Food Security and the COVID-19 Crisis from a Consumer Buying Behaviour Perspective—The Case of Bangladesh

Since COVID-19 was confirmed in Bangladesh in March 2020, the government have enacted stringent measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which has had a significant impact on people’s lives. Food consumption habits of consumers have shifted as a result of declining grocery shopping frequency, negative income shock, and food prices shooting up. This paper aims to explore Bangladeshi consumers’ buying behaviour in association with the stress generated from a food supply shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic and the post-outbreak perception of the food industry, using a dataset with 540 online samples collected between July and August 2021. A two-stage cluster sampling method and self-administrated questionnaire techniques were adopted for collecting the data during the third wave of COVID-19. Using partial least squares path modelling (PLS-PM) and multivariate multiple ordered logit regression (MVORD) to reveal the pertinent structure between all the blocks, this study provides two key findings. First, a higher intensity of COVID-19 impact translates into higher food stress associated with income reduction and higher food prices. Second, food stress directly affects consumer buying and consumption behaviour. We strongly recommend connecting consumers with local producers and collective use of shared warehouses through institutions, policies, and reforms to prevent disruption in the food supply chain and to keep food prices stable. Additionally, food producers, distributors, stakeholders, and policy planners should strengthen the food supply chain to stabilize food security.

HUBUNGAN USIA MENARCHE, MAKANAN CEPAT SAJI (FAST FOOD), STRESS DAN OLAHRAGA DENGAN KEJADIAN DISMENOREA PADA REMAJA PUTRI DI MAN 2 LEBAK BANTEN

Dismenorea adalah rasa sakit atau nyeri pada bagian bawah perut yang terjadi saat wanita mengalami siklus menstruasi. Dismenorea disebabkan oleh hormon prostaglandin yang meningkat. Faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi terjadinya dismenorea yaitu menarche dini (usia pertama kali menstruasi < 12 tahun), kurang atau tidak pernah berolah raga, stress, siklus haid memanjang atau lama haid lebih dari normal (7 hari), mengkonsumsi alkohol, dan merokok. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui hubungan usia menarche, makanan cepat saji (fast food), stress dan olahraga dengan kejadian dismenorea. Metode penelitian ini merupakan jenis penelitian observasional analitik dengan desain penelitian yang digunakan adalah cross sectional. Lokasi penelitian di MAN 2 Lebak. Populasi dalam penelitian ini yaitu remaja putri kelas X, XI dan XII yang berjumlah 163 orang. Sedangkan teknik pengambilan sampel dengan menggunakan teknik Proportional Random Sampling dengan cara undian. Jumlah sampel 105 responden. Analisis data dengan univariat dan bivariat dengan menggunakan uji statistik chi square. Hasil penelitian ini responden dismenorea dengan nyeri kongestif (61,9%), usia menarche <12 tahun (84,8%), mengkonsumsi makanan cepat saji (fast food) yang kurang baik (65,7%), stress (63,8%) dan jarang melakukan olahraga (81,0%). Ada hubungan usia menarche (0,022), makanan cepat saji (fast food) (0,029), stress (0,006) dan olahraga (0,015) dengan kejadian dismenorea. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini ada hubungan antara usia menarche, makanan cepat saji (fast food), stress dan olahraga dengan kejadian dismenorea.

Using the Food Stress Index for Emergency Food Assistance: An Australian Case Series Analysis during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Natural Disasters

Food insecurity increases with human and natural disasters. Two tools were developed to assist effective food relief in Western Australia: the Food Stress Index (similar to rental stress, predicts the likelihood of household food insecurity by geographic location) and a basic and nutritious Food Basket Recommendation (that quantifies the types and amounts of food to meet dietary recommendations for different family types). This study aims to understand and compare the processes and impact of using these tools for organisations and their clients involved in emergency food assistance and/or disaster preparedness. A multiple case-study design analysed organisation’s use of the tools to assist the response to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the catastrophic bushfires in Australia. Qualitative interviews were conducted by telephone and Zoom (a cloud-based video conferencing service) in July–August 2020. A purposeful sample of eight interviewees representing seven cases (government, food relief and community organisations involved in emergency food assistance and/or disaster preparedness). Three themes emerged from the analysis, (1) organisations are confident users of the tools; (2) Collaborations were “Ready to Go” and (3) Food Stress Index is a “game changer”. Findings demonstrate the intrinsic value of the tools in the provision of emergency food relief under both normal circumstances and in times of increased need, i.e., COVID-19 pandemic. The study highlights the value and importance of ongoing intersectoral collaborations for food relief and food security (e.g., the Western Australian Food Relief Framework) and suggests that upscaling of the Food Stress Index and food baskets will increase the effectiveness of measures to address food insecurity in Australia.

SAMSARJANA KRAMA: EXPLORATION OF AYURVEDIC CONCEPTS ON MODERN PARAMETERS

Samsarjana Krama is a unique concept of Ayurveda regarding post-Samshodhana dietary codes and conducts. The gradual re-administration of diet for effective re-kindling of Agni after Pradhana Karma of Panchakarma is known as Samsarjana Krama. The patient after Vamana and Virechana has mild digestive fire and body is lightened. It is important to quickly and entirely restore energy reserves and physiological parameters to be able to resist an ensuing food stress. Hence, Peya, Vilepi etc. should be consumed in diet to increase digestive fire and vital strength. This way body will get energized which prevents the feeling of fullness after eating a heavy meal. From modern perspective, it is a form of “therapeutic fasting”, during which dormant stem cells are activated and new structures are reformed. Thus, Samsarjana krama is a phase of regeneration (also called rejuvenation) with tremendous therapeutic potential. After Virechana the patient should consume Peya, Vilepi, Akrit Yusha and Maamsa Rasa (unprocessed), Krit Yusha and Maamsa Rasa (processed) in three, two or one meal according to the type of Shuddhi i.e. superior, medium and inferior degree respectively. The Jatharagni of a person undergone Shodhana remains slow and weak. It becomes great and powerful by gradually using Peya, Vilepi etc. and thus able to digest all kinds of food. However, Tarpanadi Krama should be given if Kapha and Pitta are eliminated in less quantity during Samshodhana, in alcoholic patients and in Vata-Pitta Prakriti patients. Peyadi Samsarjana Krama cause Abhishyanda (obstruction of channels) in such patients.

Using Dental Microwear to Understand the Dietary Behavior of Domestic Dogs in Precontact North America

Research presented here employs Dental Microwear Texture Analysis (DMTA) to better understand food sharing among people and dogs in the Late Precontact Northwestern Plains and Midwest. DMTA is used to examine a specific tooth on the mandible of curated dog skeletons at two archaeological repositories. Dogs in the past are often described as strictly scavengers, while this project defines scavenging behaviors of domestic dogs in two more descriptive categories that can be used to better understand human-canine food sharing. The categories are provisioned consumers, dogs either fed or allowed to scavenge successfully, and non-provisioned scavengers, dogs not scavenging successfully and exhibiting signs of food stress. These categories are assigned based on known dietary behavior ecologies of coyotes and wolves (the domestic dog’s two closest relatives). This analysis shows that nuanced feeding strategies can be observed based on dental microwear features on the teeth of domestic dogs.

Migration, Stress and the Challenges of Accessing Food: An Exploratory Study of the Experience of Recent Afghan Women Refugees in Adelaide, Australia

This study explored the migration and food experiences of Afghani women refugees residing in Adelaide, South Australia for 2 years or less. In-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 women between May and September 2017. The data were thematically analysed, and the Social Determinants of Health Framework was used to discuss the findings. Five key themes emerged from the data. In the transition country (Iran/Pakistan), respondents experienced (i) trauma, discrimination and exclusion and (ii) familiar food culture, but food stress. In the destination country (Adelaide, Australia) respondents experienced (iii) a sense of precariousness, (iv) unfamiliar food culture and (v) challenges in accessing halal food. Afghani refugees experienced considerable stressors both in the transition and the final destination country but for different reasons. In the transition country, stresses related to the lack of social services and support, discrimination, racism and poverty seemed to have affected their ability to afford food. In Australia stressors pertaining to socioeconomic, housing and employment precariousness, as well as difficulties in accessing halal foods were identified as challenges. Furthermore, food stress in Australia was associated with the cultural appropriateness of food, the complexity of the food system, and the women’s lack of skills and experiences in navigating the food system. With increasing refugee and immigration flows globally, it is necessary to acknowledge how food and social determinants intersect for refugee immigrants to ensure positive health outcomes.