Perceptions, Beliefs, and Experiences about the Menstrual Cycle and Menstruation among Young Women: A Qualitative Approach.

The experience of menstruation is often associated with negative connotations and gender stereotypes, which results in making it invisible. This research aimed to explore the perceptions, beliefs, and knowledge of young Spanish women regarding the menstrual cycle and menstruation and their impact on their lives. The study delves into their understanding, menstrual management practices, the types of menstrual products employed, and their experiences related to menstrual health. Qualitative methodology was used with discussion groups as a data collection technique. The participants comprised 45 young Spanish women, aged between 18 and 23, hailing from both rural and urban areas. The majority were university students, with some engaged in part-time work, and one participant working full-time. While many experienced menstrual pain ranging from mild to debilitating, a normalization of this pain often led them to forego seeking specialist assistance. Disposable menstrual products (DMPs) are the most used by participants, despite limited awareness of their absorption capacity. Regarding reusable menstrual products (RMPs), menstrual cup users emphasized comfort but expressed a need for proper training. Negative menstruation experiences could evoke fear and difficulties, underscoring the importance of providing comprehensive menstrual health education encompassing both theoretical and practical components.

Conceptual framework of mental health literacy: Results from a scoping review and a Delphi survey.

Mental health literacy (MHL) has been identified as a factor influencing early help-seeking for mental health problems (MHPs) and stigmatizing attitudes. However, the lack of consensus on its definition has led to considerable heterogeneity in measurement and, consequently, methodological challenges in comparing data. In this way, the present study was conducted with the following objectives: in Phase I, mapping the existing literature through a scoping review; in Phase 2, 28 experts in the field of mental health participated to develop a consensus statement on the relevance and importance of the findings from Phase 1. A total of 37 articles were included for review. Notable nuances were identified in the conceptualization of MHL, particularly with regard to the fact that it should not be limited to mental disorders but should also encompass mental health. Furthermore, the sociocultural influence was highlighted as shaping MHL, recognizing it as a modifiable competence that adapts to different contexts and life stages, involving both individual and collective levels. The experts deemed the findings pertinent and relevant with a high degree of consensus, except for factors related to MHL. This framework provides a refined definition of MHL and related factors that should be taken into account to guide nursing and other disciplines' studies and interventions on MHL. The evolution of this concept includes dimensions to be considered in future research, especially when developing new measurement instruments or implementing educational programmes. This knowledge and skills cannot be determined globally without considering the context and development of the individual.

Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on the dietary habits and lifestyle in a population in southern Spain: a cross-sectional questionnaire.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Few studies have assessed the effect of lockdown on physical activity and eating behaviours in a population from the Autonomous Community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The aim of our study was to describe the effect of COVID-19 pandemic home lockdown on eating habits and lifestyle in the Andalusian population. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on a population from southern Spain, Andalusian population. An online questionnaire was shared through social networks and snowball sampling. A total of 1140 people filled in the questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 34 items classified into three sections: sociodemographic data, work and leisure activities and questions on food consumption. Each item offered pre- and post-lockdown information. RESULTS: The participants were classified into three age groups: 18-35, 36-65 and over 65. Statistically significant differences were found between the three groups, with the younger age group undergoing greater changes, increasing their physical activity and consumption of fresh food, and decreasing both their consumption of fast food at home and alcohol intake. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that, in the current social and health crisis, the citizens of southern Spain have become aware of the importance of maintaining an appropriate lifestyle to remain healthy, particularly the younger population with less well-consolidated habits.

cMetS Based on Z-Scores as an Accurate and Efficient Scoring System to Determine Metabolic Syndrome in Spanish Adolescents.

The definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS) based on dichotomous cut-off points is efficient in the adult population. However, to date, there is no international consensus on how to define MetS in the pediatric population. For that reason, a continuous MetS score (cMetS) has been proposed for the pediatric population. However, despite multiple attempts, cMetS has not been fully validated as there is no agreement about the most accurate score to calculate it. The purpose of the present study was to compare the validity of different scores (three siMS scores, z-score, principal components analysis (PCA), the sum of PCA, and confirmatory factor analysis) to calculate cMetS and determine MetS in Spanish adolescents. There were 981 subjects, ranging 11-16 years old, recruited for this cross-sectional study. Seven different approaches to pediatric cMetS scores were calculated. All cMetS scores calculated strongly correlated with each other, especially siMS scores. The area under the curve obtained from receiving operating characteristic curves was particularly elevated for z-scores 0.81 (95% CI: 0.784-0.838), showing a specificity of 64.4%. Our study shows that cMetS based on z-scores is accurate and efficient to be used for research instead of the dichotomized definition of MetS in adolescents; and cMetS based on siMS scores is useful for clinical practice.

Body Composition, Nutritional Profile and Muscular Fitness Affect Bone Health in a Sample of Schoolchildren from Colombia: The Fuprecol Study.

The objective of the present study is to investigate the relationships between body composition, nutritional profile, muscular fitness (MF) and bone health in a sample of children and adolescents from Colombia. Participants included 1118 children and adolescents (54.6% girls). Calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation (c-BUA) was obtained as a marker of bone health. Body composition (fat mass and lean mass) was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Furthermore height, weight, waist circumference and Tanner stage were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Standing long-jump (SLJ) and isometric handgrip dynamometry were used respectively as indicators of lower and upper body muscular fitness. A muscular index score was also computed by summing up the standardised values of both SLJ and handgrip strength. Dietary intake and degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet were assessed by a 7-day recall questionnaire for food frequency and the Kidmed questionnaire. Poor bone health was considered using a z-score cut off of ≤-1.5 standard deviation. Once the results were adjusted for age and Tanner stage, the predisposing factors of having a c-BUA z-score ≤-1.5 standard deviation included being underweight or obese, having an unhealthy lean mass, having an unhealthy fat mass, SLJ performance, handgrip performance, and unhealthy muscular index score. In conclusion, body composition (fat mass and lean body mass) and MF both influenced bone health in a sample of children and adolescents from Colombia. Thus promoting strength adaptation and preservation in Colombian youth will help to improve bone health, an important protective factor against osteoporosis in later life.

Normative data for calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation among children and adolescents from Colombia: the FUPRECOL Study.

UNLABELLED: Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) has been found to be a safe and reliable method for evaluating bone mineral density (BMD). Using calcaneal QUS techniques, the current study contributes to remedying this gap in the literature by establishing normative data among children and adolescents from Colombia. INTRODUCTION: Minimal data on BMD changes are available from populations in developing countries. BMD reference values for children and adolescents have not been published for a Latin-American population. The aim of this study was to establish a normal reference range of calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) in Colombian children and adolescents with ages ranging from 9 to 17.9 years. METHODS: A sample of 1001 healthy Colombian youth (boys n = 445 and girls n = 556), children, and adolescents (9-17.9 years old) participated in the study. A calcaneus QUS parameter (BUA) was obtained for boys and girls, stratified by age group. Furthermore, height, weight, fat mass percentage, and body mass index were measured. Centile smoothed curves for the third, tenth, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 97th percentiles were calculated using the LMS method (L [curve Box-Cox], M [curve median], and S [curve coefficient of variation]). RESULTS: Mean (± SD) values for the participants' anthropometric data were 12.9 ± 2.3 years of age, 45.2 ± 11.5 kg weight, 1.51 ± 0.1 m height, 19.5 ± 3.1 kg/m(2) BMI, and 69.5 ± 17.1 dB/MHz BUA. Overall, all variables were significantly higher in boys except in BMI and body fat percentage. Girls generally had higher mean calcaneal BUA (dB/MHz) values than the boys, except in the age ranges 16 and 17.9, p > 0.05. In addition, the BUA (dB/MHz) increased with age throughout childhood and adolescence and reached a plateau by age 15-17.9 for girls. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, our results provide sex- and age-specific BUA reference values for Colombian children and adolescents aged 9-17.9 years. A more specific set of reference values is useful for clinicians and researchers and informs clinical practice to monitor bone mineral status.

[Assessment of nutritional status in renal transplant patients during 5 years of follow-up]. / Evaluación del estado nutricional en pacientes trasplantados renales durante 5 años de seguimiento.

INTRODUCTION: Weight gain and malnutrition after kidney transplantation is common and the resulting overweight and obesity is associated with serious health complications. By contrast, the prevalence of malnutrition in patients with renal transplantation and its impact on the outcome of kidney transplantation is underestimated. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of renal transplant patients and determine if the five-year follow-up, these patients undergo alterations that suggest nutritional deterioration. METHODS: The sample consisted of 119 renal transplant patients who attended for five years post-transplant consultation. All patients measurements of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides and ferritin (Ft) were performed. and anthropometric measurements were made of weight, height and BMI. Patients were divided into three groups according to GFR Group 1: <60 mL/min, Group 2: 89-60 mL/min Group 3: ≥ 90 mL/min. RESULTS: The weight and BMI tended to decrease in group 3 while increasing in the other groups. A decrease in total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides and Ferritin less pronounced in group 3 occurs. CONCLUSIONS: After five years you can see a significant reduction in nutritional biochemical parameters in general, likewise the nutritional status is closely related, and is directly proportional to the function of the graft.

Introducción: El aumento de peso y la malnutricion despues del trasplante renal es frecuente, y el sobrepeso y la obesidad resultante se asocia con complicaciones graves de salud. Por el contrario, la prevalencia de la desnutricion en pacientes con trasplante renal y sus efectos en el resultado del trasplante de rinon se subestima. Objetivos: El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el estado nutricional de pacientes trasplantados renales y determinar si en el periodo de cinco anos de seguimiento, estos pacientes sufren alteraciones que sugieran deterioro nutricional. Métodos: La muestras estuvo formada por 119 pacientes trasplantados renales, que asistieron durante cinco anos a la consulta postrasplante. A todos los pacientes se realizaron determinaciones de colesterol total, lipoproteinas de baja densidad (LDL), lipoproteinas de alta densidad (HDL), concentraciones de trigliceridos y ferritina (Ft), y se les efectuaron mediciones antropometricas de peso, altura e IMC. Los pacientes fueron divididos en tres grupos segun la tasa de filtracion glomerular : Grupo 1: < 60 mL/min, Grupo 2: 89­60 mL/min Grupo 3: ≥ 90 mL/min. Resultados: El peso e IMC tiende a disminuir en el grupo 3 mientras aumenta en el resto de grupos. Se produce una disminucion de Colesterol total, HDL, LDL, Trigliceridos y Ferritina menos acusado en el grupo 3. Conclusiones: Tras cinco anos se puede observar una reduccion significativa de los parametros bioquimicos nutricionales en general, asi mismo el estado nutricional esta estrechamente relacionado y es directamente proporcional a la funcion del injerto.

[The levels of bone mineralization are influenced by body composition in children and adolescents]. / Los niveles de mineralización ósea están influenciados por la composición corporal en niños y adolescentes.

INTRODUCTION: There is controversy over the effect of overweight and obesity in bone mineralization in adolescence. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the level of bone mineral density (BMD) in a population of adolescents and study its relationship with body composition. METHODS: The study population consisted of 157 adolescents (93 women and 64 men) of the province of Granada (Spain). The mean age was 14.22 ± 1.41 year. BMD was assessed by calcaneal osteosonography. The densitometric parameters were: Broadbandultrasound attenuation( BUA), T -score and Z -score. Body composition was determined with bio-electrical Impedance analyser. RESULTS: The overweight and obese adolescents had higher values in the BUA versus normal-weighted adolescents (95.4 ± 17.77 and 90.0 ± 1.08 vs 81.1 ± 17.79), showing significant differences(p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Even after adjustment for lean mass and fat mass, differences remained in overweight and obese subjects (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). Correlation with lean mass was greater than with fat mass (B =, 402 p < 0.000 and B =, 228 p < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with overweight and/or obesity have higher levels of BMD even after adjustment for fat mass and muscle mass. Our results suggest that BMD increases in response to increased muscle mass in adolescents with overweight and/or obesity.

Introducción: Existe controversia acerca del efecto del sobrepeso y la obesidad en la mineralización ósea en la adolescencia. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue valorar el nivel de densidad mineral ósea (DMO) en una población de adolescentes y estudiar su relación con la composición corporal. Material y método: La población de estudio estuvo constituida por 157 adolescentes (93 mujeres y 64 varones) de la provincia de Granada (España). La edad media fue de 14,22 ± 1,41 años. Se valoró la DMO mediante osteosonografía del calcáneo. Los parámetros densitométricos fueron: coeficiente de atenuación de banda ancha (BUA), T-score yZ-score. La composición corporal se determinó con bioimpedanciómetro. Resultados: Los sujetos con obesidad y sobrepeso presentaron valores mayores en el BUA frente a los sujetos con normopeso (95,4± 17,77 y 90,0±1,08 vs. 81,1±17,79) encontrándose diferencias significativas (p.