Dietary patterns in Mexican preschool children are associated with stunting and overweight

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between dietary patterns, stunting, and overweight among Mexican preschoolers. METHODS This study was conducted with anthropometric (weight, height/length), sociodemographic (age, gender, education level of household head, socioeconomic status, country region and area, ethnicity, and beneficiary of social programs), and dietary data (Semiquantitative-food frequency questionnaire) on children aged from 1 to 4 years collected from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey-2012. Dietary patterns were derived by principal components analysis. The association between dietary patterns, stunting, and overweight was assessed by prevalence ratios (PR), estimated by Poisson regression. RESULTS In total, 1,112 preschoolers (mean age 3.06 years, SD = 1.08 years; 48.8% females) were included in the study; 11.9% of whom presented stunting, and 6.7% overweight. We identified four dietary patterns: Fruits and Vegetables [F&V], Western [W], Traditional [T], and Milk and Liquids [M&L]. Considering the lowest tertile of each dietary pattern as reference, the prevalence of stunting was 2.04 times higher [95%CI: 1.17-3.56] among children in the highest tertile of the "F&V" pattern. The prevalence of stunting was lower among children in the highest tertile of the "W" pattern [PR = 0.48; 95%CI: 0.27-0.85]. Overweight was negatively associated with the "F&V" dietary pattern [PR = 0.37; 95%CI: 0.16-0.85 for its highest tertile], and children whose consumption was mostly equivalent to the "T" pattern showed higher prevalence of stunting [PR = 1.74; 95%CI: 1.01-3.00]. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of stunting and overweight in a nationwide sample of Mexican preschoolers was associated with dietary patterns.

Preventive health services and physical activity improve health-related quality of life in Mexican older adults / Los servicios de salud preventivos y la actividad física mejoran la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en adultos mayores mexicanos

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the combined use of IMSS preventive health services (PHS) and the practice of physical activity (PA) in order to determine their association with the perceived health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of older adults. Materials and methods: A survey-based cross-sectional study was conducted at nine primary health care units (PHCUs) in Mexico City. The 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey evaluated the HRQoL, while PA and PHS use were assessed through self-report. Linear regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between these three variables. Results: Of the 1 085 older adults who participated in the study, 36.8% used PHS, and 23.3% reported that they engage in PA. After controlling for possible effects due to sociodemographic and health differences, we found that participants who were physically active and used PHS reported better perceived HRQoL scores. Conclusions: The combined use of preventive practices such as the use of PHS and the practice of PA can help improve the perceived HRQoL of older adults.

Resumen: Objetivo: Determinar la asociación del uso combinado de servicios de salud preventiva (SSP) y la práctica de la actividad física (AF) sobre la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) de los adultos mayores en México. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal en unidades de atención primaria. La percepción de CVRS fue evaluada a través del instrumento SF-36; el nivel de AF, y el uso de SSP, a través de auto-reporte. Se realizaron análisis de regresión lineal para determinar la relación entre estas tres variables. Resultados: De los 1 085 adultos mayores que participaron en el estudio, 36.8% usaron SSP y 23.3% informaron practicar AF. Los adultos mayores físicamente activos y que usaban SSP reportaron una mejor puntuación de CVRS percibida, ajustando por variables de salud y sociodemográficas. Conclusiones: Prácticas preventivas como la actividad física en conjunto con el uso de servicios preventivos pueden ser útiles para mejorar la percepción de CVRS de los adultos mayores.

Health workers cohort study: methods and study design / Cohorte de trabajadores de la salud: métodos y diseño del estudio

Abstract: Objective: To examine different health outcomes that are associated with specific lifestyle and genetic factors. Materials and methods: From March 2004 to April 2006, a sample of employees from three different health and academic institutions, as well as their family members, were enrolled in the study after providing informed consent. At baseline and follow-up (2010-2013), participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, a physical examination, and provided blood samples. Results: A total of 10 729 participants aged 6 to 94 years were recruited at baseline. Of these, 70% were females, and 50% were from the Mexican Social Security Institute. Nearly 42% of the adults in the sample were overweight, while 20% were obese. Conclusion: Our study can offer new insights into disease mechanisms and prevention through the analysis of risk factor information in a large sample of Mexicans.

Resumen: Objetivo: Examinar diferentes desenlaces en salud y su asociación con factores genéticos y del estilo de vida. Material y métodos: De marzo de 2004 a abril de 2006, una muestra de empleados de tres diferentes instituciones de salud y académicas, así como miembros de sus familias, fueron enrolados en el estudio, previa firma de consentimiento informado. Durante la medición basal y el seguimiento (2010-2013) los participantes completaron un cuestionario autoaplicado, exámenes físicos y proporcionaron muestras sanguíneas. Resultados: Fueron incluidos participantes (10 729) de entre 6 y 94 años en la medición basal. De estos, 70% fueron mujeres y 50% del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. Aproximadamente 42% de los adultos tuvieron sobrepeso y 20% obesidad. Conclusión: Este estudio puede ofrecer conocimientos sobre los mecanismos de la enfermedad a través del análisis de factores de riesgo en una muestra de mexicanos.

Energy and nutrient intake among Mexican school-aged children, Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006 / Consumo de energía y nutrimentos en niños mexicanos en edad escolar, Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2006

OBJECTIVE: To estimate energy, nutrient intake and diet adequacy in school-aged children based on the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006 (ENSANUT 2006). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Food intake data from food frequency questionnaires was analyzed for 8 716 children aged 5 to 11 years. Energy and nutrients intake and adequacy were obtained. Comparisons were made at regional, urban/rural areas, socioeconomic status (SES) and nutrition status (body mass index and height/age). RESULTS: Median energy intake was 1501 kcal/d (percent adequacy: 88.0). Overweight and obesity prevalence was 25.5 percent. Stunting prevalence was 10 percent. Children at lowest SES, indigenous and from rural communities showed the highest inadequacies for vitamin A, folate, zinc, and calcium. Overweight children and those highest SES had higher risk of excessive intakes. CONCLUSIONS: Coexistence of over and undernutrition reflects a polarized model of nutrition transition among Mexican children.

OBJETIVO: Estimar el consumo y adecuación de energía y nutrimentos en niños escolares mexicanos que participaron en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2006 (ENSANUT 2006). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se analizaron datos de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos en 8 716 niños de entre 5 y 11 años de edad. Se calcularon la ingesta y la adecuación de energía y nutrimentos. Se hicieron comparaciones por región, área urbana/rural, nivel socioeconómico (NSE) y estado nutricio (índice de masa corporal y talla/edad). RESULTADOS: La mediana de ingestión de energía fue 1 501 kcal/día ( por ciento adecuación 88.0); 25.5 por ciento de los niños tuvieron sobrepeso u obesidad; 10 por ciento, retardo en talla. Los niños con menor NSE, los indígenas y los de comunidades rurales mostraron mayores inadecuaciones dietarias de vitamina A, folato, zinc y calcio. Los niños con sobrepeso y los de mayor NSE presentaron más riesgo de ingestiones excesivas. CONCLUSIONES: La coexistencia de malnutrición por exceso y por deficiencia evidencia una transición nutricional polarizada en niños mexicanos.