{"title":"Between Structure and Practice: Food Systems, Nutritional Outcomes, and the Cultural Mediation of Health in Global Perspective.","authors":"Sunil K Khanna","doi":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2687972","DOIUrl":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2687972","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11511,"journal":{"name":"Ecology of Food and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"77-83"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148249734","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Adrino Mazenda, Kemboi M Kipkorir, Rodney Asilla, Chenaimoyo L F Katiyatiya
{"title":"Food Choice and Diet Quality of Women Fishing Households in Tanzania.","authors":"Adrino Mazenda, Kemboi M Kipkorir, Rodney Asilla, Chenaimoyo L F Katiyatiya","doi":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2663760","DOIUrl":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2663760","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The paper analyzed food choices and dietary diversity among 282 women-headed households engaged in small-scale fisheries in Tanzania, using secondary data from the 2021 Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) fisheries survey. Dietary quality was measured using the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) from a 24-hour recall, and the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified underlying dietary patterns. The results show that diets are dominated by staple foods and fish, with limited consumption of nutrient-dense foods such as eggs, dairy, and poultry. HDDS indicates a polarized distribution of dietary diversity, reflecting inequality in food access across households. PCA reveals distinct dietary regimes, including staple-based and fish-dependent patterns, alongside emerging consumption of processed foods. Policy interventions should prioritize improving market access, supporting diversification into nutrient-rich foods, and strengthening local food systems. In addition, enhancing women's access to productive resources and income-stabilizing mechanisms is critical for improving dietary outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":11511,"journal":{"name":"Ecology of Food and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"84-108"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147987038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prevalence and Determinants of Anemia Among Rural Women: A Comprehensive Review.","authors":"Mariam Waheed, Sadia Batool, Hafiz Iftikhar Hussain, Ume-E-Salma Liaqat, Arslan Arshad, Muhammad Muzammil Hasnain, Muhammad Mudassir Riaz, Maham Fatima, Saima Talib","doi":"10.1080/03670244.2025.2580013","DOIUrl":"10.1080/03670244.2025.2580013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Anemia is a major public health concern affecting rural women during pregnancy and contributing to maternal and fetal complications. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most prevalent form linked to inadequate diet, repeated pregnancies, and limited access to healthcare. Infections, poverty, low health literacy further increase the risk. According to epidemiological studies, in rural areas, anemia prevalence exceeds 60% with maternal impacts such as fatigue, infections, postpartum depression, and even risk of death for the mother, while restricted growth of fetus in womb, premature birth, and delayed brain development are also linked. Poverty and cultural obstacles make it even harder to diagnose and prevent anemia. Rather, insufficient use of food supplements worsens outcomes. Future efforts should focus on affordable diagnostics and context-specific interventions for addressing anemia.</p>","PeriodicalId":11511,"journal":{"name":"Ecology of Food and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"4-25"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145376635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"From Deficiency to Resilience: Maternal Nutrition Equity, Food Systems, and Biocultural Capital.","authors":"Sunil K Khanna","doi":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2639916","DOIUrl":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2639916","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11511,"journal":{"name":"Ecology of Food and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147344057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Thematic Analysis of Pregnancy Food Beliefs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis.","authors":"Fatemeh Rashidi, Mahrokh Dolatian, Zahra Kiani, Hamid Sharif-Nia, Arezoo Haghighian-Roudsari","doi":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2675991","DOIUrl":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2675991","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Maternal nutrition is shaped by cultural food beliefs that may restrict essential nutrients and harm maternal/fetal outcomes. This systematic review aimed to identify components of food beliefs during pregnancy. Following PRISMA, two authors searched databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase) up to August 18, 2025, using 'food beliefs' and 'pregnancy'. We included qualitative studies gathering nutritional beliefs from pregnant women, women with pregnancy experience, and key informants. Quality assessed using JBI tool. Inductive thematic synthesis was used. Of 511 studies, 44 met criteria. One main theme emerged-sociocultural food beliefs during pregnancy-with eight categories: food beliefs, knowledge, traditional beliefs, food taboos, social support, religious beliefs, environmental/societal effects, and barriers. These beliefs function as social practices of morality and risk management, transmitted through family authority, gender dynamics, and economic constraints. Pregnancy food beliefs are complex. Effective interventions require culturally sensitive approaches involving family and community support.</p>","PeriodicalId":11511,"journal":{"name":"Ecology of Food and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"229-259"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148216886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Explaining the Normalisation of Black Hunger in South Africa: Not Enough Food, or Not Enough Empathy?","authors":"Stephen Devereux, Kenechukwu Ikebuaku","doi":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2693925","DOIUrl":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2693925","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Millions of Black South Africans are food insecure and malnourished, 30+ years after the democratic transition to Black majority rule in 1994. Yet South Africa is an upper-middle-income country with sufficient food, a constitutional right to food, and comprehensive social protection. High levels of poverty and unemployment are key drivers of hunger, but this paper explores another plausible explanation: \"normalisation.\" Citizens and the state have become desensitized to Black hunger, after centuries of White domination. Racially hierarchized wealth inequalities and wellbeing outcomes are so entrenched that empathy toward poor and hungry Black people has been undermined. To test these ideas, data collection was conducted in three provinces in 2023-24. A quantitative questionnaire was administered to 600 respondents, stratified by residence, ethnicity, gender, age and education. Qualitative interviews probed individual experiences and attitudes to hunger. This mixed methods research finds confirmatory evidence of normalization, but no evidence of empathy deficits.</p>","PeriodicalId":11511,"journal":{"name":"Ecology of Food and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"298-320"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148344316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Janet Adede Carboo, Liska Robb, Elizabeth Margaretha Jordaan, Jennifer Ngounda, Corinna May Walsh
{"title":"Dietary Diversity and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women in Central South Africa: The NuEMI Study.","authors":"Janet Adede Carboo, Liska Robb, Elizabeth Margaretha Jordaan, Jennifer Ngounda, Corinna May Walsh","doi":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2626874","DOIUrl":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2626874","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Poor dietary diversity (DD) in pregnancy can lead to nutritional deficiencies, resulting in poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. This cross-sectional study assessed the DD of 681 pregnant women in a tertiary hospital in South Africa. DD, household food insecurity and sociodemographic status were assessed using the MDD-W indicator, HFIAS and a questionnaire. 99.4% of participants consumed starchy staples, while only 7.9%, 10.6% and 13.5% consumed pulses; nuts and seeds; and dark green leafy vegetables, respectively. Only 32.9% achieved the MDD-W. Unemployment, having only primary education, severe food insecurity, as well as monthly income of 100-1000 ZAR and 1001-3000 ZAR were associated with 69% (<i>p</i> < .001), 72% (<i>p</i> = .010), 43% (<i>p</i> = .024), 82% (<i>p</i> < .001) and 50% (<i>p</i> = .003) decreased odds of achieving MDD-W, respectively. The findings indicate low DD and likely micronutrient inadequacy among this population of pregnant women. Lower monthly income, lower educational level, unemployment and severe household food insecurity were associated with inadequate DD. Addressing structural barriers, including poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity, is essential to support a more diverse diet during pregnancy.</p>","PeriodicalId":11511,"journal":{"name":"Ecology of Food and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"26-43"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146112348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A Burton, Z Abdul-Hameed, G Ford, B Rivers, D Rivers
{"title":"Exploring the Knowledge Gap: A Scoping Review of Nutrition Insecurity and Related Factors Among Black Cancer Survivors in the United States.","authors":"A Burton, Z Abdul-Hameed, G Ford, B Rivers, D Rivers","doi":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2692935","DOIUrl":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2692935","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Black people in the United States have the highest death rates for cancer and a lower overall 5-year cancer survival rate than White people. Although current literature demonstrates the importance of diet in cancer survivors' overall health, there is a limited understanding of the relationship between nutrition insecurity and cancer-related outcomes. This review summarizes evidence and knowledge gaps related to nutrition insecurity, food insecurity, neighborhood food environments, and cancer-related outcomes among Black cancer survivors in the United States. A total of 41 articles were reviewed. None of the included studies assessed for nutrition insecurity using a validated measuring tool. The impact of poor diet quality, food insecurity, and the neighborhood environment on cancer-related outcomes is evident, yet these issues continue to be studied in isolation. Establishing nutrition insecurity as a foundational concept will allow for more studies to better address the multi-level issues impacting Black cancer survivors' overall health.</p>","PeriodicalId":11511,"journal":{"name":"Ecology of Food and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"260-297"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148359872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anne C Bellows, Sudha Raj, Marguerite Leek, Stewart A W Diemont, Matthew R Potteiger, Arcènia Notilija Vilanculo, Katherine Korba
{"title":"Foraging and Biocultural Capital: Toward Nutritional and Intergenerational Resilience in Community Food Systems.","authors":"Anne C Bellows, Sudha Raj, Marguerite Leek, Stewart A W Diemont, Matthew R Potteiger, Arcènia Notilija Vilanculo, Katherine Korba","doi":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2632633","DOIUrl":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2632633","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Extrapolating from Bourdieu's theory of cultural capital, this paper introduces biocultural capital as capacity and asset to steward land, food, and knowledge in public commons for present and future generations. At the nexus of nutrition, planetary health and cultural well-being, foraging can support community-based biocultural capital in developing local self-determination and dignity with regard to local food sovereignty and nutrition security. A case study in Syracuse, New York, USA, investigates how community partners and interested residents identify strategies to build biocultural capital through community-based foraging knowledge, networks, and practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":11511,"journal":{"name":"Ecology of Food and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"44-76"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147347676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Taylor Swenski, Jocelyn Smith Carter, Marjorie Kersten, Elizabeth Berkeley, Kenneth Varner, Howard Rosing
{"title":"Building Capacity for Food Justice: The Multifaceted Benefits of an Urban Home Gardening Intervention.","authors":"Taylor Swenski, Jocelyn Smith Carter, Marjorie Kersten, Elizabeth Berkeley, Kenneth Varner, Howard Rosing","doi":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2693931","DOIUrl":"10.1080/03670244.2026.2693931","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Innovation is needed to build capacity for food justice in urban food apartheid areas. Home gardening programs have the potential to achieve such goals. Chicago Grows Food created the Grow Your Groceries Home Garden intervention in 2022 to improve access to produce in food insecure communities. A mixed-methods, longitudinal investigation was conducted to determine how the program affected food access, cost savings, gardening skills, health, and socioemotional outcomes. Participants (<i>N</i>=46) were surveyed pre- and post-program over two annual cycles. Focus group participants (<i>N</i>=9) provided enriching context and detail. While results on improved gardening confidence over time emerged non-significant, the mixed-methods findings were positive. Participants reported increased food access, cost savings, healthier eating, stress reduction, and strengthened relational bonds, showcasing wide-ranging impacts on food security and well-being. Urban agriculture organizations may use this intervention as a model for home-based gardening programs, thus paving a path for localized food justice efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":11511,"journal":{"name":"Ecology of Food and Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"321-347"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148316282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}