In 2025, India’s Mid-day Meal Scheme (MDMS), the world’s largest school feeding programme, completed its third decade. This paper examines how families facing socio-economic hardship perceive and engage with a programme designed to meet children’s nutritional and educational needs. We analyse primary semi-structured interview data with multiple members of sixty households (246 participants) in two Indian states (Uttar Pradesh and Goa), conducted between 12/2022–03/2023. Our findings reveal that perceptions about the MDMS are driven less by its nutritional benefits and more by how it aligns with families’ aspirations and material realities, particularly their educational and income goals. We foreground parental perspectives as a critical but overlooked dimension in school meal research, positioning parents as central in shaping the programme’s reception and effectiveness. Faced with exceedingly constrained choices, families navigate complex trade-offs between competing priorities, such as collective versus individual well-being, resource allocation between education and food, and children’s time in school versus labour.

In light of rising forced global migration and disproportionately high levels of poverty among migrants, immigration systems have come to be understood as drivers of food insecurity in higher-income countries. At present, the mechanisms through which this operates are not well understood. The complex nature of immigration systems and statuses mean that experiences of migrant food insecurity are highly situated. There is a pressing need to examine, theorise and measure how these manifest in order to inform effective intervention and policy. In this article, we focus on the UK context to identify potential directions for the evolving food insecurity research agenda around forced migration. We outline how certain immigration statuses (trafficked, asylum seeker and refugee) intersect with different physical settings (rural/urban) to produce specific forms of food insecurity that urgently warrant further attention.

Household food (HFI) and water insecurity (HWI) have each been linked to poorer child health but their joint relationship is understudied. We used 2023–2024 Ecuadorian National Infant Malnutrition Survey data to examine the independent and joint associations of HFI and HWI exposure with illness, anaemia, and malnutrition in 6–59 month olds. The Food Insecurity Experience Scale measured marginal and moderate–severe HFI. Water indicators (source, availability, accessibility, microbial safety) measured HWI. We used a 4-category indicator to classify HFI only, HWI only, joint HFI/HWI, and secure food and water. Child respiratory (RI) and diarrheal illness (DI) were assessed from caregiver reports, anaemia from blood haemoglobin, and nutrition indicators from anthropometric measurements. Modified Poisson regression models estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR). Joint HFI/HWI was associated with a higher RI and DI prevalence, HFI only with higher RI, stunting and overweight/obesity, and HWI only with higher overweight/obesity but lower anaemia. The age-stratified analyses linked joint HFI/HWI and HFI only to higher RI and DI in 6–23 month olds and higher RI in 24–59 month olds. Joint HFI/HWI and HWI were linked to lower anaemia. In 24–59 month olds, HFI only was associated with higher stunting and HWI only with higher overweight/obesity. Exclusion of marginal HFI in the sensitivity analysis identified child-level double malnutrition as more prevalent in 24–59 month olds from HFI only or joint HFI/HWI households. These findings suggest HFI and HWI independently and jointly influence child health and nutrition, underscoring the need for effective multisectoral policies and interventions simultaneously targeting both.

Intuitive eating is an eating approach guided by internal hunger and satiety cues rather than restrictive eating rules. University years are marked by greater autonomy in food choices, vulnerability to food insecurity and sex-related differences in eating behaviours. This study examined the associations between intuitive eating subdimensions and food group-specific consumption scores according to food insecurity status and sex among university students aged 19–24 years in Türkiye. In this cross-sectional study, 545 university students completed a web-based survey comprising the Intuitive Eating Scale-2, the Food Insecurity Experience Scale and a FFQ. These associations were analysed using structural equation modelling separately by sex and food insecurity status. Intuitive eating subdimensions predicted dietary intake in distinct and sometimes opposing directions, with these patterns varying across sex and food insecurity status (p < 0·05). In males, intuitive eating subdimensions predicted intake of milk and dairy products, meat, eggs and legumes and vegetables and fruits; in females, they predicted similar food groups, as well as sugars and sweets and fast foods. Among individuals experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity, these patterns varied across food groups. The body–food choice congruence subdimension generally positively predicted healthier food groups, whereas eating for physical rather than emotional reasons negatively predicted sugars and sweets and fast foods. Unconditional permission to eat positively predicted the consumption of energy-dense foods, while reliance on hunger and satiety cues showed context-dependent patterns. In conclusion, associations between intuitive eating and dietary intake varied by sex and food insecurity status.

Australia is experiencing a current juxtaposition between large amounts of food waste and increasing food insecurity. Surplus food produced by Australian hospitals is currently sent to landfill but could be temporarily repurposed to support food-insecure individuals and families until large-scale food system reform is achieved. We comment on potential uses for this surplus ‘food waste’, including four strategies: medically tailored meals, food provision at discharge, donation and internal hospital system reuse. These strategies could simultaneously reduce hospital food waste while providing food relief for those who need it most. We highlight the potential challenges to adopting this strategy in practice and provide a final call to action for hospital foodservices to challenge the status quo.

Women in West Africa experience unique vulnerabilities to food insecurity due to structural and cultural drivers rooted in gendered social norms. We aimed to systematically review and synthesise available evidence describing the extent of food insecurity among women in West Africa, focusing on prevalence, drivers, and gender inequalities. Global Health, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, and Scopus were searched from year 2000 up until 2023 for quantitative and qualitative studies reporting data on the prevalence or drivers of food insecurity among women (independently of or in comparison to men) in West Africa. Thirty-two studies identified from four West African countries (Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin) met the inclusion criteria. About 24% of women experienced food insecurity in Côte d’Ivoire, 33–52% in Ghana, and 23–75% in Nigeria. In Benin, a study using the Household Food Insecurity Experience Scale (HFIES) reported a mean score of 3.2. Female-headed households had a higher prevalence of food insecurity than male-headed households. Key drivers of food insecurity among women included age (mixed findings across studies), low education, larger households, women’s income level, adhering to traditional gender roles, being single or widowed, assets owned, access to and control over productive and agricultural resources (land, capital), and autonomy. Food insecurity among women in parts of West Africa is high in prevalence, with significant gender inequalities. Targeted interventions to improve women’s access to resources, education, and economic opportunities, while addressing restrictive gender norms, should be prioritised.

Food security (FS) has rarely been studied from the adolescent’s perspective. This paper describes FS, dietary diversity scores (DDS) and their predictors among Filipino boys and girls (aged 10–16 years) living in rural areas of the municipality of Nagcarlan, Laguna Province. Dietary intake (24-h recall) and other data were collected from adolescents and their caregivers before (T1: October–December 2019; N 285) and during (T2: August–October 2020; N 152) the COVID-19 community quarantine and analysed using multivariable Poisson regression. Perceived household FS by the adolescents increased from 34·7 % (T1) to 46·4 % (T2). At both timepoints, being a girl predicted better FS, whereas mental health problems were inversely related. At T2, mobility restrictions impacted FS negatively, whereas engagement in both food barter and edible gardening showed better FS. Dietary diversity improved from T1 to T2 (median DDS at T1:3, DDS > 5:23·2 %; and at T2:4; 26·4 %). Either number of siblings (T1) or household size (T2) was inversely related to DDS. At T1, better education of the household head and having a household member working overseas predicted better DDS, whereas at T2, mobility restrictions and belonging to the highest wealth tertile showed inverse associations. We conclude that FS and dietary diversity of Filipino adolescents in rural Nagcarlan did not deteriorate during the first months of COVID-19 community quarantine. Whereas mobility restrictions affected both FS and DDS negatively, food barter and edible gardening showed to be successful coping mechanisms. Further investigation should clarify the inverse relationship between wealth index and DDS and the role of food aid during the pandemic.

Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease resulting in lifelong intolerance to gluten. Treatment of CD is a gluten-free diet (GFD). High gluten-free (GF) food costs contribute to GF-food insecurity (GF-FI) in households with children with CD. The study objective was to describe parental perceptions of the barriers/facilitators of GF-food security (GF-FS) and the health policies parents deem necessary to combat GF-FI. A subset analysis of a cross-sectional study examining household and child socio-demographic, child diet quality and GFD adherence, food environment, and GF-FI in parent–child dyads (n = 59) using validated questionnaires. Virtual interviews included 13 open-and-closed ended questions examining parent perceptions related to barriers/facilitators of GF-FS and health policies to address GF-FI. Questions were validated for face-and-content using an iterative process with parental responses deductively coded using the 5As of food insecurity theoretical framework. High GF-food costs (>90%) and the lack of effective GF-food specific health policies (∼94%) were the most commonly cited barriers to GF-FS, particularly in GF-FI households. Social media (>60%) was used to share information related to tax credits (15%) affordability, accessibility, and availability of GF-foods (75%). Parents deemed child tax credits (∼75%), development of food policies focused on education in schools (∼34%), dietary prescriptions (25%) and official recognition of CD as a disability (∼26%) as important to address GF-FI. In conclusion, parents perceive high GF-food costs and lack of effective GF-food health policies as important mediators of GF-FI. Social media platforms were widely used by the community to share information and solutions to address GF-FI.

Food insecurity among international graduate students in the USA is a nutrition equity challenge that remains largely unaddressed by the nutrition science community. Prevalence estimates range from 22 % to 46 % across institutions, substantially exceeding the national household average, driven by converging financial constraints, restricted employment opportunities and limited access to culturally appropriate foods. These conditions promote rapid dietary acculturation towards energy-dense, low-nutrient food patterns with well-established associations with insulin resistance, hypertension and cardiometabolic risk. Despite a growing empirical base, longitudinal evidence on dietary quality and health outcomes in this population is virtually absent, and university nutrition support systems are poorly adapted to the cultural dietary needs of an internationally diverse student body. This commentary calls on nutrition researchers, dietitians and universities to recognise food insecurity among international graduate students as a substantive public health nutrition concern warranting targeted research and culturally responsive institutional action.

Despite concerns about high consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) among New Zealand adolescents, there has been no formal quantification of their intake. This study is the first to assess UPF consumption in this population and examine its contribution to daily nutrient intake. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving students in Years 7–13 (approximately 10 years and older) from schools in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, and Waikato. Data collection took place in classroom settings during school terms two and three of 2024. Dietary intake was recorded using Intake24, an electronic 24-hour dietary recall tool adapted for the New Zealand context. All foods consumed—including ingredients in mixed meals—were classified into four categories using the NOVA system: Unprocessed or Minimally Processed, Processed Culinary Ingredients, Processed, and Ultra-Processed(1). The proportion of daily energy derived from UPFs was calculated. Participants were divided into tertiles based on UPF consumption, and nutrient intake across these groups was compared using one-way ANOVA. Dietary data were collected from 631 adolescents across 16 schools, encompassing 1,385 unique food items. UPFs accounted for 62.5 ± 25.5% (mean ± SD) of total daily energy intake. While overall energy intake did not differ significantly across UPF consumption tertiles, notable differences in nutrient intake were observed. After adjustment for energy intake and sex, adolescents in the highest UPF tertile had significantly lower intakes of protein (P<0.001), fibre (P=0.04), beta-carotene (P<0.001), magnesium (P<0.001), potassium (P<0.001), zinc (P<0.001), phosphorus (P<0.001), iron (P=0.03) and Vitamin E (p<0.001). Ultra-processed food intake was associated with significantly higher intakes of carbohydrates (P=0.005), saturated fat (P<0.001), sugar (P<0.001) and sodium (P<0.01). These findings provide foundational insight into the extent of UPF consumption among New Zealand adolescents and its impact on diet quality. The proportion of energy derived from UPFs aligns closely with international data from the United States (67%) and the United Kingdom (66%). Further analysis will explore the specific types of UPFs consumed, their sources, and the social contexts in which they are eaten.

Food insecurity, in children, is associated with poorer health and academic outcomes. Around 27% of New Zealand households have reported food insecurity(1). The Ka Ora, Ka Ako | Healthy School Lunches Programme(2) initiative in New Zealand schools aims to reduce food insecurity(3). This cross-sectional study assesses the nutritional contribution of the government-funded school lunches to daily nutrient intake among adolescents. The study compares nutrient intake during school hours between consumers (students from schools with funded lunch programme who ate during school hours) and non-consumers (students from schools with funded lunch programme who did not consume a funded lunch) and students from schools ineligible for the funded lunch. Dietary data was collected in 2024 via an online 24-hour recall (Intake24) from 390 intermediate and secondary school students in Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Demographic data was collected via survey. Nutrient intake from food consumed during the school day (between 9am–3pm) was considered ‘school lunch’ and expressed as a percentage of total daily intake. Students were grouped as consumers (n=95); non-consumers (n=109); and ineligible (n=186). Comparisons between groups were conducted using Kruskal-Wallis tests. The funded school lunch provided an average of 26% of daily energy and contributed proportionally higher amounts of several key nutrients when compared to energy provision, including fibre (31% of daily fibre intake), zinc (30%), and beta-carotene (37%). Consumers had significantly higher nutrient intakes than non-consumers. Nutrient contributions were comparable between consumers and ineligible students, except for total sugars, which were lower in consumers. In 2024, New Zealand’s government-funded school lunches were nutrient-dense and provided better nutritional value than lunches sourced elsewhere from students in eligible schools and similar or better nutritional value than lunches of ineligible students. Findings support continued investment and potential expansion of the programme to improve adolescent nutrition and reduce health inequities.

Food and nutrition insecurity in high‑income countries is increasingly persistent, driven by intersecting economic, social and environmental disruptions. In Australia, acute shocks such as the COVID‑19 pandemic, floods and bushfires, alongside chronic pressures including rising food prices, housing stress and concentrated corporate power, have exposed structural weaknesses in food access, governance and system resilience. This review examines how community‑led responses to food and nutrition insecurity function during disruption, whether they buffer short-term hardship or contribute to adaptive capacity and redistribution of agency. Guided by the six‑pillar food security framework and a socio-ecological model, responses are examined across household, community, organisational and governance levels. A continuum of responses is identified, ranging from downstream emergency food relief that buffers immediate hardship through to community and organisational food infrastructure that strengthens local resilience and governance‑level responses with greater transformative potential. Drawing on this synthesis, we propose the SEEDS (Socio-Ecological Enablers of Dietary Security) Model, which conceptualises how food system responses across socio-ecological levels and over time can progress from buffering (acute) to adaptation (medium‑term) and ultimately transformation (long‑term). Central to this framework is a shift in decision‑making power, accountability and participation. While many initiatives improve food access and short‑term stability during crises, the greatest potential for transformation lies where responses are embedded within governance structures, enable meaningful community participation and influence policy, procurement and resource allocation. Implications for public health nutrition practice include expanded roles in systems leadership, cross‑sector governance and advocacy for upstream policy reform.