Review
Entomology
Roberta Moruzzo, Simone Mancini, Alessandra Guidi
Summary: The SDGs aim to achieve global peace and prosperity, with edible insects identified as a potential solution for sustainable development. Through insect farming, benefits such as food security and reduced environmental impact can be achieved, contributing to the realization of SDGs.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Maria Vincenza Chiriaco, Matteo Bellotta, Jasmina Jusic, Lucia Perugini
Summary: Palm oil plays a significant role in boosting the economy and reducing poverty, but the expansion of oil palm plantations can exacerbate social inequalities and economic growth is not always accompanied by decent working conditions. Implementation of sustainability certification schemes can improve the socio-economic and environmental performance of palm oil production and enhance livelihoods and quality of life for people in production areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilona Kickbusch, Ayoade Alakija
Summary: In order to improve human health, the UN SDGs need to be accompanied by systematic change that addresses global power imbalances.
Review
Development Studies
Thomas Hickmann, Frank Biermann, Matteo Spinazzola, Charlotte Ballard, Maya Bogers, Oana Forestier, Agni Kalfagianni, Rakhyun E. Kim, Francesco S. Montesano, Tom Peek, Carole-Anne Senit, Melanie van Driel, Marjanneke J. Vijge, Abbie Yunita
Summary: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were a crucial foundation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A comprehensive review of 316 articles published between 2009 and 2018 identifies six factors that facilitated or impeded MDG implementation. The analysis highlights the significance of path dependencies and demonstrates that MDGs only brought about changes in countries with sufficient resources, administrative capacity, economic development, and external donor support. National ownership and NGO pressure strengthened MDG implementation efforts, indicating that globally agreed goals do not easily trickle down to the national level. This article provides forward-looking insights and lessons for the current implementation of the SDGs in developing countries.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Economics
Karim Barkat, Mouyad Alsamara, Karim Mimouni
Summary: Universal energy access is crucial for achieving sustainable economic growth and social welfare in developing countries. This study examines the impact of workers' remittances on energy poverty in 109 developing countries from 2000 to 2019, employing various econometric techniques to address endogeneity issues. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of remittances in alleviating energy poverty in low and middle-income countries. Additionally, income poverty, human development, institutional quality, and income inequality are identified as important mediating channels through which remittances influence energy poverty. Improved financial development and urbanization are also found to enhance energy access. Several recommendations are provided for governments and policymakers to achieve the sustainable development goal of ensuring affordable, reliable, and modern energy services for all.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Duygu Gizem Bilgin, Hazal Ozhanli, Ceren Mutlu, Mustafa Erbas
Summary: Many regions face food insecurity, undernourishment and hunger problems. Tarhana food can be an alternative to address these issues by providing mixed food materials.
JOURNAL OF FOOD AND NUTRITION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Jakob de Haan, Regina Pleninger, Jan-Egbert Sturm
Summary: Financial development may impact poverty indirectly through income inequality and economic growth, with different effects observed when using different poverty lines. Financial instability does not seem to affect poverty directly, and the overall impact of financial development on poverty can be positive or negative depending on the strength of the indirect effects. These results are consistent across various robustness checks.
SOCIAL INDICATORS RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Claudia M. Viana, Dulce Freire, Patricia Abrantes, Jorge Rocha, Paulo Pereira
Summary: Agriculture plays a vital role in food supply, food security, and supporting Sustainable Development Goals. Research in agriculture is diverse and requires interdisciplinary and comprehensive systematic approaches for synthesis.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Development Studies
Lukas Kornher, Zaneta Kubik, Bezawit Beyene Chichaibelu, Maximo Torero Cullen
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the impact of food system related official development assistance (ODA) on food and nutrition security. They found that aid targeted at food systems had a significant and meaningful contribution to reducing hunger and malnutrition since 2000. This has important implications for donor countries, especially those focusing on combating hunger in their development cooperation strategies.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Victor M. Manyong, Tahirou Abdoulaye, Makuachukwu Ojide, Ademola Ogundapo, Gbolagade B. Ayoola, Kenton Dashiell, Iheanacho Okike
Summary: The study found that poverty and household hunger are prevalent, with varying degrees of inequalities among different states. Various forms of malnutrition exist among children under 5, mainly influenced by the poor dietary quality of complementary foods. Maternal health-seeking behavior positively impacts child wellness, while the poverty probability index of the household has a negative impact.
FOOD AND NUTRITION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Antonio Savoia, Kunal Sen
Summary: This article reviews recent literature on the developmental effects of resource abundance, and argues that the presence of a natural resource sector does not necessarily lead to worse development outcomes. Countries with similar levels of resource rents can end up with significantly different achievements, and the key challenge is to explain the mechanisms behind these differences in natural resource experiences.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF RESOURCE ECONOMICS, VOL 13
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Todd Benson
Summary: The critical assessment of Zero Hunger Strategic Reviews revealed the need for a more explicit use of globally accepted conceptual frameworks to strengthen national reviews, and to pay more attention to the challenges in obtaining approval for policy reforms and increased allocations of public resources. Recommendations from such reviews must be carefully evaluated against competing development priorities and effectively planned, coordinated, and implemented to address hunger and malnutrition effectively. Efforts to advocate for policy change, build political leadership, and hold those responsible for necessary actions accountable are essential for successful elimination of hunger and malnutrition.
ASIA PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Sabina Alkire, Fanni Kovesdi, Elina Scheja, Frank Vollmer
Summary: Eliminating poverty requires indicators that measure sustainable pathways out of poverty, and this paper introduces a trial Moderate Multidimensional Poverty Index (MMPI) that reflects moderate levels of multidimensional poverty. The MMPI adjusts indicators from the global Multidimensional Poverty Index to create a meaningful measure for the moderate poor population. The results demonstrate the value of a Moderate MPI as a global poverty index and its ability to provide insight into intrahousehold deprivations.
SOCIAL INDICATORS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Padam Singh, Anura Kurpad, Davendra Verma, Arun K. Nigam, Harshpal S. Sachdev, Arvind Pandey, Rajkumar Hemalatha, Sila Deb, Kumud Khanna, Shally Awasthi, Gurudayal Singh Toteja, Priyanka G. Bansal, Zaozianlungliu Gonmei, Balram Bhargava
Summary: India criticizes the Global Hunger Index (GHI) for not accurately measuring hunger, and suggests that countries should develop their own measures suitable for their own context.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Mahsa Majzoobi, Shima Jafarzadeh, Shahla Teimouri, Mehran Ghasemlou, Milad Hadidi, Charles S. Brennan
Summary: Meeting the United Nation's sustainable development goals for zero hunger is becoming more challenging due to climate change and political and economic challenges. An effective strategy to address hunger is the production of affordable, nutrient-dense, and sustainable food products. Ancient grains, which were once forgotten, have emerged as a solution for nutrition and food supply chain problems. This review critically examines the progress in this emerging field and discusses the potential roles of ancient grains in fighting hunger.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jessica Fanzo, Coral Rudie, Iman Sigman, Steven Grinspoon, Tim G. Benton, Molly E. Brown, Namukolo Covic, Kathleen Fitch, Christopher D. Golden, Delia Grace, Marie-France Hivert, Peter Huybers, Lindsay M. Jaacks, William A. Masters, Nicholas Nisbett, Ruth A. Richardson, Chelsea R. Singleton, Patrick Webb, Walter C. Willett
Summary: Food systems are facing challenges with a changing climate, hunger and malnutrition, and social inequities, but there are opportunities for improvement. The global community can work together to transform food systems and address issues like malnutrition, climate change, and social inequalities. The nutrition and health communities play a key role in this transformative process.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Susan Thurstans, Natalie Sessions, Carmel Dolan, Kate Sadler, Bernardette Cichon, Sheila Isanaka, Dominique Roberfroid, Heather Stobaugh, Patrick Webb, Tanya Khara
Summary: There is a strong association between wasting and stunting, with children facing the highest risk of mortality when experiencing both anthropometric deficits. Evidence suggests that children are most at risk of wasting and stunting within the first three months of life. Integrated policies and approaches are urgently needed to prevent and treat child malnutrition.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Johanna Andrews-Trevino, Patrick Webb, Robin Shrestha, Ashish Pokharel, Sudikshya Acharya, Ram Chandyo, Dale Davis, Kedar Baral, Jia-Sheng Wang, Kathy Xue, Shibani Ghosh
Summary: Evidence suggests that exposure to multiple mycotoxins and environment enteric dysfunction (EED) can independently affect child growth, with aflatoxin having the most significant impact. Therefore, reducing exposure to mycotoxins and EED through multi-sectoral nutrition-sensitive interventions may improve child growth.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Chloe Andrews, Robin Shrestha, Shibani Ghosh, Katherine Appel, Sabi Gurung, Lynne M. Ausman, Elizabeth Marino Costello, Patrick Webb
Summary: In rural Bangladesh, intake of nutrient-rich foods, such as animal source foods (ASFs), is generally low among women of reproductive age, putting them at risk of malnutrition and adverse birth outcomes. Consuming specific nutrient-rich foods like dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, and animal source foods can reduce the risk of anemia and underweight among women. However, dietary diversity does not show a consistent relationship with women's nutritional status, suggesting that interventions should focus on increasing consumption of specific nutrient-rich foods rather than improving diet diversity in general.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jukka M. Leppanen, Julius Walker Butcher, Claire Godbout, Kevin Stephenson, D. Taylor Hendrixson, Stacy Griswold, Beatrice Lorge Rogers, Patrick Webb, Aminata S. Koroma, Mark J. Manary
Summary: This study investigates the feasibility of eye-tracking-based testing in malnourished young children in rural clinics in Sierra Leone. The results demonstrate that eye-tracking measures are feasible in a resource-poor field setting and suggest their utility in detecting group level effects of supplementary feeding.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Victoria Miller, Renata Micha, Erin Choi, Dimitra Karageorgou, Patrick Webb, Dariush Mozaffarian
Summary: Poor diet is closely associated with cardiometabolic disease. Assessing the associations between specific dietary factors and CMD, as well as understanding the relative risk and uncertainty of these risk estimates, is crucial for guiding policy and public actions.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ashish Lamichhane, Patrick Webb, Johanna Andrews-Trevino, Ashish Pokharel, Sudikshya Acharya, Robin Shrestha, Dale Davis, Kedar Baral, Jia-Sheng Wang, Kathy Xue, Krishna Paudel, Shibani Ghosh
Summary: This study assesses the relationship between the diet of Nepali infants and the presence of Aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) in their blood at 12 months of age. The results show a high prevalence of detectable AFB(1)-lysine among infants, and suggest that certain foods in their diets may be contributing to this. Further research is needed to identify the most contaminated foods and find effective ways to minimize exposure.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Grace Namirembe, Shibani Ghosh, Lynne M. Ausman, Robin Shrestha, Sonia Zaharia, Bernard Bashaasha, Nassul Kabunga, Edgar Agaba, Julieta Mezzano, Patrick Webb
Summary: Childhood stunting is a global public health burden. In this study, the growth patterns of Ugandan infants from birth to 1 year old were assessed using group-based trajectory modeling. The study found that stunting occurred before birth and four distinct growth patterns were identified. The study highlights the importance of considering individual growth patterns and different risk factors when designing nutrition interventions.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Stacy P. Griswold, Anastasia Marshak, Merry Fitzpatrick, Daniele Lantagne, Kate Shoenmakers, Marlene Hebie, Anne Radday, Hugo De Groote, Saurabh Mehta, Greg Gottlieb, Patrick Webb, Shibani Ghosh
Summary: This study aims to implement and measure the effects of a multi-level multi-sectoral social behavior change intervention in Agago District of Northern Uganda and determine its potential for scale-up. The study design utilizes a cluster-randomized controlled trial, comparing two intervention approaches (Nutrition Impact and Positive Practice vs. NIPP+) and a control group. The findings will contribute to understanding the impact of different interventions on improving farm and water quality practices.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Satvik Kishore, Tinku Thomas, Harshpal Sachdev, Anura Kurpad, Patrick Webb
Summary: The study found that increasing household income, especially through cash transfers, has the potential to significantly reduce stunting in areas of India where stunting and poverty are high. However, in other regions, additional measures need to be taken to address stunting besides increasing income.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Julieta Mezzano, Grace Namirembe, Lynne M. Ausman, Elizabeth Marino-Costello, Robin Shrestha, Juergen Erhardt, Patrick Webb, Shibani Ghosh
Summary: The study examines the relationship between maternal iron and vitamin A status at delivery and birth outcomes in rural Uganda. The findings suggest that maternal iron status is not significantly associated with birth outcomes, while there is a significant association between serum sTFR and preterm births. Higher maternal RBP levels show a positive association with length-for-age at birth.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Gloria A. Odei Obeng-Amoako, Heather Stobaugh, Stephanie Wrottesley, Tanya Khara, Paul Binns, Indi Trehan, Robert E. Black, Patrick Webb, Martha Mwangome, Jeanette Bailey, Paluku Bahwere, Carmel Dolan, Erin Boyd, Andre Briend, Mark A. Myatt, Natasha Lelijveld
Summary: This study examined the prevalence, treatment outcomes, and growth trajectories of children with WAZ <-3 versus children with WAZ >=-3 receiving outpatient treatment for wasting and/or nutritional oedema. The findings revealed that children with WAZ <-3 had lower recovery rates, higher risk of death, and likely require a higher intensity of nutritional support.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ashish Pokharel, Patrick Webb, Laurie C. C. Miller, Sonia Zaharia, Robin Shrestha, Dale Davis, Johanna Andrews Trevino, Kedar Prasad Baral, Krishna Paudel, Shibani Ghosh
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between the consumption of animal-sourced food (ASF) and early childhood development (ECD) outcomes at 24 months of age. The study finds a significant positive association between any ASF consumption at 18 months and the ECD score at 24 months. The study recommends promoting ASF intake in young children in Nepal through various actions and policies.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sandra M. Travasso, Smitha Joseph, Sumathi Swaminathan, Anjaly Teresa John, Sanchit Makkar, Patrick Webb, Anura Kurpad, Tinku Thomas
Summary: This study aimed to assess changes in household diet diversity and food consumption in rural Bihar, India, between the pre-COVID-19 period and during the lockdown. The results showed that low diet diversity increased during the lockdown, with reduced consumption of nutrient-rich foods. Socio-economically vulnerable households, such as those with lower social status and without government support, were more likely to have low diet diversity. Therefore, sustained government support is needed to ensure diet diversity in rural communities during crises like COVID-19.
Letter
Food Science & Technology
Jennifer Clapp, Bernard Lehmann, William Moseley, Hilal Elver, Patrick Webb
