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We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the association between household food insecurity (HFI) and prevalence of underweight, stunting, diarrhea and respiratory illness (RI) in school-age children in New Delhi, India. Mothers of 191 children aged 8–12 years were interviewed to collect HFI data using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Moderate-severe HFI was identified in 43.6% of the households. The odds for diarrhea, RI and stunting were increased by 4.7, 3.3 and 2.3 times respectively in food insecure children than food secure counterparts. HFI was not associated with underweight. There is an urgent need for effective strategies to mitigate HFI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The main objective was to investigate the association of household food insecurity (HFI) with child oral health. A secondary objective was to explore potential dietary and non-dietary mediators of the HFI-child oral health relationship.Design: Cross-sectional data from the nationally representative Ecuadorian National Health and Nutrition Survey (2018) were analysed. The data included self-reported child oral health, HFI (Food Insecurity Experience Scale), diet (FFQ) and oral care behaviours (toothbrushing frequency, toothpaste use). The association of HFI with the reported number of oral health problems was examined with stereotype logistic regression. Parallel mediation analysis was used to explore potential dietary (highly fermentable carbohydrate foods, plain water) and non-dietary (toothbrushing) mediators of the HFI-oral health relationship. Bias-corrected standard errors and 95 % CI were obtained using non-parametric bootstrapping (10 000 repetitions). Effect size was measured by percent mediation (PM).Setting: Ecuador.Participants: 5-17-year-old children (n 23 261).Results: HFI affected 23 % of child households. 38·5 % of children have at least one oral health problem. HFI was associated with a greater number of oral health problems: 1-2 problems (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1·37; 95 % CI (1·15, 1·58); P = 0·0001), 3-4 problems (AOR = 2·21; 95 % CI (1·98, 2·44); P = 0·0001), 5-6 problems (AOR = 2·57; 95 % CI (2·27, 2·88); P = 0·0001). The HFI-oral health relationship was partially mediated by highly fermentable carbohydrate foods (PM = 4·3 %), plain water (PM = 1·8 %) and toothbrushing frequency (PM = 3·3 %).Conclusions: HFI was associated with poorer child oral health. The HFI-oral health relationship was partially mediated by dietary and non-dietary factors. Longitudinal studies are needed to replicate our findings and investigate the role of other potential mediators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data from a nationally representative survey of Ecuadorian households with reproductive-aged women (n= 10,784) were used to analyze the prevalence of household food insufficiency (HFI) and its association with sociodemographic characteristics, food acquisition and expenditure patterns, dietary diversity, and anthropometric indicators. Fifteen percent of households had food insufficiency and 15% had marginal food sufficiency. HFI was associated with poverty-linked indicators. Marginally food sufficient households reported social and economic capital than food which appeared protective against HFI. Food insufficiency was associated with reduced household acquisition/expenditures on high quality protein and micronutrient-rich food sources. HFI was not associated with adult or adolescent female overweight/obesity but was associated with short adult stature (< 1.45 m). The ongoing nutrition transition in Ecuador is expected to continue to modify population food security, diet, and nutrition. Systematic surveillance of household level food security is needed to inform recent food-related policies and programs implemented by the Ecuadorian government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elemental characterization of fine particulate matter was undertaken at schools and residences in three low income neighborhoods in Quito, Ecuador. The three zones were located in the northern (Cotocollao), south central (El Camal), and south east (Los Chillos) neighborhoods and were classified as zones 1-3, respectively. Forty elements were quantified via ICP-MS analysis. Amongst the geogenic elements, the concentration of Si was the most abundant followed by S, Al, and Ca. Elements with predominantly anthropogenic sources such as Zn, V, and Ni were higher in zone 3 school followed by zone 2 and zone 1 schools. Enrichment factors were calculated to study the role of crustal sources in the elemental concentrations. Geogenic elements, except K, all had values <10 and anthropogenic elements such as Ni, V, Zn, Pb, As, Cr had >10. Principal Component Analysis suggested that Ni and V concentrations were strongly attributable to pet coke and heavy oil combustion. Strong associations between As and Pb could be attributed to traffic and other industrial emissions. Resuspended dust, soil erosion, vehicular emissions (tailpipe, brake and tire wear, and engine abrasion), pet coke, heavy oil combustion, and heavy industrial operations were major contributors to air pollution., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.