scholarly journals Revisiting nutrition–labor productivity link: new empirical evidence from farm households in Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andu Nesrey Berha ◽  
Yohannes Kefale Mogess ◽  
Mengistu Alamneh Wassie
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Labor Productivity ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Farm Labor ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low Consumption

Abstract Background Among others, the productive use of surplus labor is a viable mechanism to transform the agricultural sector and thus the whole economy in low-income countries. It is critically important to understand the factors that condition labor productivity to design and deploy effective agricultural and labor market policies. A few studies confirm that, at low-income levels, improving nutrition can contribute to the labor productivity of households. These studies rely heavily on self-reported farm data, which are prone to systematic and random measurement errors. The empirical evidence on this topic remains inadequate and inconclusive for this reason. Here, we substantiate whether better nutritional status enhances the labor productivity of farm households using objective measures of plot-level data from a recent household survey in Ethiopia. We also employ alternative measures of nutrition status indicators known as, Food Consumption Score (FCS) and Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), inter alia, to capture additional aspects of nutrition such as diet quality and diversity, which are overlooked by calorie intake data. To deal with possible endogeneity, we employ a panel fixed effect estimation technique with a rich set of household socioeconomic and plot characteristics. Results We observe that the impact of current nutritional status, as measured by HDDS, on labor productivity varies considerably depending on the initial level of diet quality and diversity with a stronger and positive effect for low-consumption households. In an alternative specification, we also observe a positive farm labor productivity effect of current nutritional status as measured by FCS with a homogenous effect across households. However, the effect of the outcome of past nutritional status as evaluated by the Activity of Daily Living Index (ADLI) seems negligible. Conclusion Our findings indicate that improving nutrition can contribute to farm labor productivity at least for households with low current diet quality and diversity. Also, based on the findings, we conclude that there is a possibility of a low consumption–low productivity trap in Ethiopia.

scholarly journals Assessment of Soil Fertility and Crop Nutrient Status in Agricultural Soils Near a Brick Kiln Cluster

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 122
Author(s):  
Nasrin Chowdhury ◽  
Md. Mamunur Rasid
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
Contamination Factor ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Optimum Level ◽  
Brick Kiln ◽  
The Impact

Brick kiln exhaust when deposited can hamper the nutritional status of the agricultural soils and crops. To study the impact, soil and associated plant samples were collected from the vicinity of a brick kiln cluster in Chattogram, Bangladesh. The soil contamination was evaluated by heavy metal indices. Agricultural soils close to the brick kiln area were very strongly acid to slightly acid. Organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphorus content of the agriculture soils near brick kiln cluster were 0.35% to 1.01%, 0.10 to 0.24% and 2.21 to 13.48 mg kg-1 respectively and the significant different mean value of 0.70%, 0.22% and 14.65 mg kg-1 respectively in the reference soil. The nutritional status of sampling sites was lower than the previously reported data. The nutrition status of the plants was at an optimum level as regular fertilizer application was practiced but showed an irregular pattern along with all the soil parameters and heavy metal indices. The contamination factor (Cd), potential ecological risk index (PER) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) demonstrated that the agricultural soils in the vicinity of the brick kiln cluster were moderately- to highly-polluted. This indicates the deterioration of soil quality by uncontrolled brick kiln operation.

scholarly journals Impact of Fortified Ultra-Processed Foods on Risk of Anemia: A New Perspective for Pediatric Nutrition

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 841-841
Author(s):  
Daniel Hoffman ◽  
Paula dos Leffa ◽  
Caroline Sangalli ◽  
Julia Valmórbida ◽  
André Dornelles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Energy ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Total Energy Intake ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Double Burden ◽  
Poor Diet ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Poor diet quality is a major risk factor for the development of anemia. An increased consumption of fortified ultra-processed food (UPF) among children presents a new contributor to micronutrient intake, one that could potentially improve anemia biomarkers despite having a concomitantly low diet quality. Our objective was to investigate the impact of fortified UPF consumption on the prevalence of anemia and diet quality among children from low-income families in Brazil. Methods A cross-sectional analyses from a randomized field trial of children at 3 years of age (n = 432) from Porto Alegre, Brazil. Capillary blood samples were taken to measure hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and used to determine anemia status. Dietary data was assessed using two multiple-pass 24-h recalls and the consumption of UPF was classified according to the NOVA system. Results UPF account for 42.6% of total energy intake. Children in the highest tertile of UPF consumption had significantly lower risk of anemia (Hb < 110 g/L) compared to those in the lowest tertile (tertile 3 vs. tertile 1; OR 0.56 95% CI 0.39 to 0.82). Similarly, a 10% increase in the consumption of UPF was associated with a 22% lower risk of anemia (95% CI 0.64 to 0.94). Conversely, consumption of UPF was negatively associated with consumption of unprocessed/minimally processed foods. Finally, as the contribution of UPF to total energy intake increased, the intake of added sugars, total fats, and sodium increased, whereas the intake of proteins, fiber, and calcium decreased. Conclusions The consumption of fortified UPF was associated with a lower risk of anemia and a poor diet quality in children from a low-income community in Brazil. The co-existence of normal Hb with poor diet quality suggests the need for a more nuanced assessment of dietary patterns in low-income settings to best address this paradoxical situation as the prevalence of the double burden of disease continues to increase throughout the world. Funding Sources Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).

scholarly journals Impacts of Health Services on Agricultural Labor Productivity of Rural Households in Burkina Faso

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Omer Combary ◽  
Salimata Traore
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Labor Productivity ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Rural Households ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Farm Labor ◽  
Agricultural Labor ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This article has used the method of instrumental variables to evaluate the impact of health services on the productivity of rural households’ farming labor in Burkina Faso. The distance from the household's homestead to the Health and Social Promotion Center (HSPC) was considered as an instrumental variable. The results revealed that resorting to a HSPC in case of an unexpected illness in the rainy season significantly improves the farm labor productivity by FCFA 3170.5880 per person-day. For improving agricultural productivity, we suggest that public decision-makers should focus on the availability and the quality of HSPC services in rural areas.

scholarly journals Are Farms Located in Less-Favoured Areas Financially Sustainable? Empirical Evidence from Polish Farm Households

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1092
Author(s):  
Radosław Pastusiak ◽  
Michał Soliwoda ◽  
Magdalena Jasiniak ◽  
Joanna Stawska ◽  
Joanna Pawłowska-Tyszko
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Policy ◽  
Policy Issue ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Farm Households ◽  
Agricultural Policies ◽  
Adverse Environmental Conditions ◽  
The Impact

The topic of farms that deal with environmental constraints is an ongoing agricultural policy issue, including within the Common Agricultural Policy. We propose empirical evidence based on a sample of Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) farm households, evaluate the influence of chosen factors on financially sustainable farm development and verify less-favoured area (LFA) farms’ growth compared with non-LFA households. To specify farm households, we use the Sustainable Growth Challenge (SGC) model and DuPont decomposition based on financial measures and indicators that were adopted from corporate finance. It is concluded that the differences in SGC and revenue growth values between LFA and non-LFA farms mainly results from the system of subsidising LFA farms that receive compensation for farming in areas with adverse environmental conditions. Generally, the impact of agricultural policies on LFA and non-LFA farms is significant and may weaken the effect on LFA. With the exception of education, other sociodemographic factors do not highly influence farm efficiency. Along with improvements in the quality of human capital (e.g., higher education level), awareness of subsidies, and debt and innovative solutions increases. The interest in precision agriculture and agriculture 4.0 is also growing, which directly translates into better technological and financial efficiency of farms.

Is nutritional status associated with income growth? Evidence from Chinese adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 507-525
Author(s):  
Yang Gao ◽  
Zhihao Zheng ◽  
Shida R. Henneberry
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Income Growth ◽  
Chinese Adults ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Income Elasticities ◽  
Income Groups ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Rural Adults

PurposeThis study estimates the income elasticities of calorie, macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein and fat) and key micronutrients including cholesterol, vitamin A, vitamin C, sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and insoluble fiber separately for urban and rural adults aged 18–60, using China Health and Nutrition Survey data set from 2004 to 2011.Design/methodology/approachA semiparametric model, a two-way fixed-effects model and a quantile regression approach are employed to estimate nutrient–income elasticities.FindingsThe income elasticities of calorie, protein, fat, cholesterol and calcium are in the range of 0.059–0.076, 0.059–0.076, 0.090–0.112, 0.134–0.230, 0.183–0.344 and 0.058–0.105, respectively. The income elasticity of each of the other nutrients is less than 0.1. The income elasticities of calorie and the majority of nutrients included are larger for rural residents than for urban residents and for low-income groups than for medium- and high-income groups. Overall, in spite of having a relatively small impact, income growth is shown to still have an impact on improving the nutritional status of Chinese adults.Originality/valueThis study estimates nutrient–income elasticities separately for urban and rural adults, expanding the scope of the study regarding the impact of income on the nutritional status in China. Moreover, this study uses a pooled sample generated from the personal food consumption records covering foods consumed at home and away from home during 2004–2011, which is thus likely to more comprehensively reveal the causal relationship between income growth and changes in the nutritional status in China.

Competence and Drug Use: Theoretical Frameworks, Empirical Evidence and Measurement

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy Strachan Lindenberg ◽  
Rosa Solorzano ◽  
Maureen Kelley ◽  
Vicki Darrow ◽  
Sylvia C. Gendrop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Social Stress ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
The Impact

Statistics show that use of harmful substances (alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine) among women of childbearing age is widespread and serious. Numerous theoretical models and empirical studies have attempted to explain the complex factors that lead individuals to use drugs. The Social Stress Model of Substance Abuse [1] is one model developed to explain parameters that influence drug use. According to the model, the likelihood of an individual engaging in drug use is seen as a function of the stress level and the extent to which it is offset by stress modifiers such as social networks, social competencies, and resources. The variables of the denominator are viewed as interacting with each other to buffer the impact of stress [1]. This article focuses on one of the constructs in this model: that of competence. It presents a summary of theoretical and conceptual formulations for the construct of competence, a review of empirical evidence for the association of competence with drug use, and describes the preliminary development of a multi-scale instrument designed to assess drug protective competence among low-income Hispanic childbearing women. Based upon theoretical and empirical studies, eight domains of drug protective competence were identified and conceptually defined. Using subscales from existing instruments with psychometric evidence for their validity and reliability, a multi-scale instrument was developed to assess drug protective competence. Hypothesis testing was used to assess construct validity. Four drug protective competence domains (social influence, sociability, self-worth, and control/responsibility) were found to be statistically associated with drug use behaviors. Although not statistically significant, expected trends were observed between drug use and the other four domains of drug protective competence (intimacy, nurturance, goal directedness, and spiritual directedness). Study limitations and suggestions for further psychometric testing of the instrument are described.

scholarly journals District-level analysis of climate vulnerability and household nutrition status among rural communities in Odisha, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arabinda Acharya ◽  
Anup Kumar Das
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Production System ◽  
Capita Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Per Capita Income ◽  
Climate Vulnerability ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
The Impact

Good nutrition is the foundation of human well-being that leads to better health, effective engagement of the workforce, and productive lifestyle, resulting in higher income and an integrated development trajectory. This paper attempts to comprehend the impact of climate vulnerability on household nutrition status through agriculture production systems in Odisha, India. This study using secondary data estimates a composite index of climate vulnerability on the agriculture ecosystem in Odisha at the district scale. Results suggest that among all the districts in Odisha, Bhadrak (0.193) is the most vulnerable district followed by Sonepur (0.191) and Baudh (0.190). On the other hand, Mayurbhanj (0.099) is the least vulnerable district followed by Ganjam (0.103) and Sundargarh (0.105). The fi ndings also suggest that there is a wide variation in vulnerability indicators among the districts in Odisha (0.099 – the lowest district value vs. 0.193 – the highest). The results of multivariate analysis evince that in households (both women and children) nutritional status, the composite value of “climate vulnerability” has a greater role in predicting the predictors in Odisha through the agriculture production system. The climate vulnerability has a positive and signifi cant relationship with forest area (r=0.403*), gross cropped area (r=0.489**), percent of scheduled caste population (r=0.510**), percent of urban area (r=0.427*), and per-capita income (r=0.712**). The fi ndings also signify that district-wise gross cropped area (t=3.01), average annual rainfall (t=4.05), area under irrigation (t=3.36), cropping intensity (t=3.60), and forest areas (t=1.81) play a more predictive role to determine the household nutritional status along with socioeconomic and health factors such as per-capita income (t=1.8), urbanization (t=1.91), and women’s anemic status (t=2.74). Drawing inferences from the empirical evidence, the study suggests that climate vulnerability has a much greater role in influencing household nutrition status, particularly with women and child nutrition through the agriculture production system. Appropriate policy level measures for climate-sensitive and adaptive action are the need of the hour to make agriculture production ecosystem contributes positively to nutrition status.

scholarly journals Associations of maternal diet quality with weight gain during pregnancy and obesity at three-year postpartum in Jakarta

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0244449
Author(s):  
Lestari Octavia ◽  
Rina Agustina ◽  
Arindah Nur Sartika ◽  
Annisa Dwi Utami ◽  
Yayang Aditia Dewi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Consumption Data ◽  
Food Consumption Data ◽  
Improvement Programs

Dietary changes during pregnancy (DP) and post-partum are essential for women’s nutrition status and the health of their offspring. We compared the diet quality DP and at 3-year post-partum (3YPP) and assessed the relationship between maternal diet quality and nutritional status using a prospective cohort design among women in East Jakarta. In total, 107 women were recruited from the study in 2014 and followed up at 3YPP in 2018. The mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), weight, and height were evaluated. Food consumption data were collected from repeated 24-h recalls. The validated US Diet Quality Index-Pregnancy (DQI-P) scores with eight components were calculated using the food consumption data and compared between DP and 3YPP. Associations of the DQI-P score with the MUAC and weight gain DP and body mass index (BMI) at 3YPP were analyzed using multivariable linear and logistic regression. The median of the DQI-P score DP was significantly higher than at 3YPP [35 (27; 42) versus 27 (19; 30); p-value <0.001, respectively]. The higher DQI-P score was associated with increased weight gain DP of 3.3 kg (adjusted β = 3.30, 95% confidence interval = 1.06–5.54) after adjusting for the mother's age and household income. The DQI-P score was not associated with an increased risk of chronic energy deficiency DP and overweight–obesity at 3YPP. Thus, the diet adequacy was associated with weight gain DP but did not affect the MUAC DP and BMI at 3YPP. The DQI-P score DP was slightly better than the diet at 3YPP; however, the overall diet quality was inadequate. In conclusion, a higher DQI-P score was associated with increased weight gain DP of 3.3 kg but was not associated with other nutritional status indices in DP and 3YPP. Innovative dietary quality improvement programs are required to reduce malnutrition risk in pregnant and reproductive-age women.

A Review of the Impact of Food Policies on Food Security Status and Healthy/Unhealthy Food Consumption

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 1353-1361
Author(s):  
Mahsa Mohajeri ◽  
Farhad Pourfarzi ◽  
Mohammad Ghahremanzadeh ◽  
Ali Nemati ◽  
Ali Barzegar
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Unhealthy Food ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Food Subsidy ◽  
Subsidy Program ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Subsidy Programs

Background: Food insecurity refers to a household’s financial inability to access adequate food. Food subsidy programs are the right strategies that have been undertaken for many years in some countries. Aim: This study aims to summarize and compare the impact of some subsidy programs on food security as a narrative review. Methods: Community-based studies analyzing the impact of food policies on food security status and healthy/unhealthy food consumption were reviewed. Our search keywords included food tax, healthy/unhealthy food, food security, food subsidy, targeted subsidy, and Iran. Results and conclusion: Some subsidy programs aim to improve food security and nutritional status of low-income individuals. Developing countries, for the improvement of food security and hunger, use some food subsidy programs that can improve the food security status. One of the most used programs is a food subsidy program in schools. Unfortunately, the targeted subsidy policy in Iran has affected the nutritional status and food security of households, therefore, it is necessary to implement a food subsidy program for low-income families. Fruits and vegetable subsidies can increase their consumption. Unhealthy food consumption decreases by implementing food tax programs, especially if the number of tax increases. In general, cash subsidies are more beneficial in improving the nutritional status.

scholarly journals The impact of a higher eating frequency on the diet quality and nutritional status of women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy

2019 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 410-418
Author(s):  
Mariana Tavares Miranda Lima ◽  
Taynara Cruvinel Maruyama ◽  
Isis Danyelle Dias Custódio ◽  
Eduarda da Costa Marinho ◽  
Isabela Borges Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Continuous Variable ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Anthropometric Parameters ◽  
Eating Frequency ◽  
T1 And T2 ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe present study investigated the association between eating frequency (EF), diet quality and nutritional status of fifty-five women with breast cancer (BC) undergoing chemotherapy (CT), with three follow-ups, before the first cycle (T0), after the intermediate cycle (T1) and after the last cycle of CT (T2). Dietary data were obtained by nine 24-h dietary recalls (24HR), and the Brazilian Healthy Eating Index Revised (BHEI-R) was used for qualitative analysis of diet. The average EF was established by adding the number of daily eating episodes in the three 24HR of each time. Anthropometric variables were obtained at three times. Women who reported higher EF (equal to or above median value (T0 and T1: 4·67; T2: 4·33 eating episodes)) presented better anthropometric parameters, in T0 and T1, as well as higher scores for BHEI-R specific groups and BHEI-R Total score in T1 and T2. In generalised linear models, the continuous variable EF was negatively associated with all the anthropometric variables in T0 and with the waist:height ratio in T1. There were positive associations for the BHEI-R groups at the three times: Total Fruit; Whole Fruit; Total Vegetables; Dark Green and Orange Vegetables and Legumes. At T1 and T2 the EF was positively associated with the BHEI-R Total score, and also with Whole Grains in T1. The results suggest that a higher EF was associated with a better diet quality during CT in women with BC. In contrast, an inverse association was observed between EF and anthropometric parameters before the first cycle of treatment.

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