A Review of Factors Associated with Nutritional Problems and Improvement Initiatives after Natural Disasters

Abstract

Objective: This review aimed to clarify the improvement methods for diet and nutrition at emergency shelters and the various initiatives implemented to improve health and nutrition after natural disasters in Japan.

Methods: To find scientific evidence of dietary improvement methods at emergency shelters worldwide a literature search was conducted in PubMed and J-STAGE using the following keywords: "Disaster" AND "shelter OR camp" AND "nutrition OR food OR diet". Activity reports, reviews, articles without methods, and non-English or Japanese articles were excluded. In addition, we organized the information regarding initiatives taken to improve health and nutrition after natural disasters by governments, professional organizations, and academic research organizations in Japan.

Results: The literature search yielded seven articles. Four major factors associated with nutritional problems after natural disasters were identified from the literature review: 1) shelter size and equipment of the emergency shelter, 2) the method of provision and content of meals in emergency shelters, 3) collaboration with professionals, and 4) cooperation between shelters. After the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), various initiative aimed at health and nutrition improvement after natural disasters, such as establishment of a specialized section, initiative/strategy to stockpile disaster food, development of human resources, and the nutrition standards for disasters, were started in Japan.

Conclusions: The present review identified factors associated with the improvement of nutritional problems in emergency shelters and various initiatives to reduce nutrition and health problems associated with natural disasters after the GEJE.