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Ben Hassen T, El Bilali H. Three years into the pandemic: Insights of the COVID-19 impacts on food security and nutrition in low and middle-income countries. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28946. [PMID: 38596121 PMCID: PMC11002655 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a global crisis with unanticipated and diverse consequences. Moreover, the pandemic has considerably impacted food dynamics in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where food systems have already been challenged. These countries also have the highest share of the world's malnourished and food insecure. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the pandemic's impact on food security dimensions (availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability), with a special emphasis on LMICs. According to the results, the pandemic immediately impacted food security by limiting food production and availability. It also had an indirect impact when lockdowns and other confinement measures (e.g., social distancing, movement restrictions) made it more difficult for individuals to access food and maintain a healthy, balanced diet (cf. food utilization). Indeed, with rising unemployment and poverty, access to food has been the most critically undermined aspect of food security. At the utilization level, COVID-19 adversely influences the nutritional state of both individuals and countries, leading to an increase in all forms of malnutrition. Finally, the impact of COVID-19 on the stability dimension is dependent on the length of the pandemic as well as the effectiveness with which recovery plans are followed to ensure universal vaccine availability, among other factors. As a result, including agricultural and food systems in recovery strategies is crucial to mitigating the pandemic's long-term effects on food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Ben Hassen
- Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar
| | - Hamid El Bilali
- International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Via Ceglie 9, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
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El Bilali H, Ben Hassen T. Regional Agriculture and Food Systems Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of the Near East and North Africa Region. Foods 2024; 13:297. [PMID: 38254598 PMCID: PMC10815245 DOI: 10.3390/foods13020297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic affected agri-food systems worldwide. However, while the impacts differed from one country/region to another, the scholarly literature seems to focus on developed countries in the Global North. Consequently, this review scrutinizes the literature on the pandemic's impacts in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. A search on the Web of Science in March 2023 generated 334 documents, of which 151 were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review. According to the bibliometric analysis, the most active nations are Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Lebanon. In general, the coverage of studies is better in the Gulf region than in the less developed countries of North Africa and those suffering from wars (cf. Libya, Syria, and Yemen). Studies generally focus on crop production and the downstream food chain (cf. distribution and consumption). While the pandemic influenced every pillar of food security, this research concentrates on access and utilization. Meanwhile, the lion's share of the literature deals with the pandemic's socio-economic effects, especially those linked to food (in)security and health. The pandemic, which laid bare the agri-food system vulnerabilities, should be seized to foster the transition towards more resilient agri-food systems in the NENA region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid El Bilali
- International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Via Ceglie 9, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy;
| | - Tarek Ben Hassen
- Program of Policy, Planning, and Development, Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
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Ben Hassen T, Baya Chatti C, El Bilali H. Impact of COVID-19 on food behavior and diet in Qatar: A cross-sectional survey on the Omicron variant. Nutr Health 2023:2601060231189637. [PMID: 37670608 DOI: 10.1177/02601060231189637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The emergence of the Omicron variant in November 2021 appears to have impacted food-related activities and behaviors and caused disruptions in food supply systems. Accordingly, this article aims to explore the effects of the Omicron variant on consumers' food-related behaviors in Qatar. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH This research is based on an online survey performed in Qatar in December 2021 and January 2022. The survey consisted of 23 questions arranged into three sections, including both multiple-choice and one-option items. There were 459 valid responses in total. FINDINGS The Omicron variant has altered diets and food shopping in Qatar. Indeed, the findings indicated (i) consumers in Qatar are shopping less often and purchasing more each trip; (ii) an increase in food online shopping; (iii) an increase in the use of online applications to buy ready-made food; and (iv) an increase in the consumption of healthy foods, especially immunity-boosting ones. Furthermore, consumers' awareness and general understanding regarding the virus, its transmission, food safety risks, etc., have evolved. On the one hand, consumers take precautionary measures to protect themselves. On the other hand, they are learning to live with the virus. ORIGINALITY This research, along with subsequent ones, will provide the foundation for institutional and governmental readiness in the face of potential shocks, crises, and pandemics. The repercussions of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine on food systems throughout the globe (cf. food prices increase) imply that it's a crucial and pressing issue that needs immediate attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Ben Hassen
- Program of Policy, Planning, and Development, Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Chedli Baya Chatti
- Department of Social Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hamid El Bilali
- International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Valenzano (Bari), Italy
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Prescott MP, Ben Hassen T, El Bilali H. Editorial: Obesity and sustainability. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1235036. [PMID: 37426191 PMCID: PMC10325654 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1235036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Pflugh Prescott
- Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Tarek Ben Hassen
- Program of Policy, Planning, and Development, Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hamid El Bilali
- International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Bari, Italy
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Vaško Ž, Ostojić A, Ben Hassen T, Berjan S, El Bilali H, Durđić I, Marzban S. Food waste perceptions and reported behaviours during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Waste Manag Res 2023; 41:312-327. [PMID: 36127885 PMCID: PMC9490395 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x221122495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
An increasing corpus of data demonstrated the disruptive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food consumption habits, particularly food waste, but the Balkan area is often overlooked. Accordingly, this study investigates the immediate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer knowledge and reported behaviours linked to food waste in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The research was based on an online survey with 2425 participants using the Google forms platform from 10 April to 10 May 2020. This period coincided with the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Consumers' behaviours regarding where and how often they buy food, their attitude towards food labels, food provision and particularly the amounts and values of food waste and how they handle it were investigated. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics methods, and the significance of the association between variables was determined using nonparametric and multivariate statistical tests. The study's findings revealed that (i) Bosnia has a low rate of household food waste and a favourable attitude towards food waste prevention, (ii) the majority of the respondents are familiar with the most common expiry labels, notably 'use by' and 'best before' and (iii) consumers adjusted their buying and consumption patterns due to the pandemic. The findings of this research are essential for developing evidence-based policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the post-pandemic recovery period since they are unique to that country. Indeed, the crisis' lessons and insights may be used to help move towards more sustainable consumption habits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Željko Vaško
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of
Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Aleksandar Ostojić
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of
Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Tarek Ben Hassen
- Program of Policy, Planning, and
Development, Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences,
Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Siniša Berjan
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of
East Sarajevo, East Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Hamid El Bilali
- International Centre for Advanced
Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Bari, Italy
| | - Igor Durđić
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of
East Sarajevo, East Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Soroush Marzban
- Department of Agricultural Extension
& Education, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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Hassen TB, Bilali HE, Allahyari MS, Berjan S, Radosavac A, Cvijanovic D, Bogevska Z, Despotovic A, Vaško Ž. No social distancing from food: How the COVID-19 pandemic shaped student food-related activities in the Western Balkans. Nutr Health 2023:2601060221143964. [PMID: 36627198 PMCID: PMC9836841 DOI: 10.1177/02601060221143964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced food preparation and consumption habits, as well as food wastage. The pandemic also affected the lives of university students worldwide; their learning and living environments changed, influencing their eating habits. AIM The purpose of this study was to evaluate the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on students' food-related activities in four countries in the Western Balkans: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. METHODS The research draws upon an online survey gathered through the SurveyMonkey platform in four Balkan countries-viz. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro-and used a structured questionnaire. The information was collected during the second wave of COVID-19 in October-November 2020. A total of 1658 valid responses were received. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used to analyze the survey findings. RESULTS The research results suggest that the pandemic influenced students' food purchase habits, diets, and food-related behaviors and practices such as food preparation, cooking, and food waste management at the household level. In particular, students have been eating healthier and shopping less frequently during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the pandemic improved their attitude toward food wastage. CONCLUSION This study is the first to examine how students in the Balkan region perceive the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their eating habits, laying the groundwork for future studies into the disease's consequences. This and other studies will assist in preparing students and education institutions for future calamities and pandemics. The findings will also help develop evidence-based postpandemic recovery options targeting youth and students in the Western Balkans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Ben Hassen
- Program of Policy, Planning, and Development, Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hamid El Bilali
- International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Valenzano (Bari), Italy
| | - Mohammad S. Allahyari
- Department of Agricultural Management, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran
- Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
| | - Sinisa Berjan
- Department of Agroeconomy and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, University of East Sarajevo, Lukavac, East Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Adriana Radosavac
- Faculty of Applied Management, Economics and Finance in Belgrade, University Business Academy, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Drago Cvijanovic
- Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism Vrnjačka Banja, University of Kragujevac, Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia
| | - Zvezda Bogevska
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
| | | | - Željko Vaško
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Allahyari MS, Marzban S, El Bilali H, Ben Hassen T. Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on household food waste behaviour in Iran. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11337. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Ben Hassen T, El Bilali H, Allahyari MS, Berjan S. Editorial: COVID-19 pandemic, food behaviour and consumption patterns. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1039419. [PMID: 36353289 PMCID: PMC9638157 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1039419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Ben Hassen
- Program of Policy, Planning, and Development, Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar,*Correspondence: Tarek Ben Hassen
| | - Hamid El Bilali
- International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies, Bari, Italy
| | - Mohammad S. Allahyari
- Department of Agricultural Management, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran,Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
| | - Sinisa Berjan
- Department of Agroeconomy and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, University of East Sarajevo, Lukavica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Taybeh AO, Osaili TM, Al-Nabulsi AA, Ben Hassen T, Faour-Klingbeil D, Cheikh Ismail L, Olaimat AN. Effect of availability and COVID-19 vaccination on food shopping and consumption behaviors among Jordan universities students. Front Sustain Food Syst 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2022.946645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the lives of university students all across the globe. Indeed, the pandemic has impacted many aspects of their daily routine, changing their social and health habits and food-related behaviors. There is now no approved therapy, and vaccination is the only clinical preventative measure that provides the highest protection against the virus. While these vaccines have been beneficial in curbing the pandemic's effect, they may also influence food-related behaviors. Accordingly, this paper aims to investigate the impact of vaccination availability on university students' food shopping and consumption habits, vaccine-related opinions, and back on-campus behaviors in Jordan. The research is based on an online survey conducted in Jordan using a structured questionnaire and distributed through Google Forms between January 1 and March 20, 2022. A total of 624 valid answers were collected. The findings revealed no significant changes in the way students consumed, shopped, and handled food compared to the pre-vaccine period. However, there is a slight post-vaccine trend toward shopping more groceries online and ordering more meals via delivery apps and takeout services. Regarding health-related food choices, there was an increase in the consumption of healthy food, water, and fruits and vegetables. Further, following the availability of the vaccination, students' adoption of COVID-19 food-related habits was maintained. Gender, engagement in food preparation activities, and living status (e.g., whether or not living with parents) substantially affected several food-related behaviors. The findings are expected to guide both current emergency preparations and long-term food-related policies in Jordan. This information may also be helpful to researchers interested in the effects of COVID-19 vaccination on student nutrition and related food behaviors.
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El Bilali H, Berjan S, Ben Hassen T, Memon JA, Vaško Ž, Allahyari MS. Research on food loss and waste in the Western Balkans: A systematic review. Front Nutr 2022; 9:983639. [PMID: 36211507 PMCID: PMC9533125 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.983639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Food losses and waste (FLW) is considered a critical issue in the ongoing debate on the sustainability of agri-food systems. However, the scholarly literature on FLW is still geographically-biased, with more attention devoted to developed countries, even in Europe. In this context, this article analyses the state of research on FLW in the Western Balkan region (viz. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia). A search performed in October 2021 on the Web of Science database returned 34 documents, and 21 eligible ones were included in the systematic review. The topical analysis of the literature addressed causes of FLW, stages of the food supply chain, extent and magnitude of FLW, FLW and food security, economic and environmental impacts of FLW, and food waste (FW) management strategies. A central finding was the scarcity of data on FW in the Western Balkans. Moreover, the literature focused on FW at the consumer level, while food loss at other stages of the food chain was generally overlooked. There is a lack of comprehensive analyses of the economic and environmental impacts of FLW as well as its implications in terms of food and nutrition security. The quantification of FLW is generally inaccurate and based on estimates and self-reported data. The literature focuses on FW reuse and recycling (e.g., energy, compost) while other management strategies (e.g., reduction/prevention, redistribution) are rarely addressed. However, the results indicated that consumers in the Western Balkans pay attention to the FW issue, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is an encouraging sign that can be exploited in awareness-raising campaigns and education activities. Meanwhile, research on FLW in the Western Balkans is highly needed to fill the identified knowledge gap and provide evidence to policies dealing with the transition to sustainable food systems in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid El Bilali
- International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Bari, Italy
| | - Sinisa Berjan
- Department of Agroeconomy and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, University of East Sarajevo, East Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Tarek Ben Hassen
- Program of Policy, Planning, and Development, Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- *Correspondence: Tarek Ben Hassen
| | - Junaid Alam Memon
- Department of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Željko Vaško
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Mohammad S. Allahyari
- Department of Agricultural Management, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran
- Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
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Ben Hassen T, El Bilali H, Allahyari MS, Kamel IM, Ben Ismail H, Debbabi H, Sassi K. Gendered Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Behaviors in North Africa: Cases of Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:ijerph19042192. [PMID: 35206378 PMCID: PMC8872065 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic-related measures in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region have resulted in many lifestyle modifications, including changes in diet and food buying patterns among adults. However, the pandemic has impacted women and men differently and exacerbated existing socio-economic and gender inequalities. Indeed, numerous studies conducted worldwide have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic had a disproportionately negative impact on women compared to males. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the effects of COVID-19 on women’s food behaviors in three countries of the North Africa sub-region, namely, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. The study was based on an online poll conducted by SurveyMonkey from 15 September to 5 November 2020, with 995 participants. The outcomes of the research found that when compared to men, (1) women tend to consume more food out of fear, anxiety, or boredom; (2) women prefer to eat more unhealthy food; (3) women tend to stockpile a greater amount of food; and (4) women tend to modify their shopping habits more often. The findings should inform gender-sensitive strategies and policies to address the negative impacts of the pandemic and foster transition towards healthier diets and resilient food systems during the recovery period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Ben Hassen
- Program of Policy, Planning, and Development, Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar;
| | - Hamid El Bilali
- International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Via Ceglie 9, 70010 Valenzano (Bari), Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Mohammad S. Allahyari
- Department of Agricultural Management, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht 41476-54919, Iran;
- Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Internal Box 575, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
| | - Islam Mohamed Kamel
- International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Via Ceglie 9, 70010 Valenzano (Bari), Italy;
| | - Hanen Ben Ismail
- Department of Agri-Food Industries, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, University of Carthage, Tunis 1082, Tunisia; (H.B.I.); (H.D.)
| | - Hajer Debbabi
- Department of Agri-Food Industries, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, University of Carthage, Tunis 1082, Tunisia; (H.B.I.); (H.D.)
| | - Khaled Sassi
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Biotechnology, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, University of Carthage, Tunis 1082, Tunisia;
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Berjan S, Vaško Ž, Ben Hassen T, El Bilali H, Allahyari MS, Tomić V, Radosavac A. Assessment of household food waste management during the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia: a cross-sectional online survey. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:11130-11141. [PMID: 34532805 PMCID: PMC8445639 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16485-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Serbian government has taken several measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures may have led to a disruption of daily life and affected food-related behaviors. This paper investigates the state of food waste management in Serbia and COVID-19's direct effect on consumer awareness, food consumption, and food waste behaviors. The study is based on an online survey using a structured questionnaire administered in Serbian from May 13 until June 13, 2020, through the Google forms platform. A total of 1212 valid answers were collected, mainly from female, young, and high-educated people. The survey results suggested that (i) household food waste in Serbia is low and there is a positive attitude toward food waste prevention; (ii) food waste increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; (iii) consumers reduced the number of shopping trips and shopped more than usual during the pandemic. This study contributes to a better understanding of consumers' consumption habits and attitudes toward food waste to prevent and reduce it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinisa Berjan
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of East Sarajevo, Lukavica (East Sarajevo), Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Željko Vaško
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Tarek Ben Hassen
- Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Hamid El Bilali
- International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Mohammad S Allahyari
- Department of Agricultural Management, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran
- Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, North-West University, Mmbatho, South Africa
| | - Vedran Tomić
- Institute for Science Application in Agriculture, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Adriana Radosavac
- Faculty of Applied Management, Economics and Finance, University Business Academy in Novi Sad, Belgrade, Serbia
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Ben Hassen T, El Bilali H, Allahyari MS, Al Samman H, Marzban S. Observations on Food Consumption Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Oman. Front Public Health 2022; 9:779654. [PMID: 35145946 PMCID: PMC8821884 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.779654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper aims to study the perceptions of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on behaviors related to diet and food shopping on a sample of 356 adults in Oman. The study is based on the results of an Arabic-language online survey conducted between September 15 and October 10, 2020, using the Survey Monkey platform. The questionnaire had 25 questions (multiple options and one option), subdivided into three parts. Respondents were asked to disseminate the survey to their networks as part of the study's snowball sampling method. Descriptive statistics and various statistical tests (e.g., U-Mann Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square) have been used to evaluate the study results. The study showed a significant shift in the attitude and behavior of respondents regarding food and health. Indeed, the paper findings indicated (i) a shift to healthier diets, as shown by the fact that 45.5% of the participants increased their intake of fruits and vegetables, 42.4% ate more healthy foods, and 53.1% reduced their intake of unhealthy foods; (ii) an increase in the consumption of local products, owing to food safety concerns, with 25.8% of the cohort stating that they purchase more local food items; (iii) a shift in grocery shopping behaviors, especially with 28.1% of the participants buying more groceries online; (iv) the absence of panic buying in Oman, since 62.36% of the participants said they did not stockpile food items; and (v) a reduction of food waste. Indeed, 78.9% of the participants specified they were not wasting more food than average since the beginning of the pandemic, and 74.72% indicated they were more aware of how much food they were wasting. Surprisingly, COVID-19 appears to bring many beneficial adjustments in Oman to make food consumption more sustainable and healthier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Ben Hassen
- Program of Policy, Planning, and Development, Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- *Correspondence: Tarek Ben Hassen
| | - Hamid El Bilali
- International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Mohammad S. Allahyari
- Department of Agricultural Management, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran
- Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
| | - Hazem Al Samman
- Department of Finance and Economics, College of Commerce and Business Administration, Dhofar University, Salalah, Oman
| | - Soroush Marzban
- Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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14
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El Bilali H, Ben Hassen T, Baya Chatti C, Abouabdillah A, Alaoui SB. Exploring Household Food Dynamics During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Morocco. Front Nutr 2021; 8:724803. [PMID: 34646850 PMCID: PMC8502820 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.724803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alongside the dramatic impact on health systems, eating, shopping, and other food-related habits may have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. This paper analyses the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food shopping habits and food-related activities of a diverse sample of 340 adult consumers in Morocco. The study is based on an online survey conducted in Morocco from September 15 to November 5, 2020, utilizing a standardized questionnaire delivered in French and Arabic via Survey Monkey. The findings show that consumers' diet, shopping behavior, and food interactions have changed significantly. Indeed, the survey outcomes indicated (i) an increase in the consumption of local items owing to food safety concerns; (ii) an increase in online grocery shopping; (iii) a rise in panic buying and food hoarding; and (iv) an increase in culinary capabilities. The findings are expected to help guide Morocco's current emergency measures as well as long-term food-related policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid El Bilali
- International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Valenzano, Italy
| | - Tarek Ben Hassen
- Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Chedli Baya Chatti
- Department of Social Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Aziz Abouabdillah
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Ecole Nationale D'Agriculture de Meknès, Meknès, Morocco
| | - Si Bennasseur Alaoui
- Department of Production, Protection and Biotechnology, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco
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15
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Ben Hassen T, El Bilali H, Allahyari MS, Berjan S, Fotina O. Food purchase and eating behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey of Russian adults. Appetite 2021; 165:105309. [PMID: 34015307 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The Russian government took strong containment measures to prevent the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with rigid hygiene protocols and restrictions on daily living, such as social distancing and closing businesses and schools. While these measures were crucial to stop the diffusion of SARS-CoV-2, numerous voices highlighted their disorderly psychological, social, and economic impacts on food consumption behavior and lifestyle. Therefore, this paper aims to understand how consumers' food-related habits in Russia have shifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and potential problems and opportunities this might bring for the Russian food system. The study is based on an online cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire administered in Russian through the Survey Monkey platform. A total of 1297 valid answers was collected. The results reveal that diet and food shopping, preparation, and use have been widely affected. Indeed, the survey results suggested (i) a change in the modality of acquiring food, consumers reduced the number of shopping trips and buying more on each trip to minimize store visits; (ii) a surge of stockpiling of non-perishable food items; (iii) a shift toward healthier diets; (iv) an increase in culinary capabilities; (v) a decrease of food waste. The results are expected to inform current emergency plans as well as long-term food-related strategies in Russia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Ben Hassen
- Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar.
| | - Hamid El Bilali
- International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Via Ceglie 9, 70010, Valenzano (Bari), Italy.
| | - Mohammad S Allahyari
- Department of Agricultural Management, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, 41476-54919, Iran; North-West University, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Private Bag X2046, Internal box 575, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa.
| | - Sinisa Berjan
- Department of Agroeconomy and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, University of East Sarajevo, Lukavica (East Sarajevo), Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - Oksana Fotina
- International Relations Center, Perm State Agro-Technological University, Perm, Russia.
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16
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El Bilali H, Ben Hassen T. Food Waste in the Countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council: A Systematic Review. Foods 2020; 9:E463. [PMID: 32276529 PMCID: PMC7230834 DOI: 10.3390/foods9040463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Food waste (FW) is a critical challenge in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This paper analyzes research dealing with food waste in the GCC countries (viz. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates). It draws upon a systematic review performed on Scopus in January 2020. The paper covers both bibliometrics (e.g., authors, affiliations, journals) and research topics (e.g., causes, food supply chain stages, extent and quantity, food security, economic impacts, environmental implications, management strategies). A main finding of the review is the scarcity of data on FW in the GCC in general and in Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain in particular. Most of the selected articles address FW reuse and recycling (e.g., waste-to-energy conversion, compost production). Indeed, other FW management strategies, such as reduction/prevention and redistribution, are overlooked. The systematic review highlights that further research on FW in the GCC is highly needed with a focus on the identified research gaps such as causes and drivers, trends, magnitude and extent, environmental and economic impacts, along with implications of food wastage in terms of food security. Since food wastage is a common issue for all GCC countries, these research gaps should be addressed in a shared regional research agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid El Bilali
- International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), Via Ceglie 9, 70010 Valenzano (Bari), Italy;
| | - Tarek Ben Hassen
- Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box: 2713, Qatar
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