COVID-19 Nutrition Digest (September 2020)

Relying on community support during the pandemic (Image courtesy: POSHAN team)

In the fifth issue of COVID-19 Nutrition Digest, we present to you a collection of recently published peer-reviewed resources and other material, analyzing the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the outcomes, determinants and coverage of interventions related to maternal and child nutrition. At the recently concluded third India-focused implementation research conference on “Delivering for Nutrition in India: Insights from Implementation Research” one of the thematic sessions looked at “COVID-19 and nutrition: Early insights from around India”. During the session, speakers deliberated on the issues of agriculture-nutrition nexus, child feeding practices, frontline worker capabilities and community response during COVID-19 in India. It was noted that India’s success during this pandemic will depend on how we come together and collaborate as a community. Please keep watching the event webpage to access the presentation recordings when they are available online. Meanwhile, please explore the current issue of COVID-19 Nutrition Digest.

Peer-reviewed resources

Outcomes

Editorial

COVID‐19 and maternal and child food and nutrition insecurity: a complex syndemic

Pérez‐Escamilla, R., K. Cunningham, and V. H. Moran. 2020. “COVID‐19 and maternal and child food and nutrition insecurity: a complex syndemic”. Maternal & Child Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13036

This article emphasizes that because food, nutrition, health, and socio‐economic outcomes are intimately inter‐linked, it is essential to find out how to effectively address the need to reconfigure and to provide better intersectoral coordination among global and local food, health care, and social protection systems taking equity and sustainability principles into account. Implementation science research informed by complex adaptive systems frameworks will be needed to fill in the major knowledge gaps. Read more.

Individuals with obesity and COVID‐19: A global perspective on the epidemiology and biological relationships

Popkin, B. M., S. Du, W. D. Green, M. A. Beck, T. Algaith, C. H. Herbst, R. F. Alsukait, M. Alluhidan, N. Alazemi, and M. Shekar. 2020. “Individuals with obesity and COVID‐19: A global perspective on the epidemiology and biological relationships”. Obesity Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13128

This article presents a systematic review of the mechanistic pathways for COVID‐19 and individuals with obesity. Individuals with obesity are linked with large significant increases in morbidity and mortality from COVID‐19. There are many mechanisms that jointly explain this impact. A major concern is that vaccines will be less effective for the individuals with obesity. Read more.

Letter to the Editor

Impact of nutritional status and anemia on COVID-19: Is it a public health concern? Evidence from National Family Health Survey-4 (2015–2016), India

Das, A., M. Das, and S. Ghosh. 2020. “Impact of nutritional status and anemia on COVID-19: Is it a public health concern? Evidence from National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-2016), India”. Public Health 185:93-94. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.puhe.2020.06.001

Nutritional status and anemia have an impact on COVID-19 cases over the hotspot states of India. Adults with below normal BMI, overweight or obesity, and anemia are the most vulnerable to COVID-19. The outcome of the study is not only a big public health concern for the hotspot states, but also for those which are likely to be hotspots in upcoming days. Read more.

Determinants

Food system disruption: initial livelihood and dietary effects of COVID-19 on vegetable producers in India

Harris, J., L. Depenbusch, A. A. Pal, R. M. Nair, and S. Ramasamy. 2020. “Food system disruption: initial livelihood and dietary effects of COVID-19 on vegetable producers in India”. Food Security 12, 841–851. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-020-01064-5

This article investigates the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on production, sales, prices, incomes and diets for vegetable farmers in India as both producers and consumers of nutrient-dense foods. Read more.

Interventions

Viewpoint

The COVID-19 pandemic and food insecurity: A viewpoint on India

Mishra, K., and J. Rampal. 2020. “The COVID-19 pandemic and food insecurity: A viewpoint on India”. World Development 135: 105068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105068

This article highlights the need for the Indian government to carefully combine governmental and non-governmental interventions, in reducing India’s food insecurity and hunger rates despite the COVID-19 related slowdown. Read more.

Other resources

Outcomes