Improving Food Security in Africa: Highlights of 25 Years of Research, Capacity-Building, and Outreach.

Decades of research have led to substantially improved understanding of the nature of food insecurity. A combination of economic growth and targeted programs resulted in a steady fall (until the food crisis of 2007/08) in the percentage of the world’s population suffering from undernutrition (from 20% in 1990/92 to 16% in 2006). Yet over a billion people still face both chronic and/or transitory food insecurity due to long-standing problems of inadequate income, low-productivity in agricultural production and marketing, and related problems of poor health and absence of clean water. Assuring adequate food security for such a large share of the world’s population is increasingly challenging due to continuing resource degradation driven by a combination of population pressure and outdated agricultural practices, poorly functioning input markets, rapid urbanization, increased concerns about food safety, and climate change. This document contains an overview of the past 25 years of research, capacity-building, and outreach by MSU’s Food Security Group. The paper describes key elements of the FSG approach and draws lessons regarding the value of that model. Insights gained from research and outreach and their value in addressing the major current challenges facing food and agricultural systems in Africa are summarized in FSG (2009).Africa, Food Security, research, capacity building, outreach, Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis, Food Security and Poverty, International Development, Land Economics/Use, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, q10, q18, q12, q13,

Food-induced behavioral sensitization, its cross-sensitization to cocaine and morphine, pharmacological blockade, and effect on food intake

Repeated administration of abused drugs sensitizes their stimulant effects and results in a drug-paired environment eliciting conditioned activity. We tested whether food induces similar effects. Food-deprived male mice were given novel food during 30 min tests in a runway (FR group) that measured locomotor activity. Whereas the activity of this group increased with repeated testing, that of a group exposed to the runways but that received the food in the home cage (FH group), or of a group satiated by prefeeding before testing (SAT group), decreased. When exposed to the runways in the absence of food, the paired group was more active than the other groups (conditioned activity); no activity differences were seen in an alternative, non-food-paired, apparatus. Conditioned activity survived a 3-week period without runway exposure. Conditioned activity was selectively reduced by the opiate antagonist naltrexone (10-20 mg/kg) and by the noncompetitive AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI 52466 [1-(4-aminophenyl)-4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-5H-2,3-benzodiazepine hydrochloride] (5-10 mg/kg). The D1 antagonist SCH23390 [R(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine hydrochloride] (15-30 microg/kg) and D2 antagonist sulpiride (25-125 mg/kg) reduced activity nonspecifically. A single intraperitoneal dose of cocaine (10 mg/kg) or morphine (20 mg/kg) increased activity compared with saline, the stimulant effect being larger in the FR group, suggesting "cross-sensitization" to these drugs. However, pretreatment with GYKI 52466 or naltrexone at doses that suppressed conditioned activity in FR animals suppressed cross-sensitization to cocaine. When allowed ad libitum access to food in the runway, FR mice consumed more pellets in a time-limited test. Thus, many of the features of behavioral sensitization to drugs can be demonstrated using food reward and may contribute to excessive eating

Eating behaviours and food cravings; influence of age, sex, BMI and FTO genotype

Previous studies indicate that eating behaviours and food cravings are associated with increased BMI and obesity. However, the interaction between these behaviours and other variables such as age, sex, BMI and genetics is complex. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between eating behaviours and food cravings, and to examine the influence of age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) genotype on these relationships. A total of 475 participants (252 female, 223 male, BMI: 25.82 ± 6.14 kg/m², age: 30.65 ± 14.20 years) completed the revised 18-question version of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R18) to assess cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating, and the Food Cravings Inventory (FCI) to assess cravings for fatty food, sweet food, carbohydrates and fast food. DNA samples were genotyped for the rs9939609 polymorphism in the obesity-linked gene FTO. Questionnaire data was analysed for associations between the TFEQ-R18 and FCI subscales for the whole study group, and the group divided by sex, genotype and age (≤25 years versus >25 years). Finally, mediation analysis was used to explore the relationships between BMI, cognitive restraint and food cravings. FTO AA + AT genotype was associated with increased BMI, but not with differences in eating behavior scores or food craving scores; age was associated with increased BMI and decreases in food craving scores in which this effect was stronger in women compared to men. Increased cognitive restraint was associated with decreased food craving scores in the ≤25 years group. Mediation analysis demonstrated that in this group the association between BMI and reduced food cravings was mediated by cognitive restraint indicating that in this age group individuals use cognitive restraint to control their food cravings. The positive correlation between age and BMI confirms previous results but the findings of this study show that age, sex, FTO genotype and BMI have an influence on the relationships between eating behaviours and food cravings and that these variables interact

Determining the relative validity and reproducibility of a food frequency questionnaire to assess food group intake in high performing athletes : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Background: Optimal nutrition is essential for high performing athletes in order to train effectively, optimise recovery and improve their performance. Given the differences in dietary requirements and practices that exist between athletes and the general population, dietary assessment tools designed specifically for athletes are required. Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) are commonly used to assess habitual dietary intake as they are inexpensive, quick and easy to administer. Currently there are no athlete-specific, up-to-date, valid and reproducible FFQs to assess food group intake of athletes. This study aims to determine the relative validity and reproducibility of an athlete-specific FFQ against an estimated four day food record (4DFR) to assess food group intake in high performing athletes. Methods: Data from 66 athletes (24 males, 42 females) representing their main sport at regional level or higher and aged 16 years and over, was collected as part of a validation study in 2016. Athletes completed the athlete-specific FFQ at baseline (FFQ1) and four weeks later (FFQ2) to assess reproducibility. An estimated 4DFR was completed between these assessments to determine the relative validity of the FFQ1. Foods appearing in the 4DFR were classified into the same 129 food groups as the FFQ, and then further classified into 28 food groups in gram amounts. Agreement between the two methods for intake of food group and core food group intake was assessed using Wilcoxon signed rank tests, Spearmans correlation coefficients, cross classification with tertiles, the weighted kappa statistic and Bland-Altman analysis. Results: The FFQ overestimated intake for 17 of 28 food groups compared with the 4DFR (p50% of participants correctly classified, <10% grossly misclassified, and 20 demonstrated moderate to good agreement (k=0.61-0.80). The exceptions were dairy; fats & oils; and processed foods & drinks which presented fair agreement (k=0.21-0.40). Conclusions: The FFQ showed reasonable validity and good reproducibility for assessing food group intake in high performance athletes in New Zealand. The FFQ could be used in future research as a convenient, cost-effective and simple way to obtain athletes’ food group intake, and identify those who could benefit from interventions to improve their nutritional adequacy and potentially their athletic performance

The Evolution of Ireland's Kerry Group/PLC-Implications for the U.S. and Global Dairy-Food Industries

This Discussion Paper is a case study of Kerry Group/PLC of Ireland. Kerry grew from a small dairy cooperative (annual sales of US $50 million) in the early 1970s into an international food ingredients and consumer food products company with sales of US$2.6 billion in 1998. Kerry Group/PLC provides a model that US and other dairy-food firms interested in exporting dairy-based food ingredients or engaging in foreign direct investment in food ingredients businesses might emulate.Kerry Group/PLC of Ireland, Irish Dairy Industry, Agribusiness, Farm Management, Industrial Organization, International Development,

Consumers' perceptions of sustainably produced food - a focus group study

The purpose of this study is to provide information on consumers' perceptions of sustainably produced food products and the main product attributes that influence consumer's buying behaviour in the case of organic, Fair Trade and locally produced food. The paper draws on data from four focus groups. The results provide empirical insight into the motivating as well as the restricting factors which influence consumers' purchasing behaviour in the case of sustainably produced food and introduce the emerging key themes associated with the attributes of sustainably produced food products

Alternative supplementary biochemic food for growing up the fresh water lobster (Cherax quadricarinatus)

Priyono E, Astirin OP, Setyono P. 2009. Alternative supplementary biochemic food for growing up the fresh water lobster (Cherax quadricarinatus). Nusantara Bioscience 1: 123-130. This research denotes to know the influence of biochemic composition to the rapid grow of fresh water lobster on the stadium of post larva (PL) of 60 within three months. This research used the complete random planning dealing with 4 treatments and each treatment would get 3 times cycle. The treatments cover, group K tested animal was treted with 100% mill food containing 30% of protein. Group A is given with food and biochemic food containing 13,34% of protein. Group B is the treated with mill food which is mixed with biochemic food containing 10,7% of protein. While group C was tested by treating them with mill food and biochemic food containing 13,58%. After all the above mentioned would be set up within 3:1 comparation. The variable of this research were the length of the abdomen, cephalothorax, total length, and the wet weight. The data analysis is using ANOVA system on 95% power test completed by of SPSS version 13. The result of the research shows that mentioned treatments give us the same influence toward the growth of fresh water lobster. The composition of biochemic food with the containing protein around 10,7%,13.34% and 13,38% has given the same effect to the lobster growth on post larva 60 level. There is strong correlation between abdomen and cephalothorax and between the total length and the lobsters weight. Key words: Cherax quadricarinatus, suplementary food, water qualit

Comparison of a Calan gate and a conventional feed barrier system for dairy cows: feed intake and cow behaviour

peer-reviewedThere is little published information on comparisons of individual and group feeding systems for dairy cows. Twenty-four dairy cows were used in a three-period incompletely balanced, change-over design study, to examine food intake and feeding behaviour of dairy cows offered their food via group-access electronic Calan gates, or via a conventional feed-barrier system. The food offered was in the form of a complete diet, and comprised grass silage and concentrates (60:40 dry matter (DM) basis). With the conventional feed-barrier system a maximum of eight animals were able to feed at any one time, while the Calan-gate system allowed a maximum of three animals to feed at any one time. Method of offering the ration had no effect on daily DM intake. During the 8-h period after animals were given access to fresh food, the mean number of animals feeding at any one time was 5.4 and 3.0 for the conventional and Calan-gate systems, respectively, while total intake over this period was 11.0 and 9.2 kg DM per cow, respectively. When access to feed was restricted by the use of Calan gates, animals responded by increasing their intake rate. It is concluded that total DM intake was unaffected by the use of a group Calan-gate feeding system as animals modified their feeding behaviour to maintain food intake

Accessory gene regulator types of Staphylococcus aureus isolated in Gorgan, North of Iran

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive bacterium that has remained a persistent pathogen, causing infections such as endocarditis, meningitis, and toxic shock syndrome in humans. The accessory gene regulator (agr) system of Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for controlling the expression of many genes that code for virulence factors. In this study, we assessed the S.aureus agr Group, based on their source of isolation, in Gorgan, North of Iran. Materials and Methods: DNA of 194 S. aureus isolates was extracted by lysozyme-phenol chloroform method, which included 85 clinical samples, 58 samples which were isolated from noses of health care workers and 51 cases which were obtained from food products in Gorgan, northern Iran. PCR-based assays were used to evaluate agr locus nucleotide polymorphism for the identification of agr specificity Group. Distributions of each agr Group were determined and comparison between different sources was assessed by X2. A p-value of <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The majority of isolates belonged to agr Group I (43.3%), followed by agr Group III (28.87%), agr Group II (22.68%), and agr Group IV (5.15%). In our study, a majority of S. aureus isolates were recovered from health care workers and food product specimens were of agr Group I and isolates which were recovered from patients were of agr Group III. These differences were statistically significant (P=0.005). There was no statistical difference between the source of isolation of clinical samples of S.aureus and agr type. Conclusion: Agr Group I was predominant among health care workers and food product specimens in Gorgan, North of Iran, but in strains which were isolated from patients, agr Group III was predominant. Investigating the possible role of agr Group III in Staphylococcus aureus infection in future studies is recommended