Association between body mass index and functional fitness of 9- to 10-year-old Chilean children.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the association between body mass index (BMI) and functional fitness (FF) in 9- to 10-year-old Chilean children. METHODS: This was an analytical and cross-sectional study with a probabilistic sample consisting of 139 children of both sexes. Anthropometric measurements, hemodynamic variables, physical activity (PAQ-C), and FF (measured by a 6-minute walk test: 6MWT) were recorded. If the distance walked was <10th percentile, FF was considered low. Means of variables between each group were compared by Student's t test, and Pearson's test was used to determine correlations between variables. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify factors associated with FF with a level of significance P < .05. All these analyses were performed with the STATA 15.0 program. RESULTS: It was clear boys walked a greater distance than girls (P = .006); overweight subjects had lower physical performance than normal-weight subjects (P = .035). There was a significant correlation between weight (r = -0.511), height (r = 0.502), BMI (r = -0.352), waist circumference (r = -0.310), neck circumference (r = -0.204), and percentage fat mass (r = -0.310) for distance walked. Overweight (OR 2.06; 95% CI 1.6-4.8), high percentage fat mass (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.2-3.2), and abdominal obesity (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.1-1.7) were associated with significantly higher odds of low FF. CONCLUSION: Lower performance was exhibited in Chilean children for the 6MWT. Overweight, fat mass, and abdominal obesity were associated with lower FF. This study contributes empirical information to construct normality curves for the Chilean child population.

High Prevalence of Food Insecurity and Factors Associated with Haitian Immigrants in Southern Chile.

The objective was to determine the association between sociodemographic factors and food insecurity (FI) in Haitian immigrants in southern Chile. An analytical cross-sectional design was used. The sample consisted of Haitian immigrants residing in Southern Chile, who were recruited from community centers and completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Latin-American and Caribbean Food Security Scale. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify factors associated with FI. FI prevalence in the 234 participants was 78%; 60% had severe FI. Having children (OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.6-7.4), limited Spanish proficiency (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.8-7.3), no access to basic services (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.2-6.4), and not being a legal permanent resident (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.1-6.1) were associated with significantly higher odds of FI. Over three-quarters of Haitian immigrants in southern Chile suffer from FI. Tailored intervention strategies are needed to address this major public-health issue, with a special focus on those at highest risk, including families with children, and those with limited Spanish proficiency, no access to basic services, and without legal permanent resident status.

Toxicological features of maleilated polyflavonoids from Pinus radiata (D. Don.) as potential functional additives for biomaterials design.

Polyflavonoids from Pinus radiata (D. Don.) are an abundant natural oligomers highly desirable as renewable chemicals. However, structural modification of polyflavonoids is a viable strategy in order to use such polyphenols as macrobuilding-blocks for biomaterial design. Polyflavonoids were esterified with three five-member cyclic anhydrides (maleic, itaconic, and citraconic) at 20 °C during 24 h in order to diversify physicochemical-, and biological-properties for agricultural, and food-packaging applications. In addition, the influence of the chemical modification, as well as the chemical structure of the grafting on toxicological features was evaluated. Structural features of derivatives were analyzed by spectroscopy (FT-IR and 1H-NMR), and the degree of substitution was calculated. Toxicological profile was assessed by using three target species in a wide range of concentration (0.01-100 mgL-1). Effect of polyflavonoids on the growth rate (Selenastrum capricornutum), mortality (Daphnia magna), and germination and radicle length (Lactuca sativa) was determined. Chemical modification affects the toxicological profile on the derivatives in a high extent. Results described remarkable differences in function of the target specie. The bioassays indicate differences of the polyflavonoids toxicological profile associated to the chemical structure of the grafting. Results allowed conclude that polyflavonoids from pine bark show slight toxic properties.