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Qasrawi R, Sgahir S, Nemer M, Halaikah M, Badrasawi M, Amro M, Vicuna Polo S, Abu Al-Halawa D, Mujahed D, Nasreddine L, Elmadfa I, Atari S, Al-Jawaldeh A. Investigating the Association between Nutrient Intake and Food Insecurity among Children and Adolescents in Palestine Using Machine Learning Techniques. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:625. [PMID: 38929205 PMCID: PMC11202236 DOI: 10.3390/children11060625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Food insecurity is a public health concern that affects children worldwide, yet it represents a particular burden for low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to utilize machine learning to identify the associations between food insecurity and nutrient intake among children aged 5 to 18 years. The study's sample encompassed 1040 participants selected from a 2022 food insecurity household conducted in the West Bank, Palestine. The results indicated that food insecurity was significantly associated with dietary nutrient intake and sociodemographic factors, such as age, gender, income, and location. Indeed, 18.2% of the children were found to be food-insecure. A significant correlation was evidenced between inadequate consumption of various nutrients below the recommended dietary allowance and food insecurity. Specifically, insufficient protein, vitamin C, fiber, vitamin B12, vitamin B5, vitamin A, vitamin B1, manganese, and copper intake were found to have the highest rates of food insecurity. In addition, children residing in refugee camps experienced significantly higher rates of food insecurity. The findings emphasize the multilayered nature of food insecurity and its impact on children, emphasizing the need for personalized interventions addressing nutrient deficiencies and socioeconomic factors to improve children's health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radwan Qasrawi
- Department of Computer Sciences, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem P.O. Box 20002, Palestine
- Department of Computer Engineering, Istinye University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey
| | - Sabri Sgahir
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, College of Agriculture, Hebron University, Hebron P.O. Box 40, Palestine
| | - Maysaa Nemer
- Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, Ramallah P.O. Box 14, Palestine
| | - Mousa Halaikah
- Nutrition Department, Ministry of Health, Ramallah P.O. Box 4284, Palestine
| | - Manal Badrasawi
- Nutrition and Food Technology Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, An-Najah National University, Nablus P.O. Box 7, Palestine
| | - Malak Amro
- Department of Computer Sciences, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem P.O. Box 20002, Palestine
| | - Stephanny Vicuna Polo
- Department of Computer Sciences, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem P.O. Box 20002, Palestine
| | - Diala Abu Al-Halawa
- Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem P.O. Box 20002, Palestine
| | - Doa’a Mujahed
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, College of Agriculture, Hebron University, Hebron P.O. Box 40, Palestine
| | - Lara Nasreddine
- Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Ibrahim Elmadfa
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Siham Atari
- Department of Computer Sciences, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem P.O. Box 20002, Palestine
| | - Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh
- Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization, Cairo 7608, Egypt
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Chambers S, Machray K, Fergie G. Food insecurity in children and young people in Scotland. Proc Nutr Soc 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38250796 DOI: 10.1017/s0029665124000090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this review is to highlight the key issues in relation to food insecurity among children and young people living in Scotland. It provides an overview of the current context of food insecurity more generally within the UK and specifically in Scotland. Food insecurity has risen in Scotland evidenced through responses to national surveys and the dramatic increase in households relying on emergency food provision. Food insecurity is highest among young people, single parent families and single men. The key drivers of food insecurity include insufficient income, welfare reform, food inflation and geo-political events. Evidence suggests that food insecurity is negatively related to sufficient nutritional intake, and the implications for physical and mental health are profound. Policy actions implemented to mitigate the impact of food insecurity on children and young people include the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment, food voucher schemes, free school meals, and holiday food provision. Further evidence is required to evaluate the success of these policies in reducing or mitigating food insecurity. The review concludes by considering the ways in which a rights-based approach to food might benefit children and young people living in Scotland, and argues that wider systemic change is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Chambers
- School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, 28 Bute Gardens, GlasgowG12 8RS, Scotland
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Kathryn Machray
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Gillian Fergie
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
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Frim YG, Garvey KC, Gordon E, Rhodes ET. Screening for Food Insecurity in a Pediatric Diabetes Program: Provider and Parent/Guardian Perspectives. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2024:99228231222987. [PMID: 38243651 DOI: 10.1177/00099228231222987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Food insecurity (FI) is associated with poor health outcomes in children, and studies have shown higher FI among children with diabetes mellitus. This study assessed provider (N = 22, 35.5% response rate) and parent/guardian (N = 207, 14.6% response rate) perspectives toward FI screening in a pediatric diabetes program. Among 22 providers, most "rarely" (54.5%) or "never" (27.3%) screened for FI although all felt that screening was at least "slightly important." Barriers included lack of time (63.6%), not remembering to screen (59.1%), lack of knowledge about how to address positive screens (45.5%), and being unsure how to screen (40.9%). Among 186 parent/guardians, only 24.1% had been asked about FI at a pediatric medical appointment, but only 8.6% disliked the idea of being asked by a medical provider at endocrinology visits. To be effective and sustainable, FI screening must fit within the visit flow, and providers need education on how to address positive screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonina G Frim
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Mass General for Children, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katharine C Garvey
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Erin Gordon
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Erinn T Rhodes
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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