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

Status Inconsistency - A New Approach to an Old Theory

Ziel der Studie ist es, einen neuen Ansatz zur klassischen Statusinkonsistenz-Theorie (SI) zu liefern, um die bisher widersprüchlichen Ergebnisse zum Wahlverhalten erklären zu können. Hierzu wird eine Sekundäranalyse der ALLBUS-Datensätze 1980 und 1986 vorgenommen. Dabei wird eine systematische Untersuchung der subjektiven SI durchgeführt und SI in Abhängigkeit von sozialem Wandel und geschlechtsspezifischen Einflüssen analysiert, wobei eine Differenzierung in 'positive' und 'negative' SI erfogt. Frauen überwiegen trotz gleichwertiger Bildung in der 'negativen' Inkonsistenzgruppe deutlich. Es zeigt sich, daß SI nicht pauschal liberal/progressives Wahlverhalten hervorruft, sondern daß die Konstellation von Bildung und entsprechendem Einkommen entweder die Wahl progressiver oder konservativer Parteien bewirkt.

The horsemeat scandal: The unknown victims of economically motivated crime

The purpose of this article is to reflect on consumer victimization processes in Germany: how criminal acts are trivialized in the food sector and how a reversal of the fault occurs. In 2013 traces of horsemeat were identified in many ready-meal products that were labelled 100% beef which was one of the biggest economically motivated frauds in recent decades in Europe. Typical victimization processes in the food sector are illustrated and public lines of arguments in Germany are discussed using the example of the horsemeat scandal. Although residues of the veterinary drug phenylbutazone were detected in the horsemeat, the advantages of consuming the meat were highlighted in the German media. The victims were not only viewed as perpetrators but also condemned themselves as such. The illegal food scandal transformed into a phenomenon in which neither the fraud nor the enormous financial gain of the offenders were recognized nor criticized. This could be seen as an explanation as to why there is little legal awareness as well as victimological interest in this field of fraudulent behaviour.El objetivo del artículo es reflexionar acerca del proceso de victimización de los consumidores en Alemania: cómo se trivializan actos criminales cometidos por el sector alimentario y cómo se invierte la culpabilidad entre los responsables y las víctimas.En 2013 se encontraron restos de carne de caballo en algunos productos elaborados y etiquetados 100% carne de vacuno. Esto produjo uno de los mayores engaños económicos en décadas en Europa. En el artículo se ilustran procesos de victimización típicos en el sector alimentario y se discute sobre cómo la opinión pública alemana los abordó en el caso del escándalo de carne equina.Aunque se detectaron restos de medicamentos como Fenilbutazona en la carne de caballo, sin embargo, los medios de comunicación alemanes se centraron en los beneficios de esta carne. Las víctimas fueron vistas no solo como causantes sino que también ellas mismas se consideraron como responsables. Los medios de comunicación convirtieron el escándalo alimentario en un fenómeno: ni se prestó atención al fraude ni a las enormes ganancias económicas que obtuvieron los autores en este asunto. Todo esto podría explicar por qué hay poca conciencia legal y no existe apenas interés victimológico en el campo del engaño

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