Loss of Livelihood, Wages, and Employment During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Selected Districts of Chhattisgarh in India, and Its Impact on Food Insecurity and Hunger.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing food insecurity in developing nations. The cumulative effect of restricted mobility to curtail the spread of the infection, loss of livelihood and income, worst affected the economically weaker sections. Our work examined the availability, accessibility, and affordability of food during the first wave of the pandemic using the FAO, HFIAS questionnaire, in a random sample (N = 401) from Kanker and Narayanpur districts in Chattisgarh, an Empowered Action Group state, in India. Total food security scores were derived by summing the individual scores. Percentages above and below the median scores were used to assess food insecurity. Proportion Z test was used to compare settings and a generalized linear model was used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables. Of the 63% non-tribal population, a greater percent experienced income loss (13.4%) and worried about not having sufficient food (40%). A significantly higher proportion from the non-tribal regions reported food scarcity in the household (34%) and experienced hunger (15%). Non-tribal participants (77%) scored ≤ median (score 8) demonstrating high food insecurity. The odds of poor food access increased in the non-tribal settings (B: 0.024, 95% CI: 0.011-0.051, P < 0.001), income between Rs. 10,000-29,000/- per month (B: 0.385, 95% CI: 0.146-1.014, P < 0.05) and among those experiencing total or partial income loss (B: 0.505, 95% CI: 0.252-1.011, P < 0.05). Urban residence increased the odds of poor food availability (B: 15.933, 95% CI: 3.473-73.096, P < 0.001). Being male (B: 0.450, 95% CI: 0.208-0.972, P < 0.05), and not experiencing income loss (B: 0.367, 95% CI: 0.139-0.969, P < 0.05) decreased the odds of poor availability and affordability (B: 0.153, 95% CI: 0.067-0.349, P < 0.001). Non-tribal setting increased the odds of poor affordability (B: 11.512, 95% CI: 5.577-23.765, P < 0.001) and hunger (B: 19.532, 95% CI: 7.705-49.515, P < 0.001). Being male (B: 0.445, 95% CI: 0.277-0.715, P < 0.05) and higher age (B: 0.936, 95% CI: 0.936-0.906, P < 0.001) decreased the odds of food insecurity as per the total food security score. While India is likely to experience multiple waves, actions urgent and targeted toward the needs of the vulnerable sections be prioritized to endure and overcome the impact of the pandemic.

Diet diversity of urban households in India during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Background: The nature of the COVID-19 pandemic forced several nations to impose country-wide lockdowns. The lockdown impacted several aspects of life including the economy. Food security became a growing concern for many households. Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the diet diversity of urban households in India during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: Information regarding socioeconomic status (SES), family size and information regarding availability and access to food were gathered from 450 households. Diet diversity was assessed using a 69-item food frequency questionnaire. Food variety scores (FVS) were computed for individual food groups and overall. Results: The majority of the households (86.4%) belonged to the upper-middle or upper SES. Households did not experience any constraints in accessibility and availability of food except the meat group. Overall, 84% of the households had low FVS for most of the food groups except for sugar and milk and milk products. The household SES score was positively associated with the milk FVS (B = 0.039, p = 0.020) and negatively with the fat FVS (B = -0.062, p < 0.001). The number of adults (B = 6.773, p < 0.001) in the household positively predicted the FVS of cereal, vegetable, fruit, fat and total FVS. Conclusions: The higher SES households in urban India did not experience food insecurity. Despite this, their poor diet diversity is a serious cause for concern, especially in the wake of the evolving pandemic. This highlights the need to promote consumption of a diverse variety of foods.

Physical Activity Levels, Motivators and Barriers to Exercise among Men and Women Aged 30 to 50 Years in Rourkela, India.

Background: Literature suggests that middle age is a period with increasing sedentary behavior and health risks. Objective: We conducted the present study to assess physical activity levels of the adults aged 30-50 years and understand the motivators and barriers to regular physical activity. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 adults aged 30-50 years residing in Rourkela, Odisha. The physical activity levels of the adults were assessed using Bouchard's Physical Activity Record. Height, weight, and waist circumference of the participants were measured using standard procedures. A self-administered questionnaire was prepared to identify the motivators and barriers to physical activity/exercise behavior. Results: Nearly half of the participants were obese, 23.3% were overweight and 28% had a normal body mass index. Based on WC and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), 84% and 79.3% of the participants had metabolic risk, respectively. Over half of the participants were physically inactive. Predominantly, low-intensity activities (yoga, slow walking) were performed as it was assumed to be sufficient. The main motivators of physical activity/exercise behavior were health scare, health benefits, weight loss, availability of resources at convenient time, and better looks. The chief barriers for exercise behavior were lack of motivation, weather, safety concerns, and lack of time. Conclusion: Despite over two-third of participants being overweight/obese, 90% of the physically active participants failed to meet the World Health Organization recommendations. Government, community, and individual participation are imperative to formulate interventions strategies to reduce the barriers to physical activity.

Anthropometry, body fat and central adiposity in LBW and NBW Indian children aged 3.5 to 4 years.

BACKGROUND: India has a high prevalence of low birth weight. Evidence indicates that poor fetal growth and rapid postnatal weight gain are associated with adiposity. OBJECTIVES: (i) To study the differences between the anthropometry, body fat measures of LBW and NBW children and (ii) To find out if there is any relationship between birth weight, change in weight SD and body fat measures of these children. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: We studied 396 children aged between 3.5 and 4 years who were beneficiaries of government-run anganwadis in urban slums of Mumbai city, India. OUTCOME MEASURES: Birth weight, current weight, height, skinfold thicknesses and waist circumference. Change in weight SD and body fat (%) were calculated. WHOAnthro was used to compute the z scores. Parent's education, income and breastfeeding history was recorded. RESULTS: The mean change in weight SD of LBW and NBW groups were 1.01 ±â€¯1.4 and -0.73 ±â€¯1.13 respectively (p < 0.001). LBW children were lighter and shorter than NBW ones but had similar body fat (%) and central adiposity measures. In LBW and NBW children, birth weight Z score and change in weight SD were positively related to body fat (%) and waist circumference. CONCLUSION: Children in this study belonged to low socioeconomic section. Despite this, LBW displayed a tendency towards accumulating body fat particularly, abdominal fat for lower body weight. Birth weight and postnatal weight change predict body fat and waist circumference in LBW and NBW children.