Search Results (520)

Soybeans (Glycine max) are nutrient-dense legumes and a high-quality plant-based protein source containing all essential amino acids. With a protein content of 36–40%, soy surpasses many other plant-derived proteins in nutritional value. Its bioactive components, particularly peptides and isoflavones, contribute to reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and the risk of chronic diseases. In undernourished regions such as Pakistan, where protein-energy malnutrition is prevalent among women and children, soy offers a sustainable and cost-effective nutritional intervention. This review synthesizes findings from biochemical analyses, nutritional profiling, and clinical trials evaluating the impact of soybean protein and its bioactive compounds on growth, metabolic health, immune function, and disease prevention. Emphasis was placed on studies relevant to food-insecure populations and technological innovations enhancing soy product bioavailability. Soy protein has been shown to have positive effects on hormonal regulation, cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and immune support. Technological approaches such as fortification and fermentation improve nutritional bioavailability and sensory acceptance. The integration of soy into local diets enhanced nutritional adequacy, promoted environmental sustainability, and aligned with Sustainable Development Goals. Soybeans represent a sustainable, nutrient-rich solution to combat protein-energy malnutrition in vulnerable communities. Their high-quality protein profile, therapeutic properties, and adaptability to local food systems make them an effective strategy for improving public health and supporting environmental resilience. Full article

Background: Undernutrition and overnutrition are considered a rising challenge among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries, including Lebanon, where overlapping economic, political, and public health crises have worsened food insecurity. Food and nutrition literacy in adolescents may serve as protective factors against food insecurity and its nutritional consequences. This study aims to evaluate the associations between adolescent and parental food and nutrition literacy with household and adolescent food insecurity, and explores their relationship with stunting and overweight/obesity. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and July 2022 among 442 Lebanese adolescents (10–18 years) and one parent/caregiver per household, recruited via snowball sampling from all eight governorates. Validated tools assessed adolescent food and nutrition literacy, parental food literacy, household/adolescent food insecurity, and anthropometric status. Chi-square, t-tests, and multivariable logistic regressions identified factors associated with food insecurity, stunting, and overweight/obesity. Results: Higher adolescent food and nutrition literacy was significantly associated with lower odds of severe food insecurity (aOR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.26–0.70). Higher parental food literacy scores were linked to reduced odds of severe household food insecurity (aOR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90–0.98). Severe food insecurity was more likely in households in Akkar and among adolescents not attending school or with poor food and nutrition literacy. Overweight/obesity was positively associated with attending private school and higher parental body mass index, but inversely associated with higher child food security and household crowding index. No significant association was found between food insecurity and stunting. Conclusions: Both adolescent and parental food and nutrition literacy are protective against severe food insecurity, highlighting the value of literacy-focused interventions alongside economic support measures. Addressing both educational and structural determinants may help break the cycle of malnutrition in crisis-affected Lebanese youth. Full article

Climate change remains one of the existential threats to humanity in particular and life on earth in general. It presents significant impacts on food and nutritional security, health, and the general well-being of living organisms globally. Despite global efforts to tackle the climate crisis, the record shows that limited progress has been made in curbing the problem. Consequently, this study intends to address the following research question: How does the climate crisis affect indigenous food systems, farmers’ livelihoods, and local communities in the study area? This study was conducted in the Tolon district of the northern region of Ghana from 2017 to 2022. Grounded in the theoretical prism of political ecology and indigenous knowledge perspective, we selected individuals who were smallholder farmers, students, faculty members, extension officers, and an administrator from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The data were gathered through in-depth interviews, focus groups, and workshops and analyzed using coding, thematization, and inferences drawn from the literature and authors’ experiences. This study discovered some of the effects of a changing climate, including the extinction of indigenous food crops, poor yield resulting in poverty, and food and nutritional insecurity. This study concludes that failure to tackle climate change could pose a greater threat to the survival of smallholder households in Ghana. Full article

Global malnutrition and hunger represent crises of alarming magnitude, threatening progress toward all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition are complex and interconnected, including conflict, climate change, migration, population aging, and the erosion of social capital. Despite some progress in specific areas, current trends reveal insufficient advancement toward key global nutrition and diet-related, non-communicable disease targets, confirming the persistent double burden of malnutrition. Without urgent, multisectoral action—including investments in integrated nutrition policies, resilient food systems, and conflict resolution—the goal of achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 remains unlikely. The World Food Program estimates that in 2025, 319 million people will face acute food insecurity; if current trends persist, approximately 582 million people could still be chronically undernourished by 2030. Furthermore, overweight and obesity are projected to continue rising globally, with adult obesity prevalence expected to reach 19.8% in 2030. This narrative review synthesizes current global trends in malnutrition—both undernutrition and overnutrition—and food insecurity; it explores the root causes driving these crises and analyzes the scientific literature to inform future research in the critical years leading up to the 2030 Agenda deadline. It calls for coordinated global efforts that prioritize vulnerable populations, which are essential to reversing the current trajectory of malnutrition and hunger. Since nutrition is a fundamental component of sustainable development, achieving the SDG 2 targets is essential to the accomplishment of all 17 goals. Full article

Background: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and high circulating cortisol during pregnancy have each been linked to adverse maternal and child outcomes, such as pre-term birth. However, limited research has explored the association between vitamin D concentration and cortisol concentration during pregnancy. Our objective for this study was to determine the association between vitamin D and cortisol concentrations among pregnant women. Methods: The Prenatal Health and Nutrition (PHAN) study was a pilot cross-sectional study conducted in targeted areas in Rhode Island which included 30 healthy pregnant women. Data collection included sociodemographic characteristics of participants, substance use, perceived stress, food insecurity, and dietary assessments. Additionally, blood samples were collected to estimate vitamin D status (25(OH)D). Participants provided 10 saliva samples over a two-day period, which were used to estimate cortisol concentrations using a competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between vitamin D status and cortisol concentrations. Results: Mean ± SD age was 29 ± 6 years, and pre-pregnancy BMI was 28 ± 6 kg/m². The mean ± SD of serum 25(OH)D concentration was 24 ± 9 ng/mL. The prevalence rates of VDD (<20 ng/mL) and vitamin D insufficiency (20–29 ng/mL) were 40% and 43%, respectively. In the unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models, there was no significant association between vitamin D status and cortisol concentration parameters such as AUCg (adjusted model β: 2.987, 95% CI: −7.269, 13.244, p = 0.57). Additionally, no significant association was observed in the logistic regression model. Conclusions: There were no significant associations between vitamin D and cortisol concentrations. Our study revealed a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. We advocate for screening of vitamin D status among pregnant women and the intake of vitamin D supplements. Future studies should explore prospective cohorts to examine the association between vitamin D and cortisol concentrations among pregnant women. Full article

Non-syndromic Orofacial clefts (NSOFCs) are among the most common congenital anomalies globally, yet evidence on maternal dietary and nutritional risk factors in sub-Saharan Africa is limited. A matched case–control study with 103 mothers of children with non-syndromic OFCs and 103 control mothers of unaffected children was conducted to assess dietary patterns, food security, and supplement use. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, and patterns were identified through principal component analysis. Household food security was measured using the USDA 18-item scale, and periconceptional multivitamin and folic acid use were recorded. Logistic regression models examined the associations. Three major dietary patterns emerged: Sweet and Energy-Dense, Staple Plant-Based, and Animal Protein–Vegetable. Higher adherence to Sweet and Energy-Dense (Highest tertile, T3: OR = 22.27; 95% CI: 8.71–56.91, p < 0.001) and Staple Plant-Based (T3: OR = 4.07; 95% CI: 1.70–9.73, p = 0.002) was associated with increased OFC odds, while the Animal Protein–Vegetable pattern suggested a borderline protective association (T3: OR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.19–1.03, p = 0.048). Severe food insecurity was more common among case-mothers (49.5%) than controls (39.8%). Periconceptional use of multivitamins and folic acid was low (<15%) in both groups. These findings highlight the importance of improving maternal diet quality and addressing food insecurity in resource-limited settings. Full article

In 2024, 28% of the global population experienced moderate or severe food insecurity. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2024 report underscores that adequate and sustained financing is critical to achieving global food security and improved nutrition outcomes. Grounded in the entitlement theory, this study examines how financial inclusion can reinforce the relationship between entitlements and food security. The study conducts a systematic review research methodology to collect, interpret, and integrate 84 studies. The findings of the paper include a thematic map and a conceptual framework. The thematic map highlights the major themes of the research area. The conceptual framework illustrates how financial inclusion enhances key entitlements such as production, trade, labor, and aid, which help achieve the four dimensions of food security: availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability. The study contributes theoretically by extending both entitlement and capability theory, showing how financial services improve access to food and strengthen people’s capabilities. On the policy front, the study recommends enhancing digital infrastructure in rural areas, promoting sustainable agriculture, empowering women, and encouraging millet production through targeted subsidies and cash transfer schemes. The study also suggests future research directions to help address its limitations, such as the lack of empirical testing of the proposed relationships. Full article

Biodiversity conservation has been identified as an important climate change mitigation tool. Healthy ecosystems act as natural carbon sinks while also strengthening resilience, making them essential for climate change adaptation. Climate change effects have led to various negative impacts, including biodiversity loss and food insecurity. The loss of forest biodiversity threatens vital wild fruits and vegetables that sustain rural communities, disrupting natural food sources and constituting a form of social injustice for poor, vulnerable, and previously marginalised groups in rural and semi-urban communities. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between previous biodiversity conservation outcomes, ecosystem services, highly utilised wild vegetables and fruits, food and nutritional security, climate change effects, and climate resilience. We identified gaps in African biodiversity conservation and developed a conceptual framework to highlight integral principles required for the effective biodiversity conservation of wild forests in Africa. The integral principles are active community engagement, a strong network of stakeholders, sustainable plant resources management practices, legal reforms, and the creation of awareness through various platforms. Conservation policies should prioritise African indigenous wild, drought-tolerant vegetables and fruits that serve as an interface between food and medicine; play various roles in human survival in the form of ecosystem services; and act as carbon sinks to ensure a food-secure future with reduced climate change effects. The African indigenous community’s efforts in biodiversity conservation engagements are key to successful outcomes. Full article

South Korea and North Korea share the same environment on the Korean peninsula, but they differ in socio-economic conditions, which leads to differences in crop productivity and status of food security. This study aimed at assessing food security in South Korea and North Korea by analyzing food demand and supply from 1991 to 2020. Food security was assessed by determining whether the food supply met the demand in two countries. South Korea achieved food security due to decreasing consumption, diverse nutrition, and stable rice productivity despite a reduction in cultivated paddy areas. In contrast, North Korea has faced food insecurity for 30 years, caused by a growing population, a lack of dietary diversity, and low crop productivity. To overcome food shortage, the North Korean government needs to focus on improving agricultural productivity through comprehensive reforms of agricultural infrastructures, rather than simply expanding low-productive cultivated areas. Although this study was conducted with limited data for North Korea, it sought to collect and utilize open and publicly accessible data. In the long term, both South Korea and North Korea should prepare for the impacts of climate change, considering agriculture-related sectors such as water and energy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Food insecurity (FI) is a well-defined factor in pediatric health outcomes and has been associated with lower diet quality. While poor diet quality has been linked to the rising prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), little is known about the impact of FI on pediatric IBD. This pilot study explores the feasibility and potential impact of FI on dietary intake and clinical outcomes in children with newly diagnosed IBD. Methods: This pilot study included newly diagnosed IBD patients aged 5 to 18. FI screening was completed using the USDA 6-item and AAP 2-item screeners at diagnosis and 6 months. Dietary intake was classified according to their degree of processing (NOVA classification). Clinical data, anthropometrics, and healthcare utilization were collected over 6 months. Results: Among 20 patients, FI was identified in 40% of families. Food-insecure patients had significantly lower weight and BMI z-scores at diagnosis compared to food-secure peers (p = 0.002 and p = 0.0013, respectively). Food-insecure patients consumed more ultra-processed foods (UPFs, 70.6% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.473). However, most patients consumed diets high in ultra-processed foods. FI status was dynamic over the study period. Hospitalizations were more frequent among food-insecure patients. Conclusions: FI is common in pediatric IBD and associated with poorer nutritional status. FI was associated with higher consumption of UPFs, although diet quality was poor among most patients. Future studies should validate these findings in large cohorts and evaluate longitudinal interventions. Full article

Food and nutritional insecurity, alongside poverty, remain formidable challenges within smallholder crop–livestock mixed farming systems, predominantly found in Asia and Africa, which are the primary focus of this review. Livestock stands as a crucial asset in these systems, providing food and income for families. However, livestock productivity is often constrained by poor-quality feed, predominantly composed of crop residues. This is compounded by limited access to high-quality forage seeds and the misconception that limited land and water resources should be devoted to cereal production. Furthermore, formal seed supply chains for forages are often underdeveloped or non-existent, making it difficult for farmers to access quality seed. The integration of high-quality legume forages into these systems offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution for improving livestock productivity. These forages provide more nutritious feed and enhance soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, helping to reduce farmers’ reliance on expensive commercial feeds and fertilizers. Success in the adoption of improved forage varieties hinges on participatory approaches that actively engage farmers in varietal selection and evaluation. Such collaboration leads to better adoption rates and increases on-farm productivity, facilitating the establishment of village-based forage seed enterprises (VBFSEs). These enterprises offer a reliable local seed supply of quality seeds, reducing farmers’ dependency on inconsistent national and international seed suppliers. These initiatives not only improve the production of high-quality forage and livestock productivity but also create opportunities for income diversification, contributing to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. By fostering collaboration and sustainable practices, policymakers and stakeholders, particularly farmers, can build more resilient agricultural systems that support food security and poverty alleviation in rural communities. Full article

Climate change is a global crisis that disproportionately affects vulnerable agrarian communities, exacerbating food insecurity and health risks. This qualitative study explored the relationship between climate change and health in the following two rural sub-counties of Kilifi County, Kenya: Ganze and Magarini. In fall 2023, we conducted 16 focus group discussions with adolescent girls (14–17), young adults (18–30), and older adults (31+). Thematic analysis revealed that climate change adversely affects health through key social determinants, including economic instability, environmental degradation, limited healthcare access, food insecurity, and disrupted education. Participants reported increased food scarcity, disease outbreaks, and reduced access to medical care due to droughts and floods. Economic hardship contributed to harmful survival strategies, including transactional sex and school dropout among adolescent girls. Mental health concerns, such as stress, substance use, and suicidal ideation, were prevalent. These findings highlight the wide-ranging health impacts of climate change in agrarian settings and the urgent need for comprehensive, community-informed interventions. Priorities should include improving nutrition, reproductive and mental health services, infectious disease prevention, and healthcare access. Full article

Background/Objectives: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease. It has known multifactorial pathophysiology, but the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on the rising prevalence of MASLD is poorly understood. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study to examine the influence of SDOH on MASLD using nationwide data from the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study. Methods: We identified participants with MASLD based on liver ultrasound-based controlled attenuation parameter measurements consistent with diagnostic guidelines. We then used logistic regression models to examine associations between SDOH variables and MASLD, with a pre-specified focus on education and income, sequentially adjusting for sociodemographic factors, medical comorbidities, and other SDOH. Results: Our study found that higher education (odds ratio [OR] 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62–0.97, p = 0.024) but not higher income (OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.91–1.37, p = 0.3) was associated with lower odds of MASLD in multivariable adjusted models. We also identified a significant interaction between education level and food security, as well as interactions between food security and other significant SDOH. In the stratified analyses, higher education was significantly associated with lower odds of MASLD among participants with food security (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.55–0.91, p = 0.007) but not among those with food insecurity (OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.76–2.11, p = 0.4). Conclusions: Our findings identify the potential impact of SDOH on odds of MASLD and suggest increased importance of food security relative to other SDOH. Full article

Background/Objective: Food insecurity refers to social or economic challenges that limit or create uncertainty around access to enough food. Among college students, food security status is usually determined with the USDA 10-item Food Security Survey Module, which has not been validated for this population. Nutrition security refers to consistent access to food and beverages that promote well-being, prevent disease, and emphasize equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable foods. Currently, there is no standardized measure that assesses food and nutrition security tailored to the unique experiences of college students. This study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of a newly developed College Student Food and Nutrition Security Survey Module (CS-FNSSM). Methods: A mixed-methods approach that combined an online survey with semi-structured cognitive interviews. Participants were students aged 18 and older from U.S. public universities. Quantitative data were analyzed using RStudio (version 4.4.1), and interview transcripts were thematically analyzed. Results: Survey responses were collected from 953 participants, including a subset of 69 participants for reliability testing and 30 participants for cognitive interviews. Rasch analysis showed good item performance and structural validity. The CS-FNSSM demonstrated strong sensitivity (89.09%), specificity (76.2%), moderate test–retest reliability (0.59), and good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.79). Qualitative findings confirmed participant understanding of the items. Conclusions: The CS-FNSSM effectively identifies food and nutrition insecurity, with nutrition security emerging as a key issue. Addressing both is crucial for promoting the overall health and well-being of college students. Full article

Background/Objectives: A growing body of literature has demonstrated that living with food insecurity (FI) increases risk for mental health concerns in addition to nutritional deficits (e.g., suboptimal micronutrient consumption, excessive macronutrient consumption, malnutrition). Yet, research is needed to improve our understanding of subpopulations potentially at increased risk for mental health concerns when living in the context of FI. The current study examined psychosocial health across women of different developmental life stages all living with FI. Methods: Female clients of a large, urban food bank (N = 680) living with FI completed measures of mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a cross-sectional design conducted on site at the food bank. Results: Consistent with past research, FI severity was correlated with poorer psychosocial health across all variables. A multivariate analysis of covariance compared women living with FI across 4 developmental life stages (young adult, early midlife, late midlife, and older adult; age range = 18–94 years), controlling for FI severity and race/ethnicity, on outcomes related to mental health and HRQOL. Women in early and late midlife reported higher anxiety, eating disorder symptoms, and eating-related psychosocial impairment than younger and older women. Conclusions: The mental health toll of living with FI is profound; midlife may comprise a developmental period of increased vulnerability to experience this mental health burden of living with FI for women. Thus, efforts are needed to develop innovative pathways for interventions to support the mental health of midlife women living with FI, likely involving multi-level and/or multicomponent approaches to resource access. Full article