Basic-education mexican teachers' knowledge of biotechnology and attitudes about the consumption of genetically modified foods.

Over the past few years, a new research field has emerged, focusing on the social-scientific criteria for the study of opinions toward genetically modified foods (GMFs), since these may be limiting factors for the success or failure of these products. Basic education is the first step in the Mexican education system, and teachers may wield an outsized influence on the attitudes and preferences of children, prospective future consumers of these products. To better understand the current state of knowledge of biotechnology issues and opinions toward the consumption of GMF of Mexican teachers, a questionnaire was distributed, and 362 Mexican teachers of basic education responded. The survey included questions about the benefits and risks of consuming GMF. The mean percentage of teachers expressing knowledge of a given topic in biotechnology was 50%. More than 60% of teachers believed that GMFs would be useful in preventing world hunger, while 39.2% considered GMF to be hazards for future generations. Although 47.0% reported not having enough knowledge about these topics, almost all (90.3%) respondents expressed an interest and willingness to learn about biotechnology. In light of the fact that teachers of basic education represent the first and potentially most lasting stage in the education of young children, this survey establishes the urgent need to develop strategies to improve the scientific knowledge of teachers and to facilitate decision making and the promotion of scientific and technological advances for their students. © 2017 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(5):396-402, 2017.

Iron status and dietary intakes of iron in normal-weight and obese young Mexican women.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is reported to be a predictor of iron deficiency. In Mexico, 45.5% of women older than 20 years have obesity, and the prevalence of anemia is 10.2% in women 20 to 29 years. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (% BF), dietary intakes and iron status of healthy normal-weight and obese young women. METHODS: A total of 86 women [normal-weight (n = 46) and obese (n = 40)] completed the study. Intakes were evaluated by an 8-day food-record. Anthropometrics and blood collection (hemoglobin, hematocrit, ferritin and transferrin) were done on the luteal phase of menstrual cycle; menstrual characteristics were also reported. Iron status was determined according to stages of iron depletion. T-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare groups' variables. Pearson correlation was used to determine relationships between variables. An odds ratio (OR) analysis was used to measure the association of BMI, % BF and dietary intakes with iron status. RESULTS: Biomarkers of iron were similar between groups. There was a positive correlation between % BF and ferritin (r = 0.222; p = 0.032). Similar intakes and menstrual periods may be the reason of similar iron status. BMI, % BF or dietary intakes were not independent contributors to stages of iron depletion. CONCLUSION: Guidance on dietary intakes is suggested for this population to avoid future iron deficiency complications.

Introducción: la obesidad se ha reportado como predictor de la deficiencia de hierro. En México, el 45,5% de las mujeres mayores de 20 años tienen obesidad, y la prevalencia de anemia es de 10,2% en mujeres de 20 a 29 años. Objetivo: investigar la relación entre índice de masa corporal (IMC), porcentaje de grasa (%GC), ingesta dietética y reservas de hierro en mujeres jóvenes sanas con normopeso y obesidad. Métodos: ochenta y seis mujeres [normopeso (n = 46) y obesidad (n = 40)] completaron el estudio. La ingesta fue evaluada por un diario de registro de 8 días. La antropometría y obtención de sangre (hemoglobina, hematocrito, ferritina y transferrina) se consiguieron en la fase lútea del ciclo menstrual; se reportaron las características de la menstruación. Las reservas de hierro se determinaron según etapas de depleción. Pruebas de T y Mann-Whitney U se usaron para comparar variables entre grupos. La correlación de Pearson se usó para determinar relaciones entre variables. La razón de momios se utilizó para medir la asociación de IMC, %GC e ingesta dietética con las reservas de hierro. Resultados: los marcadores de hierro fueron similares entre grupos. Se encontró una relación positiva entre %GC y ferritina (r = 0,222; p = 0,032). La similitud en ingesta y periodos menstruales puede ser la razón de que existan reservas de hierro similares. El IMC, %GC e ingesta dietética no contribuyeron independientemente a las etapas de depleción de hierro. Conclusión: se sugiere guía dietética para esta población con el fin de evitar complicaciones por deficiencia de hierro.

Iron status and dietary intakes of iron in normal-weight and obese young Mexican women / Reservas de hierro e ingesta dietética de hierro en mujeres jóvenes mexicanas con normopeso y obesidad

Introduction: obesity is reported to be a predictor of iron deficiency. In Mexico, 45.5 % of women older than 20 years have obesity, and the prevalence of anemia is 10.2 % in women 20 to 29 years. Objective: to investigate the relation between body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (% BF), dietary intakes and iron status of healthy normal-weight and obese young women. Methods: a total of 86 women [normal-weight (n = 46) and obese (n = 40)] completed the study. Intakes were evaluated by an 8-day food-record. Anthropometrics and blood collection (hemoglobin, hematocrit, ferritin and transferrin) were done on the luteal phase of menstrual cycle; menstrual characteristics were also reported. Iron status was determined according to stages of iron depletion. T-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare groups’ variables. Pearson correlation was used to determine relationships between variables. An odds ratio (OR) analysis was used to measure the association of BMI, % BF and dietary intakes with iron status. Results: biomarkers of iron were similar between groups. There was a positive correlation between % BF and ferritin (r = 0.222; p = 0.032). Similar intakes and menstrual periods may be the reason of similar iron status. BMI, % BF or dietary intakes were not independent contributors to stages of iron depletion. Conclusion: guidance on dietary intakes is suggested for this population to avoid future iron deficiency complications (AU)

Introducción: la obesidad se ha reportado como predictor de la deficiencia de hierro. En México, el 45,5% de las mujeres mayores de 20 años tienen obesidad, y la prevalencia de anemia es de 10,2% en mujeres de 20 a 29 años. Objetivo: investigar la relación entre índice de masa corporal (IMC), porcentaje de grasa (%GC), ingesta dietética y reservas de hierro en mujeres jóvenes sanas con normopeso y obesidad. Métodos: ochenta y seis mujeres [normopeso (n = 46) y obesidad (n = 40)] completaron el estudio. La ingesta fue evaluada por un diario de registro de 8 días. La antropometría y obtención de sangre (hemoglobina, hematocrito, ferritina y transferrina) se consiguieron en la fase lútea del ciclo menstrual; se reportaron las características de la menstruación. Las reservas de hierro se determinaron según etapas de depleción. Pruebas de T y Mann-Whitney U se usaron para comparar variables entre grupos. La correlación de Pearson se usó para determinar relaciones entre variables. La razón de momios se utilizó para medir la asociación de IMC, %GC e ingesta dieté- tica con las reservas de hierro. Resultados: los marcadores de hierro fueron similares entre grupos. Se encontró una relación positiva entre %GC y ferritina (r = 0,222; p = 0,032). La similitud en ingesta y periodos menstruales puede ser la razón de que existan reservas de hierro similares. El IMC, %GC e ingesta dietética no contribuyeron independientemente a las etapas de depleción de hierro. Conclusión: se sugiere guía dietética para esta población con el fin de evitar complicaciones por deficiencia de hierro (AU)

Ingesta energética y de macronutrientes en mujeres embarazadas en el noreste de México / Intakes of energy and macronutrients in pregnant women in the northeast of Mexico

Estudio descriptivo y transversal primero en reportar la ingesta dietética de energía y de macronutrientes en mujeres en gestación en la zona noreste de México. Muestra por conveniencia de 125 mujeres embarazadas (15-45 años) en el tercer trimestre, que acudieron a consulta prenatal del Hospital Regional Materno Infantil, Nuevo León, México. Se reportaron último nivel de estudios, estatus marital y profesional, peso, talla, e índice de masa corporal (IMC). Se evaluó la dieta mediante la técnica de recordatorio de ingesta del día anterior, en 3 días no consecutivos. Se valoró la ingesta de energía y la contribución calórica porcentual de macronutrientes según las recomendaciones de ingesta de mujeres embarazadas. La ingesta energética fue de 1683,8 Cal/ día. La contribución calórica de grasa saturada fue mayor a la recomendación en 53,6 % de las mujeres. 76,8 % de las participantes consumieron más de 55 % de la energía de hidratos de carbono, mientras que 86,4 % consumió azúcares por arriba de lo sugerido. La mediana de consumo de proteína fue de 12,0 % de la energía total. 75% de las participantes consumieron menos de 22,5 g de fibra dietética total. La importancia de conocer la ingesta de energía y de macronutrientes en mujeres embarazadas se debe a la posible influencia que la dieta tiene sobre la programación del apetito del niño y las complicaciones de la madre. Los resultados sugieren brindar recomendaciones nutricias adecuadas para cada mujer desde el primer trimestre de gestación, según su estado nutricional y entorno social.

Descriptive and transversal study, first to report the dietary intake of energy and macronutrients in pregnant women in the northeast of Mexico. Convenience sample of 125 pregnant women (15-45 years of age) in the third trimester, who were prenatal patients in the Hospital Regional Materno Infantil, Nuevo León, Mexico. It was reported the level of studies, marital and professional status, weight, height and body mass index (BMI). Diet was evaluated by 24-hour food recalls, in 3 non-consecutive days. There were analyzed the intake of energy and the percentage contribution of calories from macronutrients according to the recommendations of intake of pregnant women. Intake of energy was 1683,8 Cal/day. The caloric contribution of saturated fat was higher than the recommendation in 53,6 % of women. 76,8 % of participants ate more than 55 % of energy from carbohydrates, while 86,4 % ate more sugars than the amount suggested. The median intake of protein was 12,0 % of total energy intake. 75% of participants consumed less than 22,5 g of total dietary fiber. The relevance of knowing the intakes of energy and macronutrients in pregnant women may be due to the possible influence of diet over the child’s appetite and maternal complications. Results of this study suggest the need to provide women with adequate nutritional recommendations since the first trimester of gestation, according to their nutritional status and social environment.

[Intakes of energy and macronutrients in pregnant women in the northeast of Mexico]. / Ingesta energética y de-macronutrientes en mujeres embarazadas en el noreste de México.

Descriptive and transversal study, first to report the dietary intake of energy and macronutrients in pregnant women in the northeast of Mexico. Convenience sample of 125 pregnant women (15-45 years of age) in the third trimester, who were prenatal patients in the Hospital Regional Materno Infantil, Nuevo León, Mexico. It was reported the level of studies, marital and professional status, weight, height and body mass index (BMI). Diet was evaluated by 24-hour food recalls, in 3 non-consecutive days. There were analyzed the intake of energy and the percentage contribution of calories from macronutrients according to the recommendations of intake of pregnant women. Intake of energy was 1683,8 Cal/day. The caloric contribution of saturated fat was higher than the recommendation in 53.6% of women. 76.8% of participants ate more than 55% of energy from carbohydrates, while 86.4% ate more sugars than the amount suggested. The median intake of protein was 12.0% of total energy intake. 75% of participants consumed less than 22,5 g of total dietary fiber. The relevance of knowing the intakes of energy and macronutrients in pregnant women may be due to the possible influence of diet over the child's appetite and maternal complications. Results of this study suggest the need to provide women with adequate nutritional recommendations since the first trimester of gestation, according to their nutritional status and social environment.