Perception and Understanding of Guideline Daily Amount and Warning Labeling among Mexican Adults during the Law Modification Period.

Front-of-pack labeling (FOPL) is a tool that enables consumers to compare foods and select healthier options. Due to low understanding of the Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) labeling among Mexicans, a law was implemented in October 2020 that modified the FOPL to a warning labeling (WL) system. The purpose of this study was to compare the perception and understanding of GDA and WL during the law modification period. We conducted a panel design with two measurements: (1) using GDA label (September 2020) and (2) using WL (October-November). We estimated differences in GDA vs. WL through multinomial logistic regression models and changes were measured through predictive margin contrasts and Wald tests. When comparing the same products with different labels, the participants reported that it would be unlikely/very unlikely that they would consume products packaged with the WL (81.5%; 95%CI: 79.2, 83.8) compared to those with GDA (24.2%; 95%CI: 21.7, 26.7). Consumers' perception was that the quantities of packaged products they should consume was small or very small when they used the WL (93.8%; 95%CI: 92.4, 95.5) compared to GDA (41.6%; 95%CI: 39.7, 44.6). When comparing food groups, participants were more confident about choosing healthy products when using the WL compared to the GDA. During the implementation of WL in Mexico, the studied population had a better perception and understanding of less healthy packaged foods when using WL, compared to the GDA label.

Dietary Sodium and Potassium Intake: Data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2016.

Population studies have demonstrated an association between sodium and potassium intake and blood pressure levels and lipids. The aim of this study was to describe the dietary intake and contribution of sodium and potassium to the Mexican diet, and to describe its association with nutrition status and clinical characteristics. We analyzed a national survey with 4219 participants. Dietary information was obtained with a 24-h recall. Foods and beverages were classified according to level of processing. The mean intake (mg/d) of Na was 1512 in preschool children, 2844 in school-age children, 3743 in adolescents, and 3132 in adults. The mean intake (mg/d) of K was 1616 in preschool children, 2256 in school-age children, 2967 in adolescents, and 3401 in adults. Processed and ultra-processed foods (UPF) contribute 49% of Na intake in preschool children, 50% in school-age children, 47% in adolescents, and 39% in adults. Adults with high Na intake had lower serum concentrations of cholesterol, HDL-c, and LDL-c. A significant proportion of the Mexican population has a high intake of Na (64-82%) and low K (58-73%). Strategies to reduce Na and increase K intake need to reduce the possibility of having high BP and serum lipid disturbances.

Breastfeeding practices in Mexico: Results from the National Demographic Dynamic Survey 2006-2018.

Although actions have been taken to improve breastfeeding in Mexico, trends over the last decade and their associated factors have not been analysed. We estimated trends in breastfeeding practices at the national, rural/urban, and regional level indigenous ethnicity and socio-economic level, and their associated factors using the National Demographic Dynamics Survey (2006, 2009, 2014 and 2018). We assessed breastfeeding indicators of women with children <24 months according to The World Health Organization recommendations. Logistic regressions models of pooled data were used to estimate trends and associations with biological and sociodemographic characteristics. Between 2006 and 2018, the prevalence of ever breastfed increased from 91.8% to 94.2% (p < 0.001), whereas early initiation of breastfeeding increased from 40.8% to 59.7% (p < 0.001), with similar increments by urban/rural level. Between 2009 and 2018, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in children <6 months increased from 13.0% to 20.7% (p < 0.001). The largest increase was seen in Mexico City, in nonindigenous women and those with a high socio-economic status, whereas indigenous women and those from the South had the lowest or no improvements. Breastfeeding education during pregnancy [odds ratio (OR) 1.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-1.5] was positively associated with exclusive breastfeeding, whereas being employed (OR 0.8; 95% CI 0.6-0.9) was negatively associated. Breastfeeding practices improved but are still far from recommendations. Implementing strategies like breastfeeding counselling and programmes and policies that promote and support breastfeeding for poor, indigenous, single and working mothers should be a priority for the government to ensure that all children have the best start in life.