Recent research finds that healthy citizens are more likely to vote than their less healthy counterparts, yet we know little about the political consequences of health disparities in participation. Using public opinion from the 2012 Congressional Cooperative Election Survey (CCES) coupled with roll call data, I assess the degree to which representation by Members of Congress (MCs) varies across...

In this paper we explore the strengths and gaps among NGO surveys based on an analysis of the records held in the CE-DAT database at CRED. We conclude by recommending the priority areas for strengthening NGO capacity to undertake surveys and ways to improve data quality in general.

In 2011, Barclay and Brand-Miller reported the observation that trends in refined sugar consumption in Australia were the inverse of trends in overweight and obesity (The Australian Paradox). Rikkers et al. claim that the Australian Paradox is based on incomplete data because the sources utilised did not incorporate estimates for imported processed foods. This assertion is incorrect. Indeed, na...

OBJECTIVE To describe the methodology for the analysis of dietary data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006 (ENSANUT 2006) carried out in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS Dietary data from the population who participated in the ENSANUT 2006 were collected through a 7-day food-frequency questionnaire. Energy and nutrient intake of each food consumed and adequacy percentage by...

The dietary component of the Ten-State Nutrition Survey’ (TSNS) was designed to provide a description of food consumption for persons of many ages, including infants and small children 0 to 36 months old and adolescents 10 to 16 years old. Because the overall objective of the TSNS was to describe nutritional status of “groups” as contrasted to “individuals,” the 24-hour recall method was an acc...

OBJECTIVE The National Diet and Nutrition Surveys (NDNS) are a series of government-funded surveys of food intake, nutrient intake and nutritional status of individuals, undertaken to support nutritional policy and risk assessment. This paper summarises a review that considered the extent to which NDNS met the needs of users and suggested options for the future. The Food Standards Agency has si...

OBJECTIVE To characterize the current consumption of fruits and vegetables based on the international recommendations, as well as its relationship to certain variables of interest in Mexican children aged 6 to 12 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS Adherence to the international recommendations for the consumption of fruits and vegetables was estimated based on data from the 2012 National Health and...

A health and nutrition survey was conducted on tribals in three ecological zones of Madhya Pradesh namely Jhabua (West Zone), Bastar (South Zone) and Sarguja (East Zone) taking into consideration the relative contribution of agriculture, forest and a combination of both to the economy, respectively. The consumption of both foods and nutrients appear to be worse among preschool children of Jhabu...

BACKGROUND Malnutrition prevalence and mortality rates are increasingly used as essential indicators to assess the severity of a crisis, to follow trends, and to guide decision-making, including allocation of funds. Although consensus has slowly developed on the methodology to accurately measure these indicators, errors in the application of the survey methodology and analysis have persisted. T...