NUTRITION 2020 LIVE ONLINE

1-4 June 2020

Register here

 

NUTRITION 2020 LIVE ONLINE is a rich, interactive experience that you can join from anywhere in the world, offering great content in the form of lectures, scientific sessions, satellite programs, virtual abstract presentations, virtual exhibits, and more. Connect with a global audience through panel discussions, live Q& A and interaction for selected sessions.  Put on your comfiest clothes, grab your favorite beverage and healthy snacks, and find your seat (you’re guaranteed the best seat in the house!), and settle in for 4 days of nutrition learning and collaboration like you’ve never experienced before!

NUTRITION 2020 LIVE ONLINE is completely free and supported by the ASN Foundation.

/by

No backsliding: How can we re-orient food systems and health systems to protect nutrition and healthy diets in the context of COVID-19?

Thursday, May 28, 2020 - 09:30 am to 10:45 am (EDT)

Register here

The COVID-19 pandemic — and the related economic crisis and disrupted food and health systems — will likely severely worsen all forms of malnutrition globally. In the short to medium term, micronutrient deficiencies, child wasting and stunting, and overweight and obesity are all expected to surge, stemming the tide of recent progress toward achieving the World Health Assembly’s Global Nutrition Targets 2025.

This seminar, co-organized by IFPRI and the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH), will analyze the situation, focusing on anticipated impacts on maternal and child nutrition, diets, reach of nutrition interventions, and mortality. Speakers will also reflect on positive adaptations that could help rebuild stronger health, economic, and food systems, and thereby protect nutrition and health.

Watch on IFPRI's website

/by

COVID-19 pandemic: how people met the food system

For more than two months now, the world has been living in semi-confinement and the world’s economy moving in slow motion due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Both the disease and the measures that are taken to reduce its spread cause disturbances and disruptions in day-to-day food supply mechanisms, which are increasingly felt at all levels. An increase of at least 150 000 child deaths is estimated due to the indirect impacts of COVID-19 in health service delivery and childhood undernutrition[1]. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 135 million people experienced crisis level of acute food insecurity and COVID-19 and related restrictions risk pushing many more into acute hunger (FSIN 2020)[2].

As the pandemic spreads, the points of interaction between people and the food system – their food environments - are changing rapidly and taking on greater importance in everyday life. Lockdowns, policy responses, and COVID-19 itself have the potential to impact on both external and personal food environments, detailed in figure 1.

Figure 1. Possible impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food environments


Consequences range from undernutrition  to overweight/ obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The role of unhealthy diets has been further heightened during the pandemic given people with NCDs are more vulnerable to becoming severely ill and to die from COVID-19.[3]

But what does the evidence tell us is actually happening in practice? Much of the reporting and action related to COVID-19s impact on food environments focuses on external domains which lie largely outside of people’s sphere of influence. To better understand how people are experiencing and adapting to these changes within the personal domains of their food environment, UNSCN conducted an online survey from 15 to 30 April 2020[4] . Convenience sampling was employed which utilized UNSCN’s existing communication networks.

In total 2006 people from 108 countries, in primarily urban settings, responded. Most of them are female (70%) and around half between 25 and 44 years of age. Half of them are working or studying in nutrition, education, government, and health services. Most respondents were from Western Europe and North America (46%), followed by the Asia-Pacific Group (excluding China where surveys in Google forms are prohibited) (30%). Respondents from Africa (15%), Latin America and Caribbean (8%) and from Eastern Europe (1%) were less numerous.

Preliminary results show that survey respondents’ food accessibility altered noticeably and food related daily routines were the most disrupted, after work and social related activities. With strict rules placed on people's personal movement to limit the spread of COVID-19 this is not surprising.

Among food related behavior changes related to food desirability and convenience, 2 out of 3 respondents indicated an increase in food stockpiling, likely linked to the finding that nearly half of all respondents report buying more food out of anxiety. In addition, the large majority of responses indicated facing important accessibility changes at the point of purchase. This included restricted access (81%), physical distancing measures (91%), as well as the availability of information on protective measures (89%) and responsible purchasing (70%) at the point of sale.

Home cooking seems to be the big winner of the crisis with 50% of the respondents indicating an increase in the practice, with the correspondent decrease in eating out, either in restaurants/cafeterias/bars our at family and friend’s places. Among the survey respondents, home cooking and food stockpiling seems to be accompanied by increased awareness of food waste (66%) and the promising indication that this awareness means food is not being wasted more than normally (93%). While the survey did not directly seek information on affordability of food this is an important and sensitive domain as many people around the world are facing increased food insecurity because of reduced income and earning potential. The impacts are most prominent in areas that were already facing food insecurity before the outbreak of COVID-19. Despite the surveys bias with responses from largely higher income countries 8% of respondents reported relying on social protection measures such as food banks, while 17% are relying on alternative sources of food such as personal and community food production.

So what can we learn from this? COVID-19 related changes in food environments reveal the weaknesses in the system and the need for more resilience and sustainability. While great, the current challenges create opportunities. Faced with uncertainties and anxiety, people are searching for direction and reassurances in their food environments. Heightened awareness about our food environments and the foods we consume create a catalyst for change. 

 

[1] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(20)30229-1/fulltext

[2] GRFC 2020. Global Report on Food Crisis 2020. Available at : https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000114546/download/?_ga=2.126964110.221321867.1589466142-2144737428.1589466142

[3] WHO, 2020. Information note on COVID-19 and NCDs. Available at: https://www.who.int/who-documents-detail/covid-19-and-ncds

[4] UNSCN Questionnaire   

/by

GCSP Covid-19 Webinar Series. Session 8: What next for Agenda 2030? The COVID-19 crisis, inequality, and the future of the SDGs.

14:30 (Geneva time - GMT+2).

Register here

Covid-19 Crisis: Global Crisis, Global Risk and Global Consequences is a new webinar series that examines various possible and visible consequences of the current crisis including its strategic and economic implications, impact on global governance, on gender or the role of technology.

The webinar is free and conducted in English. The first webinar session will provide an overview of the strategic, global health security, crisis management, governance, economic and financial implications of this crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything. In just three months it has spread globally, infected nearly 5 million people, and put half the world in lock-down. With supply chains disrupted, and even multi-national businesses threatened, the economic slowdown has delivered a deeper, more rapid shock than the 2008 global financial crisis. And the accompanying socio-economic impact on health, wellbeing and livelihoods threatens to derail the global compact to “leave no-one behind” that underpins Agenda 2030 and the SDGs.

This pandemic has hit the most vulnerable and unequal societies the hardest. The differential impacts of the health crisis and lockdown have exacerbated pre-existing inequalities - widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots and wiping out decades of progress on poverty eradication. These impacts will last into future generations – through sharp rises in malnutrition and stunting; permanent loss of educational opportunities for children who cannot connect from home; and the toll of death and morbidity among the – usually female and low-paid - health and care workforce who form our first line of defence against the disease.

The crisis has clearly demonstrated that all societies are interconnected and deeply interdependent. These factors drove the global solidarity behind Agenda 2030 and the SDGs that drew support from 193 global leaders at the UN sustainable development summit in 2015. And this compact to build a sustainable future for people, planet, prosperity and peace is the only legitimate, universal and internationally recognised vision for humanity we have. But as poorer countries and vulnerable communities fall further off-track, while richer countries reallocate resources to deal with the immediate impacts of the pandemic, how can we reboot and reshape our efforts to reach the SDGs? What actions must we take to “build back better”?

This webinar will feature presentations on how the direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 crisis have affected and are affected by social and economic inequalities, and the likely impacts on the achievement of the SDGs. Focusing on the latest evidence from nutrition; education; women, children and adolescent’s health and gender equality, the panel will make recommendations for urgent action to stem growing inequality and “leave no-one behind” – and will set out their prescriptions for a sustainable, fair and secure post-COVID world.

/by

FAO webinar – The Coming Crisis: Preventing a Hunger Catastrophe amid COVID-19

19 May 2020 10:00 AM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register here

Join the high-level congressional webinar briefing co-hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Alliance to End Hunger in conjunction with the House and Senate Hunger Caucuses to learn about the key findings of the 2020 Global Report on Food Crises and opportunities to prevent an unprecedented hunger catastrophe.

Featured Speakers

QU Dongyu, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Johan Swinnen, Director-General, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Co-Chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus
Congressman James McGovern (MA-02) and Co-Chair of the House Hunger Caucus
Amb. Tony Hall, Executive Director Emeritus, Alliance to End Hunger
Dominique Burgeon, Director, Emergency and Rehabilitation Division, FAO

/by

2020 Global Nutrition Report: Good Food For All

Tuesday 19 March 2020, 2pm London

Register here

To tease out the GNR's food system threads, the SDG2 Advocacy Hub will, on 19 May, host a dialogue on what the GNR tells us about indicators for inclusive food systems. Gathering voices from across climate, agriculture, nutrition and food, the confirmed panellists include Agnes Kalibata, Gunhild Stordalen, Chef Sam Kass and Theo de Jager with a short brief on this year's report from Professor Vankatesh Mannar.

/by

Stepping up effective school health and nutrition: a partnership for healthy learners and brighter futures

For the first time since the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, UN and multilateral agencies from across health, education, agriculture, WASH, and social welfare sectors have come together to make a renewed commitment to school health and nutrition. The partnership, Stepping up effective school health and nutrition aims to advance the health and nutrition of school-aged children and adolescents, so they are ready to learn and thrive, and can contribute meaningfully to the future of their communities and countries.

The joint call for action comes as the COVID-19 pandemic pushes 90% of the world’s student population out of school and brings to light the important role schools play in protecting the health and well-being of learners. Millions of children are now missing the one nutritious meal a day they received through school feeding programmes. Millions more can no longer access the basic health services and critical health education provided in schools across the world.

Through united action, the partnership, which includes FAO, GPE, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNSCN, the World Bank, WFP, and WHO, invites governments and other partners to join them in renewing their own commitments to school health and nutrition and to increase and better align investments and efforts to  bring proven interventions to scale and respond to children’s learning and growth needs holistically, and ultimately build the human capital of countries.

/by

Webinar: Cities and Covid-19. Food access for vulnerable communities

Friday 15 May at 15:00 CEST
Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8729481715829403919

FAO, UNEP, ICLEI, RUAF and Rikolto invite you to learn from the experience of 3 cities: New York City (USA), Kampala (Uganda) and Quito (Ecuador) in a webinar on Cities and Covid-19: Food access for vulnerable communities on Friday 15 May at 15:00 CEST.

Speakers:

  • Jamie Morrison, Strategic Programme Leader, Food Systems Programme, FAO
  • Kate MacKenzie, Director of the Mayor's Office of Food Policy, New York City
  • Esau Galukande, Deputy Director Production and Marketing, Kampala Capital City Authority
  • David Jácome Polit, Metropolitan Director of Resilience, Municipality of Quito

The webinar is part of a Series of webinars on the Food Systems Approach in Practice promoted by members of the One Planet Network Sustainable Food Systems Programme (SFS Programme), a global multi-stakeholder platform to support countries in the transition towards sustainable food systems.

/by

2020 Global Nutrition Report Online Launch

Tuesday 12 May, 1−2:15pm BST | 5:30−6:45pm IST | 8−9:15am EDT

As ever, the 2020 GNR presents the most comprehensive picture of the state of nutrition at the global, regional and country level, and tracks progress against global nutrition targets and the commitments made to reach them. Uniquely, the 2020 report focuses on equity and unpacks the role of inequities in tackling malnutrition. It does this in recognition of the ways in which malnutrition affects different people in different ways, depending on factors such as income, location, sex and age. Through this lens, the 2020 GNR reveals the challenges and opportunities for improving nutrition outcomes through food and health systems, supported by strong financing and accountability.

The online launch will provide the opportunity to present the key findings of the 2020 GNR and reflect on the current crisis and its impact on a world already affected by the double burden of malnutrition. India is a country that knows all too well the impact of inequities on nutrition. Yet despite facing multiple burdens, it continues to strive towards progress and an India free from all forms of malnutrition. Building on India’s commitment to improve nutrition outcomes, and in collaboration with TINI, the 2020 GNR will provide an overview of the global burden of malnutrition while also shining a light on examples of progress and pinpointing where action is urgently needed.

More info available here

Register here

/by

2020 Global Nutrition Report

The 2020 Global Nutrition Report looks beyond global and national patterns, revealing significant inequalities in nutrition outcomes within countries and populations. Based on the best-available data, in-depth analysis and expert opinion rooted in evidence, the report identifies critical actions to achieve nutrition equity. Everyone deserves access to healthy, affordable food and quality nutrition care.

 

Executive Summary

Download the Report here

 

/by

Webinar: Safely getting food to school-age children and their families

Thursday, May 7 at 9:00AM EDT

With over 1.5 billion learners affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, many countries are struggling to ensure children continue to receive a nutritious meal. Join the Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF) for a series of interactive webinars for government officials and their implementing partners to discuss strategies for addressing school meal program disruptions in the short-term, how they’ll continue in the future, how to re-start programs, and more.

The first webinar of the series will be held on Thursday, May 7 at 9:00AM EDT.  
Please register here:
Webinar 1: How partners are safely getting food to school-age children and their families
Through this session, GCNF will highlight what other partners are doing in this space to ensure governments avoid reinventing the wheel and can quickly adapt practices to local context.
Speakers:
  • Carmen Burbano, WFP Director of the School Feeding Division
  • Rafael Fábrega, Tetra Laval Director of Food for Development
  • Cindy Long, USDA FNS Deputy Administrator of Child Nutrition Programs
  • Daniel Mumuni, CRS Sierra Leone Chief of Party
Moderated by Alesha Black Miller, Nonresident Fellow, Global Food and Agriculture Program, Chicago Council for Global Affairs
/by

WHO Call for data on effects of policies or interventions that influence the school food environment

Deadline for submission: 20 June 2020

Background

The Department of Nutrition and Food Safety (NFS) established the WHO Nutrition Guidance Expert Advisory Group (NUGAG) Subgroup on Policy Actions in 2018 to support WHO’s work in developing evidence-informed guidance on effective policy measures to support Member States in developing enabling food environment to promote healthy diets and good nutrition.

 

At a meeting convened in Qingdao, China from 09 to 13 December 2019, the NUGAG Subgroup on Policy Actions initiated the work on developing guidelines for school food and nutrition policies.

To inform the work of the NUGAG Subgroup on Policy Actions, a systematic review is currently being conducted on the effects of policies or interventions that influence the school food environment.

Call for data

To complement published data that are being identified via systematic searching of relevant scientific literature databases, WHO is requesting interested Member States and other parties to submit available evidence reviews for effects of policies or interventions that influence the school food environment, including grey literature or studies. Evidence must be for implemented policies or interventions that influenced or changed the school food environment, which could include:

  • Nutrition standards or rules that determine the quality of food served or sold in and around schools
  • Marketing restrictions of unhealthy food and non-alcoholic beverages (FNABs) in and around schools
  • Nudging interventions promoting healthy food behaviour in the school environment (e.g. product placement)
  • Pricing policies to promote healthier alternatives (e.g. subsidies of healthy foods; higher cost of unhealthy options)
  • Direct food provision to students in schools (e.g. meal programmes; vegetable and fruit distribution)

Data and information being sought include evaluations of implemented policies or interventions, and that report on one or more of the following outcomes:

  • Consumption of healthy FNAB in school, out of school or overall (e.g. fruits and vegetables)
  • Consumption of discretionary FNAB in school, out of school or overall (e.g. sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs)
  • Diet (energy, total food and/or nutrient intake, nutritional quality)
  • Purchasing behaviour or sales data
  • Nutrient and calorie content of available foods
  • Exposure to marketing of FNAB, when relevant
  • Anthropometric outcomes (BMI, weight/height, height/age, etc.)
  • Behaviours related to healthy dietary habits
  • Educational outcomes (school absenteeism, educational attainment, school achievement)
  • Micronutrient status
  • Prices of available foods
  • Portion sizes served or sold
  • Attitudes towards food
  • Blood glucose, Blood lipids (TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG), Blood pressure
  • Morbidity (e.g. caries)

 

Acceptable types of studies include, but are not limited to:

  • Randomized controlled trials
  • Cluster randomized controlled trials
  • Controlled before-after studies
  • Interrupted time-series studies (uncontrolled or controlled with at least three data points before and after a clearly defined intervention (in terms of content and timing).
  • Prospective controlled cohort studies
  • Qualitative studies, process evaluations or policy analyses may also be submitted

When submitting data, please provide as much analytical and descriptive information as possible, including the following:

  • Identity and affiliation of the author(s) of the evaluation/analysis
  • Date of evaluation/analysis
  • Characteristics of the population (e.g. age-group, sample size, setting)
  • Description of the policy intervention (e.g. mandatory vs voluntary, national or subnational)
  • Detailed description of methodologies
  • Outcomes assessed

If submitting an evaluation or analysis that has been published in a peer-reviewed journal, please provide bibliographic information.

Data must be submitted by 20 June 2020 to be considered for inclusion in the on-going systematic review which is scheduled to be completed by October 2020. Data must be submitted through the online submission form athttps://extranet.who.int/dataform/857866?lang=en. Detailed instructions for submitting data are provided in the online form.  Data submitted by email or in hard copy will not be considered.

This call for data can also be viewed online at https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/call-for-data-on-nutrition-school-food-environment-2020.

Questions regarding the call for data should be addressed to NPUinfo@who.int.

/by