Evaluation of the Nutritional Quality of Processed Foods in Honduras: Comparison of Three Nutrient Profiles.

Obesity is considered a global pandemic. Different countries have worked to implement front-of-package (FOP) labeling systems that define thresholds for critical nutrients (CN) as part of their public health policies. The objective of this study is to identify the proportion of Processed (PF) and Ultra-Processed (UPF) Foods marketed in Honduras, which meet or fall short of the criteria of three Nutrient Profile Models (NPM): PAHO (2016), Chile (2017) and the Central American Technical Regulation Proposal-Nutritional Warning Front Labeling (CATRP-NWFL 2017). This study is descriptive; 1009 products from 206 brands were collected nationwide. Descriptive statistics were performed. The mean CN compliance with the three models was 49.3% for sodium, 30.6% for sugars, 63.1% and 96% for saturated and trans fats. The PAHO and Chilean (NPM) similarly concentrated on the lower compliance with the established criteria, unlike the CATRP, which has less stringent criteria. This is the first assessment of CN content in PF and UPF in Honduras under three different NPMs. We highlight the importance of defining or adopting criteria for the implementation of NWFL as information for the consumer and thereby contribute to reducing the risks of obesity and related diseases.

Cambios en la situación nutricional, anemia y diabetes en embarazadas del área semirural hondureña / Changes in the nutritional situation, anemia and diabetes in pregnant from Honduran semi-rural area

La adecuada nutrición durante la gestación es crucial para el desarrollo del feto; la malnutrición incrementa el riesgo de diabetes gestacional y anemia en la madre. Objetivo: evaluar los cambios en la situación nutricional, prevalencia de anemia y diabetes gestacional de las mujeres embarazadas de una zona semirural de Honduras. Material y métodos: el estudio fue retrospectivo y transversal. Los datos se obtuvieron de historias clínicas de un centro de salud semirural, con muestra aleatoria de 98 embarazadas. Se utilizó una gráfica argentina, para la evaluación del estado nutricional de la embarazada por semana gestacional. Los datos se analizaron con estadística descriptiva (frecuencias absolutas y porcentajes). Resultados: el rango de edad de las embarazadas fue de 19 a 42 años, 53 (54%) culminaron estudios secundarios. La estatura promedio fue de 1.55 m, y a su último control de peso, 72 (73%) de las embarazadas se encontraron con índice de masa corporal normal; desde el primer control de peso hasta el último, 82 (83%) de la población se mantuvo en su mismo estado nutricional; 4(45%) del grupo de 19 y 20 años se estimaron con bajo peso, 4 (4%) de la muestra eran fumadoras, 4 de 75 (5.3%) tuvieron hemoglobina alterada (primer trimestre) y 4 (4%) diabetes gestacional; 52 (53%) de las embarazadas presentaron antecedentes familiares de riesgo para enfermedades crónicas. La muestra de embarazadas presentó ventajas socioeconómicas frente a indicadores nacionales. Conclusión: Existe un adecuado seguimiento del peso de las embarazadas para atender su estado nutricional. En promedio la anemia no fue grave, pero en el último trimestre se requiere un seguimiento estricto de sus niveles de hemoglobina. La diabetes gestacional no constituyó un problema de gravedad. El embarazo en adolescentes, con bajo peso o sobrepeso, y sus antecedentes familiares, las colocan en situación de alta vulnerabilidad...(AU)

Characterization of the Types of Sweeteners Consumed in Honduras.

Sweeteners are found in all types of foods, and their high consumption is associated with chronic degenerative diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, among others. A characterization was carried out of food products with sweeteners from the three biggest supermarkets at a national level; they were identified by the list of ingredients and classified according to caloric or non-caloric intake, and pursuant to their country of origin. A statistical interpretation of results was made using descriptive measures such as the number of times the sweeteners were found in the formulation of the products and how many of them were found in a product at the same time. In total, 341 products were evaluated and classified according to the processed food categories of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) nutrient profile. The category of beverages had the highest quantity of products with sweeteners, and their consumption by the inhabitants represents a high exposure. Overall, 60.1% of the products evaluated were of US origin; these US exports have a significant impact on the Honduran market. A high-fructose corn syrup caloric sweetener was the one most frequently found in these products; at least 51% are combined with additional sweeteners to increase the sweetening effect.