scholarly journals Effects of food policy actions on Indigenous Peoples’ nutrition-related outcomes: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. e002442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Browne ◽  
Mark Lock ◽  
Troy Walker ◽  
Mikaela Egan ◽  
Kathryn Backholer

IntroductionIndigenous Peoples worldwide endure unacceptable health disparities with undernutrition and food insecurity often coexisting with obesity and chronic diseases. Policy-level actions are required to eliminate malnutrition in all its forms. However, there has been no systematic synthesis of the evidence of effectiveness of food and nutrition policies for Indigenous Peoples around the world. This review fills that gap.MethodsEight databases were searched for peer-reviewed literature, published between 2000 and 2019. Relevant websites were searched for grey literature. Articles were included if they were original studies, published in English and included data from Indigenous Peoples from Western colonised countries, evaluated a food or nutrition policy (or intervention), and provided quantitative impact/outcome data. Study screening, data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken independently by two authors, at least one of whom was Indigenous. A narrative synthesis was undertaken with studies grouped according to the NOURISHING food policy framework.ResultsWe identified 78 studies from Canada, Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand and the USA. Most studies evaluated targeted interventions, focused on rural or remote Indigenous communities. The most effective interventions combined educational strategies with policies targeting food price, composition and/or availability, particularly in retail and school environments. Interventions to reduce exposure to unhealthy food advertising was the only area of the NOURISHING framework not represented in the literature. Few studies examined the impact of universal food policies on Indigenous Peoples’ diets, health or well-being.ConclusionBoth targeted and universal policy action can be effective for Indigenous Peoples. Actions that modify the structures and systems governing food supply through improved availability, access and affordability of healthy foods should be prioritised. More high-quality evidence on the impact of universal food and nutrition policy actions for Indigenous Peoples is required, particularly in urban areas and in the area of food marketing.

Author(s):  
Anne Marie Thow ◽  
Charles Apprey ◽  
Janelle Winters ◽  
Darryl Stellmach ◽  
Robyn Alders ◽  
...  

Background: The global food system is not delivering affordable, healthy, diverse diets, which are needed to address malnutrition in all its forms for sustainable development. This will require policy change across the economic sectors that govern food systems, including agriculture, trade, finance, commerce and industry – a goal that has been beset by political challenges. These sectors have been strongly influenced by entrenched policy agendas and paradigms supported by influential global actors such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Methods: This study draws on the concept of path dependency to examine how historical economic policy agendas and paradigms have influenced current food and nutrition policy and politics in Ghana. Qualitative data were collected through interviews with 29 relevant policy actors, and documentary data were collected from current policies, academic and grey literature, historical budget statements and World Bank Group Archives (1950-present). Results: Despite increased political priority for nutrition in Ghana, its integration into food policy remains limited. Food policy agendas are strongly focused on production, employment and economic returns, and existing market-based incentives do not support a nutrition-sensitive food supply. This policy focus appears to be rooted in a liberal economic approach to food policy arising from structural adjustment in the 1980s and trade liberalization in the 1990s, combined with historical experience of ‘failure’ of food policy intervention and an entrenched narrowly economic conception of food security. Conclusion: This study suggests that attention to policy paradigms, in addition to specific points of policy change, will be essential for improving the outcomes of food systems for nutrition. An historical perspective can provide food and health policy-makers with insights to foster the revisioning of food policy to address multiple national policy objectives, including nutrition.


Author(s):  
Anne Galaurchi ◽  
Samuel T. Chatio ◽  
Paula Beeri ◽  
Abraham R. Oduro ◽  
Winfred Ofosu ◽  
...  

Optimizing nutrition in the preconception and 1000 days periods have long-term benefits such as higher economic productivity, reduced risk of related non-communicable diseases and increased health and well-being. Despite Ghana’s recent progress in reducing malnutrition, the situation is far from optimal. This qualitative study analyzed the maternal and child health nutrition policy framework in Ghana to identify the current barriers and facilitators to the implementation of nutrition policies and programs relating to the first 1000 days plus. Data analyzed included in-depth interviews and focus group discussions conducted in Ghana between March and April 2019. Participants were composed of experts from government agencies, civil society organizations, community-based organizations and international partners at national and subnational levels. Seven critical areas were identified: planning policy implementation, resources, leadership and stakeholders’ engagement, implementation guidance and ongoing communication, organizational culture, accountability and governance and coverage. The study showed that, to eradicate malnutrition in Ghana, priorities of individual stakeholders have to be merged and aligned into a single 1000 days plus nutrition policy framework. Furthermore, this study may support stakeholders in implementing successfully the 1000 days plus nutrition policy activities in Ghana.


Author(s):  
Denise Genereux ◽  
Lida Fan ◽  
Keith Brownlee

Chronic kidney disease, also referred to as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is a prevalent and chronic condition for which treatment is necessary as a means of survival once affected individuals reach the fifth and final stage of the disease. Dialysis is a form of maintenance treatment that aids with kidney functioning once a normal kidney is damaged. There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). Each form of treatment is discussed between the patient and nephrologist and is largely dependent upon the following factors: medical condition, ability to administer treatment, supports, geographical location, access to necessary equipment/supplies, personal wishes, etc. For Indigenous Peoples who reside on remote Canadian First Nation communities, relocation is often recommended due to geographical location and limited access to both health care professionals and necessary equipment/supplies (i.e., quality of water, access to electricity/plumbing, etc). Consequently, the objective of this paper is to determine the psychosocial and somatic effects for Indigenous Peoples with ESRD if they have to relocate from remote First Nation communities to an urban centre. A review of the literature suggests that relocation to urban centres has negative implications that are worth noting: cultural isolation, alienation from family and friends, somatic issues, psychosocial issues, loss of independence and role adjustment. As a result of relocation, it is evident that the impact is profound in terms of an individuals’ mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. Ensuring that adequate social support and education are available to patients and families would aid in alleviating stressors associated with managing chronic kidney disease.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e046547
Author(s):  
Luke Johnson ◽  
Kerry Gutridge ◽  
Julie Parkes ◽  
Anjana Roy ◽  
Emma Plugge

ObjectiveTo examine the extent, nature and quality of literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of imprisoned people and prison staff.DesignScoping review.Data sourcesPubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Global Health, Cochrane, PsycINFO, PsychExtra, Web of Science and Scopus were searched for any paper from 2019 onwards that focused on the mental health impact of COVID-19 on imprisoned people and prison staff. A grey literature search focused on international and government sources and professional bodies representing healthcare, public health and prison staff was also performed. We also performed hand searching of the reference lists of included studies.Eligibility criteria for selection of studiesAll papers, regardless of study design, were included if they examined the mental health of imprisoned people or prison staff specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Imprisoned people could be of any age and from any countries. All languages were included. Two independent reviewers quality assessed appropriate papers.ResultsOf 647 articles found, 83 were eligible for inclusion, the majority (58%) of which were opinion pieces. The articles focused on the challenges to prisoner mental health. Fear of COVID-19, the impact of isolation, discontinuation of prison visits and reduced mental health services were all likely to have an adverse effect on the mental well-being of imprisoned people. The limited research and poor quality of articles included mean that the findings are not conclusive. However, they suggest a significant adverse impact on the mental health and well-being of those who live and work in prisons.ConclusionsIt is key to address the mental health impacts of the pandemic on people who live and work in prisons. These findings are discussed in terms of implications for getting the balance between infection control imperatives and the fundamental human rights of prison populations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad H. Choobin ◽  
Vida Mirabolfathi ◽  
Bethany Chapman ◽  
Ali Reza Moradi ◽  
Elizabeth A. Grunfeld ◽  
...  

The psychological cost on emotional well-being due to the collateral damage brought about by COVID-19 in accessing oncological services for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment has been documented by recent studies in the United Kingdom. The current study set out to examine the effect of delays to scheduled oncology services on emotional and cognitive vulnerability in women with a breast cancer diagnosis in Iran, one of the very first countries to be heavily impacted by COVID-19. One hundred thirty-nine women with a diagnosis of primary breast cancer answered a series of online questionnaires to assess the current state of rumination, worry, and cognitive vulnerability as well as the emotional impact of COVID-19 on their mental health. Results indicated that delays in accessing oncology services significantly increased COVID related emotional vulnerability. Regression analyses revealed that after controlling for the effects of sociodemographic and clinical variables, women’s COVID related emotional vulnerability explained higher levels of ruminative response and chronic worry as well as poorer cognitive function. This study is the first in Iran to demonstrate that the effects of COVID-19 on emotional health amongst women affected by breast cancer can exaggerate anxiety and depressive related symptoms increasing risks for clinical levels of these disorders. Our findings call for an urgent need to address these risks using targeted interventions exercising resilience.


2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa G. Bublitz ◽  
Jonathan Hansen ◽  
Laura A. Peracchio ◽  
Sherrie Tussler

This article explores the paradigm of Food Well-Being (FWB), “a positive psychological, physical, emotional, and social relationship with food,” for those who experience hunger. Building on the insights derived from two sources—research across a range of disciplines including marketing and the practices of the nonprofit Hunger Task Force to alleviate hunger and advance FWB—the authors explore the five domains of FWB: food availability, food socialization, food literacy, food marketing, and food policy as they relate to people who experience hunger. The authors establish a research contribution by extending the FWB paradigm to include people experiencing hunger and by applying this extended paradigm to illuminate the impact of hunger on people’s FWB. Finally, the authors propose research to guide researchers, policy makers, and nonprofits toward generating FWB for all.


2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 934-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Fung ◽  
Jessie-Lee D. McIsaac ◽  
Stefan Kuhle ◽  
Sara F.L. Kirk ◽  
Paul J. Veugelers

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 2406-2415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsie Azevedo Perry ◽  
Heather Thomas ◽  
H Ruby Samra ◽  
Shannon Edmonstone ◽  
Lyndsay Davidson ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveAn absence of food literacy measurement tools makes it challenging for nutrition practitioners to assess the impact of food literacy on healthy diets and to evaluate the outcomes of food literacy interventions. The objective of the present scoping review was to identify the attributes of food literacy.DesignA scoping review of peer-reviewed and grey literature was conducted and attributes of food literacy identified. Subjects included in the search were high-risk groups. Eligible articles were limited to research from Canada, USA, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.ResultsThe search identified nineteen peer-reviewed and thirty grey literature sources. Fifteen identified food literacy attributes were organized into five categories. Food and Nutrition Knowledge informs decisions about intake and distinguishing between ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ foods. Food Skills focuses on techniques of food purchasing, preparation, handling and storage. Self-Efficacy and Confidence represent one’s capacity to perform successfully in specific situations. Ecologic refers to beyond self and the interaction of macro- and microsystems with food decisions and behaviours. Food Decisions reflects the application of knowledge, information and skills to make food choices. These interdependent attributes are depicted in a proposed conceptual model.ConclusionsThe lack of evaluated tools inhibits the ability to assess and monitor food literacy; tailor, target and evaluate programmes; identify gaps in programming; engage in advocacy; and allocate resources. The present scoping review provides the foundation for the development of a food literacy measurement tool to address these gaps.


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramón Martínez Coria ◽  
Jesús Armando Haro Encinas

El planteamiento enfoca la situación que enfrentan los pueblos indígenas de México en relación con los procesos de despojo territorial y desplazamiento forzado de poblaciones por los intereses privados, así como el impacto de estos procesos en la supervivencia de sus comunidades y la continuidad de sus patrimonios bioculturales. Buscamos hacer un recuento de los avances y limitaciones de nuestra legislación en el reconocimiento de sus derechos colectivos territoriales específicos, de acuerdo con los estándares internacionales signados por el Estado mexicano, así como su contraste con la aprobación de reformas neoliberales que atentan contra sus territorios y formas culturales, describiendo la emergencia de movimientos de lucha por la justiciabilidad de sus derechos políticos colectivos y de resistencia contra la corrupción generalizada de funcionarios y la privatización de tierras y recursos naturales. TERRITORIAL RIGHTS AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN MEXICO: A STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY AND NATIONHOOD This article focuses on the situation faced by indigenous peoples in Mexico with regard to processes of territorial dispossession and forced displacement of populations in response to private interests, as well as the impact these processes have on the survival of indigenous communities and the continuity of their biocultural heritage. This article aims to report on the advances and limitations of Mexican law in recognizing specific collective territorial rights following the international standards signed by the Mexican State. These rights are also contrasted with the approved neoliberal reforms, which are an attempt against indigenous territories and cultural forms. It describes the emergence of movements that struggle for the justiciability of their collective political rights and the resistance to generalized corruption among public officials and the privatization of land and natural resources.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (08) ◽  
pp. 1852-1859
Author(s):  
Felix Ifeanyichukwu Okoye ◽  
Prince Amartey Mensah

The research examines the impact of poverty on the emotional well-being of elementary school students in South African rural communities. In order to understand this phenomenon, the study investigates the question on: how does poverty affect the emotional well-being of elementary school students in South Africa? The non-empirical study explores the literature from related studies to answer the research question. The literature review critically examines the effect of poverty on the emotional well-being of children, as well as the strategies used by the government to alleviate the poverty impact at rural school children. The strategies were found to have implementation deficiencies which enables the researcher to argue on the importance of improving the implementation strategies. The   finding also reveals that despite the government’s interventions to curb the problem of child poverty, yet there are policy implementation “gaps” here and there. The study recommends more study and consistent evaluation of the respective policy framework. It also recommends that the socio-economic status of people leaving in the rural area should be improved and the affected students should be engaged, and proper development response should be executed to guarantee a sustainable food security. Finally, more study and consistent evaluation of the feeding-scheme programme or policy is a sinequanon. The recommendation for Covid-19 is added for publication purposes.


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