 95% CI −0.03 to 0.08; p<0.42) and (1.2%, 95% CI: −0.1% to 2.5%; p<0.07), respectively. We found that specific programme characteristics differentially modified the effect on the nutrition outcomes studied.ConclusionWe found that CT programmes targeted to households with young children improved linear growth and contributed to reduced stunting. We found that the likely pathways were through increased dietary diversity, including through the increased consumption of animal-source foods and reduced incidence of diarrhoea. With heightened interest in nutrition-responsive social protection programmes to improve child nutrition, we make recommendations to inform the design and implementation of future programmes.

scholarly journals Are Countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region on Track towards Meeting the World Health Assembly Target for Anemia? A Review of Evidence

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2449
Author(s):  
Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh ◽  
Mandy Taktouk ◽  
Radhouene Doggui ◽  
Zahra Abdollahi ◽  
Baseer Achakzai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
World Health ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
World Health Assembly ◽  
The World

Anemia is a multifactorial condition, with a complex etiology that involves nutritional and non-nutritional factors. The misconception that iron deficiency is equivalent to anemia may mask the need to address other potential causative factors. This review paper aims to (1) assess the burden of anemia vs. iron deficiency anemia (IDA) amongst women of reproductive age (WRA), pregnant women (PW), and children under five years old (underfive children, U5C) in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR); (2) evaluate trends in anemia prevalence and whether countries are on track towards meeting the World Health Assembly (WHA) target for 2025; and (3) characterize anemia reduction efforts and provide a road map for future programs. A search of pertinent literature and databases was conducted. Anemia prevalence in the EMR ranged between 22.6% and 63% amongst PW, 27% and 69.6% amongst WRA, and 23.8% and 83.5% amongst U5C. Data showed that the EMR is not on course towards meeting the WHA target. The contribution of IDA to anemia was found to be less than half. Other potential contributors to anemia in the region were identified, including micronutrient deficiencies, parasitic infestations, and poor sanitation. A framework of action was proposed as a roadmap to meet the targets set by the WHA.

Household Water Insecurity Affects Child Nutrition Through Alternative Pathways to WASH: Evidence From India

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-187
Author(s):  
Neetu Choudhary ◽  
Roseanne C. Schuster ◽  
Alexandra Brewis ◽  
Amber Wutich
Keyword(s):  
Water Availability ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Diarrheal Disease ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Water Access ◽  
Child Stunting ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Household Water ◽  
Regional Water

Background: Household water security matters greatly for child nutrition outcomes in the global South. Water’s role in sanitation/hygiene, via diarrheal disease, is cited as a primary mechanism here. Yet, the relationship between Water along with Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and child stunting remains inconclusive. Water-related mechanisms outside of the traditional scope of WASH might assist with explaining this. Objective: We aim to test the mediating role of reduced dietary diversity as an additional potential mechanism in linking worse household water access to increased risk of early childhood stunting, separating its effects from sanitation and diarrhea among children (as a proxy for hygiene) and taking into account regional water availability. Method: We use nationally representative India Demographic and Health Survey (2015-16) data for 58 038 children aged 6 to 23 months, applying generalized structural equation modelling to estimate water’s direct and indirect effects (as mediated through dietary diversity and access to sanitation) on a child’s likelihood of being stunted. Results: Suboptimal water access is significantly associated with elevated likelihood of child stunting. More than 30% of the effect is indirect. In the context of low water access and availability, children’s dietary diversity alone mediates more than 20% of its total effect on child stunting. Conclusion: Beyond the WASH mechanisms, household water access affects child stunting indirectly, mediated through its impacts on children’s dietary diversity. These mediating effects are also moderated by regional water availability. Water interventions in low-water regions should help reduce children’s risk of nutrition-related stunting in households with lowest water access.

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