Roads to interdisciplinarity – working at the nexus among food systems, nutrition and health

Picchioni, Fiorella; Aurino, Elisabetta; Aleksandrowicz, Lukasz; Bruce, Mieghan; Chesterman, Sabrina; Domínguez-Salas, Paula; Gersten, Zachary; Kalamatianou, Sofia; Turner, Christopher; Yates, Joe

doi:10.1007/s12571-017-0658-2

Cited by 12 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Nutrition-sensitive, multisectoral programs are receiving increasing attention. Nonetheless, our knowledge about the linkages between agriculture and nutrition are still limited (Picchioni et al 2017), particularly in respect to what is cost-effective and works for scaling up interventions. Agriculture interventions are not always specifically oriented towards achieving positive nutritional outcomes and, when not correctly planned, they can even have a negative impact on nutrition (Randolph et al 2007;Swanepoel et al 2010;Webb 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leveraging human nutrition through livestock interventions: perceptions, knowledge, barriers and opportunities in the Sahel

et al. 2019

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The potential of livestock and animal-source foods (ASF) to improve nutrition of vulnerable households in the Sahel countries is large, but currently underutilised, despite the dependence of human nutrition on livestock in some areas. This study assesses the perceptions of the linkages between livestock and human nutrition interventions by West African implementers; the challenges faced; and the lessons learnt to significantly leverage nutrition in livestock interventions. Here, we report a qualitative study combining: 1) a formative research with semi-structured interviews of key informants [n = 36], and thematic analysis; and 2) a participatory work conducted during a regional workshop. Results were grouped to provide insights into several aspects: a) dietary, storage and preservation practices of ASF, b) livestock-human nutrition impact pathways, c) interventions with potential to improve nutrition, d) monitoring and evaluation, e) coordination issues, and f) knowledge gaps. Thirteen pathways were identified through which livestock impacts human nutrition, each presenting different trade-offs. About 79% of the participants of the workshop and working with livestock reported to never having monitored outcomes of attempts to improve human nutrition. Lessons learnt highlighted the importance of local ASF taboos and beneficiary targeting and identified promising interventions. The principal challenges identified were related to capacity-building, programming, or to funding issues. There was agreement among stakeholders on the importance of livestock and ASF to improve human nutrition, and on the prominent disconnect whereby livestock interventions often neglect human nutritional goals, due to the complexity of impact pathways and the multiple roles of livestock in livelihoods. Stronger collaboration among researchers and implementers could contribute to expanding the body of evidence. This compilation of insights could promote dialogue and guide further progress.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leveraging human nutrition through livestock interventions: perceptions, knowledge, barriers and opportunities in the Sahel

et al. 2019

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“…The overview of the linkages between food safety and nutrition (Section 2) outlines the complex relationships that exist between food safety and nutrition. Multiple frameworks emerging in the food system, nutrition and health nexus describe similar complex and evolving relationships and the challenges and opportunities related to interdisciplinary working (Picchioni et al 2017). With an increasing pressure on policymakers to generate co-benefits and efficiency (Picchioni et al 2017), integrated studies are valuable to decision makers and should be an inherent part of any projects that look at leveraging agricultural value chains for nutrition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Multiple frameworks emerging in the food system, nutrition and health nexus describe similar complex and evolving relationships and the challenges and opportunities related to interdisciplinary working (Picchioni et al 2017). With an increasing pressure on policymakers to generate co-benefits and efficiency (Picchioni et al 2017), integrated studies are valuable to decision makers and should be an inherent part of any projects that look at leveraging agricultural value chains for nutrition. The integration of the analytical dimension described (in Section 3) should be done in cooperation between epidemiologists, veterinarians, medical doctors, economists, anthropologists, nutritionists, and social scientists in the spirit of interdisciplinarity benefiting from true closer cooperation across multiple sectors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Where food safety meets nutrition outcomes in livestock and fish value chains: a conceptual approach

et al. 2017

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“…The third field concerns interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity, and the integration of social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and operational research. This is at the forefront of many fields, especially in the context of "One Health" (Min et al, 2013;Manlove et al, 2016), planetary health (Galway et al, 2016), nutrition (Picchioni et al, 2017), and other fields (Morillo et al, 2003). Brown et al (2015) mapped out how such an approach can lead to fruitful collaboration within and beyond the field of water research by forging a shared mission, developing "T-shaped" researchers, nurturing constructive dialogue, offering institutional support, and bridging research, policy, and practice.…”

Section: Socioeconomy Of Watermentioning

confidence: 99%

Faster and safer: Research priorities in water and health

Setty¹,

Loret²,

Courtois³

et al. 2019

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health

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The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals initiated in 2016 reiterated the need for safe water and healthy lives across the globe. The tenth anniversary meeting of the International Water and Health Seminar in 2018 brought together experts, students, and practitioners, setting the stage for development of an inclusive and evidence-based research agenda on water and health. Data collection relied on a nominal group technique gathering perceived research priorities as well as underlying drivers and adaptation needs. Under a common driver of public health protection, primary research priorities included the socioeconomy of water, risk assessment and management, and improved monitoring methods and intelligence. Adaptations stemming from these drivers included translating existing knowledge to providing safe and timely services to support the diversity of human water needs. Our findings present a comprehensive agenda of topics at the forefront of water and health research. This information can frame and inform collective efforts of water and health researchers over the coming decades, contributing to improved water services, public health, and socioeconomic outcomes.

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Roads to interdisciplinarity – working at the nexus among food systems, nutrition and health

Cited by 12 publications

References 15 publications

Leveraging human nutrition through livestock interventions: perceptions, knowledge, barriers and opportunities in the Sahel

Leveraging human nutrition through livestock interventions: perceptions, knowledge, barriers and opportunities in the Sahel

Where food safety meets nutrition outcomes in livestock and fish value chains: a conceptual approach

Faster and safer: Research priorities in water and health

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