Dietary Diversity in Cambodian Garment Workers: The Role of Free Lunch Provision

The objective of this paper is to compare food consumption by Cambodian garment workers with and without access to a free model lunch provision through a factory-based canteen. Data from an exploratory randomised controlled trial were analysed. In total, 223 female Cambodian garment workers were allocated to an intervention arm (six-month lunch provision) or a control arm. Dietary intake on workdays was assessed by qualitative 24-h recalls at baseline and twice at follow-ups during the period of lunch provision using the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) guideline on assessing women´s dietary diversity. In total, 158 participants provided complete data on the dietary intake over workdays at all interviews. Lunch provision resulted in a more frequent consumption of dark green leafy vegetables (DGLV), vitamin A-rich fruits, other fruits, and oils and fats during lunch breaks. In contrast, flesh meats, legumes, nuts and seeds, as well as sweets, were eaten at a lower frequency. Except for a higher consumption rate of vitamin A-rich fruits and a lower intake frequency of sweets, lunch provision had a less clear impact on total 24-h intake from different food groups and was not associated with a higher women´s dietary diversity score (WDDS). A more gap-oriented design of the lunch sets taking into account underutilised foods and the nutritional status of the workers is recommended

Consumers’ privacy calculus:The PRICAL index development and validation

Although collecting personal information about consumers is crucial for firms and marketers, understanding of when and why consumers accept or reject information collection remains limited. The authors conceptualize a privacy calculus that represents a consumer's trade–off of the valence and uncertainty of the consequences of the collection, storage, and use of personal information. For example, usage-based car insurance requires drivers to share data on their driving behavior in exchange for a discount (certain benefit) but at the risk of third parties intercepting location data for malicious use (uncertain disadvantage). Building on this conceptualization, the authors develop the privacy calculus (PRICAL) index. They empirically confirm the validity of the items (Study 1) and the index as a whole (Study 2). The PRICAL index is generally applicable and improves the explanation of behavioral intentions (Study 2) and actual behavior (Study 3), compared with currently used constructs (e.g., privacy concern, trust). Overall, the PRICAL index allows managers to understand consumers’ acceptance of information collection regarding financial, performance, psychological, security, social, and time-related consequences, which the authors demonstrate using the top five most valuable digital brands (Study 4)

The market for privacy:Understanding how consumers trade off privacy practices

In recent years, firms’ privacy practices have received increasing attention from consumers. While firms largely see this development as a threat, as consumers might prohibit collection or use of data, we suggest that it can also represent an opportunity for firms. On the “market for privacy,” firms can gain a competitive advantage by differentiating and actively promoting preferred privacy practices. In this context, the authors study how consumers trade off five privacy elements, three relating to distributive fairness (i.e., information collection, storage, use) and two relating to procedural fairness (i.e., transparency, control). Moreover, they analyze how the impact of these elements differs among four industries that vary in information sensitivity and interaction intensity. By using discrete choice experiments, the authors show that all privacy elements matter to consumers, even when in a trade-off with price. In highly sensitive industries, differences in information collection and use matter more, while storage matters less, for differentiation. When consumers have less frequent interactions with companies, they require more transparency about their privacy practices. The authors demonstrate empirically that optimizing privacy practices can lead to robust changes in market shares (Study 1) and higher revenues in equilibrium (Study 2) when firms embrace the market for privacy

What approaches are most effective at addressing micronutrient deficiency in children 0-5 years?:A review of systematic reviews

Introduction Even though micronutrient deficiency is still a major public health problem, it is still unclear which interventions are most effective in improving micronutrient status. This review therefore aims to summarize the evidence published in systematic reviews on intervention strategies that aim at improving micronutrient status in children under the age of five. Methods We searched the literature and included systematic reviews that reported on micronutrient status as a primary outcome for children of 0–5 years old, had a focus on low or middle income countries. Subsequently, papers were reviewed and selected by two authors. Results We included 4235 reviews in this systematic review. We found that (single or multiple) micronutrient deficiencies in pre-school children improved after providing (single or multiple) micronutrients. However home fortification did not always lead to significant increase in serum vitamin A, serum ferritin, hemoglobin or zinc. Commercial fortification did improve iron status. Cord clamping reduced the risk of anemia in infants up to 6 months and, in helminth endemic areas, anthelminthic treatment increased serum ferritin levels, hemoglobin and improved height for age z-scores. Anti-malaria treatment improved ferritin levels. Discussion Based on our results the clearest recommendations are: delayed cord clamping is an effective intervention for reducing anemia in early life. In helminth endemic areas iron status can be improved by anthelminthic treatment. Anti-malaria treatment can improve ferritin. In deficient populations, single iron, vitamin A and multimicronutrient supplementation can improve iron, vitamin A and multimicronutrient status respectively. While the impact of home-fortification on multimicronutrient status remains questionable, commercial iron fortification may improve iron status

Age-Appropriate Feeding Practices in Cambodia and the Possible Influence on the Growth of the Children:A Longitudinal Study

Age-appropriate feeding practice (ADF) during early childhood are vital for optimal nutrition. This longitudinal study determined the effect of selected risk factors and ADF, as described by the National Nutritional Recommendations, on linear and ponderal growth of children below 24 months of age. Weight and length measures were used to calculate z-scores of anthropometric measures by WHO standards. The prevalence of stunting increased from 13.2% to 32.4% over time, while prevalence of wasting remained stable (14.5%). At first visit, 43% of children of all ages complied with ADF criteria, a proportion which decreased to 7.1% in follow-up. The quality of feeding practices for children above 12 months of age was the poorest, where at the last visit, only 6% complied with the criteria for ADF. The linear mixed-effect models found the association between ADF and ponderal growth to be significant (weight-for-height estimate: 0.05 SD). In Cambodia, Ratanakiri province, ADF was the second largest determinant for ponderal growth. We recommend province specific public health actions. For children above 6 months, the quantity of food given needs to be increased, followed by the meal frequency. Mothers’ educational level, improved sanitation, and drinking water quality were among strongest predictors of a child’s growth

Динамика почвенных процессов при орошении агроландшафтов в равнинном Крыму

Изложены результаты многолетних исследований водно-солевого режима почв орошаемых территорий в равнинном Крыму. Рассмотрено влияние орошения на мелиоративную обстановку в ландшафтных ярусах этого региона.Динаміка грунтових процесів що до зрошування агроландшафтів у рівнинному Криму. Викладені результаті богаторічних досліджень водно-сольового режиму грунтів зротуваних територій у рівнинному Криму. Розглянуто вплив зрошення що до меліоративного стану у ландшафтних ярусах цього регіону.The results of many years researches of water-salt regime of soils of irrigated territories in Plain Crimea are given. The influence of irrigation to the land reclamation situation in the landscape layers this region is considered