scholarly journals Feast and famine: Socioeconomic disparities in global nutrition and health

1998 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Darnton-Hill ◽  
ET Coyne
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Protein Energy Malnutrition ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Socioeconomic Disparities ◽  
Differential Mortality ◽  
Nutrition And Health ◽  
Global Nutrition

AbstractObjective:To review current information on under- and over-malnutrition and the consequences of socioeconomic disparities on global nutrition and health.Design:Malnutrition, both under and over, can no longer be addressed without considering global food insecurity, socioeconomic disparity, both globally and nationally, and global cultural, social and epidemiological transitions.Setting:The economic gap between the more and less affluent nations is growing. At the same time income disparity is growing within most countries, both developed and developing. Concurrently, epidemiological, demographic and nutrition transitions are taking place in many countries.Results:Fully one-third of young children in the world's low-income countries are stunted because of malnutrition. One-half of all deaths among young children are, in part, a consequence of malnutrition. Forty per cent of women in the developing world suffer from iron deficiency anaemia, a major cause of maternal mortality and low birth weight infants. Despite such worrying trends, there have been significant increases in life expectancy in nearly all countries of the world, and continuing improvements in infant mortality rates. The proportion of children malnourished has generally decreased, although actual numbers have not in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. Inequalities are increasing between the richest developed countries and the poorest developing countries. Social inequality is an important factor in differential mortality in both developed and developing countries. Many countries have significant pockets of malnutrition and increased mortality of children, while obesity and non-communicable disease (NCDs) prevalences are increasing. Not infrequently it is the poor and relatively disadvantaged sectors of the population who are suffering both. In the industrialized countries. cardiovascular disease incidence has declined, but less so in the poorer socioeconomic strata.conclusions:The apparent contradicitions found represent a particular point in time (population responses generally lag behind social and environmental transitions). They do also show encouraging evidence that interventions can have a positive impact, sometimes despite disadvantageous circumstances. However, it seems increasingly unlikely that food production will continue to keep up with population growth. It is also unlikely present goals for reducing protein-energy malnutrition prevalence will be reached. The coexistence of diseases of undernutrition and NCDs will have an impact on allocation of resources. Action needs to be continued and maintained at the international, national and individual level.

scholarly journals Dynamic Oral Texture Properties of Selected Indigenous Complementary Porridges Used in African Communities

Foods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 221 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Makame ◽  
Tanita Cronje ◽  
Naushad M. Emmambux ◽  
Henriette De Kock
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Nutrient Intake ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Protein Energy Malnutrition ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Texture Properties ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Infants And Young Children

Child malnutrition remains a major public health problem in low-income African communities, caused by factors including the low nutritional value of indigenous/local complementary porridges (CP) fed to infants and young children. Most African children subsist on locally available starchy foods, whose oral texture is not well-characterized in relation to their sensorimotor readiness. The sensory quality of CP affects oral processing (OP) abilities in infants and young children. Unsuitable oral texture limits nutrient intake, leading to protein-energy malnutrition. The perception of the oral texture of selected African CPs (n = 13, Maize, Sorghum, Cassava, Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), Cowpea, and Bambara) was investigated by a trained temporal-check-all-that-apply (TCATA) panel (n = 10), alongside selected commercial porridges (n = 19). A simulated OP method (Up-Down mouth movements- munching) and a control method (lateral mouth movements- normal adult-like chewing) were used. TCATA results showed that Maize, Cassava, and Sorghum porridges were initially too thick, sticky, slimy, and pasty, and also at the end not easy to swallow even at low solids content—especially by the Up-Down method. These attributes make CPs difficult to ingest for infants given their limited OP abilities, thus, leading to limited nutrient intake, and this can contribute to malnutrition. Methods to improve the texture properties of indigenous CPs are needed to optimize infant nutrient intake.

A Systems Approach for Sustainably Reducing Childhood Diarrheal Deaths in Developing Countries

2016 ◽  
pp. 1208-1227
Author(s):  
Monica Gray
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Industrialized Nations ◽  
Sub Saharan

Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death and is the major cause of malnutrition in children under age 5 worldwide. More than 50 percent of the cases occur in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Open defecation, substandard fecal disposal systems, and contaminated water supplies are the typical causes of diarrheal diseases. This public health crisis in low income countries mirrors the experiences of today's industrialized nations two centuries ago. The lessons learned from their sanitary evolution can be instructive in charting a sustainable path towards saving the lives of almost 2 million children annually. In this chapter a case study of Cuba's sanitary reformation is also presented to showcase successes, similar to those of developed countries, within a developing country and economically challenging context.

Optimized spaghetti pasta from amaranth, partially deoiled sesame and modified sorghum starch composite: bioactive, nutritional and physico-functional characterization

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Temitope Omolayo Fasuan ◽  
Cynthia Chioma Anyiam ◽  
Linda Obianuju Ojokoh ◽  
Judith Uchenna Chima ◽  
Titilope Modupe Olagunju ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Protein Energy Malnutrition ◽  
Total Phenolic ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Antioxidant Power ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Acceptability Index

Purpose Pasta is popularly consumed in developed and developing countries. Many low-income homes that could not afford protein-rich foods consumed pasta without further supplements as a meal. However, pasta is deficient in protein and some other health-promoting substances. Deoiled sesame and amaranth flours are rich in protein, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and many non-nutrient-based health benefits. Formulating a nutrient-dense pasta product (spaghetti) would reduce protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and improve the health status of pasta consumers. This study aims to investigate some bioactive, nutrients and non-nutrient components of developed and optimized spaghetti pasta from deoiled sesame, amaranth and modified sorghum starch blend. Design/methodology/approach Amaranth, sorghum and sesame grains were sorted, wet-cleaned and dried. Sesame grain was roasted while starch was extracted from sorghum grain. The innate starch was modified by heat-moisture treatment. The prepared grains and starch were milled into flours and formulated into different flour mixtures using the Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology and the process was modeled and optimized. The flour mixtures were made into spaghetti pasta. Proximate, mineral, amino acids, biological value, protein efficiency ration, phytochemical, antioxidant activity, physico-functional and sensory properties of the formulated spaghetti were evaluated using standard procedures. Findings An optimal mixture of deoiled sesame (31.12g/100g), amaranth (56.56g/100g) and modified sorghum starch (12.32g/100g) were established, which yielded protein (25.79g/100g), appearance (96.65%), taste (94.57%) and acceptability index (97.37%). The spaghetti was significantly (p-values ranged from 0.001 to 0.018) superior in protein, ash, fat, fiber, calcium, magnesium, zinc, alkaloids, total phenolic, flavonoids, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazl (DPPH) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) relative to the control (100% wheat flour). Amino acid showed that the product is rich in histidine, isoleucine, phenylalanine and threonine. The high essential amino acid index of the product indicated that it is a good protein source. The spaghetti was significantly (p-values ranged from 0.001 to 0.021) superior in aroma, taste and acceptability index relative to the control. Originality/value This study showed the feasibility of developing spaghetti pasta from deoiled sesame, amaranth grains and modified sorghum starch. The production process described in this study is scalable; and the process could be applied on a small scale for the development of self-entrepreneurs and industrially. The high protein content of the product indicated that it could be used to reduce PEM in developing countries.

scholarly journals Estimated Dietary Intakes of Arachidonic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid in Infants and Young Children Living in Developing Countries

2016 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stewart Forsyth ◽  
Sheila Gautier ◽  
Norman Salem Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Arachidonic Acid ◽  
Fatty Acid Composition ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Docosahexaenoic Acid ◽  
Acid Composition ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Infants And Young Children

Background/Aims: There are only few data on dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake in infants from developing countries, and current global recommendations on intake during early life may not reflect the needs of the world's most vulnerable infants. The aim of the study was to provide estimates of intake of ARA and DHA in infants and young children aged 6-36 months who live in developing countries. Methods: FAO Food Balance Sheets and fatty acid composition data from Australian food composition tables were utilized to generate mean per capita intake estimates for DHA and ARA in developing countries. The median daily intake of DHA and ARA in children age 6-36 months in each country was determined by combining the fatty acid composition of breast milk and complementary foods with the estimated intakes being weighted according to median duration of any breastfeeding. Results: The median daily dietary intake for ARA and DHA across 76 developing countries was 64.0 and 48.9 mg/day, respectively. The lowest complementary food intake of ARA and DHA was present in countries with the lowest gross national income and highest birth rates. Conclusion: Global recommendations on ARA and DHA in early life need to reflect the specific needs of infants and families living in low income countries, and country-specific food policies should address gaps between recommended and achieved intakes.

scholarly journals Survival Outcomes of Double and Triple-Only Combination Anti-Myeloma Chemotherapeutic Regimens on 26 Multiple Myeloma Patients Seen in a Sub-Saharan African Country

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 5762-5762
Author(s):  
Ogbonna Collins Nwabuko ◽  
Martin Anazodo Nnoli ◽  
Elizabeth Eneikido Igbigbi ◽  
Dorathy Adaunwa Okoh ◽  
Ijezie Innocent Chukwuonye
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Survival Interval

Abstract Backgound: Multiple myeloma (MM) is one of the commonest haematological malignancies of public health importance in low-income countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Though primarily a disease of the bone marrow, it often poses a diagnostic dilemma for the orthopaedic surgeons because of the frequent skeletal manifestations. Consequently, misdiagnosis and late presentation are often common contributory factors to the poor prognosis and survival of victims in this environment. This retrospective study aimed at finding out the therapeutic challenges of MM in developing countries such as Nigeria. Methodology: A-10-year multi-centered retrospective analysis of 26 patients diagnosed and managed in three major centers between 2003 and 2013. Informations on the clinical, laboratory, radiological datas and therapeutic interventions were obtained at presentation until patients were lost to follow-up. Result: The median age of diagnosis was 60.6 years with M:F ratio of 2.3:1.(p<0.05). 61.5%, 30.8% and 7.7% presented in Durie Salmon (DS) stages III, II and I diseases respectively. The mean survival interval was 39.2 months (95% CI, 32.0-47.2 months). 84.5% and 8% were on Melphalan plus Prednisolone (MP) and Cyclophosphamide plus prednisolone (CP) combination chemotherapies respectively. The longest survival interval of 80 months was recorded by MP plus Bortezomib (V) triple regimen.There was no significant difference between the outcome of MP and VMP (p=0.33). Conclusion: Triple combination regimens (i.e,VMP, MPT) are superior to standard MP in terms of overall survival (OS),and quality of life of MM patients in developing countries, although this is not statistically significant. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

A Systems Approach for Sustainably Reducing Childhood Diarrheal Deaths in Developing Countries

2015 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Monica Gray
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Industrialized Nations ◽  
Sub Saharan

Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death and is the major cause of malnutrition in children under age 5 worldwide. More than 50 percent of the cases occur in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Open defecation, substandard fecal disposal systems, and contaminated water supplies are the typical causes of diarrheal diseases. This public health crisis in low income countries mirrors the experiences of today's industrialized nations two centuries ago. The lessons learned from their sanitary evolution can be instructive in charting a sustainable path towards saving the lives of almost 2 million children annually. In this chapter a case study of Cuba's sanitary reformation is also presented to showcase successes, similar to those of developed countries, within a developing country and economically challenging context.

scholarly journals Economic Growth and Income Inequality Relationship: Role of Credit Market Imperfection

2008 ◽  
Vol 47 (4II) ◽  
pp. 727-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amina Tabassum ◽  
M. Tariq Majeed
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Income Inequality ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
Income Inequalities

The 20th century has witnessed unequalled success in improving the living standard of people in most part of the world. According to World Bank annual Statistical reports, poverty has declined significantly in developing countries over the past twenty years but the progress has been uneven. The number of people living in poverty fell from 1.5 billion in 1981 to 1.1 billion in 2001. However, many low-income developing countries are still trapped in vicious circle of poverty. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the number of poor rose from 41 percent to 46 percent between 1981 to 2001.While in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the numbers of poor people have risen to around 20 percent in 2001.1 Therefore; reduction of widely scattered poverty is the most challenging goal for low income developing countries. Economic growth is considered to be a powerful force for reducing poverty. High and sustained economic growth increases the labor demand and wages which in return will reduce poverty. Similarly, better earnings as a result of reduction in poverty lead to increase productivity and growth. But the extent of poverty reduction as a result of economic growth depends on how the distribution of income changes with economic growth and on initial Inequalities in income. If income inequality increases, then economic growth does not lead to a significant poverty reduction. Many developing countries achieved high growth rates in different periods but poverty does not reduce significantly in these periods due to increase in income inequalities. Most South and East Asian economies grew at higher per capita rates since early 1970 along with rise in income inequality over time. In contrast, Latin American countries grew by less than the half of average growth rates in South and East Asia while maintaining high income inequality.2 The differences in income inequality at a given rate of growth require that efforts to reduce poverty by stimulating growth are not sufficient and need to be complemented by efforts to reduce income inequalities.

scholarly journals Community-based health financing: empirical evaluation of the socio-demographic factors determining its uptake in Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix O. Iyalomhe ◽  
Paul O. Adekola ◽  
Giuseppe T. Cirella
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Financing ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
Anambra State

Abstract Background There is an increasing global concern of financing poor people who live in low- and middle-income countries. The burden of non-communicable diseases of these people is, by in large, connected to a lack of access to effective and affordable medical care, weak financing, and delivery of health services. Policymakers have assumed, until recently, that poor people in developing countries would not pay health insurance premiums for the cost of future hospitalization. The emergence of community-based health financing (CBHF) has brought forth a renewed and empowered alternative. CBHF schemes are designed to be sustainable, varying in size, and well organized. Developing countries, such as Nigeria, have been testing and finetuning such schemes in the hope that they may 1 day reciprocate high-income countries. Methods A sample size of 372 respondents was used to assess the slums of Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, Nigeria, and empirically evaluate the socio-demographic characteristics of those who uptake CBHF using the provider Jamii Bora Trust (JBT). Cross-sectional research used a quantitative research approach with the instrumentality of structured questionnaires. Descriptive analysis was adopted to determine the socio-demographic characteristics of those who have CBHF uptake in Awka and evaluate the presence and benefits of CBHF in the city’s slums. Results The results show that more youth and middle-aged persons from 18 to 50 years are more insured (i.e., 73.8% combined) than those who are over 50 years of age. Gender distribution confirm more females (i.e., 61.9%) to be health-insured than their male counterpart (i.e., 38.1%). This perhaps reflected the reproductive roles by women and the fact that women have better health-seeking behavioral attitude. Moreover, the results correlate with previous studies that confirm women are more involved in local sustainable associations in low-income settings, of this nature, in sub-Saharan Africa. Corroborating this further, married people are more insured (i.e., 73.8%) than those who are not married (i.e., 26.2%) and insured members report higher use of hospitalization care than the non-insured. Conclusion CBHF uptake favored members in the lower income quintiles who are more likely to use healthcare services covered by the JBT scheme. This confirmed that prepayment schemes and the pooling of risk could reduce financial barriers to healthcare among the urban poor. Recommendations are suggested to improve enrollment levels in the CBHF programs.

scholarly journals Prospects for micro-insurance in promoting micro-credit in sub-Sahara Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-257
Author(s):  
Olajumoke Olaosebikan ◽  
Mike Adams
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Organizational Economics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Micro Insurance ◽  
Sub Saharan

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to, using a case study research design informed by organizational economics theory, to examine the prospects for micro-insurance in promoting micro-credit in a low-income Anglophone country in sub-Saharan Africa – The Gambia. Two main research questions are addressed: first, what is the most appropriate micro-finance institution (MFI) organizational structure to maximize the economic benefits of micro-insurance? Second, what are the financial management and wider economic benefits of the use of micro-insurance by MFIs? Design/methodology/approach – To address our two research questions, we used a semi-structured interview protocol, informed by the organizational economics literature, to interpret the data collected from our field cases. We believe that these intrinsic qualities of case study methodology are particularly apt in the present study, given the complex and emergent nature of micro-finance and micro-insurance in low-income countries such The Gambia. By focusing on case studies in a single country, we also to some extent help control for variations in business environment that could confound interpretations of field data obtained from different jurisdictions. Findings – The results of our study suggest that the mutual (cooperative) structure of credit unions is likely to be the most cost-efficient and effective organizational form for reducing information asymmetries, agency problems and transaction costs. We also observe that micro-insurance can help reduce the risk of loan defaults, thereby increasing returns on savings and lowering the costs of debt. As such, micro-insurance stimulates the demand–supply of financial intermediation in less developed countries and so helps promote economic development. In addition to contributing new insights, our findings have potentially important commercial and public policy implications. Research limitations/implications – We acknowledge that our research is subject to inherent limitations such as the focus on three interviews in three different types of MFI organization while excluding other structural forms of organization such as government-owned/sponsored organizations. Nonetheless, the organizational characteristics of the cases examined in the present study are representative of most MFIs in developing countries. Given the prevalent hierarchical nature of corporate systems in sub-Saharan Africa, the views of the interviewees are also deemed to reflect those of other board members. Nonetheless, we acknowledge that the conclusions from our research may need to be tempered in line with these inherent limitations with the research approach adopted. Practical implications – The insights obtained from our Gambia-based research could be generalized to developing countries elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, and indeed, other parts of the developing world. Consequently, the study could be of interest and relevance to international financiers (e.g. the World Bank), aid agencies, governments and other development organizations. Originality/value – Despite its evident business and development potential, academic management research on micro-insurance, and in particular, its role in supporting micro-finance initiatives, is still very much at an embryonic stage. Our study thus seeks to fill this knowledge gap.

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