Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ursula Trubswasser, Elise F. Talsma, Selamawit Ekubay, Maartje P. Poelman, Michelle Holdsworth, Edith J. M. Feskens, Kaleab Baye
Summary: The study found a high prevalence of food and drink advertisements around urban schools in Ethiopia, mainly for ultra-processed foods, but adolescents had poor dietary diversity and consumed unhealthy foods. Adolescents from higher asset households had higher dietary diversity, but there was no direct association between the food environment and dietary indicators or BMI status.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Milkah N. Wanjohi, Rebecca Pradeilles, Gershim Asiki, Michelle Holdsworth, Elizabeth W. Kimani-Murage, Stella K. Muthuri, Ana Irache, Amos Laar, Francis Zotor, Akua Tandoh, Senam Klomegah, Fiona Graham, Hibbah Araba Osei-Kwasi, Mark A. Green, Nathaniel Coleman, Kobby Mensah, Robert Akparibo, Richmond Aryeteey, Emily K. Rousham, Nicolas Bricas, Marco Bohr, Paula Griffiths
Summary: This study explores the factors in the social food environment that influence dietary behaviors in African cities from the perspectives of communities. The findings suggest that family members, friends, health workers, and food vendors play significant roles in influencing food purchase, preparation, and consumption. Promoting healthy dietary behaviors among family members, utilizing peer groups, and empowering food vendors are important strategies to enhance healthier food sourcing, purchasing, and consumption in African low-income urban communities.
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Zaida Orth, Brian van Wyk
Summary: This study conducted a photovoice research with adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in South Africa and identified six prominent mental wellness concepts and six mental wellness behaviors in their experiences and discussions. These concepts and behaviors are critical to improving health outcomes for ALHIV and should be targeted in the delivery of youth friendly services and integrated HIV care in public healthcare facilities in South Africa and the sub-Saharan African continent.
PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH AND BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rebecca Pradeilles, Ana Irache, Milkah N. Wanjohi, Michelle Holdsworth, Amos Laar, Francis Zotor, Akua Tandoh, Senam Klomegah, Fiona Graham, Stella K. Muthuri, Elizabeth W. Kimani-Murage, Nathaniel Coleman, Mark A. Green, Hibbah Araba Osei-Kwasi, Marco Bohr, Emily K. Rousham, Gershim Asiki, Robert Akparibo, Kobby Mensah, Richmond Aryeetey, Nicolas Bricas, Paula Griffiths
Summary: Factors in the physical food environment affect dietary behaviors among low-income dwellers in three African cities. Issues like poor hygiene, food contamination, and economic access barriers were identified. Policies to enhance food safety and initiatives like home gardening could help reduce financial obstacles to healthy diets.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
D. Ryan, M. Holmes, H. Ensaff
Summary: In the UK, there has been an effort to improve the nutritional profile of school food provision and choices made by students. However, adolescents often choose options that are low in micronutrients and high in calories. This study explores how adolescents make their school food choices and how they interact with their environments while selecting food. The findings show that the home and school environments both influence adolescents' food choices, and these influences often conflict with each other. Adolescents may use different strategies to manage and reconcile these conflicting influences.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Amos K. Laar, Phyllis Addo, Richmond Aryeetey, Charles Agyemang, Francis Zotor, Gershim Asiki, Krystal K. Rampalli, Gideon S. Amevinya, Akua Tandoh, Silver Nanema, Akosua Pokua Adjei, Matilda E. Laar, Kobby Mensah, Dennis Laryea, Daniel Sellen, Stefanie Vandevijvere, Christopher Turner, Hibbah Osei-Kwasi, Mark Spires, Christine Blake, Dominic Rowland, Suneetha Kadiyala, Isabel Madzorera, Adama Diouf, Namukolo Covic, Isaac M. Dzudzor, Reginald Annan, Peiman Milani, John Nortey, Nicholas Bricas, Sukati Mphumuzi, Kenneth Yongabi Anchang, Ali Jafri, Meenal Dhall, Amanda Lee, Sally Mackay, Samuel O. Oti, Karen Hofman, Edward A. Frongillo, Michelle Holdsworth
Summary: This paper highlights the lack of research and policy action in Africa to improve food environments and reduce the intake of suboptimal diets and its adverse health outcomes. The dietary and nutrition transitions in Africa have led to changes in food environments and dietary behaviors, contributing to the complex burden of malnutrition-obesity and other diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Unhealthy or obesogenic food environments have been linked to suboptimal diets and associated adverse health outcomes. The paper emphasizes the urgent need for contextual evidence to motivate and enable supportive food environments in Africa for better population health.
ADVANCES IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Julia Liguori, Rebecca Pradeilles, Amos Laar, Francis Zotor, Akua Tandoh, Senam Klomegah, Hibbah A. Osei-Kwasi, Agnes Le Port, Nicolas Bricas, Richmond Aryeetey, Robert Akparibo, Paula Griffiths, Michelle Holdsworth
Summary: Evidence on the individual-level drivers of dietary behaviours in deprived urban contexts in Africa is limited. This study used qualitative Photovoice interviews to identify 37 factors across four domains (biological, demographic, cognitions, and practices) that influence dietary behaviours. Income/wealth, nutrition knowledge, and cooking skills were found to be important facilitators or barriers to healthy eating. Additionally, pregnancy/lactating status and the wider food environment were also found to influence dietary behaviours.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Christopher Turner, Leah Salm, Mark Spires, Amos Laar, Michelle Holdsworth
Summary: This review summarizes recent advances in the use of participatory photography methods in food environment research, based on 28 peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2022. The studies covered both high-income and low- and middle-income countries, with local and school food environments being common focal sites. The dominant methodological approach was Photovoice, although there was substantial variation in study designs, camera devices, and level of participant involvement. The review encourages researchers and practitioners to view participatory photography as a participatory action research strategy, empowering participants to drive change and promote sustainable transformation of food systems, as well as improved diets, nutrition, and health.
CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Anna Banik, Cecile Knai, Knut-Inge Klepp, Harry Rutter, Ana Rito, Nanna Lien, Evelyne Baillergeau, Zofia Szczuka, Monika Boberska, Ewa Kulis, Aleksandra Luszczynska
Summary: This study investigates the critical awareness of adolescents regarding the effectiveness of obesity prevention policies targeting physical activity and nutrition in their local community. The findings demonstrate that adolescents are aware of the presence and absence of specific public policies related to food and physical activity environments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Leyre Gravina, Amets Jauregi, Irrintzi Fernandez-Aedo, Julia Diez, Joel Gittelsohn, Uriyoan Colon-Ramos, Manuel Franco
Summary: Despite sharing similar cultural and socioeconomic contexts, perceptions of local food environments and participatory research abilities may vary among participants in Madrid and Bilbao, Spain. Common themes emerged in both cities' narratives about local food environments, but citizens in Bilbao perceived sufficient availability of healthy foods compared to those living in impoverished communities. Photovoice proved to be a useful tool for engaging citizens in improving their local food environments in both cities, allowing for a cross-city comparison to better understand residents' diverse perceptions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Abigail Harper, Jane Goudge, Esnat Chirwa, Alan Rothberg, Winnie Sambu, Sumaya Mall
Summary: Childhood stunting remains a global health problem, with many stunted children living with overweight or obese adults. Both the quality and quantity of food are important. Although food security measurement has shifted to experiential measures, it is still necessary for national surveys to identify malnutrition.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Tatum M. Sohlberg, Emma C. Higuchi, Valeria M. Ordonez, Gabriela V. Escobar, Ashley De La Rosa, Genoveva Islas, Cecilia Castro, Kenneth Hecht, Christina E. Hecht, Janine S. Bruce, Anisha I. Patel
Summary: School-based nutrition programs are crucial in reducing food insecurity. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected students' school meal participation. This study aimed to analyze parent perspectives on school meals during COVID-19 to improve program participation. Photovoice methodology was used to explore parental perception in a Latino farmworker community in California. The findings revealed that parents acknowledged the benefits of school meal distribution in addressing food insecurity, but highlighted concerns over the unappealing and unhealthy nature of the meals, leading to decreased participation. The study also emphasized the importance of grab-and-go style meals during the pandemic closures.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Abreham Iyassu, Arnaud Laillou, Kassahun Tilahun, Fitsum Workneh, Sinksar Mogues, Stanley Chitekwe, Kaleab Baye
Summary: Adolescence is a critical period that requires support for physical, cognitive, and social development through healthy diets. Factors influencing dietary behaviours of adolescents in urban Ethiopia were assessed through focused group discussions, Photovoice, and key informant interviews. While adolescents had good nutrition knowledge, misperceptions existed and food safety concerns deterred the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Unhealthy foods high in salt, fat, and sugar were frequently consumed due to taste, affordability, availability, and accessibility. Both undernutrition and overweight/obesity were linked to social exclusion and bullying. Effective behavioural change communication, integration of water, sanitation, and hygiene programs, and regulations promoting healthy eating are vital. Urgent interventions to improve the nutrition and health outcome of adolescents are needed.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Hanne Hennig Havdal, Elisabeth Fosse, Mekdes Kebede Gebremariam, Jeroen Lakerveld, Onyebuchi A. Arah, Karien Stronks, Nanna Lien
Summary: Adolescents from lower socioeconomic families tend to have more unhealthy dietary behaviors compared to their counterparts from higher socioeconomic families. The study suggests that the neighborhood environment plays a significant role in influencing adolescents' dietary behaviors, with factors like cultural cuisine preferences, social norms, and access to physical activities impacting their choices. Addressing social inequalities in dietary behaviors among adolescents may require a multi-layered approach that considers various environmental influences.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Julia M. Rios, Martha K. Berg, Ashley N. Gearhardt
Summary: The relationship between food addiction and dietary restraint is not fully understood. Existing studies suggest that food addiction may lead to future dietary restraint, while dietary restraint may be a reaction to the consequences of food addiction.
Editorial Material
Pediatrics
Kaleab Baye
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rebecca Pradeilles, Michelle Holdsworth, Oluwabukola Olaitan, Ana Irache, Hibbah A. Osei-Kwasi, Christian B. Ngandu, Emmanuel Cohen
Summary: This systematic review explores body size preferences among females in Africa and the factors influencing these preferences. The majority of studies found that women prefer normal or overweight body sizes, while some adolescent girls and young women prefer underweight body sizes. Factors influencing body size preferences include socio-demographic, health-related, psycho-social, and socio-cultural factors. The preference for overweight body sizes among some African females highlights the need for interventions to address the various factors that contribute to these preferences. While the widespread preference for normal weight is positive in terms of public health, the valorization of underweight in adolescent girls and young women may lead to increased body dissatisfaction. Therefore, emphasis should be placed on education to prevent all forms of malnutrition.
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Kaleab Baye, Dawit Mekonnen, Jowel Choufani, Seid Yimam, Elizabeth Bryan, Jeffrey K. Grifith, Claudia Ringler
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of seasonality and irrigation on women's diet in rural Ethiopia. Results showed that irrigators were more likely to meet the minimum dietary diversity for women, but overall diets were predominantly cereal-based with significant seasonal variability in nutrient intakes.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Arnaud Laillou, Kaleab Baye, Saul I. Guerrero Oteyza, Frezer Abebe, Tewoldeberha Daniel, Banchiliyew Getahun, Stanley Chitekwe
Summary: The study estimated the number of child deaths averted and the cost by the CMAM programme in Ethiopia from 2008 to 2020. It found that the programme averagely saved about 34,000 child deaths annually, totaling 437,654 children saved over the 13-year period.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Rebecca Pradeilles, Ana Irache, Tom Norris, Stanley Chitekwe, Arnaud Laillou, Kaleab Baye
Summary: Ethiopia is facing the double burden of malnutrition with a rising problem of overweight and obesity alongside high prevalence of undernutrition. This study analyzed the magnitude and trends of household-level double burden of malnutrition in Ethiopia between 2005, 2011, and 2016, and identified the potential drivers influencing it. The results show a low national prevalence of double burden of malnutrition, but with significant regional differences. Factors associated with double burden of malnutrition include maternal age, urban residence, wealth, and the number of children in the household. The increase in double burden of malnutrition is mainly attributed to increased wealth, urban residence, and region.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Woinshet Tizazu, Arnaud Laillou, Bayuh Asmamaw Hailu, Stanley Chitekwe, Kaleab Baye
Summary: Ensuring diet quality in the first 2 years of life is crucial to prevent malnutrition and promote healthy food preferences, but inequalities exist in various dimensions. While there have been modest improvements over the past decade, they are mainly concentrated in limited geographical areas and among wealthier households. Unhealthy practices are increasing and the consumption of nutrient-dense foods is becoming more unequal.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Meron Girma, Alemayehu Hussein, Kaleab Baye, Aregash Samuel, Cornelia van Zyl, Masresha Tessema, Stanley Chitekwe, Arnaud Laillou
Summary: Prevention of wasting should be prioritized as a public health concern, and understanding context-specific risk factors and implementing appropriate interventions remains a challenge. In Ethiopia, a study analyzed data from 2000 to 2016 and identified low birth weight and recent diarrhea as major risk factors for acute malnutrition among children under 5 years of age. Findings highlight the importance of interventions targeting low birth weight, diarrhea, and income disparities to prevent acute malnutrition.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Woinshet Tizazu, Arnaud Laillou, Kalle Hirvonen, Stanley Chitekwe, Kaleab Baye
Summary: This study aimed to assess the healthy and unhealthy feeding practices of infants and young children in rural Ethiopia. The study found that despite the widespread breastfeeding, the dietary diversity among infants and young children was low, with an increase in the consumption of ultra-processed food. The study suggests the need for interventions to discourage the consumption of ultra-processed food and further research on its impact on diet adequacy and nutritional outcomes.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Yihun Tariku, Kaleab Baye
Summary: The study found a low proportion of diversified dietary intake among pregnant women in southwest Ethiopia and identified a positive association between diversified dietary intake and social capital. Methodologically rigorous studies are needed to verify the association between social capital and adequate diversified dietary intake.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION AND METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Milkah N. Wanjohi, Rebecca Pradeilles, Gershim Asiki, Michelle Holdsworth, Elizabeth W. Kimani-Murage, Stella K. Muthuri, Ana Irache, Amos Laar, Francis Zotor, Akua Tandoh, Senam Klomegah, Fiona Graham, Hibbah Araba Osei-Kwasi, Mark A. Green, Nathaniel Coleman, Kobby Mensah, Robert Akparibo, Richmond Aryeteey, Emily K. Rousham, Nicolas Bricas, Marco Bohr, Paula Griffiths
Summary: This study explores the factors in the social food environment that influence dietary behaviors in African cities from the perspectives of communities. The findings suggest that family members, friends, health workers, and food vendors play significant roles in influencing food purchase, preparation, and consumption. Promoting healthy dietary behaviors among family members, utilizing peer groups, and empowering food vendors are important strategies to enhance healthier food sourcing, purchasing, and consumption in African low-income urban communities.
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ursula Trubswasser, Jeroen Candel, Tirsit Genye, Anne Bossuyt, Michelle Holdsworth, Kaleab Baye, Elise Talsma
Summary: This study aims to assess the policy goals and actions of the Ethiopian government in improving healthy food environments. The results show that while some progress has been made in addressing eight food environment domains, there are still gaps compared to global best practice, especially in food promotion, processing, retail, price and trade. From 2018 onwards, the policy began to embrace a wider food system, with more explicit interventions in the food environment.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Kaleab Baye, Zemenu Yaregal
Summary: This study aimed to assess the diet quality among reproductive age women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The findings showed that the diet diversity was low among these women, which may put them at risk of nutrient inadequacy and non-communicable diseases.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Giulia Pastori, Inge D. Brouwer, Edith J. M. Feskens, Le Thi Huong, Folake O. Samuel, Le Thi Thanh Xuan, Oluyemisi F. Shittu, Toluwalope E. Eyinla, Elise F. Talsma
Summary: FV-GDR is a simple and low-cost tool for monitoring fruit and vegetable intake at the population level. The validity of FV-GDR collected with the DQQ was investigated and compared with a 24-hour recall in Vietnamese and Nigerian adults. The DQQ is a promising tool for calculating FV-GDR and monitoring fruit and vegetable consumption in low-resource settings.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Abreham Iyassu, Arnaud Laillou, Kassahun Tilahun, Fitsum Workneh, Sinksar Mogues, Stanley Chitekwe, Kaleab Baye
Summary: Adolescence is a critical period that requires support for physical, cognitive, and social development through healthy diets. Factors influencing dietary behaviours of adolescents in urban Ethiopia were assessed through focused group discussions, Photovoice, and key informant interviews. While adolescents had good nutrition knowledge, misperceptions existed and food safety concerns deterred the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Unhealthy foods high in salt, fat, and sugar were frequently consumed due to taste, affordability, availability, and accessibility. Both undernutrition and overweight/obesity were linked to social exclusion and bullying. Effective behavioural change communication, integration of water, sanitation, and hygiene programs, and regulations promoting healthy eating are vital. Urgent interventions to improve the nutrition and health outcome of adolescents are needed.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Habtamu Guja, Mariana Belgiu, Lidya Embibel, Kaleab Baye, Alfred Stein
Summary: Poor-quality diets due to inadequate nutrient supply from locally sourced foods are a major concern. This study examined the variation in nutrient production by agroecology in Ethiopia. The findings showed that energy and nutrient supply varied across different agroecological zones. While the highland and upper highland had sufficient energy supply, the midland had a deficit. The deficiency risk of vitamin A decreased from midland to upper highland, while the shortfall in folate supply was highest in the upper highlands. The study highlights the importance of considering agroecological variations in designing interventions to improve diets.
FOOD SCIENCE & NUTRITION
(2023)
