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Research Article
The Impact of Climate Change on Food Accessibility in Egypt: An Empirical Analysis of Prevalence of Undernourishment
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
178-190
Received:
28 June 2026
Accepted:
14 July 2026
Published:
9 September 2026
Abstract: Climate change is negatively affecting food systems as a whole, as weather events are becoming more frequent and severe, which will pose a challenge to food production and may threaten the world’s people's ability to access and afford healthy diets, particularly in lower-income countries with higher rates of hunger and poverty. Inadequate diets will exacerbate the harm caused to people’s health and lead to higher rates of malnutrition among the population. In this study, we aim to examine the impact of climate change on food accessibility in Egypt over the period 2001–2023. We adopted the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to trace long-run and short-run effects. The empirical results indicate a significant negative effect of climate change on food access, with temperature having a positive effect on the prevalence of malnutrition—as temperature-related shocks negatively affect food supply and lead to higher domestic food prices, which in turn limit people’s ability to purchase healthy and adequate food, thereby increasing malnutrition rates among the population. Food price inflation negatively impacts access to food, as these sharp price increases lead to a contraction in real income and higher rates of malnutrition during climate shocks. With regard to gross domestic product per capita and its positive impact on access to food, this demonstrates that purchasing power and income act as fundamental structural buffers protecting Egyptians households from sharp rises in food price inflation. As for per capita food production, this has a negative impact on malnutrition rates.
Abstract: Climate change is negatively affecting food systems as a whole, as weather events are becoming more frequent and severe, which will pose a challenge to food production and may threaten the world’s people's ability to access and afford healthy diets, particularly in lower-income countries with higher rates of hunger and poverty. Inadequate diets wil...
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Research Article
Predictive Bioavailability of Iron, Calcium, and Zinc in Traditional and Composite Flours Made from Roasted Corn, Soybean, and Peanut Powders
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
191-198
Received:
5 August 2026
Accepted:
22 August 2026
Published:
9 September 2026
Abstract: In Ivory Coast, roasted corn kernels are used to produce roasted corn flour, which is rich in carbohydrates but low in protein, vitamins, and minerals. To enhance the nutritional value of this flour, 5% roasted peanut powder and 5% roasted soybean powder were added. The objective is to highlight the nutritional and health benefits by assessing the predictive bioavailability of nutrients such as calcium, zinc, and iron in the composite flour formulated from roasted ingredients. The methodology involved determining the levels of calcium, zinc, and iron using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, analyzing antinutritional factors (phytic acid, oxalate), and calculating predictive bioavailability based on molar ratios. The results showed that the levels of zinc, iron, calcium, oxalate, and phytic acid, in the composite flour, were 2.67 mg/100 g MS; 1.44 mg/100 g MS; 132.45 mg/100 g MS; 8.03 mg/100 g MS; and 3.48 mg/100 g MS, respectively. In addition, the molar ratios phytates/Ca, phytates/Fe, phytates/Zn, Calcium×Phytate/ Zinc et oxalates/Ca were well below their critical values, indicating high bioavailability. It is therefore necessary to promote the use of soybean and peanut powders in the production of composite flours in order to improve the nutritional quality and health benefits of foods made from local agricultural resources.
Abstract: In Ivory Coast, roasted corn kernels are used to produce roasted corn flour, which is rich in carbohydrates but low in protein, vitamins, and minerals. To enhance the nutritional value of this flour, 5% roasted peanut powder and 5% roasted soybean powder were added. The objective is to highlight the nutritional and health benefits by assessing the ...
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Research Article
Excess Weight and Its Association with Physical Activity, Electronic Screen Time, and Meal Regularity Among Costa Rican Students Aged 10 to 15
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
199-210
Received:
18 August 2026
Accepted:
27 August 2026
Published:
18 September 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.13
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Abstract: Background: Excess weight and behaviors related to physical activity, electronic screen use, and dietary habits are interrelated dimensions of youth health. Objective: To determine whether excess weight was associated with physical activity frequency, electronic screen time, and meal regularity among Costa Rican students aged 10 to 15. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 900 students from 15 schools in Montes de Oca, Costa Rica. Excess weight—defined as overweight or obesity—was classified according to the World Health Organization's body mass index-for-age reference criteria. Prevalence, bivariate associations, and adjusted odds ratios were estimated using binary logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of excess weight was 37.8%. Skipping breakfast was associated with a higher likelihood of excess weight after adjusting for sex, age, socioeconomic status, nationality, family structure, skipping dinner, physical activity, and electronic screen time (adjusted OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.11-2.51). Engaging in physical activity three or more days a week was associated with a lower likelihood of excess weight (adjusted OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.56-0.99). Electronic screen time of two or more hours per day did not show an independent association. Conclusions: In this school-based sample, excess weight was associated with skipping breakfast and a lower weekly frequency of physical activity. Due to the cross-sectional design, the findings should be interpreted as simultaneous associations rather than causal or temporal relationships.
Abstract: Background: Excess weight and behaviors related to physical activity, electronic screen use, and dietary habits are interrelated dimensions of youth health. Objective: To determine whether excess weight was associated with physical activity frequency, electronic screen time, and meal regularity among Costa Rican students aged 10 to 15. Method: A cr...
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Research Article
Mapping and Compliance of Labeling for Some Edible Oils Fortified with Vitamin A and Sold in the Republic of Niger
Maman Manzo Lawaly*
,
Abdoukadri Laouali,
Adamou Aboubacar,
Aminou Illia Maman Nafiou,
Boubacar Abdou Soumana,
Issa Ibrahim Abdoulkarim
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
211-220
Received:
23 August 2026
Accepted:
1 September 2026
Published:
18 September 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijnfs.20261505.14
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Abstract: Mandatory food labeling helps Nigerien consumers to understand the origin, identity and nutritional profile of a product. So, what compliance criteria apply to vegetable oils sold on the market? The aim of this study was to assess the compliance of several edible oils available in Niger with international and local standards for labeling pre-packaged foods and refined edible oils respectively. This is a cross-sectional survey, which targeted edible oils packed in different retail containers. An inventory of these oils was carried out in 80 retail stores. Relevant data were extracted from the labels and entered into an electronic database for conformity assessment against the provisions of the reference standards. A total of 49 brands of edible oil were identified as palm oil (53.06%), soybean oil (20.41%), sunflower oil (2.04%), peanut oil (2.04%), and the remaining brands as unknown types of oil (22.45%). The assessment for conformity showed that the 37(97.36%) brands of edible oil comply with the mandatory labeling requirements as set out in CODEX STAN 1-1985. Of the 26 brands of edible oil listed as palm oils, 15 had a fortified label for vitamin A, of which 10 were from African countries and the other 5 were from Asian countries. Globally, our results revealed the diversity of edible oils and their countries of origin, as well as the non-compliance of certain brands with labeling standards. Though, control bodies in Niger must strengthen control measures to guarantee the safety and quality of imported edible oils.
Abstract: Mandatory food labeling helps Nigerien consumers to understand the origin, identity and nutritional profile of a product. So, what compliance criteria apply to vegetable oils sold on the market? The aim of this study was to assess the compliance of several edible oils available in Niger with international and local standards for labeling pre-packag...
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