An anthropometry-based equation of fat mass percentage as a valid discriminator of obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a new predictive equation for fat mass percentage (%FM) based on anthropometric measurements and to assess its ability to discriminate between obese and non-obese individuals. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Mexican adults.ParticipantsAdults (n 275; 181 women) aged 20-63 years with BMI between 17·4 and 42·4 kg/m2. RESULTS: Thirty-seven per cent of our sample was obese using %FM measured by air-displacement plethysmography (BOD POD®; Life Measurement Instruments). The fat mass was computed from the difference between weight and fat-free mass (FFM). FFM was estimated using an equation obtained previously in the study from weight, height and sex of the individuals. The %FM estimated from the obtained FFM showed a sensitivity of 90·3 (95 % CI 86·8, 93·8) % and a specificity of 58·0 (95 % CI 52·1, 63·8) % in the diagnosis of obesity. Ninety-three per cent of participants with obesity and 65 % of participants without obesity were correctly classified. CONCLUSIONS: The anthropometry-based equation obtained in the present study could be used as a screening tool in clinical and epidemiological studies not only to estimate the %FM, but also to discriminate the obese condition in populations with similar characteristics to the participant sample.

[Prevalence of risk eating behaviors and metabolic syndrome in teenage school students of Morelos state]. / Prevalencia de conductas alimentarias de riesgo y síndrome metabólico en escolares adolescentes del estado de Morelos.

INTRODUCTION: metabolic syndrome (MS) is a health problem associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The prevalence of MS in adolescents from Morelos is unknown. Certain risk eating behaviors (REB) may be associated with this phenotype. OBJECTIVE: to determine the prevalence of MS in adolescents and its association with REB. METHODS: cross-sectional study in junior high schools and high schools from Morelos. Anthropometric, clinical data, perception of body image and REB were investigated. MS was diagnosed with international criteria for adolescents and their association with REB was analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORadj) and 95% confidence intervals (CI95). RESULTS: a total of 869 adolescents aged 14.6 ± 1.6 years were studied. They reported 2.6 ± 1.8 REB; the overall score was 5.9 ± 0.33. The 16.6% presented moderate or high REB risk. The prevalence of MS (6.7%) was associated with the REB score (OR 1.2 [1.1-1.3]), a value that remained after adjusting for age, sex, breakfast omission, residence region, perception of body image and background family of obesity, diabetes, hypertension or infarction (ODHI), ORadj 1.2 (1.1-1.3), pseudo R2 = 0.14, Chi-squared 16.7, p < 0.03. CONCLUSION: MS was more frequent in men, who were perceived to be thinner and with two or more family history of ODHI. It is suggested to influence the self-perception of overweight or obesity, to educate about compulsive behaviors, undergo diets, fasting and exercise to prevent MS.

Introducción: el síndrome metabólico (SM) es un problema de salud asociado a diabetes y enfermedades cardiovasculares. Se desconoce la prevalencia de SM en adolescentes del estado de Morelos. Ciertas conductas alimentarias de riesgo (CAR) podrían estar asociadas a ese fenotipo.Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de SM en adolescentes y su asociación con las CAR.Métodos: estudio transversal en escuelas secundarias y preparatorias de Morelos. Se investigaron datos antropométricos, clínicos, percepción de la imagen corporal y de las CAR. El SM se diagnosticó con criterios internacionales para adolescentes y se analizó su asociación con las CAR. Mediante análisis de regresión logística se estimaron razones de momios (RM) e intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC95).Resultados: fueron estudiados 869 adolescentes de 14,6 ± 1,6 años. Reportaron 2,6 ± 1,8 CAR; el puntaje global fue 5,9 ± 0,33. El 16,6% presentaba riesgo CAR moderado o alto. La prevalencia de SM (6,7%) estuvo asociada al puntaje de CAR, RM 1,2 (1,1-1,3), valor que permaneció después de ajustar por edad, sexo, omisión del desayuno, región de residencia, percepción de la imagen corporal y de antecedentes familiares de obesidad, diabetes, hipertensión o infarto (ODHI), RMaj 1,2 (1,1-1,3), pseudo R2 = 0,14, Chi cuadrado 16,7, p < 0,03.Conclusión: el SM fue más frecuente en hombres, que se percibían más delgados y con dos o más antecedentes familiares ODHI. Se sugiere incidir sobre la autopercepción del sobrepeso u obesidad y educar sobre conductas compulsivas, seguimiento de dietas, ayunos y ejercicio para prevenir el SM.

Heme Iron Concentrate and Iron Sulfate Added to Chocolate Biscuits: Effects on Hematological Indices of Mexican Schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE: Food fortification is one of the most effective strategies for increasing iron intake in the population. A simple blind trial was conducted to compare the effect of 2 forms of iron fortification and assess the changes in hemoglobin and iron status indices among preschool children from rural communities. METHODS: Hemoglobin was evaluated in 47 children aged 3-6 years old. For 72 days (10-week period), children ate Nito biscuits. Thirteen pupils with elevated hemoglobin levels were assigned to the biscuit control group, and pupils with hemoglobin equal to 13.5 mg/dL or less were randomly allocated to consume fortified biscuits with a heme iron concentrate (n = 15) or iron sulfate (n = 19). Changes in hemoglobin, plasma ferritin, and other hematological indices were evaluated with analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measurements. RESULTS: Except mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations (+1.27 ± 2.25 g/dL), hematological indices increased significantly across the study: Mean corpuscular volume (+2.2 ± 1.0 f/dL), red blood cells (+0.30 ± 0.37 M/µL), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (+1.8 ± 1.74 pg), hemoglobin (+1.68 ± 0.91 g/dL), hematocrit (+3.43% ± 3.03%), and plasma ferritin (+18.38 ± 22.1 µg/L) were all p < 0.05. After 10 weeks, the adjusted effect of the iron-fortified chocolate biscuits in the hemoglobin levels was higher than the control group (+1.1 ± 0.2 g/dL) but no difference was found between consumers of fortified biscuits with heme iron concentrate or iron sulfate (+1.9 ± 0.2 g/dL and +2.0 ± 0.2 g/dL, respectively). CONCLUSION: Heme iron concentrate and iron sulfate were equally effective in increasing Hb levels and hematological indices. Processed foods were shown to be an effective, valuable, and admissible intervention to prevent anemia in preschool children.

[OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN FULL TIME SCHOOLS MORELOS, MÉXICO]. / SOBREPESO Y OBESIDAD EN NIÑOS Y ADOLESCENTES DE ESCUELAS DE TIEMPO COMPLETO DE MORELOS, MÉXICO.

INTRODUCTION: in Mexico, although there are low intakes of some nutrients; there are higher total energy, fat and sodium and common inadequate physical activity in schools, which originates the presence of overweight and obesity. Objetive: the aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of overweight and obesity in school children full- time state of Morelos (Mexico). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: a cross sectional study in 30 966 students 3-15 years attending 186 schools. The nutritional status was obtained through the Body Mass Index, considering the age and sex; weight was measured with SECA 813 scales and height with stadiometer SECA 213; international benchmarks were used. RESULTS: 36 482 boys and girls censused, it's measured at 30 966 (84.9%) attended the day of visit. The overall prevalence of underweight was close to 8%, and the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity exceeded 25%. Were higher prevalences of underweight and obesity in men. CONCLUSIONS: one in 12 children are underweight; one in four, overweight and one in nine obese. The male population is more vulnerable to suffer consequences for nutritional deficiencies and excesses. Specific studies are needed to differentiate and address obesity primary type and associated risks to define future actions.

Introducción: es común que los escolares en México presenten bajos consumos de algunos nutrimentos, y elevados consumos de energía total, grasas y sodio; también es frecuente que su actividad física sea insuficiente, lo que propicia la presencia de sobrepeso y obesidad. Objetivo: el propósito de este estudio fue identificar la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en los alumnos de escuelas de tiempo completo del estado de Morelos (México). Sujetos y métodos: estudio transversal en 30.966 alumnos de 3 a 15 años, asistentes a 186 escuelas. El estado nutricional se obtuvo a través del Índice de Masa Corporal, considerando la edad y el género; el peso se midió con básculas SECA 813 y la talla con estadímetros SECA 213; se utilizaron patrones de referencia internacionales. Resultados: de 36.482 niños y niñas censados, se midió a 30.966 (84,9%) que asistieron el día de visita. La prevalencia global de bajo peso se aproximó al 8% y la prevalencia conjunta de sobrepeso y obesidad superó el 25%. Fueron más altas las prevalencias de bajo peso y obesidad en los hombres. Conclusiones: uno de cada 12 niños tiene bajo peso; uno de cada cuatro, sobrepeso y uno de cada nueve, obesidad. La población masculina es más vulnerable a padecer consecuencias por deficiencias y excesos nutricionales. Son necesarios estudios específicos para diferenciar y atender la obesidad de tipo primario y los riesgos asociados, para definir acciones futuras.

Effects of ultrasound treatment in purple cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) juice.

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit is a berry with a tasty pulp full of seeds that constitutes about 10-15% of the edible pulp. In Mexico, cactus pear is mainly consumed fresh, but also has the potential to be processed in other products such as juice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different ultrasound conditions at amplitude levels ranging (40% and 60% for 10, 15, 25 min; 80% for 3, 5, 8, 10, 15 and 25 min) on the characteristics of purple cactus pear juice. The evaluated parameters were related with the quality (stability, °Brix, pH), microbial growth, total phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH and % chelating activity) of purple cactus pear juices. The ultrasound treatment for time period of 15 and 25 min significantly reduced the microbial count in 15 and 25 min, without affecting the juice quality and its antioxidant properties. Juice treated at 80% of amplitude level showed an increased of antioxidant compounds. Our results demonstrated that sonication is a suitable technique for cactus pear processing. This technology allows the achievement of juice safety and quality standards without compromising the retention of antioxidant compounds.

[Metabolic syndrome prevalence and its association with the body mass index in university students]. / Prevalencia de síndrome metabólico y su asociación con el índice de masa corporal en universitarios.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Few studies exist about metabolic syndrome (MS) in young Mexican adult populations. The prevalences of overweight, obesity, and MS were evaluated in a sample of university students from Veracruz, México. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Transversal analytical study performed in 402 student of new admission, aged 20-29 years belonging to Veracruzana University. Waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and serum glucose, triglycerides, and high-density lipoproteins (HDL)-cholesterol were determined. The MS was diagnosed applying the current National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP-III) criteria. RESULTS: Male subjects showed higher values of waist circumference, weight, stature, body mass index (BMI), triglycerides, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures (p < 0.005, in all cases). The prevalence of central obesity was 9.5%; hypertriglyceridemia, 13.2; low HDL-cholesterol, 28.9%; high systolic and diastolic blood pressures, 9.2%; and hyperglucemia, 6.0%. 48% showed 1-4 NCEP-ATPIII criteria for MS. Global prevalence of MS was 3.7%. The BMI inclusion increased the MS prevalence in overweight and obese student (8.2 vs 0.8%) (x2 = 14.6; p < 0.001; odds ratio = 10.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.4-48.8). CONCLUSIONS: The BMI inclusion improved the MS diagnostic in young adults. Because almost half of the subjects presented at least one MS factor, the need of preventive implementations in young populations and to develop longitudinal studies to ascertain the effect of MS later in life is suggested.