IFAD RESEARCH SERIES 50 Rural Transformation and the Double Burden of Malnutrition Among Rural Youth in Developing Countries PDF Download

Author: Suneetha Kadiyala
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Adolescence and early adulthood are periods of major biological, economic and social transitions for rural youth. They provide a critical window of opportunity for addressing chronic nutritional deficits from childhood, for “catch-up” growth, for providing a solid foundation for a healthy productive and reproductive life, and for arresting the intergenerational transmission of malnutrition. In this study we show that rural transformation processes are associated with improvements in rural youth nutrition - malnutrition and underweight - in nearly all regions, although the pace of change varies considerably across countries. Most low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are faced with the double burden of malnutrition and overweight/obesity, and in some countries this double burden is increasing, with the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity rising concurrently. The effect of rural transformation processes on rural youth nutrition is mediated by its effects on the external and personal domains of the “food environment”. Transformation of agri-food systems are bringing about large changes in the diets of rural youth in LMICs, and particularly of the younger age groups, who appear to be witnessing rapid dietary transitions. The Young Lives dataset suggest that certain near-universal changes in patterns of dietary and nutrient intake patterns can be discerned in LMICs, although the pace of change varies. Dietary transitions are also driven by “globalisation influences” - especially dissemination of information through digital/social media and food industry advertising and marketing strategies - even in countries with low/slow rural transformation. Our results show that rural transformation processes can have both positive and negative effects on rural youth nutrition in LMICs. Despite the globalisation influences of international trade and agri-food systems, dietary changes in individual LMICs are still influenced by national policies and production patterns. Understanding the pathways to impact of rural transformation on rural youth nutrition is crucial for designing “nutrition-sensitive” rural transformation policies.

Author: Suneetha Kadiyala
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789290729679
Category : Developing countries
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"Adolescence and early adulthood are periods of major biological, economic and social transitions for rural youth. They provide a critical window of opportunity for addressing chronic nutritional deficits from childhood, for 'catch-up' growth, for providing a solid foundation for a healthy productive and reproductive life, and for arresting the intergenerational transmission of malnutrition. In this study we show that rural transformation processes are associated with improvements in rural youth nutrition - malnutrition and underweight - in nearly all regions, although the pace of change varies considerably across countries. Most low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are faced with the double burden of malnutrition and overweight/obesity, and in some countries this double burden is increasing, with the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity rising concurrently. The effect of rural transformation processes on rural youth nutrition is mediated by its effects on the external and personal domains of the 'food environment.' Transformation of agri-food systems are bringing about large changes in the diets of rural youth in LMICs, and particularly of the younger age groups, who appear to be witnessing rapid dietary transitions. The Young Lives dataset suggest that certain near-universal changes in patterns of dietary and nutrient intake patterns can be discerned in LMICs, although the pace of change varies. Dietary transitions are also driven by 'globalisation influences' - especially dissemination of information through digital/social media and food industry advertising and marketing strategies - even in countries with low/slow rural transformation. Our results show that rural transformation processes can have both positive and negative effects on rural youth nutrition in LMICs. Despite the globalisation influences of international trade and agri-food systems, dietary changes in individual LMICs are still influenced by national policies and production patterns. Understanding the pathways to impact of rural transformation on rural youth nutrition is crucial for designing 'nutrition-sensitive' rural transformation policies"--Preliminary page.

Author: Alan de Brauw
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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The decision of whether to migrate or not is one of many potentially important decisions that young men and women make throughout the developing world. This paper takes a unique look at the determinants of youth migration across seven different countries using recently collected data, indirectly testing both broad and specific hypotheses related to migration. The paper finds that individual characteristics are more important determinants of migration than household characteristics. Furthermore, it finds little evidence that credit constraints or relative deprivation are correlated with migration at a nationally representative level, holding other things constant. The difference between this result and those found in the literature regarding credit constraints implies that credit constraints are geographically concentrated. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications for migration-influenced policy regarding youth.

Author: Sarah Whatmore
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1000883779
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 166

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Book Description
Originally published in 1994, this book brings together papers developing feminist analyses of the rural condition from a wide range of industrialised countries, informed by the national and local cultural constructions of gender and rurality which they interpret. The chapters address the gendered power relations of rural households and agricultural science; women’s mobilisation in farming and environmental politics; the intersection of domestic and rural values and practices as they shape gender identities.

Author: Alessandra Garbero
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Based on cross-country panel datasets, we find that (i) an increase in population share in agriculture is associated with poverty reduction once the longer-term poverty change or the dynamic is taken into account; (ii) rural non-agricultural sector also is poverty reducing in some cases; and (iii) increased population in the mega cities has no role in poverty reduction. In fact, the growth of population in mega cities is “poverty-increasing” in a few cases. Given that a rapid population growth or rural-urban migration is likely to increase poverty, more emphasis should be placed on policies that enhance support for rural agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. If our analysis has any validity, doubts are raised about recent research emphasising the role of secondary towns or urbanisation as the main driver of extreme poverty reduction.

Author: Benjamin Davis
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Even prior to COVID-19, there was a considerable push for food system transformation to achieve better nutritional and health - as well as environmental and climate change - outcomes. In 2019, several major publications focusing on transforming agricultural and food systems to achieve nutritional and climate change objectives argued for major changes in agricultural land use, production systems and dietary choices. They placed an emphasis on increasing resource use efficiency, reducing agricultural extensification and reducing consumption of meat-based products while increasing nutritionally dense foods. However, these reports fail to fully consider the impact of these measures on the livelihoods of the approximately 2.7 billion rural people who depend on small-scale food production and to propose specific measures to ensure the rural poor participate in - and benefit equitably from - food system transformation. Although the importance of inclusion in food system transformation is gaining traction, including in a recent Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability - Nature Sustainability Expert Panel Report on food system transformation, in this paper we argue that recent research, modelling and discourse on food system transformation is insufficient and that specific actions are needed to ensure that food system transformation does not take place on the backs of the rural poor.

Author: Manuel Orozco
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 40

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Book Description
In an increasingly globalized world community, rural international migration is often characterized by engagements or links that migrants establish with their home countries, home towns and relatives in their country of origin through transnational economic and social activities. This background paper analyses how migrants positively contribute to the sustainable economic development of rural youth in their countries of origin. Specifically, this paper details migrants' contribution to youth rural development through transnational economic engagement, which positively impacts financial inclusion, creation of employment opportunities and the promotion of entrepreneurship.Transnational engagement activities include money transfers (family remittances), philanthropy, entrepreneurship, capital investment, homeland goods consumption and knowledge transfer. We find that youth are doubly disadvantaged relative to adults in rural areas and relative to their urban counterparts, making remittances and other forms of engagement particularly important in helping this especially vulnerable group. Transnational engagement that occurs in rural areas and targets issues such as education or nutrition can disproportionately benefit youth. Other transnational engagement, such as knowledge transfer or partnership, establishes youth as agents of their own development and economic well-being. Though the activities differ, underlying all forms of transnational engagement is a reinforcement of social and cultural identities and connection with countries of origin for both migrants and descendants of migrants.

Author: Ben White
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789290729655
Category : Agriculture
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"What would it mean to develop a youth-inclusive agricultural and rural development agenda? Agriculture, and particularly smallholder farming, remains the single largest source of youth employment in most low- and middle-income countries (LIMCs), but today's young rural men and women express little interest in agricultural futures. However, research on rural youth aspirations suggests that many young people are not averse to agriculture as such, but to agriculture's current neglected condition and the near impossibility of becoming an independent farmer while still young, due to lack of access to land. Rural youth outmigration does not necessarily reflect a permanent, lifetime abandonment of rural life, agriculture or the possibility of a return to farming. A youth-inclusive agricultural and rural development agenda means: approaching young people not as instruments of development, but as subjects, actors and citizens; mainstreaming young people and their interests in policy dialogues, organizations and social/political movements, both locally and nationally; more effective support for small-scale agriculture and opportunities for young rural men and women to engage in farming, including provision of land and other agrarian resources as a cornerstone of rural youth policy; and investment in infrastructures that make rural places more attractive for young men and women to live and work in"--Page 4 of cover.

Author: Steven Were Omamo
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 27

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Book Description
The prevalence of undernourished people in the world has declined steadily over the last few decades, but almost 800 million people remain undernourished. Deeper and more rapid progress against food and nutrition insecurity is urgently required. Structural and rural transformation must play its role. In theory, inclusive structural and rural transformation - i.e. a transformation that delivers widely held benefits - implies expanded food and nutrition security, which, in turn, supports the transformation. In fact, where structural and rural transformation has been significant, it has been accompanied by wide and deep improvements in food and nutrition security, with food availability, food access and food utilization all registering significant improvements. Higher labour and land productivity linked to commercialization, specialization and mechanization of production processes has boosted food supplies. Livelihood options have expanded - especially off-farm - and incomes have risen, allowing households to increase the quantity and quality of food they consume. This has led to improved health and education outcomes, affirming and advancing core drivers of structural and rural transformation. But there are important exceptions and caveats. Even where structural and rural transformation has been rapid and sustained, incomes have increased and food supply has been relatively easy with comparatively low and stable prices, and food and nutrition insecurity has persisted, with undernutrition, overnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies coexisting in several contexts. Implications for policy centre on nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive measures and investments that render rapidly transforming food systems better able to deliver and support healthy and nutritious diets for all consumers, but especially for pregnant women and young children for whom malnutrition has long-lasting consequences. Also key are policy measures to counter the effects of forces and conditions that militate against expanded participation by small-scale farmers and traders in commercial food production and trade - effects that, by extension, hinder this central dimension of inclusive structural and rural transformation.

Author: M. Louise Fox
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789290729631
Category : Rural development projects
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"Employment opportunities (for youth and non-youth) depend on the development of the economy. In rural areas, employment transformation takes longer than in urban areas. Anecdotal evidence suggests that when new off-farm opportunities develop in rural areas, youth are able to access them, while entry into farming may be hindered by lack of access to land. A key lesson is that lack of technical skills does not seem to be the biggest obstacle youth face in entering the labour force. Evidence on agricultural extension programmes suggests that peer-to-peer learning works best."--