Call for emergency action to restore dietary diversity and protect global food systems in times of COVID-19 and beyond: Results from a cross-sectional study in 38 countries

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of the global food system, sending shockwaves across countries' societies and economy. This has presented formidable challenges to sustaining a healthy and resilient lifestyle. The objective of this study is to examine the food consumption patterns and assess diet diversity indicators, primarily focusing on the food consumption score (FCS), among households in 38 countries both before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 37 207 participants (mean age: 36.70 ± 14.79, with 77 % women) was conducted in 38 countries through an online survey administered between April and June 2020. The study utilized a pre-tested food frequency questionnaire to explore food consumption patterns both before and during the COVID-19 periods. Additionally, the study computed Food Consumption Score (FCS) as a proxy indicator for assessing the dietary diversity of households. Findings: This quantification of global, regional and national dietary diversity across 38 countries showed an increment in the consumption of all food groups but a drop in the intake of vegetables and in the dietary diversity. The household's food consumption scores indicating dietary diversity varied across regions. It decreased in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, including Lebanon (p < 0.001) and increased in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries including Bahrain (p = 0.003), Egypt (p < 0.001) and United Arab Emirates (p = 0.013). A decline in the household's dietary diversity was observed in Australia (p < 0.001), in South Africa including Uganda (p < 0.001), in Europe including Belgium (p < 0.001), Denmark (p = 0.002), Finland (p < 0.001) and Netherland (p = 0.027) and in South America including Ecuador (p < 0.001), Brazil (p < 0.001), Mexico (p < 0.0001) and Peru (p < 0.001). Middle and older ages [OR = 1.2; 95 % CI = [1.125–1.426] [OR = 2.5; 95 % CI = [1.951–3.064], being a woman [OR = 1.2; 95 % CI = [1.117–1.367], having a high education (p < 0.001), and showing amelioration in food-related behaviors [OR = 1.4; 95 % CI = [1.292–1.709] were all linked to having a higher dietary diversity. Conclusion: The minor to moderate changes in food consumption patterns observed across the 38 countries within relatively short time frames could become lasting, leading to a significant and prolonged reduction in dietary diversity, as demonstrated by our findings.Revisión por pare

Comunicação e relações públicas internacionais no processo de internacionalização da Tramontina

Este estudo tem como tema a internacionalização de empresas a partir da ótica da comunicação e de relações públicas internacionais. O objetivo geral é analisar as estratégias de internacionalização, comunicação e relações públicas internacionais da Tramontina na sua expansão global, de modo a verificar se a finalidade do processo tem características comerciais e/ou de relacionamento. A pesquisa é de vertente qualitativa. Como métodos foram utilizados a pesquisa bibliográfica e o estudo de caso. Apresenta-se a discussão de temas como a nova economia mundial no contexto da globalização, organizações e internacionalização no cenário da globalização, práticas de relações públicas internacionais, comunicação e relacionamento nas estratégias de internacionalização. O caso analisado foi o da Tramontina, empresa originalmente gaúcha, porém com presença em mais de 120 países. Como técnica de coleta de dados foi utilizada a pesquisa documental, a partir da formação de um corpus de pesquisa com documentos relevantes ao estudo. Os principais resultados indicam que a internacionalização da Tramontina ocorre sem um planejamento estratégico de comunicação, pois seu foco está voltado a estratégias de marketing. O objetivo da internacionalização da empresa tem como base a expansão de mercados com foco em vendas. Visto isso, considera-se que práticas de relações públicas internacionais e comunicação existem, porém ainda de maneira incipiente e sem um planejamento alinhado. Considera-se que ações estratégicas de comunicação e relações públicas internacionais auxiliariam no processo de internacionalização de longo prazo, promovendo o estabelecimento de relacionamentos entre organização e seus públicos, o que é vital para a afirmação da organização em novas territorialidades.The subject of this study is the internationalization of enterprises stemming from communication optics and international public relations. The overall objective is to analyze strategies of internationalization, communication and international public relations of the company Tramontina in its global expansion, so as to verify whether this process is motivated by commercial and/or business relation goals. The research has qualitative dimensions, with the chosen methods being bibliographic research and case studies. Topics such as the new global economy as well as organizations and internationalization in the framework of globalization are discussed, in addition to public relation procedures, communication and business relations in internationalization strategies. The case examined was that of the company Tramontina, originally from Rio Grande do Sul, yet present in over 120 countries. Data-gathering was accomplished by documental research, producing a research corpus from relevant documents to the study. The leading results indicate that the internationalization of the company in question occurs without strategical communication planning as its focus is based around marketing strategies. The goal of the company’s internationalization is grounded on the expansion of markets emphasizing sales. With that in mind, we observe that international public relation practices are indeed present, albeit in a rudimentary fashion and without proper planning. Thus one may conclude that strategic actions of communication and international public relations have assisted in the process of long-term internationalization by promoting the establishment of relations between organization and public, which is of paramount importance for the former’s assertion in new territories

Comunicação e relações públicas internacionais no processo de internacionalização da Tramontina

Este estudo tem como tema a internacionalização de empresas a partir da ótica da comunicação e de relações públicas internacionais. O objetivo geral é analisar as estratégias de internacionalização, comunicação e relações públicas internacionais da Tramontina na sua expansão global, de modo a verificar se a finalidade do processo tem características comerciais e/ou de relacionamento. A pesquisa é de vertente qualitativa. Como métodos foram utilizados a pesquisa bibliográfica e o estudo de caso. Apresenta-se a discussão de temas como a nova economia mundial no contexto da globalização, organizações e internacionalização no cenário da globalização, práticas de relações públicas internacionais, comunicação e relacionamento nas estratégias de internacionalização. O caso analisado foi o da Tramontina, empresa originalmente gaúcha, porém com presença em mais de 120 países. Como técnica de coleta de dados foi utilizada a pesquisa documental, a partir da formação de um corpus de pesquisa com documentos relevantes ao estudo. Os principais resultados indicam que a internacionalização da Tramontina ocorre sem um planejamento estratégico de comunicação, pois seu foco está voltado a estratégias de marketing. O objetivo da internacionalização da empresa tem como base a expansão de mercados com foco em vendas. Visto isso, considera-se que práticas de relações públicas internacionais e comunicação existem, porém ainda de maneira incipiente e sem um planejamento alinhado. Considera-se que ações estratégicas de comunicação e relações públicas internacionais auxiliariam no processo de internacionalização de longo prazo, promovendo o estabelecimento de relacionamentos entre organização e seus públicos, o que é vital para a afirmação da organização em novas territorialidades.The subject of this study is the internationalization of enterprises stemming from communication optics and international public relations. The overall objective is to analyze strategies of internationalization, communication and international public relations of the company Tramontina in its global expansion, so as to verify whether this process is motivated by commercial and/or business relation goals. The research has qualitative dimensions, with the chosen methods being bibliographic research and case studies. Topics such as the new global economy as well as organizations and internationalization in the framework of globalization are discussed, in addition to public relation procedures, communication and business relations in internationalization strategies. The case examined was that of the company Tramontina, originally from Rio Grande do Sul, yet present in over 120 countries. Data-gathering was accomplished by documental research, producing a research corpus from relevant documents to the study. The leading results indicate that the internationalization of the company in question occurs without strategical communication planning as its focus is based around marketing strategies. The goal of the company’s internationalization is grounded on the expansion of markets emphasizing sales. With that in mind, we observe that international public relation practices are indeed present, albeit in a rudimentary fashion and without proper planning. Thus one may conclude that strategic actions of communication and international public relations have assisted in the process of long-term internationalization by promoting the establishment of relations between organization and public, which is of paramount importance for the former’s assertion in new territories

EFEITOS DA COVID-19 NOS COMPORTAMENTOS DE DESCARTE DO CONSUMIDOR E CENÁRIOS DE NEGÓCIOS FUTUROS

Este estudo teve como objetivo compreender como a crise gerada pela pandemia da COVID-19 impactou nos comportamentos de descarte do consumidor, discutindo os possíveis efeitos desses impactos para os negócios pós-COVID-19, com especial foco nas questões ligadas à sustentabilidade. Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão descritiva de literatura sobre comportamentos de descarte em um primeiro momento. Após, foi realizada uma busca de artigos e dados sobre comportamento do consumidor e a crise da pandemia do vírus COVID-19. Adicionalmente, identificou-se relatórios baseados em pesquisas de empresas e institutos privados que têm monitorado mudanças e tendências no comportamento de consumo. Os resultados apontam relações entre os comportamentos de descarte identificados na literatura e os possíveis impactos da COVID-19 nestes comportamentos. Ainda, foi possível verificar que o comportamento de descarte impacta em oportunidades de negócio e modelos de negócios sustentáveis

An Evaluation of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Perceived Social Distancing Policies in Relation to Planning, Selecting, and Preparing Healthy Meals: An Observational Study in 38 Countries Worldwide

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado.Objectives: To examine changes in planning, selecting, and preparing healthy foods in relation to personal factors (time, money, stress) and social distancing policies during the COVID-19 crisis. Methods: Using cross-sectional online surveys collected in 38 countries worldwide in April-June 2020 (N = 37,207, Mage 36.7 SD 14.8, 77% women), we compared changes in food literacy behaviors to changes in personal factors and social distancing policies, using hierarchical multiple regression analyses controlling for sociodemographic variables. Results: Increases in planning (4.7 SD 1.3, 4.9 SD 1.3), selecting (3.6 SD 1.7, 3.7 SD 1.7), and preparing (4.6 SD 1.2, 4.7 SD 1.3) healthy foods were found for women and men, and positively related to perceived time availability and stay-at-home policies. Psychological distress was a barrier for women, and an enabler for men. Financial stress was a barrier and enabler depending on various sociodemographic variables (all p < 0.01). Conclusion: Stay-at-home policies and feelings of having more time during COVID-19 seem to have improved food literacy. Stress and other social distancing policies relate to food literacy in more complex ways, highlighting the necessity of a health equity lens.Agentschap Innoveren en OndernemenRevisión por pare

Call for emergency action to restore dietary diversity and protect global food systems in times of COVID-19 and beyond: results from a cross-sectional study in 38 countries

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of the global food system, sending shockwaves across countries' societies and economy. This has presented formidable challenges to sustaining a healthy and resilient lifestyle. The objective of this study is to examine the food consumption patterns and assess diet diversity indicators, primarily focusing on the food consumption score (FCS), among households in 38 countries both before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study with 37 207 participants (mean age: 36.70 ± 14.79, with 77 % women) was conducted in 38 countries through an online survey administered between April and June 2020. The study utilized a pre-tested food frequency questionnaire to explore food consumption patterns both before and during the COVID-19 periods. Additionally, the study computed Food Consumption Score (FCS) as a proxy indicator for assessing the dietary diversity of households. This quantification of global, regional and national dietary diversity across 38 countries showed an increment in the consumption of all food groups but a drop in the intake of vegetables and in the dietary diversity. The household's food consumption scores indicating dietary diversity varied across regions. It decreased in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, including Lebanon (p < 0.001) and increased in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries including Bahrain (p = 0.003), Egypt (p < 0.001) and United Arab Emirates (p = 0.013). A decline in the household's dietary diversity was observed in Australia (p < 0.001), in South Africa including Uganda (p < 0.001), in Europe including Belgium (p < 0.001), Denmark (p = 0.002), Finland (p < 0.001) and Netherland (p = 0.027) and in South America including Ecuador (p < 0.001), Brazil (p < 0.001), Mexico (p < 0.0001) and Peru (p < 0.001). Middle and older ages [OR = 1.2; 95 % CI = [1.125–1.426] [OR = 2.5; 95 % CI = [1.951–3.064], being a woman [OR = 1.2; 95 % CI = [1.117–1.367], having a high education (p < 0.001), and showing amelioration in food-related behaviors [OR = 1.4; 95 % CI = [1.292–1.709] were all linked to having a higher dietary diversity. The minor to moderate changes in food consumption patterns observed across the 38 countries within relatively short time frames could become lasting, leading to a significant and prolonged reduction in dietary diversity, as demonstrated by our findings