Birthweight and its association with cardiometabolic risk parameters in rural Maya children from Yucatan, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the influence of early developmental factors on cardiometabolic health in the Maya is limited. AIM: To analyse the relationship between birthweight (BW) and cardiometabolic parameters in a sample of rural Maya children from Yucatan, Mexico. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We took anthropometric measurements and obtained data on BW and fasting blood samples in a sample of 75 children aged 5-14 years. Dependent variables were: fat mass index (FMI), body mass index (BMI), glucose (G), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), LDL/HDL and TC/HDL ratios and metabolic index (TGxG/HDL2). Outcomes were transformed to y = 100 log(e)x and the resulting estimates are interpreted as symmetrical percentage differences. The main independent variable was BW z-score. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between BW and outcomes. RESULTS: An increase of one standard deviation in BW predicted 6.6% (95% CI [-11.6, -1.6]) decrease in HDL and 11% (95% CI [3.7, 18.4]), 7.8% (95% CI [2.3, 13.2]) and 19.6% (95% CI [3.1, 36]) increases in LDL/HDL, TC/HDL and metabolic index, respectively. CONCLUSION: Higher birthweights were associated with adverse levels of biochemical parameters in this sample of rural Maya children.

Secular trends in the anthropometric characteristics of children in a rural community in Yucatan, Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze changes in height, weight, and body mass index (BMI = kg/m2 ) from 1986 to 2022 in 3-11 year old children from Dzeal, a rural Maya community in Yucatan, Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October-2022 to February-2023 (third-wave survey), we obtained anthropometric measurements of children (n = 80) and family socioeconomic data and compared them with data obtained in 1986 (n = 38) and 2000 (n = 76). Comparisons of anthropometric parameters by sex between years of measurement were performed graphically and through one-way ANOVA, splitting children into two age groups: 3-7 and 8-11. Bonferroni adjustments for multiple comparisons were used when ANOVAs were statistically significant (p < .05). RESULTS: In girls, significant increases in height and weight between surveys were found in 3-7 and 8-11 age groups; in boys, significant increases were only found in the 8-11 age group. Regarding BMI, there were increases in 2022 compared with 1986/2000 in both sexes from 8 years onwards. Differences indicate increases of 3.9 and 4.4 cm per decade in girls aged 3-7 and 8-11, respectively, and increases in weight of 1.1 and 3.3 kg per decade, respectively. Increases in boys 8-11 years were 2.3 cm and 2.4 kg per decade. CONCLUSION: Significant increases in growth parameters were observed in specific-age children in the community studied in the context of changes in livelihoods and improvements in household material conditions.

The Associations Between Maternal Socioeconomic Factors and Adequacy of Energy and Macronutrient Intakes in Pregnant Women From Yucatan, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic factors influence diet quality during pregnancy. However, a dearth of evidence about the influence on energy and macronutrients adequacy calls for research. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between socioeconomic factors and adequacy rates of energy and macronutrient intakes in pregnant women from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. METHODS: During September to December 2019, we applied a socioeconomic questionnaire and three 24-hour dietary recalls to 83 pregnant females resident in Merida, Yucatan. Energy and macronutrient intakes were compared with the estimated trimester-specific energy and macronutrient requirements to calculate adequacies (%). Outcome variables were average adequacy of energy, carbohydrates, total fat, and protein intakes and the main predictors were maternal education, monthly family income, working status, and marital status. Descriptive statistics of adequacy were calculated for each category of predictors. The association between socioeconomic factors and outcome variables was analyzed through simple and multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: Adequacy rates of energy and macronutrients decreased as education and familial income levels increased, as well as among unemployed women. Consistently with these results, simple linear regressions showed that years of education, family income, and working status (i.e., women working to earn money), were negatively associated with adequacy rates of energy and macronutrients intakes. When all predictors and covariates were included in a multiple linear regression model, only having a job was significantly associated with adequacy rates. Marital status was not associated with outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Women in disadvantaged socioeconomic conditions (unemployed and low levels of education and familial income) show greater energy and macronutrient intakes.

Is Participatory Action Research an innovative pedagogical alternative for training teachers as researchers? The training plan and evaluation for normal schools.

Normal schools in Mexico train teachers for basic level education. Classified as Higher Education Institutions, part of their mandate is to conduct scientific research to improve educational quality. Currently, normal school students can meet graduation requirements by either writing a thesis or reporting on professional practice using Participatory Action Research (PAR). Teachers at normal schools have only limited experience in conducting and supervising PAR projects. With the aim of analyzing the situation and addressing this paradox, we used PAR to develop a plan to train normal school teachers in application of PAR methodology. We present the training proposal and evaluate its results in a pilot phase. These suggest that PAR represents an innovative option for training teachers to conduct research and therefore fulfill part of their responsibilities at normal schools in Mexico. Changes in institutional culture and structure would be required for successful implementation of PAR in this context.

"You are not fat, you are hermosa": Mexican caregivers share their perceptions about their role supporting their morbidly obese children.

This qualitative study reports the findings from 6 focus groups conducted at a clinic in Southern Mexico with caregivers of morbidly obese children. This study was developed with the purpose of gaining a further understanding of caregivers' perceived role in addressing their children's obesity within the family context and identifying topics that could be considered when providing health care in similar sociocultural environments. We identified that although caregivers acknowledge the role of modifiable factors in obesity prevention and treatment, they held beliefs about determinism in obesity. In addition, diet was the more frequently identified means of reducing the impact of obesity. The importance of role modeling and promoting healthy behaviors in the family context are topics that could be addressed in clinical practice.

Percepciones alimentarias en personas indígenas adultas de dos comunidades mayas / Food perceptions among indigenous persons adult two Mayan communities

Fundamento: El objetivo del trabajo fue conocer la percepción de mujeres y hombres casados de 18 años de edad en adelante sobre su alimentación actual con la base en la disponibilidad, seguridad y calidad de los alimentos y si consideran que ésta es mejor ahora que antes. Conocer la disponibilidad y preferencia de consumo de alimentos modernos en las localidades estudiadas, y analizar por qué este tipo de alimentos están incursionando en la dieta diaria de las personas y qué las lleva a consumirlos. Método: Se trata de un estudio de tipo transversal-cualitativo, en el que participaron 12 personas (entre mujeres y hombres) de las comunidades de Xanláh y Mucuyché de Yucatán, se les hizo entrevistas en profundidad a través del consentimiento informado; con el fin de conocer la percepción de la alimentación actual, sus cambios alimentarios y consideraciones de la alimentación de hoy en día. Para ello también se trabajó con adultos(as) mayores a través de la realización de grupos focales para conocer su percepción sobre la alimentación que se tienen actualmente. Para la presentación de los resultados se analizaron los comentarios vertidos por cada uno(a) de los(as) participantes. Resultados: Los alimentos son elegidos por el prestigio y el estatus que las personas les dan, sin considerar si son nutritivos y saludables; también consideran que el uso de agroquímicos no es bueno debido a que puede causar alguna enfermedad (AU)

Background: The objective was to study the perceptions of married women and men 18 years and older of their current feeding and whether they believed it is better than before. To ascertain the availability of and preference for modern food in the localities studied, and discuss why these foods are making inroads into the daily diet of people and what leads them to consumption. Methods: This is a cross-sectional qualitative study, involving 12 people (women and men) from the communities Mucuyche and Xanláh, Yucatán, Mexico; In-depth interviews were conducted after informed consent in order to ascertain the perception of current feeding, their dietary changes and considerations about today?s food and feeding practices. For this purpose, focus groups were conducted with older adults to understand their current perception of food and feeding. Every single comment from the participants was analyzed. Results: Foods are chosen by prestige and status conferred to individuals, regardless of whether they are nutritious and healthy. They also consider that the use of chemicals in agriculture is not good because they can cause illnesses (AU)