1
|
Sparling TM, Cheng B, Deeney M, Santoso MV, Pfeiffer E, Emerson JA, Amadi FM, Mitu K, Corvalan C, Verdeli H, Araya R, Kadiyala S. Global Mental Health and Nutrition: Moving Toward a Convergent Research Agenda. Front Public Health 2021; 9:722290. [PMID: 34722437 PMCID: PMC8548935 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.722290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Both malnutrition and poor mental health are leading sources of global mortality, disease, and disability. The fields of global food security and nutrition (FSN) and mental health have historically been seen as separate fields of research. Each have undergone substantial transformation, especially from clinical, primary care orientations to wider, sociopolitical approaches to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. In recent years, the trajectories of research on mental health and FSN are further evolving into an intersection of evidence. FSN impacts mental health through various pathways such as food insecurity and nutrients important for neurotransmission. Mental health drives FSN outcomes, for example through loss of motivation and caregiving capacities. They are also linked through a complex and interrelated set of determinants. However, the heterogeneity of the evidence base limits inferences about these important dynamics. Furthermore, interdisciplinary projects and programmes are gaining ground in methodology and impact, but further guidance in integration is much needed. An evidence-driven conceptual framework should inform hypothesis testing and programme implementation. The intersection of mental health and FSN can be an opportunity to invest holistically in advancing thinking in both fields.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thalia M Sparling
- Innovative Methods and Metrics for Agriculture, Nutrition and Health Actions (IMMANA), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bryan Cheng
- Global Mental Health Lab, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Megan Deeney
- Innovative Methods and Metrics for Agriculture, Nutrition and Health Actions (IMMANA), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marianne V Santoso
- Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Erin Pfeiffer
- Independent Consultant, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | | | | | - Khadija Mitu
- Department of Anthropology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Camila Corvalan
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Helen Verdeli
- Global Mental Health Lab, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ricardo Araya
- Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suneetha Kadiyala
- Innovative Methods and Metrics for Agriculture, Nutrition and Health Actions (IMMANA), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gasana J, Vainio H, Longenecker J, Loney T, Ádám B, Al-Zoughool M. Identification of public health priorities, barriers, and solutions for Kuwait using the modified Delphi method for stakeholder consensus. Int J Health Plann Manage 2021; 36:1830-1846. [PMID: 34176157 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid modernization and economic developments in Kuwait, have been accompanied by substantial lifestyle changes such as unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. These modifiable behaviours have contributed to increased rates of non-communicable diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Delphi Consensus Method was implemented in the current study to draw stakeholders from all sectors together to develop a consensus on the major public health priorities, barriers and solutions. The process involves administration of a series of questions to selected stakeholders through an iterative process that ends when a consensus has been reached among participants. Results of the iteration process identified obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases along with lack of enforcement of laws and regulation as priority health issues. Results also identified lack of national vision for the development of a public health system, lack of multidisciplinary research investigating sources of disease and methods of prevention and improving efficiency with existing resources in implementation and efficiency as the main barriers identified were. Solutions suggested included investing in healthcare prevention, strengthening communication between all involved sectors through intersectoral collaboration, awareness at the primary healthcare setting and use of electronic health records. The results offer an important opportunity for stakeholders in Kuwait to tackle these priority health issues employing the suggested approaches and solution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janvier Gasana
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Harri Vainio
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Joseph Longenecker
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Tom Loney
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University for Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Balázs Ádám
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.,Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mustafa Al-Zoughool
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| |
Collapse
|