Vulnerability in crisis: urban household food insecurity in Epworth,Harare, Zimbabwe

Much of the contemporary literature on food security has focused on the rural sector. However, within the current context of high demographic growth, rapid urbanization and rising urban poverty which characterizes much of Sub-Saharan Africa, urban food insecurity cannot continue to be ignored. This study therefore examines the vulnerability of poor households to food insecurity in the challenging urban environment of Harare in Zimbabwe, an acute example of a city (and country) ‘in crisis’. Findings from qualitative and quantitative research demonstrate severe food insecurity characterized by critical food shortages and the consumption of narrower diets among poor households in the city. Household vulnerability to food insecurity stemmed from a range of factors, including: high levels of unemployment and poverty; high dependency ratios; low levels of house ownership; hyperinflation; skyrocketing food prices; and the general collapse of the formal food system. Vulnerability to food insecurity was further exacerbated by a prolonged adverse socio-political climate that undermined national economic recovery and reduced the livelihood opportunities available to the urban poor. The paper concludes that in Harare, as in most urban areas of the developing world, the urban poor have become highly vulnerable to food insecurity.     

Experiential household food insecurity in an urban underserved slum of North India

One-third of India’s urban population resides in extreme poverty, in slums and squatters. Food insecurity remains a visible reality among this segment. Yet, it is scarcely documented. This paper describes levels and determinants of experiential household food insecurity (HFI) in an underserved urban slum of Delhi (India) and reports the internal validity and reliability of the measure used to assess experiential HFI. A four-item scale was adapted from the U.S. six-item short-form food security scale and was administered in Hindi through household interviews with 410 female adults. Association of HFI with household economic and socio-demographic characteristics were examined using multiple logistic regression. Cronbach’s alpha and Rasch-model-based item fit statistics were used to assess reliability and internal validity. Fifty-one percent of households were food insecure. Significant HFI predictors were unemployed to employed family members’ ratio of > 3:1 (Odds Ratio 2.1, Confidence Interval 1.2 – 3.4) and low household standard of living (OR 4.9, C.I. 2.7 – 8.9). Cronbach’s alpha was 0.8. Item severities as estimated under Rasch model assumptions spanned 9.7 logits. Item infit statistics (0.77 – 1.07) indicated that the Rasch model fit the data well. Item outfit statistics suggested that one item was inconsistently understood by a small proportion of respondents. For improving HFI among the urban poor, in addition to improving behaviors/entitlement access, programs should consider linkage of urban poor to existing employment schemes, upgrading of their skills and linkage to potential employers. The adapted scale was reliable and easy to administer. However, being a subjective assessment, its sensitivity to social expectation and its association with nutrition security require examination.     

Internal validity of the Food Access Survey Tool in assessing household food insecurity in rural Zambia

We assessed the internal validity of the Food Access Survey Tool (FAST) using data from households (n?=?907) enrolled in an efficacy trial of biofortified maize in rural Zambia. This scale assesses food insecurity over a 6-month recall period. A Rasch partial credit model was used to evaluate item performance. Unidimensionality was assessed by principal component analysis, monotonicity was assessed by non-parametric methods, and differential item functioning (DIF) by several characteristics was assessed by cumulative ordinal logistic regression models. One item (frequency of consuming three square meals) did not fit the partial credit model. The remaining eight items fit in a primary single statistical dimension and item category severity increased monotonically with increasing severity of food insecurity. We identified statistically significant DIF in three subgroup comparisons, but effect sizes of total DIF were considered practically insignificant (<2 %). After excluding the item on “square meals,” the FAST serves as an internally valid tool to measure household food insecurity in rural Zambia.     

Vulnerability of smallholder rural households to food insecurity in Eastern Ethiopia

Although several empirical methodologies as to how best assess vulnerability to food insecurity have been proposed in the literature, none of these has evolved into a unanimously accepted approach. This article contributes to this literature by adapting the Vulnerability as Expected Poverty approach from poverty analysis methodology with the aim of scrutinizing factors determining household level vulnerability to food insecurity based on cross-section data collected from 277 randomly selected households in eastern Ethiopia. Vulnerability to food insecurity was strongly associated with several factors which included family size, size of cultivated landholding, soil fertility status of plots, access to irrigation, number of extension visits, use of fertilizer and improved seed. The probability that any given household??s food consumption expenditure would fall below a specified cut-off level has also been computed and vulnerable households identified. The total number of vulnerable households (111) was found to be greater than those who are currently food insecure (103). This implies that design and implementation of food security policies and strategies need to focus not only on those who are observed to be currently food insecure, but also on setting up social protection mechanisms to help prevent households from falling more deeply into food insecurity in the future.     

Child's gender and household food insecurity are associated with stunting among young Pakistani children residing in urban squatter settlements

BACKGROUND: The nutritional status of children is a good indicator of the overall well-being of a society and reflects food security as well as existing health-care and environmental conditions. In Pakistan, it is estimated that nearly 40% to 50% of children under the age of five are stunted. Due to greater economic opportunities available to the urban population as compared to the rural, it was believed that economic resources existed in poor urban Pakistani households but that the households lacked the skills and knowledge to translate their resources into good care and feeding practices. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed 1) to assess the prevalent care and feeding practices among children aged 6 to 18 months residing in the squatter settlements of Karachi and 2) to identify care and feeding practices, as well as any other underlying factors, associated with stunting. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in eight settlements between October and December 2000. A total of 433 mothers of eligible children were interviewed with the use of structured questionnaires. Final analysis using multiple logistic regression was conducted on 399 mother-child pairs. RESULTS: Female children were nearly three times more likely to be stunted than male children. Households that were food insecure with hunger were also three times more likely than other households to have a stunted child. Lack of maternal formal schooling (adjusted prevalence odds ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 3.8) and large household size (adjusted prevalence odds ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 3.8) were also associated with stunting. Even though certain care and feeding practices were significant at the univariate level, they were not significant in the final multivariate analysis and so were excluded from the final model. CONCLUSIONS: In households where food insecurity exists, knowledge of care practices may not be sufficient, and interventions such as food subsidies must precede or accompany educational efforts. Further follow-up is required to explore the effect of gender differences on child care.     

From global to local,food insecurity is associated with contemporary armed conflicts

Food security has attracted widespread attention in recent years. Yet, scientists and practitioners have predominately understood food security in terms of dietary energy availability and nutrient deficiencies, rather than in terms of food security’s consequential implications for social and political violence. The present study offers the first global evaluation of the effects of food insecurity on local conflict dynamics. An economic approach is adopted to empirically evaluate the degree to which food insecurity concerns produce an independent effect on armed conflict using comprehensive geographic data. Specifically, two agricultural output measures – a geographic area’s extent of cropland and a given agricultural location’s amount of cropland per capita – are used to respectively measure the access to and availability of (i.e., the demand and supply of) food in a given region. Findings show that food insecurity measures are robustly associated with the occurrence of contemporary armed conflict.     

Determination of biogenic amines in selected Malaysian food

The biogenic amines tryptamine (TRP), putrescine (PUT), histamine (HIS), tyramine (TYR) and spermidine (SPD) were determined in 62 selected food items commonly consumed in Malaysia. This include the local appetisers “budu” and “cincalok”, canned fish, salt-cured fish, meat products, fruit juice, canned vegetables/fruits and soy bean products. After the aqueous extraction, the samples were derivatised with dansyl chloride before analysing using reversed phase HPLC with UV detection. Mean levels of TRP, PUT, HIS, TYR and SPD in eight budu samples were 82.7, 38.1, 187.7, 174.7 and 5.1 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The main biogenic amines found in cincalok were PUT, HIS and TYR where the mean values were 330.7, 126.1 and 448.8 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. With the exception of “pekasam” and “belacan”, significantly lower levels of biogenic amines were found in canned fish and salt-cured fish samples. Non detectable or low levels of biogenic amines were found in meat, fruit juice and canned vegetables/fruit samples.     

Sharing Malaysian experience with the development of biotechnology-derived food crops

Biotechnology-derived food crops are currently being developed in Malaysia mainly for disease resistance and improved post harvest quality. The modern biotechnology approach is adopted because of its potential to overcome constraints faced by conventional breeding techniques. Research on the development of biotechnology-derived papaya, pineapple, chili, passion fruit, and citrus is currently under way. Biotechnology-derived papaya developed for resistance to papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) and improved postharvest qualities is at the field evaluation stage. Pineapple developed for resistance to fruit black heart disorder is also being evaluated for proof-of-concept. Other biotechnology-derived food crops are at early stages of gene cloning and transformation. Activities and products involving biotechnology-derived crops will be fully regulated in the near future under the Malaysian Biosafety Law. At present they are governed only by guidelines formulated by the Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC), Malaysia. Commercialization of biotechnology-derived crops involves steps that require GMAC approval for all field evaluations and food-safety assessments before the products are placed on the market. Public acceptance of the biotechnology product is another important factor for successful commercialization. Understanding of biotechnology is generally low among Malaysians, which may lead to low acceptance of biotechnology-derived products. Initiatives are being taken by local organizations to improve public awareness and acceptance of biotechnology. Future research on plant biotechnology will focus on the development of nutritionally enhanced biotechnology-derived food crops that can provide more benefits to consumers.     

Reviewing the links between desertification and food insecurity: from parallel challenges to synergistic solutions

The challenges of desertification and food insecurity share considerable common ground, not only in terms of their myriad biophysical, political and socioeconomic drivers and links to the productivity of the land and soil, but also in the discourses and approaches that have informed their management. This paper reviews the elements common to both challenges and argues that due to their cross-cutting nature and the parallel pathways along which each issue has evolved, there is a strong case to be made for taking a synergistic approach towards the development of future solutions. In particular, it is argued that livelihoods and vulnerability approaches could be used as a common platform to inform more integrated interventions. This could enable multiple benefits to be harnessed for both challenges.

Structure and properties of urban household food demand in Nairobi,Kenya: implications for urban food security

Urban household food insecurity continues to be a major problem in many urban households of Sub-Saharan Africa. The ineffectiveness of policies addressing the problem has hinged in particular on the paucity of information about consumption patterns under changing economic conditions. Elasticities of food demand were estimated through the Linear Approximated Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) and inferences about access to food were drawn. Shifts in consumption were evident when changes occurred in income, prices and household demography. As the urban poor are sensitive to variation in food prices and income, they should be cushioned against their negative effects in order for their access to food to be enhanced and hence their food security improved. Dairy and dairy products and wheat and wheat products were identified as subsidy carriers which would improve the nutrition of the urban poor. These results provide guidance for the design of food security and nutrition strategies and programs at the micro and macro-economic levels.     

Sensitivity and specificity of a short questionnaire for food insecurity surveillance in Iran

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity is frequent in both developed and developing countries, affecting from 5% to 25% of the general population. It has considerable health impacts on the physical, social, and psychological status of individuals in communities suffering from food insecurity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to document the epidemiologic features of food insecurity in the northwest region of Iran and to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a short-form (six items) questionnaire for screening of food insecurity in the region. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 subjects (132 male and 168 female) selected randomly in the Asadabadi area of the northwest of Iran. Information on food consumption was obtained by a 24-hour food-recall questionnaire for 3 days in a week. This information was compared with the data from the Household Food Security Scale (six-item short questionnaire) to assess the applicability of this short scale for the surveillance of food insecurity. Hunger was defined as inadequate intake of energy. Hidden hunger was defined as adequate intake of energy and inadequate intake of one (or more) of four key nutrients (protein, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin B2). RESULTS: The prevalence of hunger and hidden hunger in the area according to the 24-hour food-recall questionnaire was 26% and 42%, respectively. Only 32% of the study population was secure in terms of having access to all key nutrients. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the short questionnaire for screening for hunger in the population were 98.7%, 85.5%, and 89%, respectively; and the corresponding values for hidden hunger were 23.5%, 96.9%, and 56.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that food insecurity is prevalent in the northwest of Iran. The short questionnaire (six items) may be used as a simple, low-cost, rapid, and useful tool for the screening of food insecurity and energy intake in similar areas.     

ORAC and TEAC assays comparison to measure the antioxidant capacity of food products

Oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays were compared to estimate the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of orange juice, milk, and an orange juice-milk beverage. When the TEAC method was used with this beverage, an increase in the concentration of orange juice corresponded to an increase in TAC, but increasing the percentage of milk did not increase the TAC value. When the ORAC method was applied, it was seen that increased concentrations of juice or milk corresponded to greater antioxidant capacity. An evaluation was also made of the influence of certain compounds (ascorbic acid, gallic acid, β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin and albumin) with antioxidant capacity that were present in the samples studied.     

Adaptation to climate change and the impacts on household food security among rural farmers in uMzinyathi District of Kwazulu-Natal,South Africa

It is anticipated that smallholder subsistence farmers will face severe negative impacts from climate change, with household food security being seriously affected. This paper examines the methods of adaptation to climate change used by smallholder farmers and their impacts on household food security. The necessity to adapt to climate change is caused by a combination of sensitivity and exposure and the success in doing so depends on adaptive capacity. Household food security was determined using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Of the surveyed households, 95 % were aware that climate is changing and expected severe impacts on their crop production systems. Households undertake crop and soil management practices in order to respond to the changing climate. About 83 % of households anticipated that they would alter their livelihoods systems in response to climate change, with 59 % of households indicating that government grants would play an important role in this. Of those assessed, 97 % were severely food insecure and the remaining 3 % were moderately food insecure. Householders were worried about the negative impacts of climate change which included droughts, floods and soil erosion. Householders who were vulnerable to climate change recorded high levels of food insecurity. Decline in prices of farm products, increases in costs of farm inputs and anxiety over occurrence of livestock diseases exacerbated household food insecurity. Information will play a critical role in mitigating the impacts of climate change on household food security but farmers should also be assisted with appropriate input packages, such as seeds and fertilizers that can help them adapt effectively.     

Assessment of concentrations of toxic elements in aquaculture food products in Malaysia

Thirteen species of aquaculture food products, including fresh water and marine fish, prawns, and seaweed were collected from 37 aquaculture farms in Malaysia. Muscle and liver specimens from these species were tested for the presence of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn by using a heat vaporisation atomic absorption spectrophotometer and an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer. Sea bass from each collected site were comparatively studied, where As concentrations were assumed to be caused by different culture system; and, Hg and Pb concentration were assumed to be due to anthropogenic activities in specific sites. The calculated estimated intake values of Malaysians for total As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn in the muscle of the examined species were 3.713, 0.115, 0.113, 4.268, 0.211, 0.738 and 15.863 μg/kg b.w./day. None of the values exceeded the JECFA guideline values and would pose no health hazards for consumers.     

Validation of a Turkish version of the food choice questionnaire

The purpose of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the food choice questionnaire (FCQ) for Turkish consumers. A total of 963 voluntary consumers participated in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with a diagonally weighted least squares estimation method was used to assess the construct validity. Results showed that factor loadings were similar to the original FCQ. CFA results indicated an acceptable fit. Test-retest reliability was tested with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the ICC values ranged from 0.89 to 0.95. Results show that the Turkish version of FCQ was validated and it appears to be a reliable research instrument.     

油炸食品中丙烯酰胺的形成及减少措施

食品在加工过程中,特别是富含天门冬氨酸和还原糖的物质在高温(120℃以上)加工过程中会产生丙烯酰胺.试验表明,丙烯酰胺对动物有致癌性、神经毒性、生殖发育毒性的作用,但还没有足够的证据表明,食品加工过程中产生的丙烯酰胺对人体有致癌性.然而丙烯酰胺作为食品加工过程中产生的不受欢迎的物质,仍应尽量减少摄入.丙烯酰胺主要存在于油炸、高温烘焙的食品中,减少油炸食品中丙烯酰胺含量的途径主要有:减少或消除形成丙烯酰胺的前体物质;抑制加工过程丙烯酰胺的生成;破坏或使食物中形成的丙烯酰胺重新反应;在食品消费前将形成的丙烯酰胺去除.同时,改变以油炸和高脂肪食品为主的饮食习惯,尽量减少或防止丙烯酰胺可能对人体造成的伤害.     

Demand patterns of rice imports in Malaysia: Implications for food security

Malaysia is a net importer of rice. More than a quarter of its rice requirement is met by import. Rice imports play a crucial role in determining the country’s food security. Import strategy of the company, which owns the exclusive import right, has a profound impact on an array of economic, political, and societal stabilities. However, domestic agricultural policies and relevant past studies have not addressed the strategic concern in the current food security framework. Therefore, this study analyzes demand patterns of rice imports in Malaysia with an ultimate intention to provide policy implications for its food security. From the Error Correction Model of Almost Ideal Demand System (ECM-AIDS), estimates of demand elasticity suggest that rice imports will be narrowly sourced, largely from Viet Nam with Thailand second in importance. Such an import strategy is similar to the pre-crisis model, which was weak in mitigating negative effects of supply disruption during the Food Price Crisis 2007/08. Instead, the exclusive importer could (1) multi-source rice imports, (2) import paddy (for longer storage life and supporting downstream activities), and/or (3) balance its business orientation with the national food security. In sum, this study provides evidences for the need to consider rice imports in the country’s future food security framework.