Evaluating strategies for reducing food waste and its influence on public health outcomes

Chinyelu Maureen Uzoma 1, 2, *, Nkechi B. Ugboaja 3 and Nosakhare J. Uwugiaren 4

1 Public Health Department, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Suffolk, England, United Kingdom.
2 Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Directorate, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Nigeria.
3 Laboratory Service Directorate, Institute of Human Virology, Abuja, Nigeria.
4 Emergency Medicine Department, Mid Cheshire Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom.
 
Research Article
International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archive, 2024, 08(02), 054-062.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijbpsa.2024.8.2.0086
Publication history: 
Received on 29 October 2024; revised on 11 December 2024; accepted on 13 December 2024
 
Abstract: 
This paper examines the impacts of certain food waste reduction measures and their effects on the population’s health. The research explores the performance of prevention measures like food donation and charity, education initiatives, and political decisions about fresh, healthy food provisioning and the incidence rate of food-borne illnesses. We also analysed these strategies’ statistical significance and effectiveness by employing Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Chi-square tests, Linear Regression, and ANOVA, using data collected from recent studies. When comparing the PCA results to the devised framework, food redistribution programmes and food access improvements were recognised as major factors for 68% of the variation in the effects of reduced food waste. A chi-square comparison showed a strong correlation between the level of food redistribution and a 15% decrease in food illnesses (p < 0.05). Linear regression revealed that due to educational programmes, the percentage of people with access to healthy foods increased by 34% p <0.001). Analysing the effectiveness of the actions realised within the framework of the presented project, such as educational programmes, the increase in the percentage of people with access to healthy foods was received by 34% ( p < 0.001). Specific distinctions in general and normalised population health parameters depending on the type. The lack of supply-side policies was identified as evidence proving that multi-level interventions are vital for reducing food waste and improving public health.
 
Keywords: 
 Food Waste; Public Health; Nutritious food; Statistical analysis
 
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