Effectiveness of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Improving the Metabolic and Inflammatory Profiles of Mexican Adults Hospitalized with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The development of severe COVID-19 is related to the preexistence of comorbidities and an inadequate nutritional status. The latter is a critical factor for the development of infection and the progression of the disease. Notably, optimal nutrition impacts immune system function, as malnutrition is related to high cytokine levels in the late phase of the disease, correlating with a poor prognosis. In this sense, omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) have anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 infection. O3FAs are linked to a better prognosis in COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, we evaluate the administration of O3FAs to unvaccinated Mexican patients for two weeks starting after the first two hours of hospitalization. RESULTS: The findings support the notion that O3FAs (in a dose high enough to satisfy human physiological requirements in a short time, one capsule of 1.4 g O3FAs daily) exert a comprehensive multi-systemic modulatory influence, affecting inflammatory and metabolic pathways. Significant perturbations in biomarkers, including absolute neutrophil count, hematocrit, and platelet indices, underscore the compound's anti-inflammatory effect. Concurrently, the intervention modulates pivotal metabolic and hepatic parameters, attenuating cardiovascular risk profiles and expediting patient convalescence. These multifarious effects are likely orchestrated through intricate biochemical mechanisms and are subject to individual variations predicated on metabolic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this trial support the notion that O3FA supplementation has beneficial effects on COVID-19 patients with moderate presentation by regulating metabolism and limiting inflammation.

Medical Household Waste as a Potential Environmental Hazard: An Ecological and Epidemiological Approach.

Nowadays, the contamination caused by emerging pollutants is a global concern due to the lack of scientific evidence to demonstrate the risk or toxicity to humans due to the presence of pharmaceutical residues in the environment. This study aimed to identify and describe the disposal practices of unused and unwanted medications, as well as to analyze and identify the most frequent drugs determined on water bodies adjacent to the biggest urban population in Mexico. A two-phase study with an epidemiological and an ecological assessment was performed. The epidemiological phase was carried out with a descriptive cross-sectional study among citizens from Mexico City and the metropolitan area using an electronic survey applied to 719 subjects aimed to assess practices in which pharmaceutical products are disposed. The ecological phase included a review of scientific reports. The results show that nearly 83.5% of those surveyed use inappropriate practices for disposal medicines, the main ones are through the municipal dump or directly in the drain. The ecological approach was carried out by a systematic literature review of original reports published between 2013 to 2023; information about the class of drugs, active substance, environmental compartments, location, and concentration was extracted and presented. Fifty-one different types of pharmaceutical residues were detected in wastewater in Mexico City in the last decade. The results of this study can contribute to the application of public policies for waste management authorities to mitigate the socio-environmental risks due to the inappropriate disposal of medicines.

Inflammation Parameters Associated with Metabolic Disorders: Relationship Between Diet and Microbiota.

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) includes numerous interrelated clinical, anthropometric, biochemical, and metabolic components and has become a public health problem due to its impact on morbimortality. Inflammation is a central mechanism underlying the etiology and clinical manifestations of MetS, contributing to its related pathological outcomes. Dietary patterns have been associated with the promotion of the diversity of microbiota in the digestive tract. Recently, research has focused on the importance of microbiota changes associated with MetS and inflammation. Other studies have been performed to understand the impact of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics as allies on diet, inflammation, and MetS parameters. This review analyses the correlation between metabolic disorders, inflammation parameters, gut microbiota, and how diet has been involved as treatment of MetS and the modulation of inflammation and microbiota.

Kinetics of HE4 and CA125 as prognosis biomarkers during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer (OC) is considered the most lethal gynecological cancer, of which more than 65% cases are diagnosed in advanced stages, requiring platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). METHODS: A prospective-longitudinal study was conducted among women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (AEOC), III and IV stages, and treated with NACT, at the National Cancer Institute - Mexico, from July 2017 to July 2018. Serum samples were obtained for quantification of CA125 and HE4 using ELISA at the first and in each of the three NACT cycles. The therapeutic response was evaluated through standard tomography. We determined whether CA125 and HE4, alone or in combination, were associated with TR to NACT during follow up. RESULTS: 53 patients aged 38 to 79 years were included, 92.4% presented papillary serous subtype OC. Higher serum HE4 levels were observed in patients with non-tomographic response (6.89 vs 5.19 pmol/mL; p = 0.031), specially during the second (p = 0.039) and third cycle of NACT (p = 0.031). Multivariate-adjusted models showed an association between HE4 levels and TR, from the second treatment cycle (p = 0.042) to the third cycle (p = 0.033). Changes from baseline HE4 levels during the first cycle was negative associated with TR. No associations were found between CA125 and TR. CONCLUSIONS: Serum HE4 levels were independently associated with TR among patients with AOEC treated with NACT, also a reduction between baseline HE4 and first chemotherapy levels was also independently associated with the TR. These findings might be relevant for predicting a lack of response to treatment.

In Silico Study of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids as Potential SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Closed Conformation Stabilizers: Epidemiological and Computational Approaches.

SARS-CoV-2 infects host cells by interacting its spike protein with surface angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, expressed in lung and other cell types. Although several risk factors could explain why some countries have lower incidence and fatality rates than others, environmental factors such as diet should be considered. It has been described that countries with high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake have a lower number of COVID-19 victims and a higher rate of recovery from the disease. Moreover, it was found that linoleic acid, an omega-6 PUFA, could stabilize the spike protein in a closed conformation, blocking its interaction with ACE2. These facts prompted us to perform in silico simulations to determine if other PUFA could also stabilize the closed conformation of spike protein and potentially lead to a reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infection. We found that: (a) countries whose source of omega-3 is from marine origin have lower fatality rates; and (b) like linoleic acid, omega-3 PUFA could also bind to the closed conformation of spike protein and therefore, could help reduce COVID-19 complications by reducing viral entrance to cells, in addition to their known anti-inflammatory effects.

Papel de las alteraciones del sueño durante la gestación en la programación del feto para el desarrollo de obesidad y enfermedades crónicas degenerativas.

Sleep disturbances are common in the third trimester of pregnancy and generate changes in the secretion of melatonin in pregnant women who sleep less than eight hours or have sleep disturbances, which promote various physiological changes in the mother that in turn result in low birth weight (LBW) in the fetus. LBW is associated with a phenomenon known as "metabolic programming," in which the fetus is subjected to a stressful situation that results in irreversible metabolic alterations that predispose it to the development of obesity in adulthood.

En el tercer trimestre del embarazo son frecuentes las alteraciones del sueño, las cuales generan cambios en la secreción de melatonina en mujeres gestantes que duermen menos de ocho horas o presentan alteraciones de sueño, promoviendo diversos cambios fisiológicos en la madre, que a su vez derivan en bajo peso al nacimiento (BPN) en el producto. El bajo peso al nacimiento está asociado con un fenómeno conocido como "programación metabólica", en la que el feto es sometido a estrés que tiene como resultado alteraciones metabólicas irreversibles que lo predisponen al desarrollo de obesidad en la edad adulta.

Papel de las alteraciones del sueño durante la gestación en la programación del feto para el desarrollo de obesidad y enfermedades crónicas degenerativas / Role of sleep disturbances during pregnancy in the programming of the fetus for development

Resumen En el tercer trimestre del embarazo son frecuentes las alteraciones del sueño, las cuales generan cambios en la secreción de melatonina en mujeres gestantes que duermen menos de ocho horas o presentan alteraciones de sueño, promoviendo diversos cambios fisiológicos en la madre, que a su vez derivan en bajo peso al nacimiento (BPN) en el producto. El bajo peso al nacimiento está asociado con un fenómeno conocido como "programación metabólica", en la que el feto es sometido a estrés que tiene como resultado alteraciones metabólicas irreversibles que lo predisponen al desarrollo de obesidad en la edad adulta.

Abstract Sleep disturbances are common in the third trimester of pregnancy and generate changes in the secretion of melatonin in pregnant women who sleep less than eight hours or have sleep disturbances, which promote various physiological changes in the mother that in turn result in low birth weight (LBW) in the fetus. LBW is associated with a phenomenon known as "metabolic programming," in which the fetus is subjected to a stressful situation that results in irreversible metabolic alterations that predispose it to the development of obesity in adulthood.

Thyroid function in pediatric population with different nutritional status / Función tiroidea en población pediátrica con diferente estado nutricional

Abstract: Background: Thyroid dysfunction has been associated with the development of obesity. There are few studies describing their status in Mexican schoolchildren, in whom obesity and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) prevail. Methods: Levels of stimulating thyroid hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones (TH) were correlated with anthropometric variables as indicators of nutritional status in schoolchildren residents of Mexico City. The thyroid status and prevalences of SCH were compared between all the nutritional conditions, considering the degree of pubertal development. Results: The mean of TSH was 2.96 ± 1.48 mIU/L, and the prevalence of SCH was 11.30%. TSH levels are higher in prepubertal (5.21 ±1.24 mIU/L (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.72-6.69) versus pubertal children (2.96 ± 1.48 mIU/L [95% CI: 2.61-3.30), as well as in children with obesity (3.5 ± 1.13 mIU/L [95% CI: 2.98-4.02]) versus normal weight children (2.43 ± 1.37 mIU/L [95% CI: 1.88 - 2.97]). The TH is similar in the whole population, although triiodothyronine total levels tend to be lower in malnourished children. There is a positive correlation between TSH levels and all anthropometric variables. The prevalences of SCH were higher in groups of children with overweight and obesity. Conclusions: The body fat content is associated with thyroid status in Mexican schoolchildren. In addition, it is relevant to consider the degree of pubertal development for diagnosing hyperthyrotropinemia in children and adolescents.

Resumen: Introducción: La disfunción tiroidea se ha asociado con el desarrollo de obesidad. Existen pocos estudios descritos en población escolar mexicana, en quienes prevalece la obesidad y el hipotiroidismo subclínico (HSC). Métodos: Los niveles de hormona estimulante de tiroides (TSH) y hormonas tiroideas (HT) se correlacionaron con variables antropométricas indicadoras del estado nutricional de niños escolares residentes de la Ciudad de México. El estado tiroideo y las prevalencias de HSC se compararon entre todas las condiciones nutricionales, considerando el grado de desarrollo puberal. Resultados: La media de TSH fue 2.96 ± 1.48 mUI/L, y la prevalencia de HSC fue de 11.30%. Los niveles de TSH fueron mayores en los niños prepúberes (5.21 ± 1.24 mUI/L [intervalo de confianza (IC) 95%: 3.72-6.69]) vs. los niños púberes (2.96 ± 1.48 mUI/L [IC 95%: 2.61-3.30); así como en los niños con obesidad (3.50 ± 1.13 mUI/L [IC 95%: 2.98-4.02]) vs. los niños con peso normal (2.43 ± 1.37 mUI/L [IC 95%: 1.88-2.97]). Los niveles de HT son similares en toda la población, aunque los niveles de triiodothyronine total (T3) tienden a ser menores en niños desnutridos. Existe correlación positiva entre los niveles de TSH y todas las variables antropométricas. Las prevalencias de HSC fueron mayores en los grupos de niños con sobrepeso y obesidad. Conclusiones: El contenido de grasa corporal está asociado con el estado tiroideo en escolares mexicanos. Adicionalmente, es relevante considerar el grado de desarrollo puberal para el diagnóstico adecuado de hipertirotropinemia en niños y adolescentes.

Thyroid function in pediatric population with different nutritional status.

Background: Thyroid dysfunction has been associated with the development of obesity. There are few studies describing their status in Mexican schoolchildren, in whom obesity and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) prevail. Methods: Levels of stimulating thyroid hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones (TH) were correlated with anthropometric variables as indicators of nutritional status in schoolchildren residents of Mexico City. The thyroid status and prevalences of SCH were compared between all the nutritional conditions, considering the degree of pubertal development. Results: The mean of TSH was 2.96 ± 1.48 mIU/L, and the prevalence of SCH was 11.30%. TSH levels are higher in prepubertal (5.21 ±1.24 mIU/L (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.72-6.69) versus pubertal children (2.96 ± 1.48 mIU/L [95% CI: 2.61-3.30), as well as in children with obesity (3.5 ± 1.13 mIU/L [95% CI: 2.98-4.02]) versus normal weight children (2.43 ± 1.37 mIU/L [95% CI: 1.88 - 2.97]). The TH is similar in the whole population, although triiodothyronine total levels tend to be lower in malnourished children. There is a positive correlation between TSH levels and all anthropometric variables. The prevalences of SCH were higher in groups of children with overweight and obesity. Conclusions: The body fat content is associated with thyroid status in Mexican schoolchildren. In addition, it is relevant to consider the degree of pubertal development for diagnosing hyperthyrotropinemia in children and adolescents.

Introducción: La disfunción tiroidea se ha asociado con el desarrollo de obesidad. Existen pocos estudios descritos en población escolar mexicana, en quienes prevalece la obesidad y el hipotiroidismo subclínico (HSC). Métodos: Los niveles de hormona estimulante de tiroides (TSH) y hormonas tiroideas (HT) se correlacionaron con variables antropométricas indicadoras del estado nutricional de niños escolares residentes de la Ciudad de México. El estado tiroideo y las prevalencias de HSC se compararon entre todas las condiciones nutricionales, considerando el grado de desarrollo puberal. Resultados: La media de TSH fue 2.96 ± 1.48 mUI/L, y la prevalencia de HSC fue de 11.30%. Los niveles de TSH fueron mayores en los niños prepúberes (5.21 ± 1.24 mUI/L [intervalo de confianza (IC) 95%: 3.72-6.69]) vs. los niños púberes (2.96 ± 1.48 mUI/L [IC 95%: 2.61-3.30); así como en los niños con obesidad (3.50 ± 1.13 mUI/L [IC 95%: 2.98-4.02]) vs. los niños con peso normal (2.43 ± 1.37 mUI/L [IC 95%: 1.88-2.97]). Los niveles de HT son similares en toda la población, aunque los niveles de triiodothyronine total (T3) tienden a ser menores en niños desnutridos. Existe correlación positiva entre los niveles de TSH y todas las variables antropométricas. Las prevalencias de HSC fueron mayores en los grupos de niños con sobrepeso y obesidad. Conclusiones: El contenido de grasa corporal está asociado con el estado tiroideo en escolares mexicanos. Adicionalmente, es relevante considerar el grado de desarrollo puberal para el diagnóstico adecuado de hipertirotropinemia en niños y adolescentes.

Seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus antibodies in domestic pigs in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is one of the most common causes of acute liver diseases in humans worldwide. In developing countries, HEV is commonly associated with waterborne outbreaks. Conversely, in industrialized countries, HEV infection is often associated with travel to endemic regions or ingestion of contaminated animal products. Limited information on both, human and animal HEV infection in Mexico is available. As a consequence, the distribution of the virus in the country is largely unknown. Here, we assessed the seroprevalence of HEV among swine in different geographical regions in Mexico. METHODS: Seroprevalence of anti-HEV antibodies in swine herds in Mexico was evaluated in a representative sample including 945 pig serum specimens from different regions of the country using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies in swine was 59.4%. The northern region of Mexico exhibited the highest seroprevalence in the country (86.6%), while the central and southern regions in Mexico showed lower seroprevalence, 42.7% and 51.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In Mexico, HEV seroprevalence in swine is high. Importantly, northern Mexico showed the highest seroprevalence in the country. Thus, further studies are required to identify the risk factors contributing to HEV transmission among pigs in the country. Assessment of HEV human infection in the context of viral transmission in swine is required to better understand the epidemiology of hepatitis E in Mexico.

Cytokine expression at the anchor site in experimental Taenia solium infection in hamsters.

The establishment of Taenia solium adult parasite in the human intestine causes taeniosis. Importantly, the immunological mechanisms occurring at the interface between the parasite and its host are not fully known. The development of experimental animal models has facilitated the understanding of the host-parasite relationship. In this study we standardized a quantitative RT-PCR method for analyzing hamster messenger RNA for interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukins (IL): IL-4 IL-10, IL-12 and IL-13. This method was then used to evaluate the local cytokine response elicited against the adult parasite at the attachment site in the intestine of infected hamsters. The results showed an intense IFN-γ response, as well as an up-regulation of IL-4 as early as three days post-infection, permanence of IL-10 until the end of the experiment and down regulation of IL-12. These data are in agreement with a bias toward a Th-2 response as the infection progresses.

Participation of CD161(+) and invariant natural killer T cells in pediatric asthma exacerbations.

Asthma has been defined as a disease of chronic airway inflammation in which many cells and cellular products participate with variable degrees of airflow obstruction and hyperresponsiveness that lead to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. Prominent among these cellular elements are two cell types referred to as the invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells and a subpopulation of T cells expressing the molecule CD161, which are both thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Although the presence of iNKT and other CD161(+) cells in murine models has been associated with asthma, relatively few studies have been performed in the adult patient with asthma that have been often conflicting and even fewer studies are available in children. The present study was performed to investigate the peripheral blood frequencies of iNKT and CD161(+) T cells in children with asthma. A total of 35 children, 19 stable asthmatic patients, 6 who had experienced an asthmatic attack within 24 hours and had not received any treatment, and 10 healthy controls, aged 6-12 years, were enrolled in the study. iNKT and CD161(+) T-cell frequencies in blood were measured together with quantitative levels of IL-4 and interferon (IFN) γ using a cytofluorimetric approach. The results show that iNKT cells are increased in pediatric asthmatic patients undergoing exacerbations of asthma. These cells also produced less IFN-γ and more IL-4 than children with stable asthma and in healthy control children. These results suggest that iNKT cells might participate in the development of the asthmatic exacerbations. The increased production of IL-4 in conjunction with the decrease of IFN-γ may be mechanistically responsible, at least partially, for the heightening of the immunologic response leading to the asthmatic attack in children. Knowledge of these interactive mechanisms involving the iNKT cell and our understanding of its role in the exacerbation of asthma hold great promise in the development of better diagnostic predictive markers of disease progression as well as new forms of therapeutic interventions.

Genetic diversity among multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in Mexico.

Tuberculosis is an important public health problem in Mexico. However, limited information about the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains circulating in the country is available. In this work, 109 multidrug-resistant (MDR) M. tuberculosis isolates collected in 23 different states of Mexico in 2003 were retrospectively characterized by spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTRs. All isolates, except for a single cluster containing two strains (subcluster E1), were split when information from the 12-loci MIRUs and spoligo-pattern was simultaneously analyzed. The discriminative power of 12-loci MIRU-VNTR and spoligotyping, by the Hunter-Gaston index, were 0.9998 and 0.9011, respectively. These findings suggest that almost all cases were epidemiologically unrelated. Instead, the genetic variations observed among these strains are suggestive of emergence of acquired drug-resistance during the course of treatment. The results suggest a high degree of genetic variability and a high frequency of SIT53 (T1 family) spoligotype among the MDR M. tuberculosis isolates included in the study.

Rapid hepatitis C virus divergence among chronically infected individuals.

Here, we analyze the viral divergence among hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic cases infected with genotype 1. The intrahost viral evolution was assessed by deep sequencing using the 454 Genome Sequencer platform. The results showed a rapid nucleotide sequence divergence. This notorious short-term viral evolution is of the utmost importance for the study of HCV transmission, because direct links between related samples were virtually lost. Thus, rapid divergence of HCV significantly affects genetic relatedness studies and outbreak investigations.

Epidemiology of varicella in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological patterns of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection, which are strongly associated with climate, are characterized by more frequent infections occurring among children in temperate regions than in the tropics. In temperate regions, varicella exhibits a seasonal cyclic behavior in which the number of cases increases significantly during the winter and spring seasons, further supporting the role of environmental factors in disease transmission. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this distinctive behavior are not fully understood. In Mexico, information regarding the epidemiology of varicella is scarce, and the distribution of VZV infection has not been analyzed. OBJECTIVES: In this article we investigate the epidemiological patterns of varicella in Mexico and their relationship with different environmental and demographic factors. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was conducted using the data reported by the National Center of Epidemiological Surveillance and Disease Control. The overall varicella incidence was calculated and associated with temperature, overcrowding, age, gender and population density. RESULTS: The epidemiology of varicella showed an intriguing pattern, in which warmer regions were characterized by higher incidences than in temperate regions. Young children were the most affected age group. There was no correlation between varicella incidence and overcrowding or population density. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiology of varicella in Mexico significantly departs from the characteristic patterns observed in other tropical latitudes, with some features resembling those commonly associated with temperate regions.

Overweight, obesity, high blood pressure and lifestyle factors among Mexican children and their parents.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify associations in the prevalence of overweight, obesity and high blood pressure between children and their parents, as well as their eating and physical patterns. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we obtained data on 83 pairs of school-aged children and one of their parents relating to dietary habits and various physical parameters, including the body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure of the children, which were adjusted by age and gender. Both the children and the parents were asked to complete a questionnaire aimed at providing measures of eating behavior. The questions focused on the consumption of fruit and vegetables and soda drinks as well as on physical activity patterns. Parent BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight values. RESULTS: Obesity was diagnosed in 10.8% of the children, and the prevalence of overweight was 28.9%. There was a relationship between a child's weight status and that of his/her parent according to the BMI; 45% of overweight/obese children had overweight/obese parents. In addition, a parent's fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with his/her child's fruit and vegetable consumption (r = 0.47, p < 0.001), and both were associated with soda drink consumption in both parents and children (r = 0.30, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed that there is a relationship between the weight status, fruit and vegetable consumption and soda drink intake of children and those of their parents.

Waist circumference and fat intake are associated with high blood pressure in Mexican children aged 8 to 10 years.

BACKGROUND: Elevated blood pressure at a young age is a predictor of blood pressure elevation later in life and has been associated with being overweight. However, it seems that there are other factors related to hypertension in childhood. OBJECTIVE: To determine the anthropometric, physical activity, and dietary factors associated with both systolic and diastolic hypertension in a group of Mexican school-aged children. DESIGN: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, blood pressure, anthropometrics, physical activity, and dietary intake (assessed with a multiple-pass 24-hour dietary recall) evaluations were performed on school-aged children from September 2005 to July 2006. SUBJECTS: Children aged 8 to 10 years (626 boys and 613 girls) from a convenience sample of 23 public schools of low socioeconomic status in Mexico City were included. Systolic and diastolic hypertension were defined as blood pressure > or = 95th percentile for age, sex, and height, without diastolic or systolic prehypertension or hypertension, respectively. Mixed hypertension was defined as the presence of both systolic and diastolic hypertension. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics, chi(2) tests, analysis of variance, post hoc analysis with Bonferroni method, and logistic regression analysis were performed. Continuous variables are presented as mean+/-standard deviation, categorical variables as percentages, and the association measures as adjusted odds ratios (ORs). A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for adjusted ORs. RESULTS: The dietary intake analysis showed that both boys and girls had low fiber intake (< 25 g/day) as well as an excessive mean consumption of total and saturated fat (> 35% and > 10% of daily energy, respectively). From the total group of children, 3.6% had systolic hypertension, 14.2% diastolic hypertension, and 22.8% mixed hypertension. The higher values of weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and prevalence of overweight and obesity were more commonly seen among children with mixed hypertension, followed by children in the systolic group. Subjects with diastolic and mixed hypertension had an elevated intake of dietary total fat (37.7% and 38.2% of daily energy intake, respectively). Moreover, an adjusted OR of 1.06 (95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.11) for systolic hypertension per increase of 1 cm in waist diameter was found and total fat intake > 35% of the daily energy showed an adjusted OR of 2.61 (95% confidence interval 1.27 to 5.36) for diastolic hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: In a sample of Mexican children of low socioeconomic status, the prevalence of hypertension was high. Waist circumference was the main factor associated with systolic hypertension, and higher intake of total fat was related to diastolic hypertension.