Browsing by Author "Keino, Susan"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Determinants of Stunting and Overweight among Young Children and Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa
    (SAGE Publications, 2014-06-01) Keino, Susan; Plasqui, Guy; Ettyang, Grace; van den Borne, Bart
    BackgroundStunting and overweight are nutritional problems affecting most of sub-Saharan Africa. The region now has the world's highest rate of stunting among children (43%), while overweight and obesity are becoming a global epidemic, and Africa is not spared. The past two decades have seen a dramatic increase in obesity in sub-Saharan Africa.ObjectiveThe purpose of this systematic review is to explore the determinants of stunting and overweight in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsA literature search was conducted in PubMed using the key words stunting, overweight, obesity, Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, determinants, and prevalence. Limits were set to include articles published between 1990 and 2012. The systematic review resulted in 38 studies, and after selection based on title, content, and country of the study, 18 studies were eligible for this review. Data were analyzed by the chi-square test.ResultsThe prevalence rates of stunting and over-weight were dependent on socioeconomic, demographic, and environmental factors. Many studies indicate that male children and those living in a rural setting are more likely to be stunted, whereas overweight among children depends more on age, household composition, occupation of the mother, and the mother's body mass index. Stunting occurred together with overweight among both boys and girls from 1 to 5 years of age. Stunting was more prevalent among boys than among girls. Indicators of socioeconomic status, such as mother's education, mother's occupation, and household income, were some of the determinants directly linked to stunting, whereas environmental factors, such as rural or urban setting and sanitation, influenced both stunting and overweight. Concurrent stunting and overweight is influenced by maternal and household factors, such as maternal height, age, and education, large household size, and lower socioeconomic status.ConclusionsAlthough socioeconomic, demographic, and environmental factors were significant in determining stunting and overweight, other factors, such as nutrition and lifestyle, were important risk factors. Stunting in childhood is a risk factor that may result in overweight and obesity later in adolescence and adulthood, indicating the need to screen children below 1 year of age to identify stunting early in life. Promoting exclusive breastfeeding is reported to be important in preventing both stunting and overweight among children. More research is needed to explore the relationship between stunting and overweight and to explore policy guidelines to address the phenomenon.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Household food insecurity access: a predictor of overweight and underweight among Kenyan women
    (BioMed Central (BMC), 2014-01-28) Keino, Susan; Plasqui, Guy; van den Borne, Bart
    There has been a rise in the number of overweight women across the globe and sub-Saharan Africa has not been spared. Our objective was to describe the performance of household food security as a factor in determining overweight and underweight among Kenyan women of child-bearing age.A cross sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was carried out among 656 households with women of child-bearing age from both rural and urban settings in the Rift Valley, Kenya.Of all households involved, 70.1% were categorized as severely food insecure, 21.9% were moderately food insecure, and 3.7% were mildly food insecure, whereas 4.3% were food secure. Urban women had higher mean BMI (M = 24.53, SD = 4.36), compared to rural women (M = 22.52, SD = 3.71; P <0.000). Households with more children had decreased dietary diversity (r = -0.154; P <0.01). Logistical regression indicated that more food-secure households (OR = 0.97; 95% CI 9.4, 1.0), urban residence (OR = 1.82; 95% CI 1.1, 3.0), older age (OR = 1.10; 95% CI 1.1, 1.5), and high standard of living (OR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.2, 1.5) were strong predictors of overweight while being underweight was predicted by younger age (OR = 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83, 1.0).
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Increasing food security and nutrition resilience in response to climate change in east Africa: findings from a multisectoral symposium
    (Elsevier, 2017-04-07) Braitstein, Paula; Lama, Tenzin; Keino, Susan; Gladanac, Branka; Yego, Faith; Cole, Donald; Tabu, John Simiyu; Cortinois, Andrea; Tarus, Carren; Fox, Ann
    The symposium Kuwa Tayari (“be prepared” in English): finding pathways to nutrition and food security resilience in response to climate change in East Africa was held in Eldoret, Kenya, in May, 2016. The goals of this symposium were to increase awareness, stimulate research ideas and recommendations, catalyse the development of training opportunities, and provide an evidence base for policy and decision-making in these regions in preparation for, and response to, our changing world. Here, we describe the structure, aims, and outcome of the symposium.
  • Publication
    Publication
    Increasing food security and nutrition resilience in response to climate change in east Africa: findings from a multisectoral symposium
    (Elsevier, 2017-04-01) Braitstein, Paula; Lama, Tenzin; Keino, Susan; Gladanac, Branka; Yego, Faith; Cole, Donald; Tabu, John Simiyu; Cortinois, Andrea; Tarus, Carren; Fox, Ann
    BackgroundThe symposium Kuwa Tayari (“be prepared” in English): finding pathways to nutrition and food security resilience in response to climate change in East Africa was held in Eldoret, Kenya, in May, 2016. The goals of this symposium were to increase awareness, stimulate research ideas and recommendations, catalyse the development of training opportunities, and provide an evidence base for policy and decision-making in these regions in preparation for, and response to, our changing world. Here, we describe the structure, aims, and outcome of the symposium.MethodsThe 2-day symposium was a partnership initiative between University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health in Toronto, Canada, and Moi University, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health in Eldoret, Kenya. Target audiences were scientists, students, and educators in public health, environmental studies, agriculture, agroecology, civil society, non-government organisations, and government stakeholders. Symposium organisers did a literature review to develop a background paper that helped inform the selection of five planetary health subthemes of the symposium: (1) agriculture, nutrition, and agro-biodiversity; (2) water security; (3) renewable and sustainable cooking fuels; (4) nutrition and food security issues affecting vulnerable populations; and (5) human rights and sustainable development. The symposium format consisted of keynote and oral abstract presentations, plenary discussions, small group work, poster viewing sessions, and networking opportunities. A final report was produced to highlight key outcomes and recommendations.FindingsThere were 121 attendees at the symposium from 26 institutions in Kenya, Uganda, Canada, USA, and elsewhere; most were from academic and community organisations. Participants' reasons for attending were met: personal growth and development, networking, research, course and training ideas, and potential collaborations. There was consensus on the need to invest in innovative, context-specific, climate-smart agricultural practices that support sustainable livelihoods and development, and improve food security at the household level throughout east Africa.InterpretationMultisectoral, transdisciplinary, community-based, and population health research and interventions are needed to address the complex and interconnected issues of climate change, nutrition, and food security. Within east Africa, participatory initiatives that engage vulnerable populations (such as women, pastoral populations, and the urban poor), and those that integrate indigenous food system practices are crucial. Training priorities should be in the areas of integration of climate change topics into existing public health curriculums, and novel interdisciplinary courses on planetary health.FundingCanadian Institutes of Health Research.
  • Publication
    Publication
    The Influence of Food Environments on Food Security Resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Examination of Urban and Rural Difference in Kenya
    (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2022-07-18) Merchant, Emily V.; Fatima, Tasneem; Fatima, Alisa; Maiyo, Norah; Mutuku, Vincent; Keino, Susan; Simon, James E.; Hoffman, Daniel J.; Downs, Shauna M.
    Hunger and food insecurity has worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The types of food environments (e.g., natural/built) that people can access may improve household resilience to food-system shocks. This paper examines (1) urban and rural differences in the perceived influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on agricultural, livelihoods, food environment attributes, diets; and (2) whether access to different food environments was associated with food security. A two-part telephonic survey (COVID-19 Surveillance Community Action Network Food Systems Tool and Household Food Insecurity Access Scale) was conducted in Western Kenya (n = 173) and an informal settlement in Nairobi (n = 144) in January/February 2021. Limitations on the acquisition of farm inputs and movement restrictions had an adverse impact on agriculture and food sales. Urban residents reported a more significant impact on livelihoods (97% vs. 87%, p < 0.001), with day laborers being the most impacted. Rural respondents reported access to significantly more food environments and lower food insecurity. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that younger respondents, ≤1 income source, had more difficulty acquiring food, decreased access to cultivated environments, and increased access to informal markets were predictors for higher food insecurity. These data indicate that access to specific types of food environments may improve household resilience.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    The Influence of Food Environments on Food Security Resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Examination of Urban and Rural Difference in Kenya
    (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2022-07-18) Merchant, Emily V.; Fatima, Tasneem; Fatima, Alisa; Maiyo, Norah; Mutuku, Vincent; Keino, Susan; Simon, James E.; Hoffman, Daniel J.; Downs, Shauna M.
    Hunger and food insecurity has worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The types of food environments (e.g., natural/built) that people can access may improve household resilience to food-system shocks. This paper examines (1) urban and rural differences in the perceived influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on agricultural, livelihoods, food environment attributes, diets; and (2) whether access to different food environments was associated with food security. A two-part telephonic survey (COVID-19 Surveillance Community Action Network Food Systems Tool and Household Food Insecurity Access Scale) was conducted in Western Kenya (n = 173) and an informal settlement in Nairobi (n = 144) in January/February 2021. Limitations on the acquisition of farm inputs and movement restrictions had an adverse impact on agriculture and food sales. Urban residents reported a more significant impact on livelihoods (97% vs. 87%, p < 0.001), with day laborers being the most impacted. Rural respondents reported access to significantly more food environments and lower food insecurity. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that younger respondents, ≤1 income source, had more difficulty acquiring food, decreased access to cultivated environments, and increased access to informal markets were predictors for higher food insecurity. These data indicate that access to specific types of food environments may improve household resilience.