COVID-19, Food Insecurity and Malnutrition: A Multiple Burden for Brazil

Household food insecurity and nutritional status of pre-school children following relaxation of corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19) restrictions

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Studies found a high prevalence of household food insecurity (HFI) and malnutrition and an association between them during the movement restriction period of the corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This nutritional status should have improved by now as movement restrictions, including quarantine, have been lifted. Therefore, the goal of this cross-sectional study was to determine the current prevalence of HFI and malnutrition and their associations and contributing factors among pre-school children (i.e., children under the age of 5 years) following relaxation of the COVID-19 restrictions in Jordan.

METHODS

A sample of 386 children (197 boys and 189 girls) in Irbid, Jordan, were recruited in this study following the simple random sampling method. The levels of HFI and malnutrition were assessed using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) and the World Health Organization (WHO) growth reference values, respectively. Relevant information were managed and measurements made and employed to calculate four major anthropometric indicators for the sample children (weight for height (WHZ), height for age z-score (HAZ), weight for age z-score (WAZ) and body mass index (BMI)-for-age z-score.

RESULTS

The results of analysis pointed out that prevalence of food security among the sample children was 58.2 %, where 19.9 % of the kids were experiencing moderate food insecurity and 38.3 % were suffering from severe food insecurity. On the other hand, prevalence of malnutrition among those children was 1.81 %, where 1.55 % of the kids were emaciated and 1.26 % were severely emaciated. The results also indicated that mother's age, number of children in the family, income of the family, monthly expenses on food and beverages and the energy expenses contributed significantly (p < 0.05) to food insecurity. Moreover, the study found that HFI had negative correlations with WHZ (r = -0.272, p = 0.000), WAZ (r = -0.193, p = 0.000) and BMI-for-age z-score (r = -0.263, p = 0.000) and a positive correlation with HAZ (r = 0.041, p = 0.00).

CONCLUSIONS

The study reports high prevalence of HFI among children under the age of 5 years in Jordan, even after relaxation of the COVID-19 restrictions on mobility. However, prevalence of malnutrition among this group of the population is low. These results spotlight the continued impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the financial statuses of households.

Association between social cohesion and food insecurity among adults living in a healthcare region in southern Brazil

BACKGROUND

Food insecurity (FI) has grown worldwide in recent years, especially in developing countries. Studies have shown that aspects of the social environment, such as social cohesion in the neighborhood, may be associated with FI; however, this topic has yet to be explored, in Brazil. This study aims to verify the association between aspects of the perceived social environment of the neighborhood (social cohesion) and FI.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study with adults and elderly individuals (n = 400) residing in a healthcare region in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). The sample is selected proportionally from areas of higher and lower socioeconomic status, and data are collected through household interviews. The presence of FI is assessed using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (short version). The perception of the neighborhood regarding social cohesion is obtained using a questionnaire validated for the Brazilian population. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to estimate the crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

RESULTS

Individuals with more positive perceptions of social cohesion in the neighborhood are less likely to experience FI than those with less positive perceptions [PR = 0.73; 95% CI (0.55-0.97)], after adjustments.

CONCLUSIONS

The community social environment is independently associated with FI and may have characteristics that positively influence the probability of individuals experiencing FI. Interventions at the community level are necessary to address FI.

Pandemic stressors and mental health indicators in eight countries

PURPOSE

The Covid-19 pandemic has exacted a significant physical, financial, social, and emotional toll on populations throughout the world. This study aimed to document the association between pandemic stressors and mental health during the pandemic across countries that differ in cultural, geographic, economic, and demographic factors.

METHODS

We administered an online survey randomly in Brazil, China, Germany, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, and the United States from September 2020 to November 2020. This survey included questions on Covid-19-related stressors as well as the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and the Primary Care PTSD Checklist to screen for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, respectively. We performed bivariable and multivariable regression analyses to assess the prevalence and odds ratios of overall depression symptoms and probable PTSD and in relation to stressors across countries.

RESULTS

Among 8754 respondents, 28.9% (95% CI 27.5-30.0%) experienced depression symptoms, and 5.1% (95% CI 4.5-6.0%) experienced probable PTSD. The highest prevalence of depression symptoms was in Egypt (41.3%, 95% CI 37.6-45.0%) and lowest in the United States (24.9%, 95% CI 22.3-27.7%). The highest prevalence of probable PTSD was in Brazil (7.3%, 95% CI 5.6-9.4%) and the lowest in China (1.2%, 95% CI 0.7-2.0%). Overall, experiencing six or more Covid-19-related stressors was associated with both depression symptoms (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.46-2.48) and probable PTSD (OR 13.8, 95% CI 9.66-19.6).

CONCLUSION

The association between pandemic related stressors and the burden of adverse mental health indicators early in the Covid-19 pandemic transcended geographic, economic, cultural, and demographic differences between countries. The short-term and long-term impacts of the pandemic on mental health should be incorporated in efforts to tackle the consequences of Covid-19.

A fermented milk drink with Umbu (Spondias tuberosa) pulp and whey is effective for weight gain and re-nutrition in malnourished: An in vivo study in mice and children

Malnutrition is considered one of the major public health problems worldwide and negatively affects the growth, development and learning of schoolchildren. This study developed and evaluated a fermented milk drink with added Umbu (Spondias tuberosa) pulp in the weight gain and renutrition of mice submitted to malnutrition by calorie restriction, and in malnourished children. The supplementation with this fermented milk drink contributed to an increase of 7.2 % in body weight, and 64.3 % in albumin, and a reduction of 35 % in cholesterol in malnourished mice. In humans, a group of nine malnourished children consumed a daily 200 mL serving of the milk drink (for 60 days). For humans, the fermented milk drink allowed an increase of 16.5 % in body weight, and 20.9 % in body mass index in malnourished children. In conclusion, fermented milk drink has a positive effect on the re-nutrition of malnourished mice and helps to improve the nutritional status of malnourished children.

Pathways to Poor Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among People Living with HIV: The Role of Food Insecurity and Alcohol Misuse

Daily adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) increases the length and quality of life of people living with HIV (PLHIV). We explored whether socioeconomic status directly impacts ART adherence and whether part of the effect is mediated by pathways through alcohol misuse or food insecurity. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Rio de Janeiro/Brazil (November/2019 to March/2020) with PLHIV aged ≥ 18 years. Validated instruments were used to measure alcohol use, food insecurity, and ART adherence. Using structural equation modeling we assessed the direct and indirect effects of variables on ART adherence. Participants reported significant challenges: hunger: 12%, alcohol use: 64%, and missing ART doses: 24%. Results showed that lower socioeconomic status increased poor adherence and that this effect was mediated through higher food insecurity. Alcohol misuse also increased poor adherence through a strong direct effect. Providing socio-economic support coupled with interventions to mitigate alcohol's harmful impact can aid HIV care.

Physical and social activities constraint and its effects on Body Mass Index of former Neonatal Intensive Care children

OBJECTIVE

It is reported weight gain in children due to the confinement measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. We aimed to describe the effect of these measures on the nutritional status of former Neonatal Intensive Care Unit children.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study, including former Neonatal Intensive Care Unit children. The outcome was the Body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

We enrolled 126 children (74.6 % preterm; 31 % small-for-gestational-age). Weight excess was greater in the youngest group (≤5 years: 33.8 %; >5 years: 15.2 %). Prematurity was associated with weight excess in both groups (≤5 years: p value 0.006; >5 years: p value 0.046; Pearson test). Mealtime changes, lack of physical activity, socioeconomic factors and the perinatal morbidities significantly influenced the mean BMI. Birth length Z score less than -1.28 was negatively associated with BMI, while gestational age at birth presented a positive association with BMI (linear regression model).

CONCLUSIONS

The BMI increase due to the confinement measures associated with the gestational age at birth and in those born with intrauterine growth restriction is a matter of concern, as it might indicate a risk for future obesity.

Exploring the relationship between unemployment perception and health during COVID-19: a comparative study of rural and urban adults in China

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global economies and individual health. This study uses data from the China Family Panel Data (CFPS) in 2018 (before the pandemic) and 2020 (during the pandemic) to a) estimate the relationships between the perceived risk of unemployment and individuals' mental health, physical health, and health behaviors; and b) explore the variations of these relationships between rural and urban adults in China.

Methods

Ordinary linear regression models or Logit models are employed, depending on the nature (continuous vs. discrete) of the dependent variables.

Results

We find that the perceived risk of unemployment was statistically and positively associated with the risk of depression, and the association was greater for rural adults than for urban adults. Rural-urban variations were observed in various dimensions. For rural adults, the perceived risk of unemployment was statistically and negatively associated with life satisfaction, the probability of gaining weight and becoming obese, the probability of having adequate sleep, and computer-based screen time. These associations were statistically insignificant for urban adults. On the other hand, the perceived risk of unemployment was statistically and negatively associated with self-rated very-good-to-excellent health condition and health-compromising behaviors (e.g., smoking and drinking) for urban adults; but such associations were statistically insignificant for rural adults.

Discussion

These findings suggest that rural and urban adults exhibited different psychological and behavioral responses to the unemployment risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public policies aiming to improve health and employment should be strategically designed to address the unique needs of urban and rural populations.

Governing for food security during the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan and Nanjing, China

The global COVID-19 pandemic has elicited a range of public health governance responses. One common result has been an associated disruption of food supply chains and growing urban food insecurity. Policy responses to this situation have not yet received sufficient research attention. This paper therefore focuses on the urban food security implications of China's zero-COVID public health measures and the response of central, provincial and municipal government to the governance challenge of ensuring a stable and sufficient food supply to urban consumers. During the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020 in China, zero-COVID lockdown measures aimed to contain and eliminate the spread of the virus. This paper examines the associated policy responses around urban food security in early 2020, with a particular focus on two cities: Wuhan (where SARS-CoV-2 was first identified) and Nanjing (a neighbouring city). The analysis is based on an inventory of policy-related documents providing a wide range of information about governance responses to the pandemic. Four major governance challenges are addressed: agricultural production, food transportation, stabilization of food prices, and new contactless methods in purchasing foods. Key recommendations for post-pandemic policy responses around urban food security include: ensuring consistency throughout all levels of government, strengthening existing food reserves to leverage emergency responses, addressing the root causes of pandemic-related food insecurity by focusing on access at the household level, and improving food utilization.

TFOS lifestyle: Impact of societal challenges on the ocular surface

Societal factors associated with ocular surface diseases were mapped using a framework to characterize the relationship between the individual, their health and environment. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating factors on ocular surface diseases were considered in a systematic review. Age and sex effects were generally well-characterized for inflammatory, infectious, autoimmune and trauma-related conditions. Sex and gender, through biological, socio-economic, and cultural factors impact the prevalence and severity of disease, access to, and use of, care. Genetic factors, race, smoking and co-morbidities are generally well characterized, with interdependencies with geographical, employment and socioeconomic factors. Living and working conditions include employment, education, water and sanitation, poverty and socioeconomic class. Employment type and hobbies are associated with eye trauma and burns. Regional, global socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions, include remoteness, geography, seasonality, availability of and access to services. Violence associated with war, acid attacks and domestic violence are associated with traumatic injuries. The impacts of conflict, pandemic and climate are exacerbated by decreased food security, access to health services and workers. Digital technology can impact diseases through physical and mental health effects and access to health information and services. The COVID-19 pandemic and related mitigating strategies are mostly associated with an increased risk of developing new or worsening existing ocular surface diseases. Societal factors impact the type and severity of ocular surface diseases, although there is considerable interdependence between factors. The overlay of the digital environment, natural disasters, conflict and the pandemic have modified access to services in some regions.

Family-Run Pig Farms: Research and Extension Activities for Parasite Control in a Municipality in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The parasites infesting pigs and pig farmers on family farms in Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil, were analyzed, and extension activities were carried out to impart information about parasites. Between 2020 and 2021, fecal samples were collected from 180 pigs as well as ear scrapings from 142 pigs. In addition, 34 stool specimens from farmers and their families were analyzed. The collected material was processed by parasitological techniques. Parasites were detected in 86.1% of the pigs, forms of phylum Ciliophora (70.5%), strongylids (56.7%), Strongyloides ransomi (44.4%), coccidia (38.3%) and Ascaris suum (32.2%). Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis were identified in 3.5% of the pigs. An analysis of infections by age group revealed that the general frequency of phylum Ciliophora and strongylid parasites was statistically significant. Other factors also associated with the frequency of the parasites included the type of food fed to the pigs, cleaning of the facilities, care of piglets and type of facility. The frequency of intestinal parasites of farmers themselves was low; however, the high rate of parasite infections detected in pigs highlighted the precarious conditions of hygiene of the farms. Lastly, the farmers’ participation in extension activities was a step forward in actions to improve their farm management.

SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and COVID-19 among 5 years-old Amazonian children and their association with poverty and food insecurity

Background

The epidemiology of childhood SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related illness remains little studied in high-transmission tropical settings, partly due to the less severe clinical manifestations typically developed by children and the limited availability of diagnostic tests. To address this knowledge gap, we investigate the prevalence and predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection (either symptomatic or not) and disease in 5 years-old Amazonian children.

Methodology/Principal findings

We retrospectively estimated SARS-CoV-2 attack rates and the proportion of infections leading to COVID-19-related illness among 660 participants in a population-based birth cohort study in the Juruá Valley, Amazonian Brazil. Children were physically examined, tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies, and had a comprehensive health questionnaire administered during a follow-up visit at the age of 5 years carried out in January or June-July 2021. We found serological evidence of past SARS-CoV-2 infection in 297 (45.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 41.2–48.9%) of 660 cohort participants, but only 15 (5.1%; 95% CI, 2.9–8.2%) seropositive children had a prior medical diagnosis of COVID-19 reported by their mothers or guardians. The period prevalence of clinically apparent COVID-19, defined as the presence of specific antibodies plus one or more clinical symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 (cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell) reported by their mothers or guardians since the pandemic onset, was estimated at 7.3% (95% CI, 5.4–9.5%). Importantly, children from the poorest households and those with less educated mothers were significantly more likely to be seropositive, after controlling for potential confounders by mixed-effects multiple Poisson regression analysis. Likewise, the period prevalence of COVID-19 was 1.8-fold (95%, CI 1.2–2.6-fold) higher among cohort participants exposed to food insecurity and 3.0-fold (95% CI, 2.8–3.5-fold) higher among those born to non-White mothers. Finally, children exposed to household and family contacts who had COVID-19 were at an increased risk of being SARS-CoV-2 seropositive and–even more markedly–of having had clinically apparent COVID-19 by the age of 5 years.

Conclusions/Significance

Childhood SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-associated illness are substantially underdiagnosed and underreported in the Amazon. Children in the most socioeconomically vulnerable households are disproportionately affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease.

The epidemiology of childhood COVID-19 in the tropics remains a relatively neglected research topic, in part because SARS-CoV-2 typically causes fewer severe illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths in children than in adults. Here we show that 45% of 660 participants in a birth cohort study in the Brazilian Amazon had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at the age of 5 years, although only 5% of them reported previously diagnosed COVID-19 episodes–implying that as many as 8 in 9 SARS-CoV-2 infections had remained undiagnosed in these young children. Only 16% of the seropositive children had reportedly experienced cough, shortness of breath, and/or loss of taste or smell. The most socioeconomically vulnerable participants were more likely to have experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection and overt COVID-19 by the age of 5 years. Importantly, children exposed to household food insecurity, which affects 54% of our study participants, had their COVID-19 risk increased by 76%.