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\u27 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\u27s food consumption scores indicating dietary diversity varied across regions. It decreased in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, including Lebanon (p \u3c 0.001) and increased in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries including Bahrain (p = 0.003), Egypt (p \u3c 0.001) and United Arab Emirates (p = 0.013). A decline in the household\u27s dietary diversity was observed in Australia (p \u3c 0.001), in South Africa including Uganda (p \u3c 0.001), in Europe including Belgium (p \u3c 0.001), Denmark (p = 0.002), Finland (p \u3c 0.001) and Netherland (p = 0.027) and in South America including Ecuador (p \u3c 0.001), Brazil (p \u3c 0.001), Mexico (p \u3c 0.0001) and Peru (p \u3c 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 \u3c 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

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

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. Copyright 2021 De Backer, Teunissen, Cuykx, Decorte, Pabian, Gerritsen, Matthys, Al Sabbah, Van Royen and the Corona Cooking Survey Study Group.This research was funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (G047518N) and Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HBC.2018.0397). These funding sources had no role in the design of the study, the analysis and interpretation of the data or the writing of, nor the decision to publish the manuscript.Scopu

Radiations and male fertility

During recent years, an increasing percentage of male infertility has to be attributed to an array of environmental, health and lifestyle factors. Male infertility is likely to be affected by the intense exposure to heat and extreme exposure to pesticides, radiations, radioactivity and other hazardous substances. We are surrounded by several types of ionizing and non-ionizing radiations and both have recognized causative effects on spermatogenesis. Since it is impossible to cover all types of radiation sources and their biological effects under a single title, this review is focusing on radiation deriving from cell phones, laptops, Wi-Fi and microwave ovens, as these are the most common sources of non-ionizing radiations, which may contribute to the cause of infertility by exploring the effect of exposure to radiofrequency radiations on the male fertility pattern. From currently available studies it is clear that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) have deleterious effects on sperm parameters (like sperm count, morphology, motility), affects the role of kinases in cellular metabolism and the endocrine system, and produces genotoxicity, genomic instability and oxidative stress. This is followed with protective measures for these radiations and future recommendations. The study concludes that the RF-EMF may induce oxidative stress with an increased level of reactive oxygen species, which may lead to infertility. This has been concluded based on available evidences from in vitro and in vivo studies suggesting that RF-EMF exposure negatively affects sperm quality

Reproductive and Immune System Interactions in the Context of Life History and Sexual Selection Theory

Host variation in parasite load abounds, both within and across natural populations. The forces that shape and maintain this variation, however, are much less obvious. Over the past two decades, the emerging field of ecoimmunology has begun to address the underlying sources of this variation and its evolutionary consequences. Clearly, spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the environment contribute to variation in host parasite load by varying parasite distribution and abundance. However, host variation in the ability to acquire resources, and differences in how these resources are allocated, also play an integral role in parasite susceptibility. That is to say, not all individuals within a population are capable of managing the cost of immune defense, or may employ different cost-managing strategies. This realization has spurred a surge in studies focused on how immune pathways compete with other costly physiological pathways, such as those associated with reproduction. Interest in this relationship has no doubt been driven by the reproductive system\u27s high energetic cost and its direct association with host fitness. In this chapter, I examine the interactions between reproduction and immunity to highlight the simultaneous role both play in the evolution of immunological and reproductive adaptations. I begin by placing this interaction in the context of life history theory and discuss how competition for limited resources may constrain the evolution and expression of both systems. I then discuss the role that parasites play in directly shaping reproductive adaptations through sexual selection. In this discussion, I attempt to shed light on the lingering controversy that has overshadowed genetic benefit models and provide concrete predictions for future directions

Int J Behav Med

Background Due to their impact on premature mortality and long-term disabilities, a better understanding of health risk behavior (HRB) determinants among college students is crucial in order to build the most appropriate prevention tools. Although self-esteem appears to be a relevant candidate, a clear picture summarizing its multiple links with HRB is lacking to guide clinicians and researchers. This study aims to provide a systematic review of the associations between health risk behavior and self-esteem among college students. Methods This search was performed in several databases on 02/02/17. Study eligibility criteria were original articles in peer-reviewed journals, in English; observational quantitative studies; among college students; and investigated the association between self-esteem and HRB. The PRISMA statements were complied with. Results One hundred fifteen articles were included: 46 on substance use, 35 on sexual behavior, 11 on nutritional habits, 27 on physical activity, and 5 on other HRB. Most studies reported an association between higher self-esteem and healthier behavior. For alcohol consumption and number of sexual partners, both negative and positive associations have been reported. Directionality was investigated in a few studies suggesting potential bidirectional effects. Conclusions This review points out the need for consensus for the definition of self-esteem and HRB. There was high heterogeneity in (1) the measurement of self-esteem either in the concept measured (global vs. domain) or in the way to implement validated tools; and (2) the definition of HRB. Self-esteem seems to be a relevant target to intervene on HRB, especially alcohol abuse and physical activity