Neck circumference as an indicator of Obesity for MetabolicSyndrome in Mexican Healthcare workers

Background: Neck circumference (NC) is a novel anthropometric indicator to assess adiposity in the cervical regionthat is rarely used in Mexico. The greatest advantage of this evaluation is the saving of time, minimal use of instruments, and no pre requisites for patients. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effective-ness of NC as an indicator of obesity for Metabolic Syndrome(MetS) in comparison with BMI and Waist Circumference(WC), and to define NC cutoff levels based on parameters established by the International Diabetes Federation in a groupof healthcare workers from a Public Health Hospital of the State of Morelos, Mexico. Methods: This was a no-randomized, cross-sectional-observational study. Instruments: Anthropometric evaluation and biochemical parameters: lipid profile, fasting glucose, and blood pressure. Statistical analysis: Descriptive, correlational, Poisson multiple regression adjusted by age/sex, and ROC curves using SPSS.23 program. Results: 200 healthcare workers were recruited (146 women and 54 men), age ẋ=42.87, σ=11.25 years. The prevalence of metS was 38% (37% in women and 40.7% in men). BMI, WC, and NC were significantly correlated: BMI and WC (r=.924),BMI and NC (r=.814), and NC and WC (r=.810) (p=.01).Like wise, they were related to hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, and decreased in HDL-cholesterol levels. The NC best cut-off points coupled with two or more components of MetS in women was ≥35.12 cm [AUC=0.765 (95%CI, 0.688-0.843)] and in men ≥41.25 cm [AUC=0.787 (95%CI, 0.688-0.906)]. Conclusion: NC proved to be a reliable indicator that can be quickly and inexpensively evaluated for the determination of obesity for the preliminary diagnosis of MetS (AU)

Psychological impact on Mexican university students due to confinement during the Covid-19 pandemic / Impacto psicológico en estudiantes universitarios mexicanos por confinamiento durante la pandemia por Covid-19

The objective was to evaluate the levels of anxiety, depression, stress and the perception of the health status of Mexican university students during 7 weeks of confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Method: Observational and cross-sectional study, the sample was made up by convenience and not random. N = 644 (276 women and 368 men) with an average age of 21.95 years (σ = 3.56), who completed an online survey to detect psychological symptoms, the content of which was composed by the Inventory of State Anxiety, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and sociodemographic data. Results: symptoms (moderate to severe): stress (31.92%), psychosomatics (5.9%), sleep problems (36.3%), social dysfunction in daily activity (9.5%) and depressive (4.9%), especially in the group of women and the youngest students (18-25 years). In this latter group, anxiety (40.3%) was also detected with higher levels in men. Conclusions: It is necessary to implement prevention, control and reduction programs for the psychological effects generated by confinement during pandemics with the aim of guaranteeing the well-being and mental health of the university students.

El objetivo de esta investigación consistió en evaluar los niveles de ansiedad, depresión, estrés y la percepción del estado de salud de estudiantes universitarios mexicanos durante 7 semanas de confinamiento por la pandemia de Covid-19. Método: estudio observacional-transeccional, la muestra se conformó por conveniencia y no aleatoria. N= 644 (276 mujeres y 368 hombres) con edad promedio de 21.95 años (σ= 3.56), quienes llenaron una encuesta en línea para la detección de síntomas psicológicos, cuyo contenido se estructuró por el Inventario de Ansiedad Estado, Escala de Estrés percibido (PSS-14), Cuestionario General de Salud (GHQ-28) y datos sociodemográficos. Resultados: se encontraron síntomas (moderados a severos): estrés (31.92%), psicosomáticos (5.9%), problemas para dormir (36.3%), disfunción social en la actividad diaria (9.5%) y depresivos (4.9%), especialmente en el grupo de las mujeres y en los estudiantes más jóvenes (18-25 años). En este último grupo, también se detectó ansiedad (40.3%) con mayores niveles en los hombres. Conclusiones: es necesario implementar programas de prevención, control y disminución de los efectos psicológicos generados por el confinamiento durante las pandemias con el objetivo de garantizar el bienestar y la salud mental de los estudiantes universitarios.