Wild edible fruits from the forest have often been regarded as poverty food; however, there has been a notable shift in recent years as these wild edible fruits have gained increasing recognition for their significance in global food security, especially in agricultural societies such as Senegal. This paper contributes to the debate on how the forest plays a role in diets and nutrition security using the example of wild fruit (Baobab) found in the Boundou Region in Senegal. The livelihood strategies of people in this region have been subject to external influences, such as climate shock and restrictions enforced as the area became a protected area in 2009. These external influences have resulted in the loss of pasture use and the prohibition of hunting. Restriction of access to these previous commons (pasture, wildlife) diminishes the resilience of the local population. However, a new alternative of seasonal usage of wild fruit, specifically baobab, for commercial purposes has emerged as everybody in the community has unrestricted access to collecting these wild edible fruits within the protected area, which is uncommon in other protected areas. The commodification and commercialization of these wild fruits bring essential cash income to many households, thereby improving food security.

Feeding the world’s growing population in ways that are effective, ethical and socially just, and protect the natural systems on which all life depends is one of the greatest challenges facing huma...

Most people begin their sexual relationship during adolescence and some get involved in risky life threatening behaviors such as unwanted pregnancies, abortions and sexually transmitted infections. This study was therefore designed to understand the patterns of female adolescents sexual behaviours and sexual coercion experience. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 1227 in-school adolescents in the three senatorial district of Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the respondents, and data were collected with pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaires. The data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21). Three hundred and thirty seven (27.5%) were sexually exposed with a mean age of sexual initiation of 14.88±2. 46 years. Of the 337 that were sexually exposed 153(56.5%) initiated sex early between the ages of 10-15 years, while (4.7%) had uses drugs or take alcohol before sexual intercourse. Findings revealed that of those that were sexually exposed, 122(11%) were forced to have sex, 101(9.1%) played sex willingly, while 29(2.6%) felt threatened and 3(0.3%) were convinced with money. The proportion of the respondent who reported rape and abduction was (2.6%). Finding from this study is consistent with earlier studies conducted in many other Nigerian cities which showed that in-school adolescents to be sexually active. There is the need to step up campaigns to address this noticed lapse in behavior among the students in order to arrest the usual consequences of such risky sexual behavior.

Background: Household food insecurity remains a critical public health issue in low- and middle-income countries, contributing to undernutrition and overweight. Senegal is undergoing a nutrition transition, with regions experiencing varying degrees of food insecurity and nutritional outcomes. This study examines the association between household food insecurity and adult nutritional status across five ecologically distinct regions of Senegal. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2024 involving 1,965 adults from 1,253 households in Boundou, Bedik/Bandafassi, Senegal River Valley, Lower Casamance, and Dakar regions. Household food insecurity was assessed using the validated Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, while body mass index (BMI) was calculated from measured weight and height. Associations between food insecurity, socioeconomic factors, and BMI categories were analyzed using multilevel ordinal logistic regression with region-stratified analyses conducted to evaluate context-specific relationships. Results: Findings revealed significant geographic variation in food security and nutritional outcomes. Over 50% of households in Boundou and Bedik/Bandafassi were severely food insecure, while Lower Casamance had the highest food security levels. Underweight was most prevalent in food-insecure rural regions like Boundou, whereas overweight and obesity were concentrated in urban areas like Dakar and Lower Casamance. Food insecurity was significantly associated with higher BMI in Boundou and overweight in Dakar, supporting the food insecurity-obesity hypothesis. However, no significant association emerged between food insecurity and underweight in the overall model, suggesting that broader ecological and health-related factors may drive undernutrition. Conclusion: The study highlighted the context-specific and regionally differentiated relationships between food insecurity and nutritional status in Senegal. These findings underscore the need for locally tailored, multisectoral interventions that address the dual burden of malnutrition by improving both food access and diet quality.

This manuscript is a comprehensive narrative review exploring the co-evolution of diet, culture, and human biology in Sub-Saharan Africa. It integrates insights from archaeology, anthropology, evolutionary biology, and nutritional science, with a spe...