From multiple streams to a torrent: A case study of food policymaking and innovations in New York during the COVID-19 emergency.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant effects on urban and regional food systems. Local administrations worldwide have been challenged to design and implement policies to mitigate immediate food system disruptions while planning for longer-term equity and resilience. The fast pace and high degree of uncertainty of the pandemic have made systematic tracking and assessment of food system change and related policy responses arduous.

Use of environmental scan to assess density, content, and variation of predatory food and beverage marketing in New York City.

To explore the presence of predatory food and beverage marketing in different neighborhoods in New York City (NYC), this study describes the methodology of an outdoor environmental scan of the physical environment. The study was conducted in four NYC neighborhoods over a three-week period, in which pairs of trained researchers canvassed designated neighborhoods to document the presence of food and beverage marketing using photographs taken on digital smart phone devices. Commercial areas in the vicinity of NYC Public Schools and NYC Housing Authority campuses located in four neighborhoods with the highest and lowest nutrition related health indicators were studied: South Bronx, Pelham Throggs Neck, Upper West Side, Chelsea/Greenwich Village.

What we can learn from U.S. food policy response to crises of the last 20 years - Lessons for the COVID-19 era: A scoping review.

The U.S government has historically responded to human, natural and economic disruptions that threaten food insecurity by modifying federally-funded public food programs. The authors conducted a scoping review to identify and summarize available evidence on the efforts of a 20-year period to modify food benefit programs in response to emergencies; describe how food benefit programs interact to support vulnerable populations; identify key facilitators and barriers to effective implementation and impact; and assess relevance of evidence to COVID-19 pandemic.

Risk Factors for Physical Inactivity Among Children With and Without Asthma Living in Peri-Urban Communities of Lima, Peru.

Background: The authors sought to examine physical activity patterns among children with and without asthma in 2 peri-urban communities in Lima, Peru, to identify socioeconomic and demographic risk factors for physical inactivity and examine the relationship between asthma and physical activity.

Methods: The authors measured mean steps per day in 114 children (49 with asthma and 65 without) using pedometers worn over a 1-week period. They also used the 3-day physical activity recall to determine the most common activities carried out by children.