Climatic changes affect Indigenous and rural communities’ food systems, increasing food and nutrition  insecurity and vulnerability. However, climate change does not occur in isolation, but is experienced in  conjunction with other health determinants and compound events, such as Covid-19. The aim of this work was  to conduct a proof-of-concept study exploring dietary adequacy, and investigating evidence for temporal  variation in the dietary intake of Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in Kanungu District, Uganda in  the context of the Covid-19 outbreak We randomly selected 60 participants (20 mothers, 20 fathers and 20 children aged between 6 and 23 months)  from two Indigenous Batwa and two Bakiga settlements. A mixed-methods study with concurrent qualitative  and quantitative data collection was conducted. Monthly dietary intake data were collected from each  participant from February to July 2021 through 24-hour recall surveys using a specially developed Ugandan  food composition database included in the online tool myfood24. At the same time, we also collected: i)  demographic and Covid-19 related information; ii) weather and season information; iii) data on dietary intake’s  perception over the year, and during the Covid-19 period; iv) baseline anthropometric measurements.  The majority of the participants did not achieve nutrient adequacy in any season. Pregnant and lactating women  consumed a diet which was severely inadequate in terms of nutrient consumption. Caloric and nutrient intake  changed over the six-month period with higher food consumption in June, and lower in April. Caloric  differences were more evident among the Batwa participants. Vitamin A intake varied more than the other  nutrients in adults’ and children’s diets, and none met the iodine requirements. Participants explained that  seasons and weather variability determined the type of foods consumed each month. Also, they reported that  the Covid-19 pandemic influenced their diet. During lockdown, 58% of adults reported to have changed dietary  habits by consuming less ─ and less nutritious ─ foods. The findings of this work highlight that the majority of the Batwa and Bakiga participants did not met the  dietary requirements. Also, emerging evidence suggests that nutrients and caloric intake may vary seasonally and under different weather conditions. Accurate and monthly nutrition evaluations would help in identifying  seasonal and monthly dietary needs, and prevent children and adults from any form of malnutrition.

Diet patterns in the context of climatic changes and Covid-19 among Indigenous and rural Ugandan communities

The Nutrition Society Summer Conference 2022 is hosted in collaboration between Sheffield Hallam University, University of Sheffield and Sheffield City Council. It will be the first in-person Summer Conference since the pandemic, held at the Sheffield Hallam University city centre campus.

Sustainability is high on the agenda for individuals and for society as a whole, recent meetings such as COP 26 have highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change, of which food systems are a key factor.

The overarching theme of this conference highlights sustainability- sustainability is a large, diverse and contemporary issue consisting of environmental, societal and health perspectives which will be addressed from varying angles. 

This meeting will consider how to build ethical food systems, tackle inequalities and sustain health and wellbeing for future generations.

The Organising Committee have considered local food provision and will offer you a chance to explore Sheffield and its local produce.