scholarly journals Recommended Actions in Global Nutrition Initiatives That Link Food Environment and Food Choice

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 565-565
Author(s):  
Ligia Reyes ◽  
Shiva Bhandari ◽  
Shilpa Constantinides ◽  
Edward Frongillo ◽  
Christine Blake
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Choice ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Web Searches ◽  
Healthy Diets ◽  
Gates Foundation ◽  
Global Nutrition

Abstract Objectives To understand how actions that link food environment and food choice, recommended by global nutrition initiatives, seek to promote sustainable healthy diets. Methods We reviewed recommended actions addressing food environments and food choice by global nutrition initiatives published between 2015 and 2020. Internal debriefing, expert solicitation, and targeted web searches were used to identify 20 documents, with 12 selected for review. Specific action descriptions were used to generate overarching actions present across the documents, were extracted into a matrix, and then were tabulated across overarching actions retaining document affiliation. The content assigned to each overarching action was disaggregated by environmental and individual focus guided by concepts from existing frameworks pertinent to food environments and food choice. Results We identified 13 overarching actions from the documents reviewed, ranging from reorienting agricultural priorities for improved nutrition to creating consumer demand for nutritious foods. The documents differed in the extent of detail describing specific actions. Between 3 and 11 documents were represented in each action. Environmental actions focused on building better bridges across the food value chain, regulation, and investment. Regulation ranged from municipal zoning restrictions of food outlets near schools to national and international strengthening of legally binding agreements for nutrient profiling, labeling, and marketing restrictions. Actions addressing individual behavior were fewer and focused on building capacity with special attention to smallholder farmers and women, recognizing their duality as suppliers and consumers, protecting traditional practices, and applied communication strategies to promote healthy diets. Conclusions Actions portrayed prioritization of environmental change to achieve healthy diets with some attention to sustainability, but much less detail was presented about what, how, or why individuals may consider changes to their dietary choices. Better linking individuals’ perspective into environmental change may propel the success of active global efforts. Funding Sources UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

scholarly journals Shaping Physical, Economic, and Policy Components of the Food Environment to Create Sustainable Healthy Diets

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 74S-86S
Author(s):  
Adam Drewnowski ◽  
Eva C. Monterrosa ◽  
Saskia de Pee ◽  
Edward A. Frongillo ◽  
Stefanie Vandevijvere
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food System ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Equitable Access ◽  
Nutrition Labels ◽  
Healthy Diets ◽  
Physical Spaces

Background: Sustainable healthy diets are those dietary patterns that promote all dimensions of individuals’ health and well-being; have low environmental pressure and impact; are accessible, affordable, safe, and equitable; and are culturally acceptable. The food environment, defined as the interface between the wider food system and consumer’s food acquisition and consumption, is critical for ensuring equitable access to foods that are healthy, safe, affordable, and appealing. Discussion: Current food environments are creating inequities, and sustainable healthy foods are generally more accessible for those of higher socioeconomic status. The physical, economic, and policy components of the food environment can all be acted on to promote sustainable healthy diets. Physical spaces can be modified to improve relative availability (ie, proximity) of food outlets that carry nutritious foods in low-income communities; to address economic access certain actions may improve affordability, such as fortification, preventing food loss through supply chain improvements; and commodity specific vouchers for fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Other policy actions that address accessibility to sustainable healthy foods are comprehensive marketing restrictions and easy-to-understand front-of-pack nutrition labels. While shaping food environments will require concerted action from all stakeholders, governments and private sector bear significant responsibility for ensuring equitable access to sustainable healthy diets.

Youth Speak Out on School Food Environments

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-202
Author(s):  
Kelsey Gangemi ◽  
Roxanne Dupuis ◽  
Elizabeth FitzGerald ◽  
Rosemary Frasso ◽  
Sara Solomon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Choice ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
School Personnel ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Photo Elicitation ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
School Food ◽  
Vending Machines ◽  
Student Input

In Philadelphia, over 40% of youth are overweight or obese. The objective in this assessment was to learn about urban residents’ perspectives regarding the local food environment and its impact on eating behaviors. Using photo-elicitation, 20 adolescents reflected on their food environments through photographs and corresponding interviews. Without specific prompting from interviewers, every participant raised concerns about their school food environments, which they commonly found to be unhealthy and unappealing. Participants’ responses reflected four themes: (1) mixed reviews regarding the healthfulness of school vending machines, (2) lunch from home versus lunch from school, (3) factors that influenced food choice at school, and (4) critiques of school food environments. Students embraced the photo-elicitation approach as a way to convey their concerns and to suggest opportunities for improvements. School nurses, who are trusted by students and school personnel, are well-positioned to solicit student input and advocate for healthier school food environments.

scholarly journals ‘It’s Hard to Make Good Choices and It Costs More’: Adolescents’ Perception of the External School Food Environment

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1043
Author(s):  
Colette Kelly ◽  
Mary Callaghan ◽  
Saoirse Nic Gabhainn
Keyword(s):  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Choice ◽  
Discussion Groups ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
School Food ◽  
Price Discounts ◽  
Food Outlets ◽  
School Food Environment ◽  
The Impact

Research on the impact of school and community food environments on adolescent food choice is heavily reliant on objective rather than subjective measures of food outlets around schools and homes. Gaining the perspective of adolescents and how they perceive and use food environments is needed. The aim of this study was to explore adolescent’s perception and use of the food environment surrounding their schools. Purposive sampling was used to recruit schools. Mapping exercises and discussion groups were facilitated with 95 adolescents from six schools. Thematic analysis showed that adolescents are not loyal to particular shops but are attracted to outlets with price discounts, those with ‘deli’ counters and sweets. Cost, convenience and choice are key factors influencing preference for food outlets and foods. Quality, variety and health were important factors for adolescents but these features, especially affordable healthy food, were hard to find. Social factors such as spending time with friends is also an important feature of food environments that deserves further attention. Adolescents’ perceptions of their food environment provide insights into features that can be manipulated to enable healthy choices.

scholarly journals An Emergent Measurement Framework of the Market Food Environment in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (OR21-08-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Djeinam Toure ◽  
Mduduzi Mbuya ◽  
Anna Herforth ◽  
Gretel Pelto ◽  
Lynnette Neufeld
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Choice ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Measurement Framework ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Objectives Food systems are increasingly recognized as critical to advancing better nutrition, with the food environment as the nexus between food systems and dietary consumption. Developing a robust measurement framework of the market food environment is a research priority particularly for low and middle income countries (LMIC), where market food environments are rapidly shifting, accompanied by shifts in diet patterns and nutrition outcomes. The objective of this work was to identify existing metrics of the food environment and develop a measurement framework that can be used to assess the outcomes of nutrition-sensitive, market-focused interventions in LMIC. Methods We conducted a narrative review of the food environment literature using targeted searches of peer-reviewed articles, agency websites, and bibliographies to identify measures of the food environment in current or recent use. First, we extracted 182 unique measures from and compiled them into a list. Second, a pile-sorting exercise was conducted online by 5 nutrition experts, selected for their expertise in food environment, ethnographic, food choice, and/or nutritious value chain research. Participants were asked to sort the measures into piles that belonged together and create a label for each pile. An in-depth debriefing was conducted with each sorter to obtain the reasoning for their sorts. We then categorized the results into emergent groups based on the percentage agreement of the assignment of individual items into the piles. Results Eight broad categories with at least 75% measure agreement emerged pertaining to both perceived and objective measures of the built/physical food environment. Etic measures included the availability of food stores, the availability and quality of foods within a store, food prices, and marketing. Emic (perception) measures included perceptions of access to food stores, perceptions of food availability and quality in stores, and affordability. Personal characteristics and values determining food choice also emerged; these are not measures of the food environment per se. Conclusions These results begin to outline a measurement framework for assessing the market food environment that can be adapted to LMIC. The next step will be to test the framework and evaluate its utility as a tool to further understanding around consumer food choices. Funding Sources GAIN.

scholarly journals The Role of Supportive Food Environments to Enable Healthier Choices When Eating Meals Prepared Outside the Home: Findings from Focus Groups of 18 to 30-Year-Olds

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Allman-Farinelli ◽  
Hassan Rahman ◽  
Monica Nour ◽  
Lyndal Wellard-Cole ◽  
Wendy L. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Choice ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Urban Residence ◽  
Price Discounts ◽  
Special Occasion ◽  
Eating Out

Young adults are the highest consumers of food prepared outside home, which has been linked to weight gain. The aim of this qualitative research was to gather opinions from young adults about what influences their food choice when eating out and if they so desired, what might enable healthy choices. Thirty-one adults aged 18 to 30 years participated in four focus groups (females = 24). Predetermined questions were used to guide discussions which were audiotaped then transcribed. The content was organized into themes and sub-themes using NVivo software. Two broad groupings arose—personal behaviors and changes to physical and social food environments. For many, eating out was viewed as a special occasion so that healthy food was not a priority and despite understanding health consequences of poor diets this was not an immediate concern. Price discounts and menu-labelling were suggested and trust in credible organizations and peers’ endorsement of meals and venues expressed. The role of smartphones in the modern food environment emerged as a tool to enable immediate access to many restaurants to order food and access reviews and social media as a source of persuasive food imagery. Current menu-labelling initiatives should continue, food pricing be explored and influence of smartphones on diet further researched. However, these findings may be limited by the high proportion of women and higher socioeconomic status and urban residence of many participants.

Food procurement in English-language Canadian public schools: Opportunities and challenges

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-99
Author(s):  
Shawna Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
English Language ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
School Food ◽  
Provincial Level ◽  
School Food Environment

This paper examines the changes to procurement for school food environments in Canada as a response to changes to nutrition regulations at the provincial level. Interviews with those working in school food environments across Canada revealed how changes to the nutrition requirements of foods and beverages sold in schools presented opportunities to not only improve the nutrient content of the items made available in school food environments, but also to include local producers and/or school gardens in procuring for the school food environment. At the same time, some schools struggle to procure nutritionally compliant foods due to increased costs associated with transporting produce to rural, remote, or northern communities as well as logistic difficulties like spoilage. Although the nutrition regulations have facilitated improvements to food environments in some schools, others require more support to improve the overall nutritional quality of the foods and beverages available to students at school.

scholarly journals Using a global food environment framework to understand relationships with food choice in diverse low- and middle-income countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 100511
Author(s):  
Shilpa V. Constantinides ◽  
Christopher Turner ◽  
Edward A. Frongillo ◽  
Shiva Bhandari ◽  
Ligia I. Reyes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Choice ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Global Food ◽  
Low And Middle Income

scholarly journals Evaluating the Impacts of Smallholder Farmer’s Participation in Modern Agricultural Value Chain Tactics for Facilitating Poverty Alleviation—A Case Study of Kiwifruit Industry in Shaanxi, China

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 462
Author(s):  
Hongyu Wang ◽  
Xiaolei Wang ◽  
Apurbo Sarkar ◽  
Lu Qian
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Multidimensional Poverty ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Reduction Degree ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Storage Technology

Market-based initiatives like agriculture value chain (AVC) are becoming progressively pervasive to support smallholder rural farmers and assist them in entering larger market interventions and providing a pathway of enhancing their socioeconomic well-being. Moreover, it may also foster staggering effects towards the post-era poverty alleviation in rural areas and possessed a significant theoretical and practical influence for modern agricultural development. The prime objective of the study is to explore the effects of smallholder farmers’ participation in the agricultural value chain for availing rural development and poverty alleviation. Specifically, we have crafted the assessment employing pre-production (improved fertilizers usage), in-production (modern preservation technology), and post-production (supply chain) participation and interventions of smallholder farmers. The empirical data has been collected from a micro survey dataset of 623 kiwifruit farmers from July to September in Shaanxi, China. We have employed propensity score matching (PSM), probit, and OLS models to explore the multidimensional poverty reduction impact and heterogeneity of farmers’ participation in the agricultural value chain. The results show that the total number of poor farmers who have experienced one-dimensional and two-dimensional poverty is relatively high (66.3%). We also find that farmers’ participation in agricultural value chain activities has a significant poverty reduction effect. The multidimensional poverty level of farmers using improved fertilizer, organizational acquisition, and using storage technology (compared with non-participating farmers) decreased by 30.1%, 46.5%, and 25.0%, respectively. The multidimensional poverty reduction degree of male farmers using improved fertilizer and participating in the organizational acquisition is greater than that of women. The multidimensional poverty reduction degree of female farmers using storage and fresh-keeping technology has a greater impact than the males using storage and improved storage technology. Government should widely promote the value chain in the form of pre-harvest, production, and post-harvest technology. The public–private partnership should also be strengthened for availing innovative technologies and infrastructure development.

Food for All in Africa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Conway ◽  
Ousmane Badiane ◽  
Katrin Glatzel
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Sustainable Intensification ◽  
Rural Poor ◽  
Agricultural Policies ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Agricultural Transformation

Africa requires a new agricultural transformation that is appropriate for Africa, that recognizes the continent's diverse environments and climates, and that takes into account its histories and cultures while benefiting rural smallholder farmers and their families. This book describes the key challenges faced by Africa's smallholder farmers and presents the concepts and practices of sustainable intensification as opportunities to sustainably transform Africa's agriculture sector and the livelihoods of millions of smallholders. The way forward, the book indicates, will be an agriculture sector deeply rooted within sustainable intensification: producing more with less, using fertilizers and pesticides more prudently, adapting to climate change, improving natural capital, adopting new technologies, and building resilience at every stage of the agriculture value chain. This book envisions a virtuous circle generated through agricultural development rooted in sustainable intensification that results in greater yields, healthier diets, improved livelihoods for farmers, and sustainable economic opportunities for the rural poor that in turn generate further investment. It describes the benefits of digital technologies for farmers and the challenges of transforming African agricultural policies and creating effective and inspiring leadership. The book demonstrates why we should take on the challenge and provides ideas and methods through which it can be met.

The Impact of IFAD-Value Chain Development Programme to Rice Yield and Income Among Smallholder Farmers in Ardo-Kola LGA, Taraba State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 66-74
Author(s):  
E.D Oruonye ◽  
◽  
Tukura Ejati Danladi ◽  
M Joseph ◽  
Menwo Ukechi Wilson-Osigwe
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Rice Yield ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Development Programme ◽  
T Test ◽  
Rice Farming ◽  
Intervention Programme ◽  
Rice Farmers ◽  
The Impact

The study assesses the impact of IFAD-VCDP on rice yield and farmers’ income, as well as constraints to IFAD-VCDP implementation in the study area. A purposive sampling method was adopted to select 220 rice farmers. Primary and secondary data were used. Questionnaires were used to collect information from the beneficiaries of the programme. The respondents verified the claims of the programme with respect to the provisions of farm inputs, extension service and basic infrastructures. A paired-samples t-test was used to analyze the data. The findings of the study revealed that 55% of the respondents have yields between 1–10 bags (100kg) and after the intervention, 52% of the respondents had yield of 61–80 bags (100kg). Similarly, 43% of the respondents have income between N51,000-N70,000 before the intervention programme and after the intervention, 52% of the respondents have income between N141,000-N170,000 and 42% have between N171,000-N200,000. This shows significant positive impacts on crop yield and income. The results of the paired-sample t-test show that there is difference in the mean income of rice farmers before IFAD-VCDP intervention (M = 2.54, SD = .81) and after IFAD-VCDP intervention (M = 4.35, SD = .59) at the .05 level of significance (t = 27.25, df = 219, n = 220, p< .05, 95% CI for mean difference 1.68 to 1.94). Given the positive impact of the IFAD-value chain development programme on rice farming in the study area, there is a need to extend it to other rice-producing LGA in Taraba State. Keywords: Ardo Kola, IFAD, Rice farming, Smallholder farmers and VCDP.

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