Impact of Food Security on Dietary Diversity and Nutritional Intake Among Pregnant Women in Low-Resource Settings

2025-03-05T19:00:43-08:00

Background: Food security and dietary diversity are essential determinants of maternal health, particularly among pregnant women in refugee populations who face heightened vulnerabilities due to displacement and inadequate living conditions. This study examines the impact of food security on dietary diversity and nutritional intake among pregnant Rohingya women residing in the makeshift camps of Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 96 pregnant Rohingya women from June to September 2022. Data were collected using structured questionnaires assessing socio-demographic characteristics, food security, and dietary diversity. Food security was evaluated using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), while dietary diversity was assessed through a 24-hour dietary recall and a 7-day food frequency questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 26) and Stata (Version 13), employing descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to examine associations. Results: Most participants (57.3%) were food secure, and 85.4% demonstrated high dietary diversity, consuming seven or more food groups. However, 21.9% of households experienced severe food insecurity, highlighting ongoing challenges in food access. The highest consumption was observed for starch, flesh foods, dark green leafy vegetables, and vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables (99.0%), while dairy products (69.8%) and organ meat (34.4%) were consumed less frequently. Despite high dietary diversity, severe food insecurity persists, indicating gaps in food assistance programs. Conclusions: While food support programs appear to contribute to high dietary diversity among pregnant Rohingya women, severe food insecurity remains a significant concern. Strengthening food security interventions, improving access to diverse nutrient-rich foods, and integrating sustainable food assistance models are essential to addressing these challenges. Future research should explore long-term strategies to enhance food security and assess the impact of targeted nutritional interventions on maternal health outcomes in refugee settings.

The Intersection of Climate Change Adaptation and Smallholder Farmer Food Security: A Review of Strategies and Barriers

2025-06-03T05:57:47-08:00

Smallholder farmers play a pivotal role in global food security; however, they remain exceptionally vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to their reliance on natural resources and limited adaptive capacities. This narrative review synthesizes a wide range of global sources to explore the intersection of smallholder agriculture and climate adaptation strategies. The review examines adaptation practices, agroecological methods, and the adoption of climate-resilient crop varieties. It reveals that the implementation of these strategies is frequently hindered by systemic barriers such as financial constraints, limited technological access, and institutional inefficiencies. Recognizing that previous studies have addressed isolated aspects of adaptation or relied on secondary data, this review highlights research gaps and offers a comprehensive synthesis of relevant literature. This review uses a narrative synthesis model suitable for integrating evidence from agronomy, economics, and social science to capture the complex challenges faced by smallholder farmers. The review emphasizes the importance of policy frameworks and participatory approaches that empower smallholder communities. This review synthesizes current evidence to inform potential directions for targeted interventions and future field-based studies, while recognizing the limitations of relying on secondary data. These recommendations aim to facilitate integrated policy reforms and drive research initiatives, ultimately strengthening the resilience and adaptability of smallholder agriculture in the face of ongoing climate change.

Universal Journal of Food Security

Impact of Food Security on Dietary Diversity and Nutritional Intake Among Pregnant Women in Low-Resource Settings

The Intersection of Climate Change Adaptation and Smallholder Farmer Food Security: A Review of Strategies and Barriers