Ecology of Food and Nutrition (EFN) fosters rigorous scholarly discourse regarding the interconnected and comprehensive aspects of food and nutrition. The journal’s articles explore the dynamic roles of food and food systems in fulfilling human nutritional requirements and enhancing overall health and well-being. EFN also provides a valuable space for research that delves into how ecological, social, and cultural factors shape food availability, individual dietary choices, consumption patterns, food traditions, and nutritional well-being. In an academic landscape, EFN stands out as one of the few journals committed to publishing articles that explicitly examine the complex intersections of food and nutrition, biological and cultural influences, and the broader realms of policy and practice, all viewed through a holistic and global lens. EFN’s mission is to encourage and promote this kind of multidisciplinary scholarship, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of interactions inherent in the worldwide food and nutrition landscape. The current issue of EFN includes eight articles based on studies conducted in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, and the United States of America. These articles focus on household food insecurity, vitamin D deficiency, the nutritional status of children, and barriers to accessing healthy foods.
The article by Mahajan and colleagues presents the results of an evaluative study examining the relationship between dietary and lifestyle factors among office-going adults in India. The authors collected data from 100 study participants (30-50 years) who spent an average of eight hours indoors in the office. The results of the study suggest a vitamin D deficit in the majority of the participants, with 68% showing osteopenia. The authors discuss these findings in the context of the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Finally, the authors make specific recommendations for effective public health interventions that promote the consumption of fortified foods and outdoor activities.
The article by de Sousa presents the results of a cross-sectional study evaluating the impact of secondhand smoke on the nutritional status of preschoolers in Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The authors worked with pairs of mothers and children and used the Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire (PFSQ) to collect data. The study’s results suggest that the probability of preschoolers having dental caries was 2.28 and 3.678 times greater when family/mothers were smokers.
The article by Orjiakor examines the impact of government and humanitarian inventions during COVID-19 on food security among vulnerable populations in Nigeria. The author collected data using a survey developed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on a sample of 4,833 households of refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs). The study’s results provide valuable insights into understanding the food insecurity in these vulnerable groups and developing targeted interventions to alleviate the adverse impact of economic and food insecurity in these vulnerable social groups.
Nguyen and colleagues present the results of an exploratory study investigating the barriers to accessing nutritious and affordable food. The study focuses on a novel subsidized healthy meal initiative to alleviate food insecurity in rural North Carolina. By surveying corner store customers, the authors focus on their perceptions regarding the accessibility of nutritious food choices, food consumption habits, and obstacles to maintaining healthy habits. The study’s findings indicate the potential of corner stores as strategic intervention points for fostering the availability of nutritious food options.
The article by Ginting and colleagues presents the results of a cross-sectional study that examined factors correlated with child undernutrition in rural communities affected by Sinabung Eruptions in Indonesia. The authors systematically gathered anthropometric, demographic, and health-related data, supplementing this with maternal and household information using the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) questionnaire. The study results suggest a high prevalence of stunting, wasting, and being underweight among children in the study communities. This article also examines the complex relationship between socioeconomic factors and health and nutrition well-being in communities impacted by natural disasters.
In their thought-provoking article, Gadhoke and colleagues examine the intricate interplay of food and job insecurity, focusing on their roles as predictors of healthcare insecurity and mental health challenges within households experiencing ongoing economic insecurity since the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing data from 2,099 participants using an online survey, the authors identify associations between food insecurity, job insecurity, and healthcare insecurity in affected households.
The article by Pedroso and colleagues presents an innovative approach to classifying acute food insecurity in Mozambique. This approach employs a novel “matrix analysis” technique juxtaposing individual food insecurity indicators and survey-based data. The findings show a classification system that is more reliable than traditional, single-indicator-based methods, offering a more comprehensive understanding of food insecurity in the country.
Finally, Silva-Neto and colleagues’ article examines the association between the double burden of malnutrition, continued breastfeeding, and the early introduction of ultra-processed drinks among vulnerable children. Conducted as a cross-sectional study analysis involving 561 children from northeastern Brazil, this article suggests a direct association between the early introduction of ultra-processed drinks and the double burden of malnutrition while also suggesting an indirect link with continued breastfeeding for 12 years or longer.