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Objective: To examine the association between food insecurity, dietary intake, and body mass index among Somali refugee women living in the United States. Methods: Cross-sectional study utilizing the snowball sampling method. Results: Most (67%) participants experienced some level of food insecurity, which was common among recent arrivals and those who spoke only Somali at home (P less than 0.05). Intake of meat and eggs was higher, whereas intake of fruits and vegetables was lower, among food insecure than secure participants. Food insecurity was positively related to overweight and obesity (odds ratio: 2.66; confidence interval: 1.25-5.69; P less than 0.01). Conclusions and Implications: Somali refugees experienced high levels of food insecurity upon resettlement. Poor dietary habits and the high overweight/obesity rate among insecure families call for future research in understanding what role family structure, cultural norms, and food preference play in predicting food security and dietary habits among Somali and overall African refugees in the United States. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)

Undernutrition among children is a significant issue in rural areas in Cameroon, with diarrhea being one of the major contributing risk factors. To gain a better understanding of the risk factors of diarrhea, the main objective of this epidemiological study was to examine associations between water access and sanitation service with diarrhea, diet diversity, and anemia among infants and toddlers in rural households in Cameroon. The study involved household- and individual-level data of 2,129 rural-dwelling infants and toddlers from the Demographic and Health Survey database. About one-third of infants and toddlers were experiencing diarrhea, with higher odds among those who lived in households with limited water service (p = 0.028). The odds of having diarrhea were 50% higher among infants and toddlers when households did not have sanitation facilities (p=0.007). The lack of improved water and sanitation was also associated with a low intake of various food groups among older infants and toddlers. The prevalence of anemia was high, but no significant differences were seen by water and sanitation services. The achievement of SDG #6 will help address undernutrition and achieve other SDGs, including improving health and wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A scoping review of integrated water access, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) plus nutrition interventions was conducted mainly to describe different components of intervention and examine their effectiveness in improving nutritional outcomes among children. Of the 8 small- to large-scale interventions, 6 were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa and the remaining 2 in South Asia. All the interventions were done in rural settings; the majority involved sanitation and hygiene deliverables along with the nutrition strategies, such as distribution of nutrition supplements. In assessing effectiveness, no significant improvements were seen in growth indicators; reduction in diarrheal rate among children was also not universal across interventions. Further strengthening of WASH, especially an improvement in "W", or water access, is warranted to ensure uptake of sanitation and hygiene behaviors and prevent the fecal–oral route among children. Improved water access will also enhance the effectiveness of nutrition initiatives, such as promoting vegetable gardening and utilization of child nutrient supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Water represents the core of food-energy nexus and is vital for human survival. In developing countries, contaminated water and lack of basic water services undermine efforts to improve nutritional status and related health issues. In the rural areas of Central Africa, a majority of the population lacks access to improved water sources and has to devote considerable efforts to obtain water. Objectives: Using the following definition of water insecurity, i.e. it exists when access to adequate amount of safe and clean water does not occur all the times for the entirety of household members to lead a healthy and active life, the study aimed to develop and test a household-level experiential water insecurity scale for rural households in Central Africa. Methods: The research was conducted in three phases: 1) the formative data collection; 2) the scale development; and, 3) the scale testing. In the third Phase, the scale was tested with 250 women who were water managing person of their households. Statistical analysis included items reduction, reliability, as well as criterion and construct validity assessment. The testing led to a final scale of 17 statements (WATINE-17), covering three domains of water insecurity: 1) psychosocial distress; 2) quantity; 3) quality of water. Results: The scale showed an excellent reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92) and was significantly associated with lower frequency of water intake among women (p = 0.007, concurrent validity). In assessing WATINE-17's predictive validity, it was found that water insecurity was positively related to food insecurity (p < 0.001) and the level of water insecurity was the highest among severely food insecure households [F (3, 246) = 22.469, p < 0.001]. Conclusion: The WATINE-17 is able to capture key elements of water insecurity and can be used to monitor and evaluate SDG# 6 and water-related programs, such as WASH, in Central Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few data are available concerning the socio-demographic characteristics and fruit and vegetable (F&V) purchasing behaviors of visitors attending the farmers' markets sponsored by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers' Market Food and Nutrition Program (FMNP). The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to compare socio-demographics, food purchasing behaviors, and motivators for visiting a new WIC-based farmers' market among convenience samples of WIC FMNP participants (n = 124, 30%) and non-participants (n = 291, 70%) using a customer survey (n = 415). Frequency counts and percentages were obtained while independent t-tests and Chi-square were carried out to compare WIC FMNP participants to non-WIC participants (p ≤ 0.05). The age range of most (62%) of the visitors was 25–54 and the majority were female (91%). The primary motivators for market attendance included variety of F&V (76%), quality of F&V (55%), and to purchase food grown locally (59%). The majority of the total sample agreed (88%) that shopping at the WIC-based farmers' market increased their F&V consumption. WIC FMNP participants were further motivated by low prices (44%) and the ability to easily spend FMNP coupons (75%). Additionally, the study finds that location and convenience play a critical role in increasing FMNP coupon redemption rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to assess food choices, shopping, and spending practices among the Southeast Asian refugee group of “Montagnards” resettled in the USA. A convenience sample of 12 Montagnard refugee women, fluent in Rhade and/or Jarai, was recruited and asked to provide all the grocery food receipts for a 1-month period. At the end of the 1-month period, participants were interviewed to collect information on socio-demographics and general food shopping practices. On average, participants had lived in the USA for 6 years, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (commonly known as Food Stamps) benefits accounted for approximately 55% of total grocery food purchases. The analyses of food receipts showed that a major proportion of the food budget was spent on rice and meat. The lowest proportion of the food budget was spent on dairy or dairy products. Making a grocery list or the use of coupons was not common among participants. Nutrition education for refugees upon resettlement is vital. In particular, topics such as food budgeting and the importance of a well-balanced diet should be covered to promote a healthy lifestyle among resettled refugees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted with the Montagnard refugee women (n = 42) to understand their pre-resettlement living conditions and estimate pre- and post-resettlement differences in their intake of major food groups. In-depth interviews were conducted with the participants in their homes by multilingual Montagnard women fluent in English and their tribal languages. Most of the participants did not receive education and 39% reported household incomes of $500 or less per month. Participants had a very limited or no experience in weekly food shopping and budgeting before moving to the United States. In comparison of food habits, intake of different types of meat increased upon resettlement (P < .05). Pre-resettlement food shortage experience and receiving ≥ $500 in SNAP increased the odds of high meat intake. Due to a significant shift in food choices and environment, refugees are at a higher risk of experiencing poor health after moving to the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A physical activity and nutrition community intervention called the Oxford Hills Healthy Moms (OHHM) Project was developed using a multifaceted social marketing process, including review of state surveillance results, key informant interviews, and a survey and focus group discussions with low-socioeconomic-status (low-SES) mothers. This formative work was used to make key decisions on the selection of the intervention region, segmentation of the audience, and design of intervention strategies addressing multiple levels of the socioecological model. The OHHM Project aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity levels among low-SES mothers in the Oxford Hills region of Maine. The OHHM Project includes five components: (a) physical activity buddy program, (b) cooking club with education, (c) fruit and vegetable discount buying club with education, (d) increased access to produce vendors, and (e) increased access to places for physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A study was conducted to estimate physical activity and fruits and vegetable behaviors, perceptions, and attitude among Maine high school students (n = 765). Over half (57%) reported participating in physical activity for >40 minutes per day. Only 6% reported eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. However, nearly half of the students (49%) reported eating enough fruits and vegetables "Always/Most of the time." A significant positive relationship was found between environmental indicators and daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Results highlight the need to promote fruits and vegetables consumption among high school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]