Risk factors for household food insecurity in the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network cohort study.

Background: Globally, 1.3 billion people were considered food insecure as of 2022. In the Caribbean region, the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity was 71.3% as of 2020, the highest of all subregions in Latin America. Experienced based measurement scales, like the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale, are efficient measurement tools of food insecurity used globally. The Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) Cohort Study is a population-based longitudinal cohort study in the two Caribbean U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as in Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago. The purpose of this research was to examine the demographic, psychosocial, behavioral, and environmental risk factors associated with household food insecurity (HFI) among adults ≥40 years of age in the ECHORN cohort. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of baseline ECHORN cohort study data was conducted. The primary outcome was household food insecurity (none, mild, moderate/severe). A total of 16 known and potential risk factors were examined for their association with HFI. The ANOVA and chi-square statistics were used in bivariate analysis. Ordinal logistic regression was used for the multivariable and sex stratified analyses. Results: More than one-quarter of the sample (27.3%) experienced HFI. In bivariate analyses, all risk factors examined except for sex, were significantly associated with HFI status. In the multivariable analysis, all variables except sex, education, marital status, smoking status, and residing in Puerto Rico were significant predictors of HFI in the adjusted model. In sex stratified analysis, depression, food availability, self-rated physical health, and island site were significantly associated with increased odds of worsening HFI for women, but not for men. Source of potable water was an important risk factor for both men and women. Discussion: The prevalence of HFI in the ECHORN cohort study is comparable to other studies conducted in the region. While women did not have an increased risk of HFI compared to men, a different set of risk factors affected their vulnerability to HFI. More research is needed to understand how water and food security are interrelated in the ECHORN cohort.

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and T2D diabetes in the Eastern Caribbean.

OBJECTIVE: Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) are implicated in the increasing risk of diabetes in the Caribbean. Few studies have examined associations between SSB consumption and diabetes in the Caribbean. DESIGN: SSB was measured as teaspoon/d using questions from the National Cancer Institute Dietary Screener Questionnaire about intake of soda, juice and coffee/tea during the past month. Diabetes was measured using self-report, HbA1C and use of medication. Logistic regression was used to examine associations. SETTING: Baseline data from the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network Cohort Study (ECS), collected in Barbados, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago and US Virgin Islands, were used for analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (n 1701) enrolled in the ECS. RESULTS: Thirty-six percentage of participants were unaware of their diabetes, 33% aware and 31% normoglycaemic. Total mean intake of added sugar from SSB was higher among persons 40-49 (9·4 tsp/d), men (9·2 tsp/d) and persons with low education (7·0 tsp/d). Participants who were unaware (7·4 tsp/d) or did not have diabetes (7·6 tsp/d) had higher mean SSB intake compared to those with known diabetes (5·6 tsp/d). In multivariate analysis, total added sugar from beverages was not significantly associated with diabetes status. Results by beverage type showed consumption of added sugar from soda was associated with greater odds of known (OR = 1·37, 95 % CI (1·03, 1·82)) and unknown diabetes (OR = 1·54, 95 % CI (1·12, 2·13)). CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate the need for continued implementation and evaluation of policies and interventions to reduce SSB consumption in the Caribbean.

Food Insecurity Among People With Cancer: Nutritional Needs as an Essential Component of Care.

A cancer diagnosis can upend work and family life, leading patients to reallocate resources away from essentials such as food. Estimates of the percentage of people navigating a cancer diagnosis and food insecurity range between 17% and 55% of the cancer patient population. The complexity of addressing food insecurity among those diagnosed with cancer during different phases of treatment is multifactorial and often requires an extensive network of support throughout each phase. This commentary explores the issue of food insecurity in the context of cancer care, explores current mitigation efforts, and offers a call to action to create a path for food insecurity mitigation in the context of cancer. Three programs that address food insecurity among those with cancer at various stages of care are highlighted, drawing attention to current impact and actionable recommendations to make programs like these scalable and sustainable. Recommendations are grounded in the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine social care framework through 5 essential domain areas: awareness, adjustment, assistance, alignment, and advocacy. This commentary seeks to highlight opportunities for the optimization of cancer care and reframe food access as an essential part of treatment and long-term care plans.

Passive Smoking Exposure Modifies Cardiovascular Structure and Function: Beijing Child Growth and Health Cohort (PROC) Study.

Passive smoking exposure in children is prevalent worldwide and exposes children to respiratory and systemic toxins. In this study, we enrolled 568 children to study how secondhand smoke (SHS) might affect children's cardiovascular health in China. The measurement of nicotine and its metabolites in urine showed that 78.9% of children were exposed to SHS. Children exposed to SHS had greater interventricular septum thickness (p = 0.005) and left ventricular mass index (p = 0.008) than nonexposed children. Urinary norcotinine levels were associated with increased ascending aorta diameter (ß = 0.10, 95%CI 0.02-0.17) and decreased left ventricular end systolic diameter (ß = -0.10, 95%CI -0.19 to -0.01). The effects of SHS exposure on cardiovascular function: norcotinine levels associated with lower left ventricular mass index (ß = -0.32, 95%CI -0.59 to -0.05), left ventricular end diastolic volume index (ß = -0.43, 95%CI -0.85 to -0.02), and left ventricular end systolic volume index (ß = -0.20, 95%CI -0.37 to -0.03). Moreover, there no no significant associations of nicotine, cotinine, and trans-3'-hydroxycotinine with cardiovascular health. Overall, SHS exposure in children remains prevalent in Beijing and may affect children's cardiovascular development, in both structure and function. It suggests that stricter and practical measures are needed toward the elimination of tobacco use in children's environments.

Timing of Breastfeeding Initiation Mediates the Association between Delivery Mode, Source of Breastfeeding Education, and Postpartum Depression Symptoms.

Background: Emergency cesarean section (EMCS) and breastfeeding difficulties increase the risk of postpartum depressive (PPD) symptoms. Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) may not only alleviate PPD symptoms but also facilitate subsequent breastfeeding success. EMCS is a risk factor for not practicing EIBF. Therefore, it is important to understand the relationship between EMCS, EIBF, and PPD symptoms. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in three areas of China. At baseline, a total of 965 mothers completed electronic questionnaires within 72 h postpartum. Women were screened for PPD symptoms using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of PPD symptoms. Mediation analysis was used to determine if EIBF mediated the relationship between delivery mode or breastfeeding education source and PPD symptoms. Results: The prevalence of EIBF was 40.6%; 14% of 965 mothers experienced EMCS, and 20.4% had PPD symptoms. The risk factors for developing PPD symptoms were excessive gestational weight gain (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.55, confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.03−2.33, p = 0.037) and EMCS (aOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.30−3.25, p = 0.002). The protective factors for developing PPD symptoms were monthly household income over CNY 10000 (aOR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.47−0.97, p = 0.034), EIBF (aOR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.34−0.72, p < 0.001), and prenatal breastfeeding education from nurses (aOR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.29−0.73, p = 0.001). EIBF indirectly affected PPD symptoms in patients who had undergone EMCS (percentage mediated [PM] = 16.69, 95% CI: 7.85−25.25, p < 0.001). The source of breastfeeding education through EIBF also affected PPD symptoms (PM = 17.29, 95% CI: 3.80−30.78, p = 0.012). Conclusion: The association between EMCS on PPD symptoms was mediated by EIBF. By providing breastfeeding education, nurses could also help alleviate PPD symptoms.

Perceptions of the local food environment and fruit and vegetable intake in the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes research Network (ECHORN) Cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Studies conducted in the US and other high-income countries show that the local food environment influences dietary intakes that are protective for cardiovascular health.However, few studies have examined this relationship in the Caribbean. This study aimed to determine whether perceptions of the local food environment were associated with fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in the Eastern Caribbean, where daily FV intake remains below recommended levels. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network Cohort Study (ECS) baseline data (2013-2016) from Barbados, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and US Virgin Islands was conducted in 2020. The National Cancer Institute Dietary Screener Questionnaire was adapted to measure daily servings of FV. Existing scales were used to assess participant perceptions of the food environment (availability, affordability, and quality). Chi-square tests and Poisson regression were used for analyses. RESULTS: Participants reported eating one mean daily serving of FV. Mean daily intake was higher among those who perceived FV as usually/always affordable, available, and high quality. Multivariate results showed statistically significant associations between FV and affordability. Persons who perceived FV as affordable had 0.10 more daily servings of FV compared to those who reported FV as not always affordable (p = 0.02). Food insecurity modified the association between affordability and FV intake. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of affordability in consumption of FV in the Eastern Caribbean, and how this relationship may be modified by food insecurity.

Interseções de gênero e raça/cor em insegurança alimentar nos domicílios das diferentes regiões do Brasil / Gender and skin color/race intersections in food insecurity across Brazilian households / Intersecciones de género y raza/color en la inseguridad alimentaria en hogares de diferentes regiones de Brasil

A insegurança alimentar e seus determinantes se distribuem de forma desigual entre as macrorregiões brasileiras. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as intersecções de gênero e raça/cor da pessoa de referência na ocorrência de insegurança alimentar em domicílios nas diferentes regiões do Brasil. Foram utilizados os microdados da Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares (POF) de 2018, com amostra de 57.920 domicílios. Os níveis de insegurança alimentar foram considerados com análises em relação aos perfis criados a partir da intersecção do gênero (homem e mulher) e raça/cor: homem branco, mulher branca, homem pardo, mulher parda, homem preto e mulher preta. Razões de prevalência (RP) foram estimadas por meio de modelos de regressão de Poisson para investigar a associação dos perfis com a insegurança alimentar moderada/grave, estratificados por macrorregião. O Norte apresentou as piores proporções de todos os níveis de insegurança alimentar (57%), seguido do Nordeste (50,4%). As regiões Norte, Nordeste e Centro-oeste apresentaram prevalência de insegurança alimentar moderada/grave até 5 vezes maior entre domicílios chefiados por mulheres comparados aos chefiados por homens (p < 0,001). A insegurança alimentar moderada/grave esteve mais associada aos domicílios chefiados pelas mulheres negras em todas as macrorregiões do Brasil, porém, no Sudeste, a RP foi mais elevada, quando comparada às demais regiões, para a mulher parda (RP = 1,16; IC95%: 1,13-1,20), enquanto na Região Sul a RP foi maior para a mulher preta (RP = 1,17; IC95%: 1,13-1,21). Os achados sugerem que o debate interseccional sobre os dados de insegurança alimentar no Brasil, considerando o gênero, a raça/cor da pele e a região de residência, deve ser somado ao tema das políticas voltadas para redução da insegurança alimentar e das iniquidades relacionadas.

Food insecurity is distributed unequally throughout Brazilian regions. This study aims to investigate the intersections of gender and skin color/race in the cases of food insecurity in households across Brazil. Microdata from the 2018 Brazilian Household Budgets Survey (POF) were used, with a sample of 57,920 households. Food insecurity levels were compared to profiles created from the intersection of gender (man and woman) and skin color/race: white man, white woman, mixed-race man, mixed-race woman, black man, and black woman. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated using Poisson regression models to investigate the association of profiles with moderate/severe food insecurity, separated by macroregion. The North had the worst proportions of all food insecurity levels (57%), followed by Northeast (50.4%). The North, Northeast, and Central-West macroregions had prevalence of moderate/severe food insecurity up to five times higher among households headed by women compared to those headed by men (p < 0.001). Moderate/severe food insecurity was associated to households headed by black women in all macroregions of Brazil, but prevalence ratios in Southeast were higher compared to other regions for mixed-race women (PR = 1.16; 95%CI: 1.13-1.20), while the PR was higher in South for black women (PR = 1.17; 95%CI: 1.13-1.21). Outcomes suggest that the intersectional food insecurity data in Brazil - focused on gender, skin color/race and macroregion of residence - should be considered for policies aimed at reducing hunger and related issues.

La inseguridad alimentaria y sus determinantes está distribuida desigualmente por las macrorregiones de Brasil. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar las intersecciones de género y raza/color de piel de la persona de referencia en la ocurrencia de inseguridad alimentaria en hogares de diferentes regiones brasileñas. Se utilizaron microdatos de la Encuesta de Presupuestos Familiares (POF) de 2018 de una muestra de 57.920 hogares. Se consideraron los niveles de inseguridad alimentaria con relación a los perfiles creados desde la intersección de género (hombre y mujer) y raza/color de piel: hombre blanco, mujer blanca, hombre pardo, mujer parda, hombre negro y mujer negra. Las razones de prevalencia (RP) se estimaron por modelos de regresión de Poisson para evaluar la asociación de los perfiles con inseguridad alimentaria moderada/grave, estratificados por macrorregión. La Región Norte tuvo las peores proporciones en todos los niveles de inseguridad alimentaria (57%), seguida del Nordeste (50,4%). Las regiones Norte, Nordeste y Centro-oeste mostraron prevalencias moderada/grave de inseguridad alimentaria hasta 5 veces mayores entre los hogares con mujeres como jefas del hogar en comparación con los hogares liderados por hombres (p < 0,001). La inseguridad alimentaria moderada/grave se asoció más en los hogares donde las mujeres negras eran las jefas del hogar en todas las macrorregiones de Brasil, sin embargo, en el Sudeste la RP fue mayor en comparación con las demás regiones para las mujeres pardas (RP = 1,16; IC95%: 1,13-1,20), mientras que en la Región Sur la RP fue mayor para las mujeres negras (RP = 1,17; IC95%: 1,13-1,21). Los hallazgos sugieren que el debate interseccional sobre los datos de inseguridad alimentaria en Brasil, considerando el género, la raza/color de piel y la región de residencia, debe agregarse al tema de las políticas destinadas a reducir la inseguridad alimentaria y sus inequidades asociadas.

Implementación de políticas de prevención y control de la obesidad infantil en Estados Unidos y Latinoamérica: lecciones para la investigación y la práctica transfronterizas.

Aunque se han hecho avances en el desarrollo y aplicación a gran escala de intervenciones eficaces contra la obesidad infantil, los retos siguen siendo importantes. Nuestro objetivo era comprender las causas del éxito de Estados Unidos y los países latinoamericanos en la implementación de políticas y programas (PYP) contra la obesidad e identificar oportunidades de mejora aplicando los principios de la ciencia de la implementación. Seleccionamos tres estudios de comparación de casos: (1) el etiquetado frontal en los envases de alimentos (México y Chile), (2) los programas de calles abiertas y calles para el juego (Colombia y Estados Unidos) y (3) la Iniciativa Hospital Amigo de los Niños (IHAN) (Brasil y Estados Unidos). Resumimos la información obtenida a través de diversas fuentes (publicaciones científicas, bibliografía gris y entrevistas a informadores clave) para describir las barreras, facilitadores y avances de las PYP en todas las dimensiones del marco RE-AIM. Una campaña de promoción basada en evidencias, junto con la voluntad de los poderes políticos y las evidencias sobre su impacto y sobre la posibilidad de implementarlas a mayor escala, fueron las claves del éxito del lanzamiento y aplicación de las PYP. Su diseño e implementación debían adaptarse a los distintos contextos. Se necesitan herramientas más potentes que permitan monitorear y evaluar los procesos y sus resultados, y también hacer un seguimiento de los indicadores de equidad para maximizar los beneficios de las PYP en la población. La ciencia de la implementación ofrece una importante contribución para cubrir lagunas de conocimiento y abrir un diálogo que mejore las políticas contra la obesidad. También ayudará a trasladar las lecciones aprendidas al resto del continente para que puedan utilizarse con fines de investigación y evaluación tanto durante la fase de desarrollo de las PYP como durante su aplicación y mantenimiento.

Breastfeeding in the 21st century: How we can make it work.

There is abundant knowledge on the major health and social benefits of breastfeeding, and on how to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. Hence, it is surprising that recommended breastfeeding behaviors continue to be suboptimal in the 21st Century among large segments of the population, globally. Moving forward, it is crucial to enable the breastfeeding environments for women through family friendly employment policies and to enforce the WHO Code for Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. It is also key to invest more in training the workforce for successful large-scale implementation and sustainability of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, community-based breastfeeding counseling, and to prevent conflicts of interests with infant formula companies. Behavior change social marketing interventions that include social media need to be designed following social network science and behavioral economics principles. Evidence-informed policy tools are now available to help policy makers invest in and guide the scaling-up of cost-effective breastfeeding programs.

La seguridad alimentaria en los hogares en pobreza de México: una mirada desde el acceso, la disponibilidad y el consumo / Food security in Mexican households in poverty, and its association with access, availability and consumption

Resumen: Objetivo: Evaluar cambios en la magnitud de la inseguridad alimentaria (IA) en hogares mexicanos en pobreza, en el periodo entre 2012 y 2018 y analizar la asociación entre IA y acceso, disponibilidad y consumo de alimentos. Material y métodos: Se incluyó información de 4 464 hogares de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición en localida des de México con menos de 100 000 habitantes (Ensanut 100k). La IA se midió con la Escala Latinoamericana y Caribeña de Seguridad Alimentaria. El acceso y la disponibilidad se analizaron con gasto en alimentos, mientras que el consumo se analizó con la diversidad de la dieta en mujeres. Se estimó la asociación entre IA y gasto en alimentos y la asociación entre IA y diversidad de la dieta con modelos de regresión logística múltiple. Resultados: La IA moderada y severa se mantuvo en 43% entre 2012 y 2018. Mayor gasto en azúcar, aceite y comida fuera de casa, así como el consumo de carnes y lácteos, se asociaron con menor posibilidad de IA. Conclusión: Es importante integrar distintas dimensiones de la IA para fortalecer su medición y monitoreo.

Abstract: Objective: To assess changes in the magnitude of food insecurity (FI) in Mexican households in poverty from 2012 to 2018 and to analyze the association of FI with the access, availability and consumption of food. Materials and methods: Data on 4 464 households were drawn from the Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición in Mexican localities under 100 000 inhabitants (Ensanut 100k). We measured FI according to the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale and analyzed food access and availability on the basis of food expenditures while consumption through dietary diversity among women. Using multiple logistic regression models, we estimated: the association between FI and expenditures for food groups, and the association between FI and dietary diversity. Results: Moderate and severe FI remained stable at 43% from 2012 to 2018. Larger expenditures on sugar, oil and on eating out as well as meat and dairy products consumption were associated with a lower possibility of FI. Conclusions: It is important to integrate different dimensions of FI in order to reinforce its measurement and monitoring.

Infant milk-feeding practices and childhood leukemia: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: During the Pregnancy and Birth to 24 Months Project, the US Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services initiated a review of evidence on diet and health in these populations. OBJECTIVES: The aim of these systematic reviews was to examine the relation of 1) never versus ever feeding human milk, 2) shorter versus longer durations of any human milk feeding, 3) shorter versus longer durations of exclusive human milk feeding, and 4) feeding a lower versus higher intensity of human milk to mixed-fed infants with acute childhood leukemia, generally, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, specifically. METHODS: The Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review team conducted systematic reviews with external experts. We searched CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, and PubMed for articles published January 1980 to March 2016, dual-screened the results using predetermined criteria, extracted data from and assessed risk of bias for each included study, qualitatively synthesized the evidence, developed conclusion statements, and graded the strength of the evidence. RESULTS: We included 24 articles from case-control or retrospective studies. Limited evidence suggests that never feeding human milk versus 1) ever feeding human milk and 2) feeding human milk for durations ≥6 mo are associated with a slightly higher risk of acute childhood leukemia, whereas evidence comparing never feeding human milk with feeding human milk for durations <6 mo is mixed. Limited evidence suggests that, among infants fed human milk, a shorter versus longer duration of human milk feeding is associated with a slightly higher risk of acute childhood leukemia. None of the included articles examined exclusive human milk feeding or the intensity of human milk fed to mixed-fed infants. CONCLUSIONS: Feeding human milk for short durations or not at all may be associated with slightly higher acute childhood leukemia risk. The evidence could be strengthened with access to broadly generalizable prospective samples; therefore, we recommend linking surveillance systems that collect infant feeding and childhood cancer data.

Comparing food environment and food purchase in areas with low and high prevalence of obesity: data from a mapping, in-store audit, and population-based survey / Uma comparação do ambiente alimentar e da compra de alimentos entre áreas com prevalência de obesidade baixa e alta: dados de mapeamento, auditoria de lojas hortifruti e inquérito populacional / Comparando entornos alimentarios y adquisición de alimentos en áreas con baja y alta prevalencia de obesidad: datos procedentes de un mapeo, auditoría en tiendas y encuesta de base poblacional

Abstract: Our study aimed to compare key aspects of the food environment in two low-income areas in the city of Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil: one with low and the other with high prevalence of obesity. We compared the availability of retail food establishments, the types of food sold, and the residents' eating habits. Demographic and socioeconomic data and eating habits were obtained from a population-based health survey. We also analyzed local food environment data collected from remote mapping of the retail food establishments and audit of the foods sold. For comparison purposes, the areas were selected according to obesity prevalence (body mass index - BMI ≥ 30kg/m²), defined as low prevalence (< 25%) and high prevalence (> 45%). Only 18 out of the 150 points of sale for food products sold fruits and vegetables across the areas. Areas with high obesity prevalence had more grocery stores and shops specialized in fruits and vegetables, as well as more supermarkets that sold fruits and vegetables. With less schooling, residents in the areas with high obesity prevalence reported purchasing food more often in supermarket chains and specialized shops with fruits and vegetables, although they consumed more sodas when compared with residents of areas with low obesity prevalence. Our results suggest interventions in low-income areas should consider the diverse environmental contexts and the interaction between schooling and food purchase behaviors in settings less prone to healthy eating.

Resumo: Nosso estudo teve como objetivo comparar alguns aspectos do ambiente alimentar de duas áreas de baixa renda no município de Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil, sendo uma com baixa e a outra com alta prevalência de obesidade. Nós comparamos a disponibilidade de estabelecimentos comerciais vendendo alimentos, tipos de alimentos vendidos e hábitos alimentares dos residentes. Dados demográficos, socioeconômicos e de hábitos alimentares foram obtidos de um inquérito de saúde de base populacional. Também analisamos dados locais de ambiente alimentar coletados através de um mapeamento remoto dos estabelecimentos comerciais vendendo alimentos e auditoria dos alimentos vendidos. Para fins comparativos, as áreas foram selecionadas de acordo com a prevalência de obesidade (índice de massa corporal - IMC ≥ 30kg/m²), definida como baixa (< 25%) e alta (> 45%). Dos 150 pontos de venda de produtos alimentares, apenas 18 vendiam frutas e vegetais em todas as áreas. Áreas com alta prevalência de obesidade tinham mais mercearias e lojas especializadas em frutas e vegetais, bem como maior número de comércios vendendo frutas e verduras. Com menor escolaridade, os residentes das áreas de prevalência alta de obesidade reportaram comprar alimentos mais frequentemente em hipermercados e lojas especializadas em frutas e vegetais, embora consumissem mais refrigerantes em comparação aos residentes das áreas de baixa prevalência. Nossos resultados sugerem que as intervenções em áreas carentes devem considerar os seus diversos contextos ambientais e a interação entre escolaridade e comportamentos de compra de alimentos em ambientes menos propícios à alimentação saudável.

Resumen: El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue comparar algunos aspectos del entorno alimentario de dos áreas de baja renta en el municipio de Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil, existiendo en una baja y en otra alta prevalencia de obesidad. Comparamos la disponibilidad de establecimientos comerciales vendiendo alimentos, los tipos de alimentos vendidos, así como los hábitos alimentarios de los residentes. Se obtuvieron datos demográficos, socioeconómicos y hábitos alimentarios de una encuesta de salud de base poblacional. También analizamos datos locales sobre el entorno alimentario, recogidos a través de un mapeo remoto de los establecimientos comerciales que vendían alimentos, así como una auditoría de los alimentos vendidos. Para fines comparativos, las áreas se seleccionaron de acuerdo con la prevalencia de obesidad (índice de masa corporal - IMC ≥ 30kg/m²), definida como baja (< 25%) y alta (> 45%). De los 150 puntos de venta de productos alimenticios, solamente 18 vendían frutas y verduras en todas las áreas. Las áreas con alta prevalencia de obesidad tenían más tiendas de comestibles y tiendas especializadas en frutas y verduras, así como un mayor número de comercios vendiendo frutas y verduras. Con menor escolaridad, los residentes de las áreas de prevalencia alta de obesidad informaron comprar alimentos más frecuentemente en hipermercados y tiendas especializadas en frutas y verduras, aunque consumieron más refrescos, en comparación con los residentes de las áreas de baja prevalencia. Nuestros resultados sugieren que las intervenciones en áreas de escasos recursos deben considerar sus diversos contextos ambientales y la interacción entre la escolaridad y los comportamientos de compra de alimentos en entornos menos propicios para la alimentación saludable.

Postura de la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Nutrición (SLAN) sobre el manejo de conflicto de intereses / Position of the Latin American Society of Nutrition (SLAN) on the management of conflict of interest

Resumen: Existe evidencia sólida de la existencia de relaciones entre la industria de alimentos y bebidas y la academia. Ésta sugiere que la investigación patrocinada por la industria es susceptible de conferir sesgos a su favor en los resultados. En América Latina, se han documentado ejemplos de estas situaciones en México, Brasil, Chile, Perú, Colombia y Ecuador, por citar a algunos países. Ante la necesidad urgente de estudiar y gestionar las relaciones entre la industria de alimentos y bebidas y el campo de investigación en salud y nutrición, en 2017 el Presidente de la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Nutrición (SLAN) designó a un Comité de Conflicto de Intereses (CCI). El CCI tuvo la encomienda de hacer una propuesta de postura sobre manejo de conflicto de intereses (CDI) de la SLAN. El presente artículo refleja los trabajos del CCI y la postura que adoptó la SLAN.

Abstract: There is solid evidence documenting relationships between the food and beverage industry and academia that shows that industry sponsored research is likely to bias results in favor of industry. In Latin America, examples of these situations have been documented in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador, among others. Due to the urgent need for studying and managing relationships between the food and beverage industry and the field of health and nutrition research, in 2017, the President of the Latin American Society of Nutrition (SLAN) appointed a Conflict of Interest Committee (CCI). The CCI was charged with the development of a proposal of a position for the management of conflict of interest (COI) for consideration by SLAN. This document details the work of CCI, and the position adopted by SLAN.

Evolución de la inseguridad alimentaria en los hogares mexicanos: 2012-2016 / Evolution of food insecurity in Mexican households: 2012-2016

Resumen: Objetivo: Describir tres aspectos importantes de la inseguridad alimentaria (IA) en México: la magnitud y distribución de acuerdo con características de vulnerabilidad social, su evolución entre 2012 y 2016 y el efecto de los programas sociales de ayuda alimentaria en la IA de los hogares mexicanos. Material y métodos: Se incluyó información de 40 809 y 9 019 hogares provenientes de la Ensanut 2012 y 2016, respectivamente. Se realizó un análisis de diferencias en diferencias para medir el efecto de los programas de ayuda alimentaria en la evolución de la IA. Resultados: El 69.5% de los hogares se clasificó en IA. Los más afectados por la IA fueron hogares más pobres (85.8%) y de áreas rurales (78.0%). En el periodo 2012-2016, la prevalencia de IA moderada y severa disminuyó en hogares con apoyo de programas de ayuda alimentaria. Conclusión: Los resultados presentados son una herramienta para mejorar el diseño y focalización de políticas públicas y fortalecer la gobernanza de la seguridad alimentaria en México.

Abstract: Objective: To describe three relevant aspects of household food insecurity (FI) in Mexico: its magnitude, its distribution by social and nutritional vulnerability characteristics; its evolution between 2012 and 2016 and the effect of food assistance programs on FI in Mexican households. Materials and methods: Data on 9 019 households were drawn from the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey (Ensanut 2016 for its Spanish initials) and were compared with data from the 2012 Ensanut. An analysis of differences in differences was made to measure the effect of food assistance programs on the evolution of FI. Results: As many as 69.5% of households were classified as FI. Families located in rural areas (78.0%) and residing in southern Mexico (76.3%). Households with support from a food assistance program experienced a decrease in moderate and severe FI between 2012 and 2016. Conclusion: Findings can be used to design and target public policies seeking to improve food security governance in Mexico.

Insegurança alimentar grave municipal no Brasil em 2013 / Severe food insecurity in Brazilian Municipalities, 2013

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é estimar as prevalências de insegurança alimentar grave (IAG) para municípios brasileiros, em 2013. Construído modelo de regressão logística preditor de IAG, utilizando a Pesquisa Nacional por Amostras de Domicílios (PNAD) 2013. A IAG foi aferida pela Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar (EBIA). O modelo foi aplicado ao Censo de 2010, sendo preditas as prevalências municipais. As maiores prevalências estão concentradas na Região Norte e Nordeste, que apresentaram também as maiores discrepâncias municipais. A maior prevalência municipal de IAG foi no Maranhão e a menor no Rio Grande do Sul. O Maranhão foi também o Estado com maior discrepância intraestadual na prevalência de IAG. Na análise espacial verificou-se que as maiores prevalências de IAG estavam concentradas na Região Norte e Nordeste e se reduzia à medida que desloca-se para o Sul do país. No Acre, 100% dos municípios apresentaram prevalência muito alta de IAG. Em São Paulo, 59,1% dos municípios tiveram prevalências baixas de IAG. As prevalências de IAG municipais foram mais elevadas nas Regiões Norte e Nordeste que apresentaram grande discrepância de distribuição intrarregional e intraestadual. Tais prevalências podem auxiliar o processo de melhoria e focalização das políticas de combate à fome no Brasil.

Abstract The scope of this article was to estimate the prevalence of severe food insecurity (SFI) in Brazilian municipalities in 2013. A logistic regression model was used to predict SFI. To construct the model, the 2013 National Household Sample Survey (PNAD) was used. SFI was measured using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA). The final model was applied to the 2010 Census, predicting the municipal prevalence. The highest prevalence values were concentrated in the North and Northeast of Brazil, which also showed the highest municipality prevalence disparities. The highest municipal prevalence value of SFI was in the state of Maranhão and the lowest in Rio Grande do Sul. Maranhão was also the State with the largest intrastate disparities in the prevalence of SFI. Spatial analysis showed a higher prevalence of SFI in the North and Northeast regions. Acre had 100% of its municipalities presenting a very high prevalence of SFI. By contrast in the State of São Paulo, 59.1% of the municipalities have a low prevalence of SFI. The prevalence of municipal SFI was higher in Brazil's North and Northeast and there were major disparities in intraregional and intrastate distribution. These prevalence values could assist in improving the targeting of policies to combat food insecurity in Brazil.

Avances en el desarrollo infantil temprano: desde neuronas hasta programas a gran escala / Advances in early childhood development: from neurons to big scale programs

Resumen: El desarrollo infantil temprano (DIT) es la base del desarrollo económico y social de los países y de su capacidad de cumplir con los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS). La gestación y los primeros 3 años de vida son fundamentales para que los niños tengan un desarrollo físico, psicosocial, emocional y cognitivo adecuado para el resto de sus vidas. La crianza y el cuidado cariñoso y sensible a las necesidades de los niños durante la gestación y la primera infancia son esenciales para el desarrollo de los billones de neuronas y trillones de sinapsis necesarias. El DIT requiere de acceso a buena nutrición y servicios de salud desde la gestación, crianza sensible de acuerdo a la etapa de desarrollo del niño, protección social y del bienestar del niño, y oportunidades de estimulación y aprendizaje temprano. Para mejorar el DIT a nivel nacional se recomiendan seis acciones con fuerte participación de la sociedad civil: expandir la voluntad política y financiamiento, crear un entorno de políticas favorables basadas en evidencia, construir capacidad con coordinación intersectorial, asegurar una gobernanza justa y transparente de los programas y servicios, aumentar apoyo a la investigación multidisciplinaria y promover el desarrollo de líderes. México ha logrado avances importantes en DIT bajo el liderazgo del Sector Salud, pero enfrenta retos significativos para implementar estas recomendaciones. La reciente creación de un marco nacional intersectorial favorable al DIT con apoyo de los organismos internacionales y la participación de la sociedad civil pueden ayudar a sobreponer estos retos.

Abstract: Early childhood development (ECD) is the basis of countries' economic and social development and their ability to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Gestation and the first three years of life are critical for children to have adequate physical, psychosocial, emotional and cognitive development for the rest of their lives. Nurturing care and protection of children during gestation and early childhood are necessary for the development of trillions of neurons and trillions of synapses necessary for development. ECD requires access to good nutrition and health services from gestation, responsive caregiving according to the child's developmental stage, social protection and child welfare, and early stimulation and learning opportunities. Six actions are recommended to improve national ECD programs: expand political will and funding; create a supportive, evidence-based policy environment; build capacity through intersectoral coordination; ensure fair and transparent governance of programs and services; increase support for multidisciplinary research; and promote the development of leaders. Mexico has made significant progress under the leadership of the Health Ministry, but still faces significant challenges. The recent creation of a national intersectoral framework to enable ECD with support of international organizations and the participation of civil society organizations can help overcome these challenges.

Nutrition label use is associated with lower longer-term diabetes risk in US adults.

Background: Regular nutrition label use may have important long-term health implications. To our knowledge, the role of nutrition label use in protecting against the development of chronic diseases was unexplored prospectively before this study.Objective: We tested the association between nutrition label use and risk of a future diabetes diagnosis in a multiethnic US cohort.Design: Data from the ongoing National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-1979 (NLSY79) were analyzed. From 2002 (baseline) to 5 follow-up time points (2004-2012), 7150 diabetes-free, multiethnic young adults were prospectively followed for a diagnosis of incident diabetes. Nutrition label use, diabetes diagnosis, time to diabetes diagnosis, and all covariates were self-reported.Results: Between January 2002 and September 2013, 430 participants (6.0%) were diagnosed with diabetes. A weighted, multivariable, extended Cox regression was conducted, which suggested that in nutrition label users, the HR of diabetes diagnosis risk decreased significantly with time (P-nutrition label use × time interaction < 0.05) compared with risk in nutrition label nonusers.Conclusions: There is an association between nutrition label use and diabetes risk in the longer term. However, additional longitudinal research with a robust dietary intake assessment is needed to test this hypothesis.