Características de la alimentación temprana y actual de preescolares en la Región de Valparaíso, Chile

RESUMEN Son múltiples los factores que influyen en el estado nutricional (EN) y la formación de preferencias alimentarias en preescolares, por lo cual se han propuesto intervenciones tempranas para disminuir el ambiente obesogénico. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar si aspectos alimentarios tempranos se relacionan con el EN y con algunas características alimentarias actuales en preescolares chilenos. Se realizó un estudio observacional, analítico y transversal. Participaron 61 preescolares de jardines infantiles de la Junta Nacional de Jardines Infantiles (JUNJI) de comunas de la V Región de Chile. Se determinó el EN con peso y talla, y composición corporal con impedanciómetro Bodystat 1.500, además se recopilaron antecedentes del embarazo y alimentación infantil a través de encuestas. Los análisis estadísticos se consideraron significativos con un valor de p<0,05. La lactancia materna exclusiva (LME) inferior a 6 meses se asoció con un bajo consumo de verduras en la edad preescolar (PE), además, la duración de la LME se correlacionó directamente con el consumo de verduras en preescolares. La introducción de azúcar antes de los 12 meses, se asoció con el consumo de golosinas dulces en edad PE y este con mayor porcentaje de grasa corporal, mientras que la introducción temprana de sal se asoció con mayor consumo de golosinas saladas. La introducción de azúcar previa a los 12 meses podría determinar un mayor consumo de alimentos poco saludables en preescolares. El consumo de verduras presentó asociación positiva con la duración de la LME, lo que sugiere que los patrones alimentarios en edades tempranas podrían modular las preferencias de alimentos en edades posteriores.

ABSTRACT There are multiple factors that influence nutritional status (NS). Early interventions have been proposed to reduce the obesogenic environment, including the targeting of food preferences among preschoolers. Our aim was to analyse if early dietary aspects were related to NS and some current eating features in Chilean preschool children. An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out among 61 preschoolers from the National Board of Kindergartens (JUNJI) from councils in the V Region of Chile. NS was determined with weight and height, and body composition with a Bodystat 1.500 impedance meter, in addition, background data of pregnancy and infant feeding were collected through surveys. Statistical analyses were considered significant with a p value <0.05. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for less than 6 months was associated with a low consumption of vegetables in preschool (PE) age, in addition, the duration of EBF was directly correlated with the consumption of vegetables. The introduction of sugar before 12 months was associated with the consumption of sweet snacks and this with a higher percentage of body fat, while the early introduction of salt was associated with a higher consumption of savoury snacks. Introducing sugar prior to 12 months of age could lead to higher consumption of unhealthy foods in preschoolers. Consumption of vegetables showed a positive association with the duration of EBF, which suggests that eating patterns at an early age could modulate food preferences at later ages.

Relación entre tiempos de alimentación, composición nutricional del desayuno y estado nutricional en estudiantes universitarios de Valparaíso, Chile / Relationship between feeding schedule, nutritional composition of breakfast and nutritional status among university students in Valparaíso, Chile

RESUMEN Se han descrito estilos de vida poco saludables en estudiantes universitarios, como omisión del desayuno, alto consumo de comida rápida y horarios dispersos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue relacionar distintas características de la ingesta alimentaria con el estado nutricional en este grupo. Se realizó un estudio observacional analítico, donde participaron 130 jóvenes sedentarios. Se evaluó el estado nutricional y la ingesta alimentaria. Un 25% de la muestra presentó malnutrición por exceso (IMC), mientras que el 50% presentó exceso de grasa corporal. Los hombres con exceso de grasa corporal mostraron un porcentaje de adecuación significativamente menor en el aporte energético al desayuno (p= 0.021) y los sujetos (ambos sexos) con exceso de grasa corporal presentaron un porcentaje de adecuación también menor en la ingesta calórica al almuerzo en comparación con los sujetos con bajas reservas energéticas (p=0.004), y su vez, todos los sujetos consumían un exceso de energía en la merienda, independiente de su estado nutricional. Se observó también una relación dependiente entre horarios de alimentación y el porcentaje de grasa corporal (p= 0.044). Una baja ingesta energética al desayuno junto con una alta ingesta durante la merienda con intervalos de ayuno mayores a 4 horas al menos una vez al día, podrían estar asociados a un exceso de grasa corporal en estudiantes universitarios sedentarios.

ABSTRACT Unhealthy lifestyles, such as omission of breakfast, high intake of fast food, and lack of mealtime schedules, have been described among university students. The aim of this study was to relate different characteristics of food intake with the nutritional status of university students. An analytical observational study was conducted among 130 sedentary young people. Nutritional status (weight, height and body fat percentage) and food intake (24h food recall and eating habits survey) were assessed. One quarter of the sample had overweight or obesity (BMI), while 50% had excess body fat. Men with excess body fat had a lower energy intake at breakfast (p= 0.021) and the subjects (both sexes) with excess body fat had a lower calorie intake at lunch compared to subjects with low energy reserves (p= 0.004). Moreover, all subjects consumed excess energy at teatime, independent of body composition. A dependent relationship between feeding schedules and body fat percentage was observed (p= 0.044). Low energy intake at breakfast along with a high intake during teatime, with fasting intervals of more than 4 hours between meals at least once a day, could be associated with excess body fat in sedentary university students.

Sistema endocanabinoide y desarrollo de esteatosis hepática / A role for the endocannabinoid system in hepatic steatosis

The endocannabinoid system (SEC) is an important modulator of several metabolic functions. This system is composed by cannabinoid receptors type 1 and 2 (RCB1 and RCB2), their endogenous ligands, known as endocannabinoids, and the enzymes involved in their synthesis and degradation. A deregulated SEC originates metabolic alterations in several tissues, resulting in the typical manifestations of the metabolic syndrome. Liver steatosis of different origins constitutes a physiopathological condition where an altered hepatic SEC is observed. In this condition, there is an increased expression of RCB1 and/or higher endocannabinoid levels in different hepatic cells, which may exert an autocrine/paracrine hyperstimulation of RCB1/RCB2. Activation of RCB1 stimulate the expression of several hepatocyte lipogenic factors, thus leading to increased de novo fatty acids synthesis and consequently to an abnormal accumulation of triglycerides. The effect of RCB2 activity on hepatic function is still controversial because, on one side its stimulation has an interesting protective effect on alcoholic liver disease while, on the other, it may enhance the development of hepatic steatosis in experimental models of diet-induced obesity. In this review we discuss the proposed mechanisms by which SEC is involved in the etiology of hepatic steatosis, as well as the therapeutic possibilities involving peripheral RCB1/RCB2 antagonism/agonism, for the treatment of this condition.

Participación del sistema endocanabinoide en el desarrollo de obesidad / A role for the endocannabinoid system in obesity

Endocannabinoids are the endogenous ligands for the cannabinoid receptors type 1 and 2. These membrane receptors are responsible for the psychotropic effects of Cannabis Sativa, when bound to its active component known as (-)-Δ9-tetrahydro-cannabinol. Cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids and the enzymes catalyzing their biosynthesis and degradation, constitute the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which has a remarkable role controlling energy balance, both at central nervous system and peripheral tissues. The ECS regulates food ingestion by stimulating a network of orexigenic neurons present in the hypothalamus and reinforcing motivation and reward to food consumption in the nucleus accumbens. Regarding peripheral tissues, this system controls lipid and glucose metabolism at different levels, reduces energy expenditure and leads energy balance to fat storage. Metabolic alterations, includ-ing excessive accumulation of abdominal fat, dyslipidaemia and hyperglicaemia, are suggested to be associated to a hyperactivated ECS. Since obesity is one of the major health problems in modern societies, in this review we discuss the role of the endocannabinoid system in metabolic pathways associated to control mechanisms of energy balance and its involvement in overweight and obesity. In addition, we also discuss therapeutic possibilities and emergent problems due to cannabinoid receptor type 1 antagonism utilized as treatment for such alterations.