Chhavi Tiwari

Background/Objectives: Cognitive function is fundamental to daily life, and nutrition is a key modifiable determinant of brain health across the lifespan. While plant-based “brain foods” have been emphasized, the contributions of animal-sourced foods (ASF) to neurodevelopment and cognitive performance remain underexplored. This review synthesizes current evidence on the effects of both plant- and animal-derived foods on cognitive outcomes from early development through older adulthood. Methods: A narrative review was conducted focusing on eight major categories of brain-supportive foods—dairy, eggs, seafood, lean meat, berries, leafy green vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. Evidence was evaluated across life stages, considering nutrient bioavailability, dietary patterns, and the interplay between structural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors that influence access to these foods. Results: Nutrient-dense foods, including ASF and plant-based sources, support cognitive outcomes across the life course. In early childhood, eggs, meat, and nuts were linked to improved neurodevelopment and reductions in developmental delays, while evidence for seafood and dairy was more mixed. During adolescence and adulthood, berries, walnuts, vegetables, and whole grains were associated with improvements in executive function, verbal reasoning, and mood, with adequate bioavailable protein from ASF remaining important. Among older adults, higher intake of leafy greens, nuts, berries, and moderate seafood consumption correlated with slower cognitive decline and improved memory. Findings were limited by heterogeneous study designs, dietary assessments, and underrepresentation of adolescents and populations in low- and middle-income countries. Conclusions: Both animal-sourced and plant-based brain foods uniquely support cognitive development, maintenance, and resilience. While nutritional needs vary across the life course, strong evidence supporting distinct food-based dietary recommendations for cognitive outcomes at different ages, particularly adolescents, remains limited. Current findings suggest stage-specific associations, particularly during early development, but more longitudinal and experimental research is needed. Expanding rigorous, inclusive research will be critical for informing nutrition policies that support lifelong cognitive health.

As most OECD countries transition toward a 24/7 economy, a growing share of the workforce engages in nonstandard work schedules outside the regular 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday schedule (Gracia e...

Background The first thousand days post-conception are crucial for potential interventions to improve early child growth and development. Adequate nutrition during pregnancy plays a pivotal role in both maternal and child health. Recent studies indicate that the consumption of animal-source foods (ASF) such as eggs during childhood may have a positive effect on child growth and development. However, limited evidence exists for the impact of egg supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and child nutrition. The Deux Oeufs study aims to test the effect of a maternal nutritional intervention of two eggs per day during pregnancy on birth outcomes and infant growth. Methods Deux Oeufs is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and will aim to enroll and randomize 956 pregnant women from Nyagatare district in Rwanda into one of two study arms: a treatment group (T1) or a control group (T2). Women in the treatment arm will consume a supplement of two eggs per day starting from enrollment during the first trimester of pregnancy until childbirth. The study staff will directly observe the consumption of eggs daily. Women in the control arm will continue their usual diet. All enrolled participants will receive standard care prenatal care, as outlined by the Government of Rwanda (GoR), a mobile phone, health insurance (if not already covered), and modest compensation for participation. All participants who are not already receiving Shisha Kibondo (a fortified flour supplement provided by GoR) as part of their standard care will receive the same amount (6kg/month) from the study, regardless of treatment arm. The primary outcome is child length-for-age z-score (LAZ) at birth. Secondary outcomes include maternal health indicators (during and after pregnancy) and child growth and early development measures both in-utero, during the second and third trimester, and after birth, at 6 weeks and six months of age. Women will be enrolled on a rolling basis starting from May 2024. Discussion Deux Oeufs is the first RCT to test the effects of directly observed daily maternal egg consumption during pregnancy on child nutrition outcomes. Findings from the study will provide evidence on the potential for prenatal ASF supplementation to improve child growth and development and consequently inform policy decisions. Trial registration The trial is also registered at clincaltrials.gov with registration number NCT06405360 on May 03, 2024. Here is the link to the registry: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06405360?cond=NCT06405360&rank=1

Nutrition security is challenging in regions where resources are limited and food production is naturally constrained. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), undernutrition is high for many reasons, including lack of nutritional diversity and low high-quality protein content. Interest in the role of animal-source food (ASF) in reducing nutrition insecurity is increasing, as evidence from LMICs suggests that consumption of ASF is strongly associated with reduction in stunting, improved diet quality, and overall nutrition, particularly in early stages of life. We review the strengths and limitations of ASF consumption in terms of accessibility, safety, and nutritional benefits compared to non-ASF sources. We present a critical discussion on existing barriers to ASF consumption and its future directions in LMICs. Understanding the role of ASF in improving nutrition security in LMICs is crucial to optimizing public health, designing appropriate interventions, and implementing effective policy in resource-poor settings.

The relationship between nonstandard work schedules (NSWS) and fertility assumes prominence in developed countries that have witnessed a concerning decline in fertility and an increase in NSWS. Our study investigates the effect of different types of NSWS on women’s fertility in France. We use the Conditions de Travail (CT) panel dataset covering 4178 women of childbearing age in 2013, 2016, and 2019. Using fixed effect models, we find that working a nonstandard schedule decreases the propensity of a woman to have a new child. In addition, the result is primarily attributable to the first child compared to the second child. When assessing the different types of NSWS, we find that the negative effect of NSWS is stronger for the night schedule than the weekend, evening, and morning work. Finally, the implications of these findings are discussed related to work-life policies.

The study re-examines convergence among Indian states by estimating their total factor productivity (TFP) for the period 1990/91–2018/19. The novelty of the study is the decomposition of TFP change into efficiency change and technological change using the Malmquist index in a spatial dependence framework to test convergence. Findings reveal that, on average, productivity increased at an aggregate level for the entire period on account of the impressive growth of technological innovation. However, technological growth convergence could not lead to productivity growth convergence in the second sub-period because of no convergence in efficiency growth. Alongside, while we witness significant spatial spillovers in both technology and efficiency, convergence was observed only with respect to technology growth in the second sub-period. The congruence of technological convergence and significant spatial spillovers indicates that while states may be converging in technology, they do not do so independently but display movements similar to their regional neighbours.

We use nationally representative data from two waves of the Indian Human Development Survey to examine the role of inter-temporal changes in fertility behavior in influencing female labor market outcomes. Our multivariate regression estimates show that an increase in the number of children reduces labor force participation and earnings. We further investigated the impact of fertility changes on transitions from the labor market. The results show that women who had more than three children in both rounds of the survey had a 3.5% points higher probability of exiting from the labor market than their counterparts with two or fewer children net of other socio-demographic factors. Disaggregated analyses by caste, economic, educational status, and region show that the probability of dropping out of the labor market due to fertility changes varies by region and is greater for non-poor and primary to secondary schooling women and those from socially disadvantaged castes than poor, non-educated, and socially advantageous women.