There is increasing recognition that the nutrition transition sweeping the world_s cities is multifaceted. Urban food and nutrition systems are beginning to share similar features, including an increase in dietary diversity, a convergence toward BWestern-style^diets rich in fat and refined carbohydrate and within-country bifurcation of food supplies and dietary conventions. Unequal access to the available dietary diversity, calories, and gastronomically satisfying eating experience leads to nutritional inequalities and diet-related health inequities in rich and poor cities alike. Understanding the determinants of inequalities in food security and nutritional quality is a precondition for developing preventive policy responses. Finding common solutions to under-and overnutrition is required, the first step of which is poverty eradication through creating livelihood strategies. In many cities, thousands of positions of paid employment could be created through the establishment of sustainable and self-sufficient local food systems, including urban agriculture and food processing initiatives, food distribution centers, healthy food market services, and urban planning that provides for multiple modes of transport to food outlets. Greater engagement with the food supply may dispel many of the food anxieties affluent consumers are experiencing.
Objective: To determine the status of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and malnutrition in lactating women. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Six urban slum communities in Teklehaimanot district, Addis Ababa. Subjects: One thousand and seventeen lactating women were enrolled and assessed for their haemoglobin (Hgb), serum ferritin level and body mass index (BMI) during the month of March 2001. Iron deficiency anaemia was considered when Hgb and serum ferritin concentrations were less than 12gm/dl and 12 µg/l respectively, whereas, a BMI less than 18.5% kg/m 2 was considered malnourished. Main outcome measures: Determinations of haemoglobin, serum ferritin and BMI measurements. Results: The overall prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and protein energy malnutrition in the slum communities was 22.3% and 27.1% respectively. The mean age of mothers (28.4±6.12 years) indicates that prevalence of malnutrition and iron deficiency anaemia was higher among younger mothers than among older mothers. The prevalence of malnutrition was positively correlated with the serum ferritin concentration status, of the mothers (r=0.12, p=0.2, RR=1.03). Conclusion: It is observed that malnutrition and IDA are major health problems and therefore, an appropriate nutrition intervention package to improve the nutrition situation of the communities is recommended
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