COVID-19 NUTRITION DIGEST (JULY 2020)

Ensuring proper nutrition even in challenging circumstances (Image courtesy: POSHAN team)

There seems to be little respite from the COVID-19 pandemic with rising cases, intermittent geography-specific lockdowns, and  the World Health Organization indicating no quick return to normal in the foreseeable future. We continue to look for scientific evidence to bring you up-to-date information on nutrition during the pandemic. In this third issue of COVID-19 Nutrition Digest, we present a collection of recently published peer- and non-peer-reviewed resources, analyzing the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the outcomes, determinants and coverage of interventions related to maternal and child nutrition. We hope that you will find this information useful.

Peer-reviewed resources

Outcomes

• Review of the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) based on current evidence

Wang, L., Y. Wang, D.Ye, and Q. Liu. 2020. “Review of the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) based on current evidence”. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 55(6): 105948. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.105948

While there is much to learn about SARS-CoV-2, the authors synthesize the current published evidence on epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Read more.

Determinants

• Vitamin D and SARS-CoV-2 virus/COVID-19 disease

Lanham-New, S.A., A.R. Webb, K.D. Cashman, J.L. Buttriss, J.L. Fallowfield, T. Masud, M. Hewison, J.C. Mathers, M. Kiely, A.A. Welch, K.A. Ward, P. Magee, A.L. Darling, T.R. Hill, C. Greig, C.P. Smith, R. Murphy, S. Leyland, R. Bouillon, S. Ray, and M. Kohlmeier. 2020. “Vitamin D and SARS-CoV-2 virus/COVID-19 disease”. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. doi:10.1136/bmjnph-2020-000089. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjnph-2020-000089

This article provides a summary of the current scientific evidence on the association between vitamin D, influenza, upper respiratory tract infections and immunity. Certain populations are prone to low Vitamin D status and COVID-19 could potentially exacerbate it due to low exposure to sun due to indoor living. Authors recommend options for maintaining healthy Vitamin D status. Read more.

Non-peer-reviewed resources

Outcomes

• The 2020 Global Nutrition Report in the context of Covid-19

Independent Expert Group | Report | May 2020

• The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020

FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, WHO | Report | July 2020

• Risk of COVID-19 Complications in Children Affected by Wasting

United Nations Children’s Fund and the Global Nutrition Cluster| Joint Statement | April 7, 2020

Determinants

• Equity and the right to food: A systemic approach to tackling malnutrition

Global Nutrition Report Blog| Anna Lartey, Stineke Oenema | July 7, 2020

• COVID-19 and resilience innovations in food supply chains

IFPRI Blog | Thomas Reardon, Johan Swinnen| July 6, 2020

• India’s Supply Chains Unchained

IFPRI South Asia Blog | Matt Lowe, Ben Roth | June 18, 2020

• Prepare food systems for a long-haul fight against COVID-19

IFPRI Blog | Maximo Torero | July 2, 2020

• Five-step plan to prevent an impending nutrition famine during COVID-19 in India

Sight and Life | Srujith Lingala, Basanta Kar | May 15, 2020

• Reduced food and diet quality, and need for nutrition services during COVID-19: Findings from surveys in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh

IFPRI South Asia Blog | Rajib Acharya | July 9, 2020

• To Beat COVID, Eating Enough Is Not Enough

Outlook Poshan | Devesh Roy, Manika Sharma | June 28, 2020

• Improving India’s Public Distribution System: What can we learn from COVID-19?

IFPRI South Asia Blog | Devesh Roy, Mamata Pradhan | June 15, 2020

• Breastfeeding and COVID-19

World Health Organization | Scientific brief | June 23, 2020

Interventions

• DBT proves an efficient channel in disbursing Covid relief

The Hindu Business Line |Anjani Kumar, Deepak Varshney, PK Joshi | June 10, 2020

• Mitigating the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food and the Nutrition of School Children

FAO, UNICEF and WFP | Guidance Document | April 2020

• Maintaining essential health services: operational guidance for the COVID-19 context

World Health Organization | Guidance | June 1, 2020

• Nutrition Sectoral and Cluster Coordination Guidance in COVID19 Contexts

The Global Nutrition Cluster Coordination Team | Guidance | May 5, 2020

• Nutrition program adaptations and implementation science during COVID-19: The case of South Asia

IFPRI South Asia Blog | Rasmi Avula, Jennifer Crum, Kenda Cunningham, Edward Frongillo, Ame Stormer, Andrea Warren| July 16, 2020