54 research outputs found
How does the human rights perspective help to shape the food and nutrition policy research agenda?
Food as a human right was first laid down 50 years ago in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The last 10 years, in particular, have witnessed an increased recognition of the importance of the human rights approach for designing policies and interventions that promote food and nutrition security, as evidenced by the highly visible role given to human rights at the 1996 World Food Summit. But, given that the design of effective policies and interventions is based on good analysis and information, what are the implications of the human rights approach for the food and nutrition policy research agenda? This is the question we address in this paper. We note several implications of the human rights perspective in terms of (1) new research areas, (2) new perspectives on old issues, and (3) implications for research methods.Food security. ,Human rights. ,Nutrition. ,
Iodine-induced goitre and high prevalence of anaemia among Saharawi refugee women
Objective: The main objective was to assess iodine status (thyroid volume (Tvol)
and urinary iodine concentration (UIC)) and their determinants in Saharawi
refugee women.
Design: A cross-sectional survey was performed during January–February 2007.
Tvol was measured by ultrasound and iodine concentration was analysed in
spot urine samples and in household drinking water. Anthropometry and Hb
concentration were measured and background variables were collected using
pre-coded questionnaires.
Setting: The survey was undertaken in four long-term refugee camps in the
Algerian desert.
Subjects: Non-pregnant women (n 394), 15–45 years old, randomly selected.
Results: Median (25th percentile–75th percentile (P25–P75)) UIC was 466
(294–725)mg/l. Seventy-four per cent had UIC above 300mg/l and 46% above
500mg/l. Median (P25–P75) Tvol was 9?4 (7?4–12?0) ml and the goitre prevalence
was 22 %. UIC was positively associated with iodine in drinking water and
negatively associated with breast-feeding, and these two variables explained 28%
of the variation in UIC. The mean (SD) Hb level was 11.8 (2.4) g/dl. In total 46%
were anaemic with 14 %, 25% and 7%, classified with respectively mild, moderate
and severe anaemia.
Conclusions: The Saharawi women had high UIC, high levels of iodine in
drinking water and increased Tvol and probably suffered from iodine-induced
goitre. The high prevalence of anaemia is considered to be a severe public health
concern. To what extent the excessive iodine intake and the anaemia have
affected thyroid function is unknown and should be addressed in future studies.
Keywords
Excess urinary iodine
Iodine-rich drinking water
Saharawi refuge women
Iron deficiency
Women’s micronutrient status is of particular importance
since it affects not only their own health, but also the
health of their children(1). Deficiencies of iodine and Fe
remain major public health problems, affecting .30% of
the global population(2,3). Insufficient iodine intake as well
as excess iodine intake may cause thyroid diseases(4).
Fe deficiency is the most common and widespread micronutrient
deficiency worldwide(3) and may have multiple
adverse effects on thyroid metabolism(5).
Refugees from Western Sahara have been settled in the
Algerian desert since 1975 and they are totally dependent
on food aid in the harsh, resource-poor desert environment.
The refugee population is experiencing a number
of challenges related to their food, nutrition and health
situation(6). Endemic goitre has been reported among
Saharawi schoolchildren and this is probably caused by
iodine excess(7–10), but further studies are required to
understand the aetiology. The main objective of the
present paper is to assess iodine status (thyroid volume
(Tvol) and urinary iodine concentration (UIC)) and their
determinants in Saharawi refugee women of childbearing
age. The secondary objective is to assess their prevalence
of anaemia
Environmental implication of iodine in water, milk and other foods used in Saharawi refugees camps in Tindouf, Algeria
A cross-sectional survey among Saharawi refugees in four camps carried out in 2007 revealed enlarged
thyroid volume and high urinary iodine concentration in women and school children. The purpose of this
paper is to describe the content of iodine in food and water and explore whether any sources in the
environment can explain the situation. Samples of water (n = 143), milk (n = 19) and salt (n = 89) were
collected. Different wells supplied the camps with water and the median iodine concentration was
108 mg/L (range 55–545 mg/L) and significantly higher in two of the camps (El Aiune and Ausserd;
300 mg/L (range 55–545 mg/L)), compared to the two other camps (Smara; 87 mg/L (55–127 mg/L) and
Dakla; 70 mg/L (55–96 mg/L)). In local goat milk the median iodine concentration was 370 mg/L (70–
13,070 mg/L). The median content of iodine in salt was 6 mg/g (0–51 mg/g). Water and local milk were
the most important sources of iodine for women. High levels of iodine in water seem to be one of the
main sources of iodine that affects humans as well as animal
Urban challenges to food and nutrition security
This review of recent literature explores the urban face of food and nutrition security in a more comprehensive, integrated way than most previous efforts. The review is organized around a conceptual framework that identifies food insecurity, inadequate caring behaviors, and poor health as the primary causes of malnutrition. It discusses current knowledge in eight areas that require the special attention of policymakers, development practitioners, and program administrators who wish to improve urban food and nutrition security: the sources and cost of food; incomes and employment; urban agriculture; urban diets; child caregiving practices; childhood mortality, morbidity, and malnutrition; health and environment; and social assistance programs, or safety nets. The review also reports on the magnitude of rural-urban and intra-urban health differences in mortality, morbidity, and malnutrition. In conclusion, the review indicates which policy issues and knowledge gaps remain for future research to address.Urban health. ,Urban poor Services for. ,Food security. ,Malnutrition. ,Child care. ,
Métodos para monitorear el derecho humano a la alimentación adecuada
Apoyo financiero de los Gobiernos de Alemania, Austria, Holanda y España. La traducción al español de esta Guía fue posible gracias a la contribución de la Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID)Vol. 1: Fundamentos para el monitoreo enfocado y basado en
los derechos humanos. -- Vol. 2: Una visión general sobre enfoques y herramienta
Turning dilemmas into opportunities: a UNU/SCN capacity development network in public nutrition in Central and Eastern Europe
Capacity development in nutrition is a process whereby individuals, groups, institutions, organizations and societies enhance their abilities to identify and meet challenges in a sustainable manner. To address these issues, in 2001 the UN System Standing Committee on Nutrition (SCN) established a Working Group on Capacity Development under die joint coordination of the United Nations University (UNU) and the International Union of Nutritional Sciences. Several regional professional networks have developed under this working group, the latest for the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Countries. Ten CEE Countries formed a network in 2006 and identified major nutritional challenges in the region, which included: irregular meal patterns; low consumption of fruits/vegetables, milk products and fish; low intake of some micronutrients; and high intakes of fat, Sugar and salt. Public policies in nutrition were either weak or absent. Some countries had recently developed nutrition plans. Higher education in nutrition was seen as very important for public nutrition work by professionals in the region, who considered it a prerequisite for reversing the negative trend of the nutrition transition. The network will continue to work on issues that are still not covered adequately. Its activities to date and prospects for the future are assessed against ten principles for good capacity development suggested by the United Nations Development Programme
Capacity development in food composition database management and nutritional research and education in Central and Eastern European, Middle Eastern and North African countries
Background/Objectives: Capacity development (CD) in food and nutrition is much more than formal training and includes human resource development, and organisational, institutional and legal framework development with the aim of enhancing nutrition-relevant knowledge and skills to support infrastructural development. The goal of the European Food Information Resource (EuroFIR) Network of Excellence has been to develop and integrate food composition data throughout Europe. EuroFIR joined forces in CD with the United Nations (UN) University and UN System Standing Committee on Nutrition, the Network for Capacity Development in Nutrition in Central and Eastern Europe, the Central and Eastern European Countries Food Data Systems network and with the Middle East and North African Capacity Building Initiative. The aim of this paper is to discuss an inventory of the status of food composition databases (FCDBs) and the training needs of compilers in non-EuroFIR countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and to present the CD achieved through EuroFIR and other network collaborations. Subjects/Methods: Two online questionnaires were created addressing the FCDB status and specific training needs in countries of the targeted regions. Data were collected during 2006-2008 and then analysed. Subsequently, CD activities were organised. Results: Contacts were established in 19 CEE and 7 MENA countries, of which several had national food composition tables, but no electronic versions. Education, training, workshops, networking and the sharing of experiences were uniformly requested. Subsequently, CD activities in EuroFIR were organised focussing on food composition courses, exchange visits, workshops and individual training for PhD students, junior scientists and other staff categories, as well as conferences linked to food composition research and food information. To facilitate CD activities, EuroFIR has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia and Estonia. Conclusions: EuroFIR has created training activities that complement national activities. Collaboration with other networks has provided an overview of FCDB status and training needs, providing directions for CD activities in those countries. This provides a platform for new funding and further development and networking for CD, which would be conducive to European Commission objectives and public health strategies for CD. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, S134-S138; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2010.22
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