Measuring characteristics of wild and cultivated food environments: a scoping review
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Understanding natural food environments is key to promoting healthy diets and preventing diet-related diseases globally. This review maps methods for assessing these environments, crucial for policy and public health interventions.
Area Of Science
- Food systems science
- Public health nutrition
- Environmental health
Background
- Unhealthy diets are a leading global cause of poor health and mortality.
- Natural food environments provide essential healthy foods, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Protecting natural food sources is vital for current and future food security and health.
Purpose Of The Study
- To classify and summarize empirical methods and measures for characterizing natural food environments.
- To explore how natural food environment characteristics are conceptualized and measured.
- To identify effective approaches for monitoring and strengthening natural food environments.
Main Methods
- A comprehensive scoping review of 147 relevant studies.
- Exploration of conceptualizations and measurements of wild and cultivated food environments.
- Data extraction on study country, methods, measured characteristics, and findings.
Main Results
- Most studies were conducted in LMICs, focusing on food security and agriculture.
- High-income country studies emphasized urban and community gardening.
- Diverse methods were used, including geospatial analysis, biochemical analysis, citizen science, and food availability calendars.
Conclusions
- The concept of food environment characteristics is a promising approach for measuring natural food environments.
- Assessment is crucial for understanding food availability, healthiness, and food security.
- Mapping current methods aids in identifying policy intervention points and improving monitoring and evaluation.
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