Food for thought or food for emotions? An analysis of marketing strategies in television food advertising seen by children in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the relationship between the marketing strategies and nutritional quality of foods and beverages promoted in television food advertisements (TV ads) seen by Colombian child audiences overall and based on child gender and socio-economic strata (SES). DESIGN: A quantitative content analysis of marketing appeals was combined with nutritional data of the food products advertised and matched with TV audience ratings data for each food and beverage ads for Colombian children between 4 and 11 years. SETTING: All beverages and foods TV ads cable or over-the-air channels in Colombia in 2017. PARTICIPANTS: N/A. RESULTS: Compared with rational appeals (e.g. freshness, health or nutrition messages), emotional appeals (referencing or depicting human senses or emotions, e.g. using cartoons to suggest fun) were more frequently used in the TV ads most viewed by Colombian children. Female children and children in lower SES tended to be more exposed to emotional appeals in TV ads than their male or higher SES counterparts. Furthermore, TV ads using more emotional appeals tended to be for products high in problematic nutrients. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study highlight the need to implement statutory measures to reduce the deleterious effect of food marketing on children.

Impact of nutrient warning labels on choice of ultra-processed food and drinks high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat in Colombia: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed nutrient warnings' impact on product selection and identification of food products high in nutrients of concern in Colombia. METHODS: In an online experiment (October 2020), 8,061 Colombians were randomized to a nutrient warning, guideline daily amounts (GDA), Nutri-Score, or no-label condition. They viewed two fruit drinks labeled according to their condition, one high in sugar and one not, and completed selection tasks. Next, they assessed four products high in sugar, sodium, and/or saturated fat ("high in" product). Finally, they selected which label would most discourage them from consuming a "high in" product. RESULTS: The nutrient warning performed better on most outcomes. Twenty percent of participants exposed to the nutrient warning would purchase the high-sugar fruit drink compared to GDA (24%, p<0.01), Nutri-Score (33%, p<0.001), and no label (29%, p<0.001). GDA performed slightly better than the nutrient warning in identifying the high-sugar fruit drink (91% vs 88%, p<0.001). The nutrient warning best helped participants correctly identify other "high in" products (75% vs. 23% no-label, 26% Nutri-Score, and 43% GDA, all p<0.001) and had the highest perceived message effectiveness (3.86 on 5-point scale vs. 2.97 GDA and 2.70 Nutri-Score, both p<0.001) and lowest likelihood of purchasing "high in" products (2.58 on 5-point scale vs. 3.23 GDA, 3.49 Nutri-Score, and 3.51 no label, all p<0.001). The nutrient warning most discouraged participants from wanting to consume "high in" products. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrient warnings are a promising policy to help consumers identify and discourage consumption of products high in nutrients of concern. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial Registration: NCT04567004.

Precision and accuracy of pre-surgical planning of non-cemented total hip replacement with calibrated digital images and acetates.

BACKGROUND: When approaching a joint replacement procedure, pre-surgical planning is essential to predict an accurate estimation of implant size and position. There are currently two methods to achieve it, analog and digital. The present study aims to demonstrate how the hybrid technique is accurate and precise for pre-surgical planning in a non-cemented total hip replacement. METHODS: Concordance-type study is used against a gold standard, as well as inter- and intra-observer consistency evaluation of two orthopedic surgeons and two orthopedic surgery residents. Accuracy was calculated with the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Afterwards, the same calculation was done considering a margin of error with one size more and one less. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were included in the study: 19 women and 19 men. Twenty-two prostheses (57.89%) were right-sided and 16 were left (42.11%). Twelve prostheses (31.57%) were Stryker and 26 Johnson & Johnson (68.43%). Acetabular cup correlation compared with the gold standard was moderate: ICC reported 0.45 (95% CI, 0.15-0.76). When adjusted by ± 1 size, ICC was 0.48 (95% CI, 0.18-0.79). On the other hand, results from the femoral stem reported ICC 0.85 (95% CI, 0.07-0.98). When adjusted by ± 1 size, ICC was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.06-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid templating is a reliable substitute for analog or digital planning. It is quick, inexpensive, accurate, and better results are observed in the femoral component regardless the level of expertise of the evaluator. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Grade IV.

Meeting Treatment Goals in Patients on Extramural Dialysis in Health Social Security in Mexico.

INTRODUCTION: For the majority of renal replacement therapy history, the main treatment option for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Mexico has been peritoneal dialysis. However, the use of hemodialysis is overwhelmingly increasing, driving public health care institutions to subrogate this service. Even when the actual hiring model for subrogation is accurate, there is a lack of quality control points in the hemodialysis prescription, poor adherence to clinical practice guidelines, and a few or no record of outcomes in hemodialysis patients of these subrogated services. The objective of this work is to fill this information gap to allow for uniform and safe hemodialysis for patients of Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational and cross-sectional study was performed, including all patients receiving chronic hemodialysis treatment in subrogated units of Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) in the northern region of Mexico City. Clinical and biochemical data as well as hemodialysis dose by Kt/V and urea reduction rate were collected and evaluated. To determine distribution, mean or median and SD or interquartile range were used; for nominal variables, the difference in proportions was estimated using the χ2 test; proportions were analyzed for biochemical values using the statistical package SPSS version 25. RESULTS: In our study, >60% (485) of the patients were anemic with an average hemoglobin of 9.39 mg/dL (SD ± 1.83); serum calcium was found below 8.4 mg/dL in 51.3% (383) of patients, and only in 45.8% (342) was at an optimal level of this parameter. Only 33.5% of patients have arteriovenous fistula for dialysis access. The hemodialysis dose was optimal in >75% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to enhance and monitor treatment of comorbidities in patients with ESRD in subrogated hemodialysis units in México. We observed adequate prescription of hemodialysis in a majority of patients, achieving quality control points for removal of nitrogen products. Yet, there is a lack of quality control of comorbidities; therefore, we should aim to optimize treatment for mineral-bone disorder, anemia, and nutritional status.

Extent and nutritional quality of foods and beverages to which children are exposed in Colombian TV food advertising.

OBJECTIVE: To examine children's exposure to food and beverage advertising across a year of Colombian television based on whether products exceed Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO)-defined nutrient thresholds. DESIGN: Nutritional information was obtained for all foods and beverages advertised and used to categorise each product according to the product category (e.g. beverage, snack food) and nutritional quality based on the PAHO model for identifying products in excess of free sugars, Na or saturated fat or containing non-caloric sweeteners or trans-fat. Television audience ratings data were used to derive the average child audience (unique child viewers) per ad and the number of times ads were seen by children in a single week (weekly impressions) based on product category and nutritional quality. SETTING: All food and beverage ads on cable and over-the-air TV in Colombia in 2017. PARTICIPANTS: N/A. RESULTS: Of all instances of TV ads, 89·3 % were of unhealthy products. A larger proportion of male and female children, as well as children from low (88·01 %), mid (89·10 %) and high (89·10 %) socio-economic status, are exposed to advertising of unhealthy products, but no significant difference was found between these proportions. CONCLUSION: The majority of foods and beverages advertised to Colombian children are unhealthy. These findings highlight a need to implement statutory measures to reduce children's exposure to unhealthy food advertising in Colombia, as obesity and overweight have been increasing among school-age children in Colombia, and exposure to television advertising of unhealthy foods is a known contributor to children's food intake and obesity.

Reformulation of Packaged Foods and Beverages in the Colombian Food Supply.

Public discussion, advocacy, and legislative consideration of policies aimed at reducing consumption of processed foods, such as sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes and mandatory front-of-package (FOP) warning labels, may stimulate product reformulation as a strategy to prevent regulation. In Colombia, there have been major legislative pushes for SSB taxes and FOP labels, although neither has passed to date. In light of the ongoing policy debate and successful implementation of similar policies in Peru and Chile, we explored manufacturer reformulation in the Colombian food supply. We compared the quantities of nutrients of concern (including sugar, sodium, and saturated fat) from the nutrition facts panels of the same 102 packaged foods and 36 beverages from the top-selling brands in Colombia between 2016 and 2018. Our analyses showed a substantial decrease in median sugar content of beverages, from 9.2 g per 100 mL to 5.2 g per 100 mL, and an increase in the percentage of beverages containing non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS), from 33% to 64% (p = 0.003). No meaningful changes in the quantities of nutrients of concern among foods were observed. Our findings suggest little reformulation has occurred in Colombia in the absence of mandatory policies, except for the substitution of sugar with NNS among beverages.

Designing an Effective Front-of-Package Warning Label for Food and Drinks High in Added Sugar, Sodium, or Saturated Fat in Colombia: An Online Experiment.

Policies to require warnings on the front of food and drinks high in nutrients of concern (e.g., added sugar, sodium, or saturated fat) are becoming increasingly common as an obesity prevention strategy. Colombia, a country with growing prevalence of obesity, is considering implementing a similar policy. The objective of this study was to assess perceptions and reactions to different warning designs. We conducted a randomized experiment in an online panel of adults age > 18y (n = 1997). Participants were randomized to view one of four labels: a control label (barcode), an octagon warning, a circle warning, and a triangle warning. Participants viewed their randomly assigned label on a series of products and answered questions (continuous outcomes ranged from 1-4). Compared to the control, all warnings led to higher perceived message effectiveness (increase in mean from 1.79 in the control to 2.59-2.65 in the warning conditions, p < 0.001), a higher percentage of participants who correctly identified products high in nutrients of concern (from 48% in the control condition to 84-89% in the warning conditions, p < 0.001), and reduced intentions to purchases these products (decrease in mean from 2.59 to 1.99-2.01 in the warning conditions, p < 0.001). Relative to the control, warnings performed similarly across education levels, suggesting this policy would be equitable in Colombia. Looking at differences by warning type, the pattern of results suggested that the octagon warnings performed best. After viewing all label types, 49% of participants selected the octagon warning as the one that most discouraged them from consuming products high in nutrients of concern, while 21% and 27% selected the circle and triangle warning. Colombian policymakers should consider the octagon warning as part of a front-of-package labeling policy to help consumers identify and reduce consumption of foods and drinks high in nutrients of concern.

Porfirias agudas: manifestaciones inespecíficas y manejo terapéutico inespecíficas y manejo terapéutico específico / Acute porphyrias: non-specific manifestations and specific therapeutic management specific therapeutic management

Revisión clínica, científica, teórica y documental teniendo como objetivo principal realizar una revisión sobre la porfiria aguda, su enfoque, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Se utilizó una metodología descriptiva, cualitativa y teórica que permitió la revisión bibliográfica de los estudios relacionados con la porfiria aguda, trastorno congénito poco frecuente que causa alteraciones en las enzimas de la biosíntesis del grupo hem. La importancia de esta patología radica en que se confunde con otras enfermedades debido al cuadro clínico complejo difícil de identificar, lo que ocasiona un diagnóstico tardío que puede comprometer la vida del paciente y por ello se conoce como enfermedad silenciosa. Como conclusión se recomienda mayor atención a los factores precipitantes de los ataques agudos por la elevada morbimortalidad, así como hacer un diagnóstico rápido y oportuno por medios cualitativos y cuantitativos solicitando PBG (porfobilinógeno) y ALA (ácido delta aminolevulínico).

This was a clinical, scientific, theoretical and documental review aimed to conduct a revision on the approach, diagnosis and treatment of acute porphyria. A descriptive, quantitative and theoretical methodology was used, allowing a bibliographic review of the studies on acute porphyria, an unusual congenital disorder characterized by the deficiency of specific enzymes involved in the heme group biosynthesis. This disease importance lies on being confused with other conditions due to its complex clinical manifestations leading to a delayed diagnosis which may become life-threatening thus it is known as a silent disease In conclusion, identifying the precipitating factors of acute attacks for its high morbidity and mortality, as well as achieving a rapid and timely diagnosis by using a quantitative or qualitative determination of PBG (porphobilinogen)) and ALA (delta-aminolevulinic acid) levels, deserve special attention.

Prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in Colombia: A systematic review / Prevalencias de diabetes e hipertensión en Colombia: Una revisión sistemática / Prevalência da diabetes e hipertensão na Colômbia: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract Objective: To conduct a systematic review determining the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension among the adult population in Colombia. Methodology: A structured search was carried out in the electronic databases PubMed, SciELO and ProQuest, including studies published in Spanish and English from January 2000 to June 2016. Results: Four studies in hypertension and 2 in diabetes were selected. The overall prevalence of hypertension in the 4 selected studies ranged from 13.4% (95% CI:11.5-15.2) to 70.4% (95% CI no reported). The overall prevalence of diabetes in the 2 selected studies were 8.1(95% CI:6.8-9.5) and 8.9% (95% CI no reported). Conclusion: This review provides limited but useful evidence about the prevalence of two major noncommunicable diseases in Colombia. The results enhance the need of improving surveillance systems of risk factors of these diseases and standardizing methodological procedures for the estimation of prevalence studies.

Resumen Objetivo: Llevar a cabo una revisión sistemática de las prevalencias de diabetes e hipertensión en la población adulta colombiana. Metodología: Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda estructurada en las bases electrónicas PubMed, SciELO and ProQuest, la cual incluyó estudios publicados en español e inglés desde enero de 2000 a junio de 2016. Resultados: Cuatro estudios en hipertensión y 2 en diabetes fueron seleccionados. Las prevalencias generales de hipertensión tuvieron un rango de valores de 13,4% (IC95%:11,5-15,2) a 70,4% (no reportó el IC95%). Las prevalencias generales de diabetes en los 2 estudios fueron 8,1% (IC95%:6,8-9,5) y 8,9% (no reportó el IC95%). Conclusión: Esta revisión brinda evidencia limitada pero útil acerca de las prevalencias de dos enfermedades crónicas no-transmisibles en Colombia. Los resultados destacan la necesidad de mejorar los sistemas de vigilancia de factores de riesgo de estas enfermedades y estandarizar los procedimientos metodológicos para estimación de futuros estudios de prevalencia.

Resumo Objetivo: Efetuar uma revisão sistemática que determine a prevalência da diabetes e hipertensão na faixa etária adulta da Colômbia. Metodologia: se fez uma pesquisa estruturada nas bases de dados electrónicas PubMed, SciELO e ProQuest na qual se abrangeram os estudos publicados na língua espanhola e inglesa entre janeiro do 2000 e junho do 2016. Resultantes: se escolheram quatro estudos atinentes com a hipertensão e dois concernentes com a diabetes. A prevalência total da hipertensão nos quatro estudos escolhidos oscilou entre 13,4% (95% IC: 11,5-15,2) e 70,4% (95%, IC não reportado). No alusivo com a prevalência total da diabetes nos dois estudos escolhidos, o seu valor esteve entre 8,1% (95% IC: 6,8-9,5) e 8,9% (95%, IC não reportado). Conclusão: esta revisão fornece evidencia limitada porem útil no tocante com a prevalência de dois doenças não contagiantes de grande saliência na Colômbia. As resultantes acrescentam a necessidade de melhorar os sistemas da vigilância para os fatores de risco destas doenças e de padronizar os procedimentos metodológicos para a estimação dos estudos de prevalência.

Propuesta para la formación en Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, desde la percepción, conceptualización y experiencia práctica de los enfoques de Salud Familiar / Proposal for training in Family and Community Medicine, from the perception, conceptualization and practical experience of Family Health approaches / Proposta de formação em Medicina Familiar e Comunitária, a partir da percepção, conceituação e experiência prática de abordagens de Saúde Familiar

Resumen La existencia de un Plan Decenal de Salud Pública para Colombia y la definición de una Política de Atención Integral en Salud concretaron un nuevo Modelo de Atención basado en la Atención Primaria de la Salud. Esto ubicó a la Salud Familiar y Comunitaria como núcleo fundamental y definió un rol al Médico y al Profesional Familiar y Comunitario, que dimensiona los procesos transdisciplinarios y la articulación de acciones individuales y colectivas, con esquemas pedagógicos holísticos transformadores. Este planteamiento generó un análisis y reflexión de la opinión de una muestra del 14,6% de los clasificados como Salubristas por el Observatorio Laboral del Ministerio de Educación quienes, con la respuesta a 13 preguntas enviadas por vía electrónica, libremente plantearon su percepción, conceptualización y experiencia práctica de los enfoques de Salud Familiar y Comunitaria. Con esta medición se definieron los contenidos básicos que se presentan en este documento con un nuevo enfoque transversal en el Pregrado y los Posgrados, de acuerdo con una propuesta pedagógica transformadora y con visión práctica, encontrándose aquí como destacable, la importante relación entre la educación y la salud integral; el concepto que en el 80% de las observaciones se expresó al denominar el poco compromiso de la comunidad y los profesionales de la salud con una "Cultura de la Salud Integralmente Concebida".

Abstract The existence of a Decennial Public Health Plan for Colombia and the definition of a Comprehensive Health Care Policy concretized a new Model of Care based on Primary Health Care. This placed Family and Community Health as a fundamental nucleus and defined a role for the Family and Community Physician and Practitioner, who dimension the transdisciplinary processes and the articulation of individual and collective actions, with transformational holistic pedagogical schemes. This approach generated an analysis and reflection of the opinion of a sample of 14.6% of those classified as Salubristas by the Labor Observatory of the Ministry of Education who, with the answer to 13 questions sent electronically, freely raised their perception, conceptualization and practical experience of Family and Community Health approaches. With this measurement the basic contents that are presented in this document with a new transversal approach in the Undergraduate and Postgraduates were defined, according to a pedagogical proposal transforming and with practical vision, being here like remarkable, the important relation between the education and integral health; the concept that in 80% of the observations was expressed when denominating the little commitment of the community and the professionals of the health with an "Culture of the Health Integrally Conceived".

Resumo A existência de um Plano de Saúde Pública de dez anos para a Colômbia ea definição de uma Política Integral de Saúde resultou em um novo Modelo de Cuidados Baseado em Atenção Primária à Saúde. Isso colocou a Familia e a Saúde Comunitária como um núcleo fundamental e definiu um papel para o Médico e o Profissional Familiar e Comunitário, que dimensiona os processos transdisciplinares e a articulação de ações individuais e coletivas, com esquemas pedagógicos transformadores holísticos. Esta abordagem gerou uma análise e reflexão da opinião de uma amostra de 14,6% das classificadas como Salubristas pelo Observatório do Trabalho do Ministério da Educação que, com a resposta a 13 questões enviadas eletronicamente, aumentou livremente sua percepção, conceituação e experiência prática de abordagens de saúde familiar e comunitária. Com esta medida, os conteúdos básicos apresentados neste documento foram definidos com um novo foco transversal em Estudos de Graduação e Pós-Graduação, de acordo com uma proposta pedagógica transformadora e com uma visão prática, sendo aqui a relação notável entre educação e saúde abrangente; o conceito de que em 80% das observações foi expressado chamando o pequeno compromisso da comunidade e os profissionais de saúde com uma "Cultura de Saúde Integralmente Concebida".

Social conditions and urban environment associated with participation in the Ciclovia program among adults from Cali, Colombia.

The Ciclovia program (CP) has emerged as an effective initiative to promote active living in urban spaces in Latin America. This study assessed the association between social conditions, the urban environment and participation in the CP among adults living in the city of Cali, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 and 2012 among 719 adults aged 18 to 44. Urban environment measures were obtained using Geographic Information Systems. A multilevel logistic regression was used for the analysis. Slightly more than 7% of participants had participated in the CP in the previous four weekends. Being male and having a high school degree were positively associated with participation in the CP. Participation in the CP was positively associated with living in neighborhoods with Ciclovia lanes. In contrast, a negative association was found among those living in neighborhoods with a presence of traffic fatalities. This study provides new insights about a recreational program that has potential health benefits in a region marked by urban inequalities in terms of opportunities for physical activity.

Social conditions and urban environment associated with participation in the Ciclovia program among adults from Cali, Colombia / Condiciones sociales y ambientes urbanos asociados con la participación al programa de Ciclovía en adultos en Cali, Colombia / Condições sociais e ambientes urbanos associados à participação no programa Ciclovia entre adultos em Cali, Colômbia

Abstract The Ciclovia program (CP) has emerged as an effective initiative to promote active living in urban spaces in Latin America. This study assessed the association between social conditions, the urban environment and participation in the CP among adults living in the city of Cali, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 and 2012 among 719 adults aged 18 to 44. Urban environment measures were obtained using Geographic Information Systems. A multilevel logistic regression was used for the analysis. Slightly more than 7% of participants had participated in the CP in the previous four weekends. Being male and having a high school degree were positively associated with participation in the CP. Participation in the CP was positively associated with living in neighborhoods with Ciclovia lanes. In contrast, a negative association was found among those living in neighborhoods with a presence of traffic fatalities. This study provides new insights about a recreational program that has potential health benefits in a region marked by urban inequalities in terms of opportunities for physical activity.

Resumen El programa de Ciclovía (PC) ha surgido como una iniciativa efectiva para promover actividad física en el contexto urbano de América Latina. Este estudio evaluó la asociación entre las condiciones sociales, el ambiente urbano y la participación en el PC en adultos que vivían en Cali, Colombia. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal en 2011 y 2012 en 719 adultos de 18 a 44 años. Se obtuvieron medidas del ambiente urbano utilizando Sistemas de Información Geográfica. Un poco más del 7% de las personas participaron en el PC en los últimos 4 fines de semana. Ser hombre y tener un nivel de escolaridad de secundaria se asoció positivamente con la participación en el PC. Así mismo, se encontró una asociación positiva con residir en barrios con existencia de corredores con este programa. Por el contrario, la existencia de muertes por accidentes de tránsito fue negativamente asociada. Este estudio brinda nuevos conocimientos acerca de un programa recreativo que tiene beneficios potenciales para la salud, en una región marcada por desigualdades urbanas relacionadas con actividad física.

Resumo O programa Ciclovia (PC) surgiu como uma iniciativa eficaz para promover a atividade física no contexto urbano da América Latina. Este estudo avaliou a associação entre as condições sociais, o ambiente urbano e participação no PC em adultos que vivem em Cali, Colômbia. Um estudo transversal foi realizado em 2011 e 2012, em 719 adultos com idades entre 18 e 44 anos. Medidas do ambiente urbano utilizando SIG foram obtidos. Pouco mais de 7% das pessoas participaram do PC nos últimos quatro finais de semana. Ser do sexo masculino e ter um nível de ensino médio foi positivamente associado com a participação no PC. Da mesma forma, uma associação positiva com residência em bairros com corredores existência desse programa foi encontrada. Pelo contrário , a existência de mortes no trânsito foi negativamente associado . Este estudo fornece novos conhecimentos sobre um programa de lazer que tem benefícios de saúde potenciais em uma região marcada por desigualdades urbanas em atividade física.

Perceived neighborhood environment and physical activity in 11 countries: do associations differ by country?

BACKGROUND: Increasing empirical evidence supports associations between neighborhood environments and physical activity. However, since most studies were conducted in a single country, particularly western countries, the generalizability of associations in an international setting is not well understood. The current study examined whether associations between perceived attributes of neighborhood environments and physical activity differed by country. METHODS: Population representative samples from 11 countries on five continents were surveyed using comparable methodologies and measurement instruments. Neighborhood environment × country interactions were tested in logistic regression models with meeting physical activity recommendations as the outcome, adjusted for demographic characteristics. Country-specific associations were reported. RESULTS: Significant neighborhood environment attribute × country interactions implied some differences across countries in the association of each neighborhood attribute with meeting physical activity recommendations. Across the 11 countries, land-use mix and sidewalks had the most consistent associations with physical activity. Access to public transit, bicycle facilities, and low-cost recreation facilities had some associations with physical activity, but with less consistency across countries. There was little evidence supporting the associations of residential density and crime-related safety with physical activity in most countries. CONCLUSION: There is evidence of generalizability for the associations of land use mix, and presence of sidewalks with physical activity. Associations of other neighborhood characteristics with physical activity tended to differ by country. Future studies should include objective measures of neighborhood environments, compare psychometric properties of reports across countries, and use better specified models to further understand the similarities and differences in associations across countries.

Patterns of neighborhood environment attributes related to physical activity across 11 countries: a latent class analysis.

BACKGROUND: Neighborhood environment studies of physical activity (PA) have been mainly single-country focused. The International Prevalence Study (IPS) presented a rare opportunity to examine neighborhood features across countries. The purpose of this analysis was to: 1) detect international neighborhood typologies based on participants' response patterns to an environment survey and 2) to estimate associations between neighborhood environment patterns and PA. METHODS: A Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was conducted on pooled IPS adults (N=11,541) aged 18 to 64 years old (mean=37.5±12.8 yrs; 55.6% women) from 11 countries including Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Hong Kong, Japan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and the U.S. This subset used the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Survey (PANES) that briefly assessed 7 attributes within 10-15 minutes walk of participants' residences, including residential density, access to shops/services, recreational facilities, public transit facilities, presence of sidewalks and bike paths, and personal safety. LCA derived meaningful subgroups from participants' response patterns to PANES items, and participants were assigned to neighborhood types. The validated short-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) measured likelihood of meeting the 150 minutes/week PA guideline. To validate derived classes, meeting the guideline either by walking or total PA was regressed on neighborhood types using a weighted generalized linear regression model, adjusting for gender, age and country. RESULTS: A 5-subgroup solution fitted the dataset and was interpretable. Neighborhood types were labeled, "Overall Activity Supportive (52% of sample)", "High Walkable and Unsafe with Few Recreation Facilities (16%)", "Safe with Active Transport Facilities (12%)", "Transit and Shops Dense with Few Amenities (15%)", and "Safe but Activity Unsupportive (5%)". Country representation differed by type (e.g., U.S. disproportionally represented "Safe but Activity Unsupportive"). Compared to the Safe but Activity Unsupportive, two types showed greater odds of meeting PA guideline for walking outcome (High Walkable and Unsafe with Few Recreation Facilities, OR=2.26 (95% CI 1.18-4.31); Overall Activity Supportive, OR=1.90 (95% CI 1.13-3.21). Significant but smaller odds ratios were also found for total PA. CONCLUSIONS: Meaningful neighborhood patterns generalized across countries and explained practical differences in PA. These observational results support WHO/UN recommendations for programs and policies targeted to improve features of the neighborhood environment for PA.

Time spent traveling in motor vehicles and its association with overweight and abdominal obesity in Colombian adults who do not own a car.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined associations between time spent traveling in motor vehicles per week (TSTMV) and BMI and abdominal obesity (AO) among Colombian adults residing in urban areas who do not own car. METHOD: Secondary data analysis of the 2005 National Nutrition Survey of Colombia was conducted. TSTMV was assessed using the long International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Body composition was measured in 7900 adults. Polytomous and binary logistic regressions were conducted, stratified by gender and adjusted for confounders, including physical activity (PA). RESULTS: Forty-two percent of participants were either overweight or obese according to their BMI, and 22.4% had AO. Males in the middle (10 to 149 min) and highest (>150 min) TSTMV tertiles were more likely to be overweight (POR=1.58, 95% CI=1.13-2.21 and POR=1.55, 95% CI=1.12-2.15 respectively, p-trend=0.012), obese (POR=2.39, 95% CI=1.43-3.99 and POR=1.93, 95% CI=1.22-3.08 respectively, p trend=0.019) and to have AO (POR=1.81, 95% CI=1.18-2.78 and POR=1.73, 95% CI=1.18-2.54 respectively, p-trend=0.009). Associations were not significant in females. CONCLUSIONS: TSTMV was positively associated with overweight and AO in adult Colombian males even after adjusting for PA. These findings highlight the potential deleterious health effects of sedentary behaviors such as prolonged traveling time, independently of having met PA recommendations.

An inside look at active transportation in Bogotá: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The health benefits of physical activity are well documented in scientific literature. Bicycling for transportation is a modality of physical activity that people can incorporate easily into their daily lives. METHODS: A qualitative study using 11 semi-structured individual interviews and 5 focus groups was conducted among 31 male and 13 female adult residents of Bogotá, Colombia in 2006, to explore barriers and facilitators of bicycle use for transportation purposes. People were selected based on socioeconomic status, age, and gender. Thematic analysis complemented with thematic network analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Six main themes emerged from the study: 1) general acknowledgment of individual and collective benefits of bicycle use, 2) built environment conditions were linked with bicycle use, 3) some social factors affect bicycling negatively, 4) people perceived conflicts over public space related to the use of bike-paths, 5) general negative public perception of bicyclists, and 6) gender differences influence patterns of bicycle use. CONCLUSION: The findings from this qualitative study show that various social and physical barriers must be addressed to increase bicycle use as a means of transportation in Bogotá.

Walking or bicycling to school and weight status among adolescents from Montería, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Active school transport (AST) is a recommended strategy to promote physical activity (PA) and prevent overweight (OW) in school-aged children. In many developing countries, such as Colombia, this association has not been well characterized. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between AST and weight status in a representative sample of adolescents from Montería, Colombia. METHODS: Participants were 546 adolescents (278 boys) aged 11 to 18 years old from 14 randomly selected schools in Montería, Colombia in 2008. The PA module of the Global School Health Survey (GSHS-2007) was used to determine the prevalence of AST. To identify OW, participants were classified according to CDC 2000 criteria (BMI ≥ 85th percentile). Association between AST and OW was determined by binomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Odds ratios adjusted for age, sex, location of school, compliance with PA, and screen time recommendations showed that adolescents who reported AST had a significantly lower likelihood to be OW compared with adolescents who reported nonactive transportation (OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.8, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: These results support the importance of AST as a useful PA domain with potential implications for overweight prevention, in rapidly developing settings. Further epidemiologic and intervention studies addressing AST are needed in the region.

Walking or Bicycling to School and Weight Status among Adolescents From Montería, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Active school transport (AST) is a recommended strategy to promote physical activity (PA) and prevent overweight (OW) in school-aged children. In many developing countries, such as Colombia, this association has not been well characterized. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between AST and weight status in a representative sample of adolescents from Montería, Colombia. METHODS: Participants were 546 adolescents (278 boys) aged 11 to 18 years old from 14 randomly selected schools in Montería, Colombia in 2008. The PA module of the Global School Health Survey (GSHS-2007) was used to determine the prevalence of AST. To identify OW, participants were classified according to CDC 2000 criteria (BMI ≥85th percentile). Association between AST and OW was determined by binomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Odds ratios adjusted for age, sex, location of school, compliance with PA, and screen time recommendations showed that adolescents who reported AST had a significantly lower likelihood to be OW compared with adolescents who reported nonactive transportation (OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.8, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: These results support the importance of AST as a useful PA domain with potential implications for overweight prevention, in rapidly developing settings. Further epidemiologic and intervention studies addressing AST are needed in the region.

Quality of life, physical activity, and built environment characteristics among colombian adults.

BACKGROUND: Studies assessing the association between health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) with physical activity (PA) and built environment (BE) characteristics are limited. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,334 adults from Bogotá, to assess the associations between HR-QOL with PA and BE characteristics. HR-QOL was measured using the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention instruments. PA was measured using the International PA Questionnaire. BE characteristics included the dimensions of density, diversity, design, and access to mass-transit. Analysis included multilevel modeling. RESULTS: Adults who reported meeting PA recommendations and participating in the Ciclovía were more likely to have a high mean score of HR-QOL and were more likely to perceive their health status as good/excellent. Adults who reported biking for transportation were more likely to have a high mean score of HR-QOL. Regarding BE characteristics, land-use heterogeneity was associated with HR-QOL, perceived good health status and being positive about the future. Park density was associated with HR-QOL, perceived health status good/excellent and being positive about the future. Mass-transit stations availability was negatively associated with HR-QOL. CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary evidence that HR-QOL is associated with PA and BE characteristics among adults in an urban setting of the developing world.