scholarly journals “I feel like eating rice 24 hours per day, 7 days a week”: A Study of Dietary Diversity Among Asylum Seekers in Norway (OR21-06-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrun Henjum ◽  
Laura Terragni
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Living Condition ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adequate Diet ◽  
Adequate Food

Abstract Objectives Poor nutrition and food insecurity is highly prevalent among asylum seekers residing in western countries. Lack of economic resources, unfamiliarity with new foods, and language barriers are some challenges that asylum seekers encounter upon resettlement. Despite the importance of an adequate diet for good health, limited knowledge, exist on food intake and dietary quality among asylum seekers. We described dietary intake and assessed dietary quality among asylum seekers at Norwegian reception centers. Methods In 2017, a cross-sectional study in eight ordinary asylum reception centers in the South Eastern part of Norway were performed and 205 asylum seekers (131 men and 74 women) were included. Dietary intake was assessed by 24-hour dietary recall and dietary diversity score (DDS) calculated according to FAO and FANTA, 2014. In addition, field notes of the asylum seekers thoughts on dietary intake and living condition provided contextual aspects of their nutritional situation. Results Two-third of the asylum seekers had dietary intakes with low quality; they ate from less than five food groups (low DDS). The asylum seekers ate in average two meals per day and one-third ate their first meal after noon. Meals tend to consist of food that was familiar in their country of origin. Women had significantly higher DDS than men with a higher consumption of vegetables and fruits. Asylum seekers residing in Norway for a longer time had a higher dietary diversity, than asylum seekers with a shorter stay. Most asylum seekers told about a reduced dietary intake, few meals and by the end of the month, hunger. They chose the cheapest food, food on sale or food that had expired and chose quantity over quality. The kitchen facilities at the reception centers were inadequate with limited storage place, low quality of the cooking equipment and crowded kitchen. Conclusions The asylum seekers had a monotonous diet with few meals, in contrast to the food abundance that most Norwegian are accustomed to, revealing, the emergence of new groups and new forms of poverty and social exclusion also in rich countries with otherwise good welfare state systems. The situation appear particularly critical given Norway's commitment through the United Nations (UN) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to ensure human rights such as the right to adequate food and health. Funding Sources The study was funded by Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway.

scholarly journals “I Feel like I’m Eating Rice 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week”: Dietary Diversity among Asylum Seekers Living in Norway

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrun Henjum ◽  
Bess L. Caswell ◽  
Laura Terragni
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dietary Recall ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits ◽  
Inadequate Dietary Intake

Food insecurity is widespread among asylum seekers resettled in Western countries. Limited information exists on the quality of food intake in this population. The aim of this study was to investigate dietary quality among asylum seekers living in Norwegian reception centers. This study has a cross-sectional research design. Dietary intake was assessed through a qualitative 24-hour dietary recall, and the dietary diversity score (DDS) was calculated. This study was conducted in eight Norwegian reception centers. A total of 205 adult asylum seekers (131 men and 74 women) participated in the study. The asylum seekers ate on average two meals per day, and one-third ate their first meal after noon. Mean (SD) DDS was 4.0 (1.6) and 2/3 had low dietary diversity, eating from fewer than five food groups. Women had a significantly higher mean DDS (4.5) than men (3.8) (β (95% CI): 0.47 (0.00, 0.95) and a higher consumption of vegetables and fruits. The longer the period of residence in Norway, the higher the DDS, β (95% CI): 0.01 (0.00, 0.02). The asylum seekers’ inadequate dietary intake reveals new forms of poverty and social exclusion in Europe. An inadequate dietary intake may increase the magnitude of difficulty involved in the settlement process and contribute to poorer health.

scholarly journals Dietary intakes and iron status of vegetarian and non-vegetarian children in selected communities in Accra and Cape Coast, Ghana

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (49) ◽  
pp. 5822-5842
Author(s):  
K Osei-Boadi ◽  
◽  
A Lartey ◽  
GS Marquis ◽  
EK Colecraf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cape Coast ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Recall

There is a scarcity of information on dietary intake and iron status of Ghanaian children raised on vegetarian diets. A cross-sectional study design was used to compare the diets and iron status of vegetarian children between the ages of 9 months and 11 years (n= 26) with matched controls, non-vegetarian children (n=26) of similar ages and same sex and living within the same communities in Accra and Cape Coast, Ghana. Dietary information was collected using 24-hr food recall and 12-hr home observation. Haemoglobin, plasma ferritin, C-reactive protein, and Transferrin Receptor (TfR) concentrations were determined on finger prick (haemoglobin) and venous blood samples collected during the study. Based on the 24-hr food recall, vegetarian children’s diets were devoid of vitamin B12whereas non-vegetarian children’s diets were not (0.0 ± 0.0 mg vs. 1.5 ± 1.8 mg, p<0.001). The dietary intake based on 12-hr home observation showed similar results. However, vegetarians had significantly higher intake of dietary fibre (17.1 ± 11.9 g vs. 8.4 ± 6.2 g, p= 0.002), thiamine (1.1 ± 0.8 mg vs. 0.5 ± 0.3 mg, p= 0.001) and vitamin A (1702 ± 1887 Retinol Equivalent (RE)vs. 671 ± 691 RE, p= 0.010) than non-vegetarian children. Dietary diversity based on nine food groups was similar between groups (5.8 ±1.0score). Plasma ferritin was higher for non-vegetarian children compared to the vegetarians (59.2± 48.2 ng/mL vs. 34.1± 25.8ng/ml, p= 0.012) but there was no group difference in plasma TfR. The prevalence of anaemia was about 25% in both groups. Typical diets of Ghanaian children lack variety and both vegetarian and nonvegetarian diets are insufficient to support adequate iron status. Iron-rich foods such as meat or supplements are needed. There is urgent need for immediate vitamin B12 supplementation for all vegetarian children and a general need for nutrition education to diversify all children’s diets.

scholarly journals Participation in communal day care centre feeding programs is associated with higher diet quantity but not quality among rural Ghanaian children

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (49) ◽  
pp. 5802-5821
Author(s):  
KB Harding ◽  
◽  
GS Marquis ◽  
EK Colecraft ◽  
A Lartey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Day Care ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Feeding Programs ◽  
Iron And Zinc ◽  
Day Care Centres ◽  
Daily Intakes

Communal School Feeding Programs (SFP) are based on local foods brought by children from home which are cooked and shared at school. These programs may be a sustainable food-based strategy for improving children’s diets in low-resource areas. The objective of this study was to compare the dietary intakes of children who attend Day Care Centres (DCC) with communal SFP to children who do not attend any DCC or school in rural Ghana. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect dietary and other household information for 104 DCC and 89 non-DCC children aged two to five years living in two communities. In addition, the DCC lunches (ingredients and servings of each food preparation) were weighed. The Day Care Centres’ lunch was higher in energy (by 64 kcal; p<0.001), but lower in calcium (by 18 mg; p=0.002), iron (by 1.3 mg; p<0.001) and zinc (by 0.2 mg; p=0.046) than the non-DCC lunch. DCC children ate more times in a day (4.2 ± 0.8 vs. 3.4 ± 0.6, p<0.001), had greater dietary diversity (7.2 ± 0.6 vs. 6.7 ± 1.0 food groups, p<0.001) and had higher daily intakes of energy (1140 ± 320 vs. 878 ± 240 kcal; p<0.001), calcium (282 ± 139 vs. 244 ± 118 mg; p=0.048), iron (12.4 ± 6.4 vs. 10.7 ± 4.7 mg; p=0.048) and zinc (0.40 ± 0.15 vs. 0.35 ± 0.11 mg; p=0.019) than non-DCC children. However, after controlling for total energy intake and other dietary, health and sociodemographic variables, daily iron and zinc intakes were lower in the DCC compared to the non-DCC group. Participation in the communal SFP was associated with higher quantity but not quality of children’s diets. Communal SFP offer an opportunity to address specific population’s micronutrient needs, using interventions to improve dietary quality such as point-of-use fortification, commercially fortified foods, or processed animal source food products.

Distance from the nearest grocery stores and frequency of store-specific shopping are associated with dietary intake frequency among the community-dwelling independent elderly population

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-207
Author(s):  
Shinji Iizaka ◽  
Emiko Koitabashi ◽  
Takako Negishi ◽  
Aki Kawamura ◽  
Yuzuru Iizuka
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Suburban Cities

Background: Low accessibility to grocery stores may change dietary habits and increase health problems for elderly people living in communities. Aim: This study investigated whether the distance from the nearest grocery stores, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and drugstores, and the frequency of store-specific shopping were associated with dietary intake frequency among elderly people. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two towns of suburban cities. A total of 177 people aged ≥65 years were recruited ( M age=76.7 years). The frequency of intake of 10 food groups and dietary variety scores (DVS) were evaluated. Distances from the districts to the nearest grocery stores and the frequency of shopping during a week at each store were evaluated using a geographic information system. Results: For supermarkets, people living <300 metres from the nearest supermarket showed a higher intake frequency of fruit ( p=0.024) and oil/fat ( p=0.045), and those shopping three or more times a week showed a higher intake frequency of meat ( p=0.025). In the case of drugstores, people shopping one or more times a week showed a higher intake frequency of eggs ( p=0.006) and oil/fat ( p=0.048). People living <300 m from the nearest supermarkets ( p=0.048) and drugstores ( p=0.047) showed higher DVS than those living ≥500 m from the nearest supermarkets and drugstores. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that shopping at supermarkets and drugstores is associated with dietary intake frequency and dietary quality for elderly people living in suburban cities.

scholarly journals Diet quality among Iranian adolescents needs improvement

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 615-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Azadbakht ◽  
Fahime Akbari ◽  
Ahmad Esmaillzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Quality Indices ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nutrient Adequacy ◽  
Mean Adequacy Ratio ◽  
Systematic Cluster

AbstractObjectiveDiet in adolescence is important not only because of adolescents’ rapid growth but also due to its influence on future chronic diseases. On the other hand, dietary quality indices are noteworthy and useful approaches to evaluate dietary intakes. Thus the present study was conducted to assess dietary quality indices in adolescents.DesignCross-sectional.SettingsThe data were collected from schools in Isfahan, Iran.SubjectsFemale students (n 265) aged 11–13 years were enrolled using systematic cluster-random sampling in Isfahan (Iran). Dietary intakes were assessed by a validated FFQ. Diet quality indices including dietary diversity score (DDS), the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and mean adequacy ratio (MAR) across ten nutrients were calculated.ResultsMean DDS, HEI score and MAR were 6·15 (sd 1·61) out of 10 points, 63·90 (sd 19·86) out of 100 points and 1·32 (sd 0·61), respectively. Mean nutrient adequacy ratio of all nutrients was above 1 except for vitamin D (0·53 (sd 0·51)). Those in the highest tertile of DDS had the most favourable anthropometric variables in comparison to the lowest tertile. There were no significant associations between HEI score and BMI, central or abdominal obesity and blood pressure. Those in the highest tertile of MAR had higher BMI, waist circumference and hip circumference.ConclusionsDiet quality of Isfahani adolescents needs improvement. It may imply the necessity of implementing nutritional instructive policies in this age group and their parents.

Use of Linear Programming to Develop Complementary Feeding Recommendations to Improve Nutrient Adequacy and Dietary Diversity Among Breastfed Children in the Rural Philippines

2021 ◽  
pp. 037957212199812
Author(s):  
Karen Kay Mejos ◽  
Maria Socorro Ignacio ◽  
Rohan Jayasuriya ◽  
Jayashree Arcot
Keyword(s):  
Linear Programming ◽  
Complementary Feeding ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nutrient Adequacy ◽  
Programming Tool

Background: Lack of dietary diversity in complementary feeding contributes to nutrient gaps leading to undernutrition. Food-based strategies have been successfully used to enrich the complementary diets of infants and young children. However, context-specific recommendations based on an objective diet optimization is needed to formulate sound and practical nutritional guidelines. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify problem nutrients in complementary diets and formulate complementary feeding recommendations (CFRs) using linear programming analysis for children aged 6 to 23 months in the rural Philippines. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the municipality of Mercedes, Philippines. Dietary intakes of breastfed children 6 to 8, 9 to 11, and 12 to 23 months of age (n = 297) were assessed using a multipass 24-hour recall method with 7-day food consumption frequency. A linear programming tool was used to identify the recommended nutrient intakes that could not be met within the existing local food patterns and develop CFRs that would best fulfil nutrient adequacy for 11 modelled micronutrients. Results: Problem nutrients in the current diets were iron and calcium in any age-group, zinc for 6 to 8 and 9 to 11 months old, and thiamine and folate for 12 to 23 months old children. Adoption of CFRs with 4 to 5 food groups in the diet would ensure the adequacy of 7 to 8 nutrients, depending on the age-group. Conclusion: Within the boundaries of local dietary patterns, adequacy for most nutrients could be achieved by promoting realistic servings of nutrient-dense foods and food groups. The linear programming results provide an evidence-based strategy in designing interventions to improve the quality of Filipino complementary diets.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on Nutrition, Food Security, and Dietary Diversity and Quality in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Madzorera ◽  
Abbas Ismail ◽  
Elena C. Hemler ◽  
Michelle L. Korte ◽  
Adedokun A. Olufemi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can have far-reaching consequences for developing countries through the combined effects of infection and mortality, and the mitigation measures that can impact food systems and diets. Using a mobile platform, this cross-sectional study evaluated the effect of COVID-19 on food prices and dietary quality for 1797 households in Nouna and Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, Addis Ababa and Kersa in Ethiopia, and Lagos and Ibadan in Nigeria. We assessed the consumption of 20 food groups during the previous 7 days. The dietary diversity scores (DDS) and Prime Diet Quality Scores (PDQS) were used to assess dietary diversity and quality. We used generalized estimating equation (GEE) linear models to evaluate associations between price changes for staples, pulses, vegetables, fruits, and animal source foods (ASFs) with the DDS and PDQS PDQS. Most participants reported increasing prices of staples, pulses, fruits, vegetables and ASF, and ≥ 40% reported the decreased consumption of staples, legumes, and other vegetables and fruits. The DDS (except in Kersa and Ouagadougou) and PDQS were lower during the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher pulse prices were associated with lower DDS (estimate, −0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.74 to 0.03; P = 0.07) in the combined analysis and in Burkina Faso (estimate, −0.47; 95% CI, −0.82 to −0.11). Higher vegetable prices were positively associated with the DDS (estimate, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.37). Lower crop production (estimate, −0.54; 95% CI, −0.80 to −0.27) was associated with lower DDS. The price increases and worsening dietary diversity and quality call for social protection and other strategies to increase the availability and affordability of nutrient-rich foods during the COVID-19 pandemic and public health emergencies.

scholarly journals Household food insufficiency is associated with dietary intake in Korean adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1112-1121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Eun Lee ◽  
Yoon Ju Song ◽  
Young Kim ◽  
Jeongsook Choe ◽  
Hee-Young Paik
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Secondary Source ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Food Insufficiency ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the association of food insufficiency with dietary intake and eating and health behaviours.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingData were obtained from a secondary source, the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010–2012).SubjectsThe sample size consisted of 15 603 adults over 19 years of age (8898 households).ResultsSignificant differences in socio-economic factors were observed according to food insufficiency level (P<0·05), but BMI was similar among groups. Regarding macronutrients, lower protein intake and higher carbohydrate intake were found in the severely food-insufficient group, but we found no association with fat intake. Regarding micronutrients, Ca, Fe, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin niacin and vitamin C intakes were negatively associated with food insufficiency level (Ptrend<0·05). Consumption of different food groups, such as meat, fish, eggs and beans, vegetables and fruits, was significantly lower as food insufficiency level decreased after controlling for all possible variables; food group consumption also differed by sex. Overall eating and health behaviours were poorer in the mildly and severely food-insufficient groups, who received more food assistance but less nutritional education.ConclusionsOur results showed that dietary intake as well as eating and health behaviours are adversely associated with food insufficiency. These findings suggest that specific strategies to help food-insufficient individuals should be developed in order to improve their dietary quality and health status.

scholarly journals Dairy food supplementation may reduce malnutrition risk in institutionalised elderly

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Iuliano ◽  
Shirley Poon ◽  
Xiaofang Wang ◽  
Minh Bui ◽  
Ego Seeman
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Robust Regression ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Food Supplementation ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nutrient Analysis ◽  
Dairy Foods

AbstractMalnutrition in institutionalised elderly increases morbidity and care costs. Meat and dairy foods are high-quality protein sources so adequate intakes may reduce malnutrition risk. We aimed to determine whether inadequate intakes of meat and dairy foods contribute to malnutrition in institutionalised elderly. This cross-sectional study involved 215 elderly residents (70·2 % females, mean age 85·8 years) from twenty-one aged-care facilities in Melbourne, Australia. Dietary intake was assessed using observed plate waste. Food groups and serving sizes were based on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Nutrient content was analysed using a computerised nutrient analysis software (Xyris). Malnutrition risk was assessed using the Mini Nutrition Assessment (MNA) tool; a score between 24 and 30 indicates normal nutritional status. Data were analysed using robust regression. Mean MNA score was 21·6 (sd 2·7). In total, 68 % of residents were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition (MNA score≤23·5). Protein intake was 87 (sd 28) % of the Australian recommended dietary intake (RDI). Consumption averaged 1 serving each of dairy foods and meat daily. Number of dairy and meat servings related to proportion of protein RDI (both P<0·001), with the former contributing 13 % and the latter 12 % to protein RDI. Number of dairy servings (P<0·001), but not meat servings increased MNA score; each dairy serving was associated with a 1 point increase in MNA score so based on current intakes, on average if residents consumed the recommend four dairy servings (addition of 3 points to MNA score) they would achieve normal nutrition status (>24 points). Provision of meat and dairy foods did not meet recommended levels. On the basis of current dietary intakes in aged-care residents, increasing consumption of dairy foods to the recommended four servings daily ensures protein adequacy and may reduce malnutrition risk in institutionalised elderly, and so reduce risk of comorbidities and costs associated with malnutrition.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic correlates of dietary diversity and its association with adherence and psychosocial functioning of people living with HIV in rural Zambia

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rainier Masa ◽  
Gina Chowa ◽  
Victor Nyirenda
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adequate Food ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Rural Zambia

Background: The intersection of nutrition and HIV underscores the importance of adequate food and a diverse diet. In communities with high prevalence of food insecurity and HIV, there is a substantial co-occurrence of low dietary diversity, undernutrition, and adverse health outcomes. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify correlates of individual dietary diversity (IDD) and its association with health outcomes for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in rural Zambia. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design using data from 101 PLHIV. We calculated IDD using a composite score based on dietary diversity, food frequency, and the relative nutritional importance of different food groups. Adherence was measured using the visual analog scale. Psychosocial functioning was measured using the Structural Barriers to Medication-taking Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale. Data were analyzed using linear and logistic regressions. Multiple imputation was conducted to address missing data. Results: Staples were the most commonly consumed food group. Income and household size were negatively associated with IDD scores. Assets were positively associated with IDD scores. Residing in Lundazi and having a poor or fair self-rated health were associated with lower IDD scores. IDD was also associated, albeit not significant, with desirable health outcomes, including adherence and lower levels of perceived barriers to pill taking and stress. Conclusions: Findings suggest a heterogeneous effect of socioeconomic variables on IDD. Understanding this heterogeneity is important for the design of interventions. Interventions that combine opportunities to generate economic resources with food and nutrition coaching may be appropriate and effective.

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