BACKGROUND Food insecurity(FI)during pregnancy negatively impacts maternal health and raises the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)and pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH),resulting in adverse outcomes for both...BACKGROUND Food insecurity(FI)during pregnancy negatively impacts maternal health and raises the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)and pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH),resulting in adverse outcomes for both mother and baby.AIM To investigate the relationships between FI and pregnancy outcomes,particularly GDM and PIH,while also examining the mediating role of the dietary diversity score(DDS).METHODS A cross-sectional study was undertaken to examine this relationship,involving 600 pregnant women.Participants were women aged 18 years or older who provided complete data on FI and pregnancy outcomes.The FI was measured via the Household Food Security Survey Module,with GDM defined as fasting plasma glucose levels of≥5.1 mmol/L or a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test value of≥8.5 mmol/L.The DDS is determined by evaluating one's food consumption based on nine distinct food groups.A logistic regression model was used to explore the relationship between FI and PIH,and GDM.RESULTS Seventeen percent of participants reported experiencing FI during pregnancy.The study found a significant association between FI and an elevated risk of GDM[odds ratio(OR)=3.32,95%CI:1.2-5.4].Once more,food-insecure pregnant women had higher rates of PIH(OR=0.10,95%CI:0.02-0.45)and they also faced a higher likelihood of neonatal complications,such as neonatal intensive care unit’s admissions and the birth of infants with extremely low birth weight.The FI wasfurther linked to metabolic disruptions,such as elevated fasting blood sugar(FBS),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and triglyceride levels.Our results indicate that the DDS acts as a significant mediator in the relationship between FI and the incidence of GDM.In particular,the mediation analysis showed that approximately 65%of the effect was mediated through DDS(P=0.002).CONCLUSION These findings underscore the serious challenges that FI presents during pregnancy and its effects on maternal and infant health.Additionally,the study explored how DDS mediates the relationship between FI and the incidence of GDM.展开更多
As the impact of climate change intensifies,climate migration(climate change-induced migration)has become a pressing global issue that requires effective adaptation strategies to lessen its effects.Therefore,this stud...As the impact of climate change intensifies,climate migration(climate change-induced migration)has become a pressing global issue that requires effective adaptation strategies to lessen its effects.Therefore,this study delved into the complex relationship between climate change adaptation strategies and climate migration with food insecurity serving as a mediating factor.We collected sample data through face-to-face interviews in Khorramabad City,Iran from February to May in 2023.Using the Structural Equation Modeling(SEM),we explored how food insecurity influences the relationship between climate change adaptation strategies and climate migration.The findings showed that while climate change adaptation strategies can boost community resilience,their success is closely tied to levels of food insecurity.About 78.72%of the surveyed households experienced certain levels of food insecurity,increasing the risk of displacement due to climate-related disasters.Climate change adaptation strategies including economic strategies,irrigation management strategies,organic-oriented strategies,sustainable development-oriented strategies,and crop variety management strategies played a significant role in reducing climate migration.Moreover,we found that climate change adaptation strategies not only impact food security,but also shape migration decisions.This research underscores the importance of an integrated approach that links climate change adaptation strategies,climate migration,and food insecurity.This study emphasizes the importance of food security for formulating sustainable adaptation strategies.展开更多
Diabetes and hypertension are the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors. Recent studies showed an increase in the prevalence of food insecurity in our country. The aim of this study was to assess how food insecur...Diabetes and hypertension are the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors. Recent studies showed an increase in the prevalence of food insecurity in our country. The aim of this study was to assess how food insecurity affects the dietary habits, socio-demographic characteristics and metabolic profile of individuals with diabetes or hypertension. This case-control study was conducted among diabetic and hypertensive participants (cases) and diabetic and hypertensive normal (controls) during the screening campaigns for nutrition-related chronic diseases. The sociodemographic, clinical and biochemical parameters of the participants were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with diabetes and hypertension in the study population. Bivariate analyses showed that male gender (OR = 1.972;95% CI: 1.250 - 3.089), regular alcohol consumption (OR = 2.012;95% CI: 1.294 - 3.130), low fruit consumption (OR = 1.590;95% CI: 1.016 - 2.488), low dietary diversity (OR = 2.915;95% CI: 1.658 - 5.127) and abdominal obesity (OR = 1.893, CI 95% 1.203 - 2.978) were significantly associated with hypertension. In addition, low fruit consumption (OR = 1.829;95% CI 1.092 - 3.064), low legume consumption (OR = 3.515;95% CI 1.861 - 6.635), and hypertriglyceridaemia (OR = 2.241, 95% CI 1.139 - 4.408) were significantly associated with diabetes. The indirect association observed between food insecurity and diabetes and hypertension suggests the need for nutritional policies aimed at popularizing the production and consumption of fruits and legumes. Similarly, health services need to be aware and informed of the important role that food insecurity can play in the development of diabetes and hypertension.展开更多
To investigate the relationship between food insecurity(FI)and overweight/obesity(OW/OB)or corresponding chronic diseases in adolescents,33 studies with 181135 individuals were included in this meta-analysis.Six studi...To investigate the relationship between food insecurity(FI)and overweight/obesity(OW/OB)or corresponding chronic diseases in adolescents,33 studies with 181135 individuals were included in this meta-analysis.Six studies and 10 studies,reported a higher risk of overweight and obesity in adolescents experiencing FI,respectively(OR 1.38,95%CI 1.20‒1.58,P<0.0001;OR 1.11,95%CI 1.01‒1.22,P=0.035,respectively).Based on the pooled results,adolescents with severe FI had the highest risk of OW/OB(OR 1.45,95%CI 1.20‒1.75,P<0.0001).The pooled OR indicated no signifi cant association between FI and OW/OB,when the adolescents were stratifi ed into those under 6 years old and those between 6 and 18 years old.Eleven studies assessed the relationship between FI and the risk of chronic diseases.The anemia subgroup was significantly associated with FI(OR 1.67,95%CI 1.30‒2.13,P<0.0001).Severe FI was reported to increase the risk of hypertension(OR 1.59,95%CI 1.28‒1.98,P<0.0001).Furthermore,a pooled analysis revealed a signifi cant association between FI and the risk of chronic diseases in both 6 and 6-18-year-old subgroups.展开更多
Objective: To determine the association between low birth weight and household food insecurity at government hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: A case control study was carried out on 468 mothers with term ne...Objective: To determine the association between low birth weight and household food insecurity at government hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: A case control study was carried out on 468 mothers with term neonates from February 1, 2017 to May 15, 2017. The cases were women who gave term babies weighing less than 2500 g and the controls were those having 2500 g or above. In the included hospitals, choices of cases were done as the cases found and the next three eligible newborns in the maternity room were the controls. Data were collected by using pretested and structured questionnaire. Standard beam balance was used to measure the neonatal weight by trained midwifery. The data were entered into a computer using Epi-Data 3.1 and exported to Stata version 14 for data management and analysis. Results: Mothers having food insecurity [adjusted odd ratio (AOR) 3.58;95% confidence interval (CI) (1.79-7.16)], mid-upper arm circumference [AOR 7.70;95% CI (4.39-13.60)], hypertension [AOR 4.81;95% CI (2.33-9.93)], and early age [AOR 3.88;95% CI (1.35-11.15)] showed statistically significant association with low birth weight. Conclusions: Household food insecurity, hypertension, mid-upper arm circumference and early age in women were significant predictors of low birth weight. The provision of adequate nutrient for pregnant mothers having household food insecurity should be assured in order to prevent adverse birth weight outcomes.展开更多
Purpose:Little is known about the role of food insecurity(FIS)on depressive symptoms among adolescents.Thus,this study aimed to explore the association between FIS and depressive symptoms among adolescents aged 12–15...Purpose:Little is known about the role of food insecurity(FIS)on depressive symptoms among adolescents.Thus,this study aimed to explore the association between FIS and depressive symptoms among adolescents aged 12–15 years from low-and middle-income countries across the world.Methods:Data from the Global school-based Student Health Survey were analyzed in 51,702 adolescents[mean(SD)age 13.8(1.0)years;49.3% girls].Self-reported measures assessed depressive symptoms during the past 12 months,and food insecurity.Partici-pants reporting yes for depressive symptoms.FIS was categorized intofive levels,including‘never’,‘rarely’,‘some-times’,‘most of the time’and‘always’.Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed,and a country-wise meta-analysis was undertaken to compare country difference in the associations between FIS and depressive symptoms.Results:The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 30.0%,respectively.Compared with those reporting never for FIS,adolescents with increased severity of FIS were more likely to report depressive symptoms regardless of gender.Country-wise meta-analysis demonstrated that having FIS versus not having FIS was asso-ciated with 60%greater odds for depressive symptoms(OR=1.60;95%CI:1.52–1.69)but with a moderate between-country heterogeneity(I^(2)=12.7%).Conclusion:The current study indicates that alleviating FIS may be an effective prevention against depressive symptoms among adolescents from LMICs.Future studies should adopt improved study design to confirm or negate our researchfindings,which informs more efficient public mental health interventions.展开更多
Spatial regression analysis was applied separately to the annual US state-level food insecurity data from 2015 through 2018, and 2020 to examine the effects of race, region of residency, and poverty particularly due t...Spatial regression analysis was applied separately to the annual US state-level food insecurity data from 2015 through 2018, and 2020 to examine the effects of race, region of residency, and poverty particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the analysis suggested that the US food insecurity level was trending downwards between 2015 and 2018 but increased by 33.5% in 2020, obviously due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, residents from the West experienced higher food insecurity levels relative to the Mid-West between 2015 and 2018. The analysis also revealed that race is not a determining factor of food insecurity as both White and Black are equally affected to a significant level. Rather, the most salient determinant of food insecurity is poverty. The effects of poverty were positive and strongly significant from 2015 through 2018. The effect was, however, mild in 2020 probably due to the stimulus and unemployment checks people received through the Care Act. This result underscored the importance of SNAP and other government intervention programs in addressing the country’s food insecurity problems.展开更多
Psychological well-being (PWB) which is a measure of life satisfaction in adolescence plays a great role in their behavioral lifestyle. The aim of this study was to assess the adolescents’ psychological well-being, i...Psychological well-being (PWB) which is a measure of life satisfaction in adolescence plays a great role in their behavioral lifestyle. The aim of this study was to assess the adolescents’ psychological well-being, its association with perceived food insecurity, and their sociodemographic characteristics. Using multistage random sampling, 352 students from three secondary schools in Ado Local Government in Nigeria were recruited. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from existing literature was used for data collection. About fifty-six percent of the adolescents had high psychological well-being. Most of the students studied had a high estimate of themselves in their self-autonomy and personal growth development. While Tribe (p = 0.032), type of family (p < 0.001), present class (p = 0.039) and class repetition (p = 0.018) were significantly associated with psychological well-being of adolescents, most adolescents had a medium to high food insecurity. Self-autonomy and personal growth development in adolescents are associated with the type of family structure, the higher the social class of the family and the lower of the occurrence of repetition of a class shall be. A stable family environment is beneficial to adolescents.展开更多
The triple crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict and climate change have severely impacted food systems, leading to socio-economic consequences and undermining food and nutrition security across Africa. To address...The triple crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict and climate change have severely impacted food systems, leading to socio-economic consequences and undermining food and nutrition security across Africa. To address the malnutrition and poverty affecting approximately 700 million people in Africa, there is potential for the One Health approach implementation and operationalization to bring together multidisciplinary solutions for tackling food insecurity and ensuring food safety net. However, there is limited documentation on the potential of the One Health approach system thinking implementation to guide responses to triple crises-induced food insecurity. Therefore, this article aims to systematically understand the triple crises-induced food insecurity, connect existing solutions, and explore the role of the One Health approach in strengthening food and agriculture systems in Africa.Our finding showed the impact of triple crises exacerbating food system vulnerability in Africa and worldwide. Mitigating and resilient actions are urgently needed in tackling the emerging and persisting challenges, and infectious diseases menace and burden across Africa. We present a conceptual model illustrating the complex nature of triple crises-induced food insecurity, vulnerability areas within the food system, and actionable strategies for building community food resilience. Additionally, recommendations are provided to create an enabling environment that supports One Health approach implementation and addresses food insecurity challenges through innovative partnerships, local-led initiatives, and enhanced governance and artificial intelligence technology capacities in achieving sustainable and inclusive growth to reduce socio-economic inequalities.Stepping up integrated, actionable, and sustainable food systems programs and innovative long-lasting solutions requires investing in promoting new partnership and research collaboration in building conflict resolution and peace towards strengthening and reshaping local and global food security related climate change adaptations actions for most vulnerable communities’ benefits. These are ingredients in fastening preparedness, prevention and control of infectious diseases prevention and control, reducing food supply chains disruption towards accelerating equitable benefits of Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals, 2030 across Africa.展开更多
Food insecurity remains a challenge in many sub-Saharan countries and is heavily driven by climate variability.In South Sudan,food insecurity is further exacerbated by incessant sporadic conflict.Understanding the dri...Food insecurity remains a challenge in many sub-Saharan countries and is heavily driven by climate variability.In South Sudan,food insecurity is further exacerbated by incessant sporadic conflict.Understanding the drivers of food insecurity is critical in making sound polices.This study employed a crosssectional survey to investigate the relationship between household character-istics and food consumption of households in Rajaf Payam,Juba County.Pri-mary data was collected,and a sample size of 138 households was reached.A multiple linear regression model was used to uncover this relationship with independent variables(gender,education,dependency ratio,training and hu-manitarian aid)selected based on established theory linking them to food se-curity.The findings disclose that training on agriculture and nutrition has a significant positive relationship(β=14.333,Std.Error=2.688)with food con-sumption scores.In contrast,the education level(completed primary school and above)of the household head has a significant positive relationship(β=15.796,Std.Error=3.336),with food consumption scores.Meanwhile,the dependency ratio has a significant negative effect(β=−0.37 Std.Error=0.009)on food consumption scores,whereas humanitarian assistance has an insig-nificant relationship(β=1.994,Std.Error=2.612)with food consumption scores,and gender has an insignificant relationship(β=1.476,Std.Error=2.745)with food consumption scores.Policymakers should invest in commu-nity-based training on farming and nutrition,improve access to basic educa-tion through better infrastructure,and support high-dependency households with measures like child grants and livelihood programs.Prioritizing evi-dence-based interventions can enhance food security,reduce vulnerability,and improve household well-being.展开更多
Food insecurity is a global issue,and households in a society can experience food insecurity at different levels that could range from being mildly food in-secure to severely food insecure.The severity of food insecur...Food insecurity is a global issue,and households in a society can experience food insecurity at different levels that could range from being mildly food in-secure to severely food insecure.The severity of food insecurity is an ordinal categorical variable in nature and different types of ordinal logistic regression models could be used to model such variables.The purpose of this study is to identify the socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with house-hold food insecurity in Namibia by fitting an ordinal logistic regression model using the 2015/2016 Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey.The proportional odds model(POM)and the partial proportional odds model(PPOM)were fitted and the performance of the two models was also com-pared.The PPOM was found to be the better model and based on the PPOM result,the study found factors such as the age of the household head,the household size,the source of income of a household,the annual income of the household,the education level attained by a household head and the geo-graphical location of a household to be significant factors associated with se-verity of household food insecurity in Namibia.展开更多
<b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Introduction</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">: According to the National Health and Nutrition Survey, the Mexican ho...<b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Introduction</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">: According to the National Health and Nutrition Survey, the Mexican households in 2018 had food insecurity at 55.5% while in 2012 it was 70%. Food insecurity is a global health problem and now with the COVID-19 pandemic</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">,</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> it has increased. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Objective</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">: To compare the levels of food and nutritional insecurity in women’s households from two Social Impulse Centers of</span><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> the Secretary for Human Social Development (SEDESHU) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Methods</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">: A comparative a</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">nd cross-sectional study was carried out in 41 women participating in a nutritional intervention program in two social promotion centers. Food security was measured with the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA), comparing it in a period from January to April 2020: before and during the health contingency. Socio-economic and demographic variables were also measured, as well as access to water during the COVID-19 pandemic. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Results</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">: Food insecurity levels during the COVID-19 contingency were found to have increased by more than 60% (from 31.7% to 93%);the main risk factors associated with unemployment and access to healthy food. The COVID-19 contingency reflects impacts on households, but because women participated in the nutritional intervention program, it could influence by observing that, at least, the use of food was adequate since apparently food waste was minimal. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Conclusio</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">n</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">s</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">: The implementation of an educational nutrition program can be a strateg</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">y in the face of contingencies or extraordinary situations. In this way, the negative impact could be less in the population that does not have any type of food education.</span>展开更多
From widespread malnutrition and food insecurity to rising unemployment,the challenges facing Tanzanian agriculture weigh heavily on Fadhili Albert Mwakamesa.During his first field assignments as a young researcher at...From widespread malnutrition and food insecurity to rising unemployment,the challenges facing Tanzanian agriculture weigh heavily on Fadhili Albert Mwakamesa.During his first field assignments as a young researcher at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture(IITA),Mwakamesa was deeply shocked by what he saw.In villages surrounded by maize fields,children were visibly undernourished,lacking essential proteins and micronutrients in their daily meals.展开更多
Food insecurity continues to plague many rural communities across Africa.In Ghana and many neighbouring countries,smallholder farmers still struggle to make ends meet due to poor yields,outdated practices,and minimal ...Food insecurity continues to plague many rural communities across Africa.In Ghana and many neighbouring countries,smallholder farmers still struggle to make ends meet due to poor yields,outdated practices,and minimal institutional support.They face a plethora of challenges,including limited access to technology,weak extension systems,and a gap between scientific knowledge and everyday farming.展开更多
Background Globally,suicide is the third leading cause of death among girls aged 15-19 years.However,there is a growing concern that suicide research has paid lttle attention to pregnant adolescent girls,particularly ...Background Globally,suicide is the third leading cause of death among girls aged 15-19 years.However,there is a growing concern that suicide research has paid lttle attention to pregnant adolescent girls,particularly in lowincome and middle-income countries,including Ghana,where nearly one in seven adolescents experiences(unwanted)pregnancy.Aims To assess the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt and the self-reported reasons for attempted suicide among pregnant adolescent girls in Ghana.Methods We collected cross-sectional data(between August 2022 and December 2023)using structured anonymous questionnaires from a sample of 449 pregnant adolescent girls(aged 14-19 years)drawn from the three geographical zones of Ghana.We applied bivariable and multivariable analysis techniques to the data.Results Overall,28.51%(95%confidence interval(Cl)24.37%to 32.93%)reported suicidal ideation,and 18.04%(95%Cl 14.59%to 21.91%)reported suicide attempt during the current pregnancy.Participants who reported attempted suicide endorsed more interpersonal reasons(eg,to communicate distress,to seek help or to influence others)than intrapersonal reasons for their attempted suicide.In the final adjusted logistic regression models,food insecurity(adjusted odds ratio(aOR)=2.69;95%Cl 1.34 to 5.41;p=0.005)was uniquely associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation.Adverse childhood experiences(a0R=3.04;95%CI 1.33 to 6.97;p=0.008),history of attempted suicide before current pregnancy(a0R=3.47;95%CI 1.27 to 9.47;p=0.015)and depression(measured by the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index;aOR=0.31;95%CI 0.12 to 0.77;p=0.012)were uniquely associated with increased odds of suicide attempt.Five variables were commonly associated with increased odds of both suicidal ideation and suicide attempt:conflict with parents,alcohol use,pregnancy-related anxiety,history of attempted suicide and intimate partner violence.While being in junior high school was uniquely associated with reduced odds of suicidal ideation,intimate partner's acceptance of paternity was commonly associated with reduced odds of both suicidal ideation and suicide attempt.Conclusions Although the prevalence estimates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in this study are comparable with known rates among non-pregnant adolescent girls in Ghana,additional research is needed to nuance our understanding of the correlates identified in this study.The evidence aiso highlights a need for both routine antepartum primary care mental health screening for suicidality and related risks and targeted prevention and intervention programmes.展开更多
With the continued increase in the number of people that are food insecure globally, which could be increasing because of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, leading to reduction in international agribusinesses, coupled w...With the continued increase in the number of people that are food insecure globally, which could be increasing because of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, leading to reduction in international agribusinesses, coupled with drastic climate change exacerbating the problem of food insecurity, there is a constant need to come up with innovative approaches to solve this global issue. In this article, we articulated how precision agriculture can be a tool for ensuring food security in the United States. This study aims to reiterate the significance of precision agriculture in solving global food insecurity.展开更多
Malnutrition and food insecurity are major concerns for the Malian</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:""> authorities. The objective of this study was to strengthen the knowledg...Malnutrition and food insecurity are major concerns for the Malian</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:""> authorities. The objective of this study was to strengthen the knowledge about the <span>nutritional and physicochemical values of four underutilized edible wild </span>fruits picked at two cities belonging to different bioclimatic zones of Mali. The physicochemical and nutritional parameters were performed using standard methods. The findings revealed that all these parameters varied from one fruit to <span>another, this outcome could be associated </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">with</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:""> the provenances of the wild</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:""> fruits (p-value < 0.05). The protein contents varied from 4.53 g/100g by dry matter (DM) for <i>R</i>. <i>sudanica</i> fruits to 5.34 g/100g DM for those of <i>B</i>. <i>aegyptiaca</i>, all these samples </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">were </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">being harvested from Sikasso. The highest concentrations of vitamins </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">are </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">C (150,800 to 151,000 μg/100g DM), E (1</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">,</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">310 to 1</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">,</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">350 μg/100g DM) and A (38 to 40 μg/100g DM) respectively for the fruits <span>of </span><i><span>Z</span></i><span>. <i>mauritiana</i>, </span><i><span>B</span></i><span>. <i>aegyptiaca</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>senegalensis</i>. In addition, these fruits would constitute a</span><span> potential source of minerals such as iron, phosphorus and calcium. Thereby,</span> these fruits are promising raw materials to be used against the <span>malnutrition linked to the micronutrients deficiencies and the management</span> of certain pathologies related to oxidative stress.展开更多
With the rising pressures on food security, GREENBOX technology was developed as an avenue for fresh leafy vegetable crop production in urban settings. GREENBOX units were designed to be thermally insulated and climat...With the rising pressures on food security, GREENBOX technology was developed as an avenue for fresh leafy vegetable crop production in urban settings. GREENBOX units were designed to be thermally insulated and climate controlled, with an artificial lighting source that utilized soilless cultivation techniques. Previous studies conducted on GREENBOX technology used the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT);however, various hydroponic methods exist, such as the Deep-Water Culture (DWC) method being the most used. The APS Laboratory for Sustainable Food at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) compared the crop growth performance between DWC and NFT systems using GREENBOX technology. The following study monitored environmental conditions and compared productivity and biomass data of Rex Butterhead Lettuce crops between DWC and NFT systems. We assembled two GREENBOX units using commercially available materials and the standard nutrient solution for fertigation. The crops grown in DWC and NFT were in a 4 × 6 configuration. The DWC and NFT systems were used to grow Lettuce Lactuca sativa “Rex Butterhead” over 30 days to full bloom from prepared plugs grown for 14 days. We collected environmental data including Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD, μmol/m<sup>2</sup>∙s), Daily Light Integral (DLI, mol/ m<sup>2</sup>∙d), temperature (˚C), relative humidity (%), and Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD, kPa). We collected lettuce crop growth data, which included wet weight (g), dry weight (g), leaf area (cm<sup>2</sup>), and chlorophyll concentration (μmol/m<sup>2</sup>). We derived data, including the Specific Leaf Area (SLA, cm<sup>2</sup>/g) and biomass productivity (kg/m<sup>2</sup>), from previously collected data. We used descriptive statistics to present the collected data. A paired t-test was performed to understand the differences in biomass and productivity parameters between the DWC and NFT-grown lettuce crops. Both the DWC and NFT-grown crops could grow lettuce crops to harvest weight at full bloom. Observed data demonstrated that the biomass parameters and productivity did not differ significantly between the two hydroponics techniques. Therefore, we believe both hydroponic methods may be similar in growth performance and may be used in future iterations of GREENBOX design and prove suitable for fresh vegetable crop production in urban settings.展开更多
Obtaining nutritious food is becoming increasingly difficult due to the growing urban population and the degradation of soil, water, and air from mechanized and industrialized agricultural techniques. More than half t...Obtaining nutritious food is becoming increasingly difficult due to the growing urban population and the degradation of soil, water, and air from mechanized and industrialized agricultural techniques. More than half the global population resides in urban areas, with not enough surrounding agricultural land to meet food requirements. Food traveling long distances, an average of 1020 miles, has resulted in increased food miles for the average food item in the United States of America, representing wasted resources. The novel GREENBOX technology was invented in response to increasing pressures on food security. Previous studies conducted on GREENBOX technology assessed the technical feasibility of utilizing Lettuce Lactuca sativa ‘Rex Butterhead’. We at the APS Laboratory for Sustainable Food at Florida Gulf Coast University assessed the technical feasibility of growing different leafy green vegetable crops. GREENBOX technology consists of thermally insulated climate-controlled enclosures, an artificial lighting source, a soilless cultivation method (hydroponics), and environmental control modules. We assembled two GREENBOX units to assess the environmental conditions and growth performance of Brassica rapa var. chinensis ‘Li Ren Choi’, Spinach Spinacia oleracea ‘Auroch’, Arugula Eruca sativa ‘Astro’, and Mizuna Brassica Brassica rapa var. japonica. Plugs were cultivated and then transplanted in a randomized manner to the nutrient film technique (NFT) channels, subsequently grown for 30 days to full bloom and ready for harvest. Fertigation was carried out using a standard concentration nutrient solution. Crops were arranged in twelve blocks of four species each. We collected environmental data including daily light integral (DLI, mol/m<sup>2</sup>∙d), temperature (˚C), relative humidity (%), and vapor pressure deficit (VPD, kPa). Collected biomass data included wet weight (g), dry weight (g), leaf area (cm<sup>2</sup>), and chlorophyll concentration (mg/cm<sup>2</sup>). We then derived the Specific Leaf Area (SLA, cm<sup>2</sup>/g). Descriptive statistics were utilized to understand the differences in biomass parameters between the four crops grown. We also compared the performance parameters of our crops with existing peer-reviewed literature and found it superior, if not comparable to commonly found industrial output. We determined that all crops grew to full bloom, demonstrating that GREENBOX technology may be used to grow a variety of different leafy green vegetable crops.展开更多
Extreme temperatures have become an unavoidable reality across vast regions of the world.Heat waves can cause severe crop damage,intensify drought conditions,and severely impact agriculture,disrupting food systems and...Extreme temperatures have become an unavoidable reality across vast regions of the world.Heat waves can cause severe crop damage,intensify drought conditions,and severely impact agriculture,disrupting food systems and exacerbating food insecurity(Zsögön et al.,2022).Heat stress adversely affects reproductive development in plants,leading to grain or ovary abortion and causing significant yield losses(Li et al.,2012).展开更多
基金The research received approval from Children’s Hospital of Shanxi Committee (Approval Number:KLT6230511).
文摘BACKGROUND Food insecurity(FI)during pregnancy negatively impacts maternal health and raises the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)and pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH),resulting in adverse outcomes for both mother and baby.AIM To investigate the relationships between FI and pregnancy outcomes,particularly GDM and PIH,while also examining the mediating role of the dietary diversity score(DDS).METHODS A cross-sectional study was undertaken to examine this relationship,involving 600 pregnant women.Participants were women aged 18 years or older who provided complete data on FI and pregnancy outcomes.The FI was measured via the Household Food Security Survey Module,with GDM defined as fasting plasma glucose levels of≥5.1 mmol/L or a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test value of≥8.5 mmol/L.The DDS is determined by evaluating one's food consumption based on nine distinct food groups.A logistic regression model was used to explore the relationship between FI and PIH,and GDM.RESULTS Seventeen percent of participants reported experiencing FI during pregnancy.The study found a significant association between FI and an elevated risk of GDM[odds ratio(OR)=3.32,95%CI:1.2-5.4].Once more,food-insecure pregnant women had higher rates of PIH(OR=0.10,95%CI:0.02-0.45)and they also faced a higher likelihood of neonatal complications,such as neonatal intensive care unit’s admissions and the birth of infants with extremely low birth weight.The FI wasfurther linked to metabolic disruptions,such as elevated fasting blood sugar(FBS),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and triglyceride levels.Our results indicate that the DDS acts as a significant mediator in the relationship between FI and the incidence of GDM.In particular,the mediation analysis showed that approximately 65%of the effect was mediated through DDS(P=0.002).CONCLUSION These findings underscore the serious challenges that FI presents during pregnancy and its effects on maternal and infant health.Additionally,the study explored how DDS mediates the relationship between FI and the incidence of GDM.
基金support provided by the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development,Faculty of Agriculture,Lorestan University,Iran.
文摘As the impact of climate change intensifies,climate migration(climate change-induced migration)has become a pressing global issue that requires effective adaptation strategies to lessen its effects.Therefore,this study delved into the complex relationship between climate change adaptation strategies and climate migration with food insecurity serving as a mediating factor.We collected sample data through face-to-face interviews in Khorramabad City,Iran from February to May in 2023.Using the Structural Equation Modeling(SEM),we explored how food insecurity influences the relationship between climate change adaptation strategies and climate migration.The findings showed that while climate change adaptation strategies can boost community resilience,their success is closely tied to levels of food insecurity.About 78.72%of the surveyed households experienced certain levels of food insecurity,increasing the risk of displacement due to climate-related disasters.Climate change adaptation strategies including economic strategies,irrigation management strategies,organic-oriented strategies,sustainable development-oriented strategies,and crop variety management strategies played a significant role in reducing climate migration.Moreover,we found that climate change adaptation strategies not only impact food security,but also shape migration decisions.This research underscores the importance of an integrated approach that links climate change adaptation strategies,climate migration,and food insecurity.This study emphasizes the importance of food security for formulating sustainable adaptation strategies.
文摘Diabetes and hypertension are the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors. Recent studies showed an increase in the prevalence of food insecurity in our country. The aim of this study was to assess how food insecurity affects the dietary habits, socio-demographic characteristics and metabolic profile of individuals with diabetes or hypertension. This case-control study was conducted among diabetic and hypertensive participants (cases) and diabetic and hypertensive normal (controls) during the screening campaigns for nutrition-related chronic diseases. The sociodemographic, clinical and biochemical parameters of the participants were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with diabetes and hypertension in the study population. Bivariate analyses showed that male gender (OR = 1.972;95% CI: 1.250 - 3.089), regular alcohol consumption (OR = 2.012;95% CI: 1.294 - 3.130), low fruit consumption (OR = 1.590;95% CI: 1.016 - 2.488), low dietary diversity (OR = 2.915;95% CI: 1.658 - 5.127) and abdominal obesity (OR = 1.893, CI 95% 1.203 - 2.978) were significantly associated with hypertension. In addition, low fruit consumption (OR = 1.829;95% CI 1.092 - 3.064), low legume consumption (OR = 3.515;95% CI 1.861 - 6.635), and hypertriglyceridaemia (OR = 2.241, 95% CI 1.139 - 4.408) were significantly associated with diabetes. The indirect association observed between food insecurity and diabetes and hypertension suggests the need for nutritional policies aimed at popularizing the production and consumption of fruits and legumes. Similarly, health services need to be aware and informed of the important role that food insecurity can play in the development of diabetes and hypertension.
文摘To investigate the relationship between food insecurity(FI)and overweight/obesity(OW/OB)or corresponding chronic diseases in adolescents,33 studies with 181135 individuals were included in this meta-analysis.Six studies and 10 studies,reported a higher risk of overweight and obesity in adolescents experiencing FI,respectively(OR 1.38,95%CI 1.20‒1.58,P<0.0001;OR 1.11,95%CI 1.01‒1.22,P=0.035,respectively).Based on the pooled results,adolescents with severe FI had the highest risk of OW/OB(OR 1.45,95%CI 1.20‒1.75,P<0.0001).The pooled OR indicated no signifi cant association between FI and OW/OB,when the adolescents were stratifi ed into those under 6 years old and those between 6 and 18 years old.Eleven studies assessed the relationship between FI and the risk of chronic diseases.The anemia subgroup was significantly associated with FI(OR 1.67,95%CI 1.30‒2.13,P<0.0001).Severe FI was reported to increase the risk of hypertension(OR 1.59,95%CI 1.28‒1.98,P<0.0001).Furthermore,a pooled analysis revealed a signifi cant association between FI and the risk of chronic diseases in both 6 and 6-18-year-old subgroups.
文摘Objective: To determine the association between low birth weight and household food insecurity at government hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: A case control study was carried out on 468 mothers with term neonates from February 1, 2017 to May 15, 2017. The cases were women who gave term babies weighing less than 2500 g and the controls were those having 2500 g or above. In the included hospitals, choices of cases were done as the cases found and the next three eligible newborns in the maternity room were the controls. Data were collected by using pretested and structured questionnaire. Standard beam balance was used to measure the neonatal weight by trained midwifery. The data were entered into a computer using Epi-Data 3.1 and exported to Stata version 14 for data management and analysis. Results: Mothers having food insecurity [adjusted odd ratio (AOR) 3.58;95% confidence interval (CI) (1.79-7.16)], mid-upper arm circumference [AOR 7.70;95% CI (4.39-13.60)], hypertension [AOR 4.81;95% CI (2.33-9.93)], and early age [AOR 3.88;95% CI (1.35-11.15)] showed statistically significant association with low birth weight. Conclusions: Household food insecurity, hypertension, mid-upper arm circumference and early age in women were significant predictors of low birth weight. The provision of adequate nutrient for pregnant mothers having household food insecurity should be assured in order to prevent adverse birth weight outcomes.
文摘Purpose:Little is known about the role of food insecurity(FIS)on depressive symptoms among adolescents.Thus,this study aimed to explore the association between FIS and depressive symptoms among adolescents aged 12–15 years from low-and middle-income countries across the world.Methods:Data from the Global school-based Student Health Survey were analyzed in 51,702 adolescents[mean(SD)age 13.8(1.0)years;49.3% girls].Self-reported measures assessed depressive symptoms during the past 12 months,and food insecurity.Partici-pants reporting yes for depressive symptoms.FIS was categorized intofive levels,including‘never’,‘rarely’,‘some-times’,‘most of the time’and‘always’.Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed,and a country-wise meta-analysis was undertaken to compare country difference in the associations between FIS and depressive symptoms.Results:The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 30.0%,respectively.Compared with those reporting never for FIS,adolescents with increased severity of FIS were more likely to report depressive symptoms regardless of gender.Country-wise meta-analysis demonstrated that having FIS versus not having FIS was asso-ciated with 60%greater odds for depressive symptoms(OR=1.60;95%CI:1.52–1.69)but with a moderate between-country heterogeneity(I^(2)=12.7%).Conclusion:The current study indicates that alleviating FIS may be an effective prevention against depressive symptoms among adolescents from LMICs.Future studies should adopt improved study design to confirm or negate our researchfindings,which informs more efficient public mental health interventions.
文摘Spatial regression analysis was applied separately to the annual US state-level food insecurity data from 2015 through 2018, and 2020 to examine the effects of race, region of residency, and poverty particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the analysis suggested that the US food insecurity level was trending downwards between 2015 and 2018 but increased by 33.5% in 2020, obviously due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, residents from the West experienced higher food insecurity levels relative to the Mid-West between 2015 and 2018. The analysis also revealed that race is not a determining factor of food insecurity as both White and Black are equally affected to a significant level. Rather, the most salient determinant of food insecurity is poverty. The effects of poverty were positive and strongly significant from 2015 through 2018. The effect was, however, mild in 2020 probably due to the stimulus and unemployment checks people received through the Care Act. This result underscored the importance of SNAP and other government intervention programs in addressing the country’s food insecurity problems.
文摘Psychological well-being (PWB) which is a measure of life satisfaction in adolescence plays a great role in their behavioral lifestyle. The aim of this study was to assess the adolescents’ psychological well-being, its association with perceived food insecurity, and their sociodemographic characteristics. Using multistage random sampling, 352 students from three secondary schools in Ado Local Government in Nigeria were recruited. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from existing literature was used for data collection. About fifty-six percent of the adolescents had high psychological well-being. Most of the students studied had a high estimate of themselves in their self-autonomy and personal growth development. While Tribe (p = 0.032), type of family (p < 0.001), present class (p = 0.039) and class repetition (p = 0.018) were significantly associated with psychological well-being of adolescents, most adolescents had a medium to high food insecurity. Self-autonomy and personal growth development in adolescents are associated with the type of family structure, the higher the social class of the family and the lower of the occurrence of repetition of a class shall be. A stable family environment is beneficial to adolescents.
文摘The triple crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict and climate change have severely impacted food systems, leading to socio-economic consequences and undermining food and nutrition security across Africa. To address the malnutrition and poverty affecting approximately 700 million people in Africa, there is potential for the One Health approach implementation and operationalization to bring together multidisciplinary solutions for tackling food insecurity and ensuring food safety net. However, there is limited documentation on the potential of the One Health approach system thinking implementation to guide responses to triple crises-induced food insecurity. Therefore, this article aims to systematically understand the triple crises-induced food insecurity, connect existing solutions, and explore the role of the One Health approach in strengthening food and agriculture systems in Africa.Our finding showed the impact of triple crises exacerbating food system vulnerability in Africa and worldwide. Mitigating and resilient actions are urgently needed in tackling the emerging and persisting challenges, and infectious diseases menace and burden across Africa. We present a conceptual model illustrating the complex nature of triple crises-induced food insecurity, vulnerability areas within the food system, and actionable strategies for building community food resilience. Additionally, recommendations are provided to create an enabling environment that supports One Health approach implementation and addresses food insecurity challenges through innovative partnerships, local-led initiatives, and enhanced governance and artificial intelligence technology capacities in achieving sustainable and inclusive growth to reduce socio-economic inequalities.Stepping up integrated, actionable, and sustainable food systems programs and innovative long-lasting solutions requires investing in promoting new partnership and research collaboration in building conflict resolution and peace towards strengthening and reshaping local and global food security related climate change adaptations actions for most vulnerable communities’ benefits. These are ingredients in fastening preparedness, prevention and control of infectious diseases prevention and control, reducing food supply chains disruption towards accelerating equitable benefits of Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals, 2030 across Africa.
文摘Food insecurity remains a challenge in many sub-Saharan countries and is heavily driven by climate variability.In South Sudan,food insecurity is further exacerbated by incessant sporadic conflict.Understanding the drivers of food insecurity is critical in making sound polices.This study employed a crosssectional survey to investigate the relationship between household character-istics and food consumption of households in Rajaf Payam,Juba County.Pri-mary data was collected,and a sample size of 138 households was reached.A multiple linear regression model was used to uncover this relationship with independent variables(gender,education,dependency ratio,training and hu-manitarian aid)selected based on established theory linking them to food se-curity.The findings disclose that training on agriculture and nutrition has a significant positive relationship(β=14.333,Std.Error=2.688)with food con-sumption scores.In contrast,the education level(completed primary school and above)of the household head has a significant positive relationship(β=15.796,Std.Error=3.336),with food consumption scores.Meanwhile,the dependency ratio has a significant negative effect(β=−0.37 Std.Error=0.009)on food consumption scores,whereas humanitarian assistance has an insig-nificant relationship(β=1.994,Std.Error=2.612)with food consumption scores,and gender has an insignificant relationship(β=1.476,Std.Error=2.745)with food consumption scores.Policymakers should invest in commu-nity-based training on farming and nutrition,improve access to basic educa-tion through better infrastructure,and support high-dependency households with measures like child grants and livelihood programs.Prioritizing evi-dence-based interventions can enhance food security,reduce vulnerability,and improve household well-being.
基金The publication of this article was supported financially by the Department of Mathematics,Statistics and Actuarial Science at Namibia University of Science and Technology(NUST).
文摘Food insecurity is a global issue,and households in a society can experience food insecurity at different levels that could range from being mildly food in-secure to severely food insecure.The severity of food insecurity is an ordinal categorical variable in nature and different types of ordinal logistic regression models could be used to model such variables.The purpose of this study is to identify the socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with house-hold food insecurity in Namibia by fitting an ordinal logistic regression model using the 2015/2016 Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey.The proportional odds model(POM)and the partial proportional odds model(PPOM)were fitted and the performance of the two models was also com-pared.The PPOM was found to be the better model and based on the PPOM result,the study found factors such as the age of the household head,the household size,the source of income of a household,the annual income of the household,the education level attained by a household head and the geo-graphical location of a household to be significant factors associated with se-verity of household food insecurity in Namibia.
文摘<b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Introduction</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">: According to the National Health and Nutrition Survey, the Mexican households in 2018 had food insecurity at 55.5% while in 2012 it was 70%. Food insecurity is a global health problem and now with the COVID-19 pandemic</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">,</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> it has increased. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Objective</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">: To compare the levels of food and nutritional insecurity in women’s households from two Social Impulse Centers of</span><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> the Secretary for Human Social Development (SEDESHU) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Methods</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">: A comparative a</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">nd cross-sectional study was carried out in 41 women participating in a nutritional intervention program in two social promotion centers. Food security was measured with the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA), comparing it in a period from January to April 2020: before and during the health contingency. Socio-economic and demographic variables were also measured, as well as access to water during the COVID-19 pandemic. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Results</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">: Food insecurity levels during the COVID-19 contingency were found to have increased by more than 60% (from 31.7% to 93%);the main risk factors associated with unemployment and access to healthy food. The COVID-19 contingency reflects impacts on households, but because women participated in the nutritional intervention program, it could influence by observing that, at least, the use of food was adequate since apparently food waste was minimal. </span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Conclusio</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">n</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">s</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">: The implementation of an educational nutrition program can be a strateg</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">y in the face of contingencies or extraordinary situations. In this way, the negative impact could be less in the population that does not have any type of food education.</span>
文摘From widespread malnutrition and food insecurity to rising unemployment,the challenges facing Tanzanian agriculture weigh heavily on Fadhili Albert Mwakamesa.During his first field assignments as a young researcher at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture(IITA),Mwakamesa was deeply shocked by what he saw.In villages surrounded by maize fields,children were visibly undernourished,lacking essential proteins and micronutrients in their daily meals.
文摘Food insecurity continues to plague many rural communities across Africa.In Ghana and many neighbouring countries,smallholder farmers still struggle to make ends meet due to poor yields,outdated practices,and minimal institutional support.They face a plethora of challenges,including limited access to technology,weak extension systems,and a gap between scientific knowledge and everyday farming.
基金the Global WACh Rising Star Seed Award by the Department of Global Health,University of Washington,Seattle,USA(Grant No:UW/GWACh/RSA/2023-01)。
文摘Background Globally,suicide is the third leading cause of death among girls aged 15-19 years.However,there is a growing concern that suicide research has paid lttle attention to pregnant adolescent girls,particularly in lowincome and middle-income countries,including Ghana,where nearly one in seven adolescents experiences(unwanted)pregnancy.Aims To assess the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt and the self-reported reasons for attempted suicide among pregnant adolescent girls in Ghana.Methods We collected cross-sectional data(between August 2022 and December 2023)using structured anonymous questionnaires from a sample of 449 pregnant adolescent girls(aged 14-19 years)drawn from the three geographical zones of Ghana.We applied bivariable and multivariable analysis techniques to the data.Results Overall,28.51%(95%confidence interval(Cl)24.37%to 32.93%)reported suicidal ideation,and 18.04%(95%Cl 14.59%to 21.91%)reported suicide attempt during the current pregnancy.Participants who reported attempted suicide endorsed more interpersonal reasons(eg,to communicate distress,to seek help or to influence others)than intrapersonal reasons for their attempted suicide.In the final adjusted logistic regression models,food insecurity(adjusted odds ratio(aOR)=2.69;95%Cl 1.34 to 5.41;p=0.005)was uniquely associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation.Adverse childhood experiences(a0R=3.04;95%CI 1.33 to 6.97;p=0.008),history of attempted suicide before current pregnancy(a0R=3.47;95%CI 1.27 to 9.47;p=0.015)and depression(measured by the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index;aOR=0.31;95%CI 0.12 to 0.77;p=0.012)were uniquely associated with increased odds of suicide attempt.Five variables were commonly associated with increased odds of both suicidal ideation and suicide attempt:conflict with parents,alcohol use,pregnancy-related anxiety,history of attempted suicide and intimate partner violence.While being in junior high school was uniquely associated with reduced odds of suicidal ideation,intimate partner's acceptance of paternity was commonly associated with reduced odds of both suicidal ideation and suicide attempt.Conclusions Although the prevalence estimates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in this study are comparable with known rates among non-pregnant adolescent girls in Ghana,additional research is needed to nuance our understanding of the correlates identified in this study.The evidence aiso highlights a need for both routine antepartum primary care mental health screening for suicidality and related risks and targeted prevention and intervention programmes.
文摘With the continued increase in the number of people that are food insecure globally, which could be increasing because of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, leading to reduction in international agribusinesses, coupled with drastic climate change exacerbating the problem of food insecurity, there is a constant need to come up with innovative approaches to solve this global issue. In this article, we articulated how precision agriculture can be a tool for ensuring food security in the United States. This study aims to reiterate the significance of precision agriculture in solving global food insecurity.
文摘Malnutrition and food insecurity are major concerns for the Malian</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:""> authorities. The objective of this study was to strengthen the knowledge about the <span>nutritional and physicochemical values of four underutilized edible wild </span>fruits picked at two cities belonging to different bioclimatic zones of Mali. The physicochemical and nutritional parameters were performed using standard methods. The findings revealed that all these parameters varied from one fruit to <span>another, this outcome could be associated </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">with</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:""> the provenances of the wild</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:""> fruits (p-value < 0.05). The protein contents varied from 4.53 g/100g by dry matter (DM) for <i>R</i>. <i>sudanica</i> fruits to 5.34 g/100g DM for those of <i>B</i>. <i>aegyptiaca</i>, all these samples </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">were </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">being harvested from Sikasso. The highest concentrations of vitamins </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">are </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">C (150,800 to 151,000 μg/100g DM), E (1</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">,</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">310 to 1</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">,</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"">350 μg/100g DM) and A (38 to 40 μg/100g DM) respectively for the fruits <span>of </span><i><span>Z</span></i><span>. <i>mauritiana</i>, </span><i><span>B</span></i><span>. <i>aegyptiaca</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>senegalensis</i>. In addition, these fruits would constitute a</span><span> potential source of minerals such as iron, phosphorus and calcium. Thereby,</span> these fruits are promising raw materials to be used against the <span>malnutrition linked to the micronutrients deficiencies and the management</span> of certain pathologies related to oxidative stress.
文摘With the rising pressures on food security, GREENBOX technology was developed as an avenue for fresh leafy vegetable crop production in urban settings. GREENBOX units were designed to be thermally insulated and climate controlled, with an artificial lighting source that utilized soilless cultivation techniques. Previous studies conducted on GREENBOX technology used the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT);however, various hydroponic methods exist, such as the Deep-Water Culture (DWC) method being the most used. The APS Laboratory for Sustainable Food at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) compared the crop growth performance between DWC and NFT systems using GREENBOX technology. The following study monitored environmental conditions and compared productivity and biomass data of Rex Butterhead Lettuce crops between DWC and NFT systems. We assembled two GREENBOX units using commercially available materials and the standard nutrient solution for fertigation. The crops grown in DWC and NFT were in a 4 × 6 configuration. The DWC and NFT systems were used to grow Lettuce Lactuca sativa “Rex Butterhead” over 30 days to full bloom from prepared plugs grown for 14 days. We collected environmental data including Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD, μmol/m<sup>2</sup>∙s), Daily Light Integral (DLI, mol/ m<sup>2</sup>∙d), temperature (˚C), relative humidity (%), and Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD, kPa). We collected lettuce crop growth data, which included wet weight (g), dry weight (g), leaf area (cm<sup>2</sup>), and chlorophyll concentration (μmol/m<sup>2</sup>). We derived data, including the Specific Leaf Area (SLA, cm<sup>2</sup>/g) and biomass productivity (kg/m<sup>2</sup>), from previously collected data. We used descriptive statistics to present the collected data. A paired t-test was performed to understand the differences in biomass and productivity parameters between the DWC and NFT-grown lettuce crops. Both the DWC and NFT-grown crops could grow lettuce crops to harvest weight at full bloom. Observed data demonstrated that the biomass parameters and productivity did not differ significantly between the two hydroponics techniques. Therefore, we believe both hydroponic methods may be similar in growth performance and may be used in future iterations of GREENBOX design and prove suitable for fresh vegetable crop production in urban settings.
文摘Obtaining nutritious food is becoming increasingly difficult due to the growing urban population and the degradation of soil, water, and air from mechanized and industrialized agricultural techniques. More than half the global population resides in urban areas, with not enough surrounding agricultural land to meet food requirements. Food traveling long distances, an average of 1020 miles, has resulted in increased food miles for the average food item in the United States of America, representing wasted resources. The novel GREENBOX technology was invented in response to increasing pressures on food security. Previous studies conducted on GREENBOX technology assessed the technical feasibility of utilizing Lettuce Lactuca sativa ‘Rex Butterhead’. We at the APS Laboratory for Sustainable Food at Florida Gulf Coast University assessed the technical feasibility of growing different leafy green vegetable crops. GREENBOX technology consists of thermally insulated climate-controlled enclosures, an artificial lighting source, a soilless cultivation method (hydroponics), and environmental control modules. We assembled two GREENBOX units to assess the environmental conditions and growth performance of Brassica rapa var. chinensis ‘Li Ren Choi’, Spinach Spinacia oleracea ‘Auroch’, Arugula Eruca sativa ‘Astro’, and Mizuna Brassica Brassica rapa var. japonica. Plugs were cultivated and then transplanted in a randomized manner to the nutrient film technique (NFT) channels, subsequently grown for 30 days to full bloom and ready for harvest. Fertigation was carried out using a standard concentration nutrient solution. Crops were arranged in twelve blocks of four species each. We collected environmental data including daily light integral (DLI, mol/m<sup>2</sup>∙d), temperature (˚C), relative humidity (%), and vapor pressure deficit (VPD, kPa). Collected biomass data included wet weight (g), dry weight (g), leaf area (cm<sup>2</sup>), and chlorophyll concentration (mg/cm<sup>2</sup>). We then derived the Specific Leaf Area (SLA, cm<sup>2</sup>/g). Descriptive statistics were utilized to understand the differences in biomass parameters between the four crops grown. We also compared the performance parameters of our crops with existing peer-reviewed literature and found it superior, if not comparable to commonly found industrial output. We determined that all crops grew to full bloom, demonstrating that GREENBOX technology may be used to grow a variety of different leafy green vegetable crops.
基金supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico(CNPq:406455/2022-8,305157/2023-0)Fundacao de AmparoàPesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais(FAPEMIG:APQ-01942-22,BPD00823-22,RED-00060-23)。
文摘Extreme temperatures have become an unavoidable reality across vast regions of the world.Heat waves can cause severe crop damage,intensify drought conditions,and severely impact agriculture,disrupting food systems and exacerbating food insecurity(Zsögön et al.,2022).Heat stress adversely affects reproductive development in plants,leading to grain or ovary abortion and causing significant yield losses(Li et al.,2012).
