Frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and sweets starts at early age.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the habitual consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and sweets in relation to mothers' behaviours and practices with their infants. METHODS: We targeted mothers with children 1-24 months (N = 200) visiting Public Child Health clinics in Finland. During routine visits mothers (N = 179) volunteered to complete a self-administered anonymous questionnaire about their child's health-related behaviours (consumption of sweets and SSBs, tooth brushing frequency). The questionnaires also included questions about the mothers' background (age, education) and health-related behaviours (consumption of sweets, tooth brushing frequency and smoking habits). The children were categorised by age, and Chi-squared tests, Fischer's exact test, ANOVA and correlation coefficient served for the statistical analyses. RESULTS: Of those under 6 months, almost half (44%) received SSBs, and 45% of them more than once a week. Their use gradually increased by age such that by 19-24 months, all received SSBs at least sometimes, and 56%, frequently. Fewer than half of the mothers (33-43%) gave sweets to their children between the ages of 10-15 months, but 92% by the age of 2 years. Children's twice-a-day tooth brushing increased from 14% to 33%. The child's age and tooth brushing frequency correlated with the consumption of sugar-sweetened products (r = 0.458). CONCLUSIONS: Infants frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened products begins early in childhood. Thus, tackling these common risk factors in the first years of life is essential and calls for health-promoting actions in multiple areas that target primarily the parents of infants.

[Upper abdominal pain caused by oesophageal perforation].

Boerhaave's syndrome or spontaneous oesophageal perforation is associated with significant mortality de-pending on time of diagnosis and initiation of treatment. However, the diagnosis is often delayed, as the condition mimics more frequent causes of chest- and abdominal pain. This case report describes a patient with severe upper ab-dominal and back pain following ructus in an effort to loosen a piece of candy stuck in the oesophagus. The case demon-strates, that Boerhaave's syndrome should always be con-sidered in patients presenting with acute chest- or upper abdominal pain.

[Study on lifestyle in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between certain unhealthy lifestyles and the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), thus to provide the lifestyle guidelines for GERD patients.
 Methods: Retrospective study were conducted for 402 GERD and 276 non-GERD out-patients in Department of Gastroenterology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from August, 2014 to August, 2015 based on questionnaire survey, then the correlation of unhealthy lifestyles with GERD were analyzed.
 Results: The top 10 common symptoms for GERD were as follows: reflux, acid regurgitation, postprandial fullness, heartburn, swallow obstruction or pain, epigastric burning sensation, paraesthesia pharynges, poststernal pain, chronic laryngopharyngitis, and chronic cough. The top 8 unhealthy habits closely related to GERD were as follows: fast-eating, over-eating, spicy preferred diet, sweets preferred diet, anxious, soup preferred diet, high-fat diet, and hot eating. Single-factor analysis showed that GERD was markedly correlated to gender (male), age (≥60 years), BMI, smoking, alcohol, fast-eating, over-eating, hot-eating, spicy preferred diet, high-fat diet, acid preferred diet, sweets preferred diet, hard food preference, strong tea preference, coffee preference, immediately on bed after meal, difficult defecation, dyscoimesis, anxious, and too tight belt, respectively (P<0.05). Logistic multiple regression analysis indicated that the largest risk factor for GERD was the fast-eating (OR=3.214, 95% CI 2.171 to 4.759, P<0.001) followed by the over-eating (OR=2.936, 95% CI 1.981 to 4.350, P<0.001), elderly population (OR=2.047, 95% CI 1.291 to 3.244, P=0.002), too tight belt (OR=2.003, 95% CI 1.013 to 3.961, P=0.046), and hot-eating (OR=1.570, 95% CI 1.044 to 2.362, P=0.030).
 Conclusion: The elderly people are at high risk for GERD, and unhealthy habits like fast-eating, over-eating, too tight belt, and hot-eating is closely related to GERD. The lifestyles such as chewing food thoroughly, splitting the meals up, warm and cool diet, keeping patients out of the too tight belt are necessary for GERD patients.

Hábitos de consumo en la sala de espera / Waiting room intake habits

Introducción: el consumo de alimentos en la sala de espera es un hábito que podría estar relacionado con el incremento en la incidencia de obesidad infantil. Objetivo: analizar el consumo de alimentos y su uso como premio en niños que asisten a un consultorio pediátrico explorando y su relación con el estado nutricional. Población, material y método: se realizó un estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo y transversal en 94 niños entre 1 y 15 años, que asisten a un consultorio pediátrico de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA), República Argentina. Se evaluó el tipo de alimentos/bebidas llevado a la sala de espera, su utilización como premio y la intención de compra luego de la consulta. Se valoró el estado nutricional (IMC/Edad) con Anthro Plus, 2009. El análisis estadístico incluyó t de Student y prueba de Wilcoxon. Resultados: el 46,8% de los padres trajo alimentos a la sala de espera. Alfajores/chocolates (n=10), seguidos de galletitas saladas (n=8) y, entre las bebidas, las gaseosas y jugos (n=6) ocuparon el segundo lugar. El 56,4% de los cuidadores tenía pensado comprar algo de comer al salir de la consulta. Se encontró asociación significativa entre los puntajes z de IMC/Edad y quienes trajeron algún alimento a la sala de espera (p:0,02). El 46,8% de los niños presentó sobrepeso u obesidad. Conclusión: una elevada cantidad de padres utilizó el consumo de alimentos en la consulta, la mayoría de tipo chatarra. Este hábito se asoció significativamente con la presencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en los niños afectados por lo que podría indagarse sistemáticamente en la consulta. (AU)

Introduction: food and drink intake and its use as a reward are common habits in medical waiting rooms in the context of an increase in overweight and obesity prevalence worldwide. Objective: to analyze the habit of food intake, its type and use as a reward and the relation with the nutritional status in children who attend a pediatric outpatient clinic. Population and method: descriptive study, in a sample of 94 children ages 1 to 15 who attended a pediatric outpatient clinic in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We assessed the type of food/ beverage taken to the waiting room and the intention of buying one after the visit. The nutritional status was measured (BMI/AGE) using Anthro Plus software, 2009. Student´s t Test and Wilcoxon test were used for statistical analysis. Results: 46,8% of parents had brought something to eat or drink to the waiting room. Sweets were most frequent, followed by salty snacks and among beverages we found soft drinks and commercial juices. 56,4% of caretakers had the intention of buying something to eat or drink as a reward after the visit. There was a significant correlation between z scores of BMI/AGE and food intake in the waiting room (p= 0,02). 46.8% of the sample was either overweight or obese. Conclusion: many parents use food as a reward, mainly junk food. This habit had a significant correlation with overweight and obesity in affected children and could be assessed systematically in pediatric visits. (AU)

Habitual chocolate intake and type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study: (1975-2010): Prospective observations.

Compounds in cocoa and chocolate have established cardiovascular benefits, including beneficial effects on insulin resistance, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aims of this study was to investigate relations between habitual chocolate intakes and diabetes mellitus. Cross-sectional and prospective analyses were undertaken on 953 community-dwelling participants (mean age 62 years, 59% women) from the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study (MSLS). Habitual chocolate intakes, measured using a food frequency questionnaire, were related to prevalence of diabetes mellitus (cross-sectionally) and with risk of diabetes measured approximately five years later (prospectively). We also examined the relation between diabetes (the predictor) and chocolate consumption (the outcome) up to 30 years later. Chocolate intake was inversely associated with type 2 diabetes. Compared to participants who consumed chocolate more than once per week, those who never or rarely ate chocolate exhibited a significantly higher odds of having type 2 diabetes 5 years later (OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.03, 3.55, p = 0.04), after adjustment for cardiovascular, lifestyle and dietary factors including other polyphenol-rich beverages. However, individuals diagnosed with diabetes prior to the nutritional assessment consumed lower amounts of chocolate at the time of the dietary assessment. Our findings suggest that relations between chocolate and type 2 diabetes may be bi-directional.

Lollipop-induced oral lichenoid reaction in a child.

BACKGROUND: Oral lichenoid reactions (OLRs) have been rarely reported in pediatric patients. CASE REPORT: This article reports an unusual case of a 15-year-old girl who had white plaques in tongue and buccal mucosa oral which initially were diagnosed as oral lichen planus (OLP). At first, the patient and her family denied systemic or local medication use. Biopsy was performed, and histopathological aspects were suggestive of OLP. Despite the attempt of treatment with topical corticoid, the lesions did not recede. Patient's behavior and medical history were again investigated and revealed that she had been using almost daily in her school an artificially colored and flavored lollipop. One week after removing lollipop use behavior, the oral lesions showed complete resolution and OLR diagnosis was defined. CONCLUSION: The present case denotes that OLR should be considered in the differential diagnosis of oral white plates in children and artificially colored sweets can be its causal agent.

Habitual chocolate consumption and the risk of incident heart failure among healthy men and women.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to examine the association between chocolate intake and the risk of incident heart failure in a UK general population. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify this association. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used data from a prospective population-based study, the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk cohort. Chocolate intake was quantified based on a food frequency questionnaire obtained at baseline (1993-1997) and incident heart failure was ascertained up to March 2009. We supplemented the primary data with a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies which evaluated risk of incident heart failure with chocolate consumption. A total of 20,922 participants (53% women; mean age 58 ± 9 years) were included of whom 1101 developed heart failure during the follow up (mean 12.5 ± 2.7 years, total person years 262,291 years). After adjusting for lifestyle and dietary factors, we found 19% relative reduction in heart failure incidence in the top (up to 100 g/d) compared to the bottom quintile of chocolate consumption (HR 0.81 95%CI 0.66-0.98) but the results were no longer significant after controlling for comorbidities (HR 0.87 95%CI 0.71-1.06). Additional adjustment for potential mediators did not attenuate the results further. We identified five relevant studies including the current study (N = 75,408). The pooled results showed non-significant 19% relative risk reduction of heart failure incidence with higher chocolate consumption (HR 0.81 95%CI 0.66-1.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that higher chocolate intake is not associated with subsequent incident heart failure.

Parental control and overconsumption of snack foods in overweight and obese children.

The associations between snack food consumption, parent feeding practices and general parenting in overweight in obese children are largely unknown. Therefore, we examined these relationships in 117 treatment-seeking overweight and obese children (10.40 ± 1.35 years; 53% female; 52% Caucasian; BMI-z: 2.06 ± .39). Children consumed a dinner meal, completed an Eating in the Absence of Hunger (EAH) free access paradigm (total EAH intake = EAH%-total; sweet food intake = EAH%-sweet), and completed the Child Report of Parent Behavior Inventory. Parents completed the Child Feeding Questionnaire. Child EAH%-total and EAH%-sweet were positively associated with dinner consumption (p's < .01). Girls had significantly higher EAH%-total compared to boys (p < .05). In separate models, higher EAH%-total was associated with greater use of maternal psychological control (p < .05) and EAH%-sweet was positively associated with parent monitoring (p < .05). In analyses examining factors associated with the consumption of specific foods, EAH snack food, parent restriction, pressure to eat, monitoring, and maternal psychological control were positively correlated with intake of Hershey's(®) chocolate bars (p's < .05). In summary, parental monitoring is associated with child sweet snack food intake and maternal psychological control is associated with child total snack food consumption. Future research should evaluate the complex relationship between child eating and parenting, especially with regard to subgroups of foods.

Eating less from bigger packs: Preventing the pack size effect with diet primes.

An increase in the package size of food has been shown to lead to an increase in energy intake from this food, the so-called pack size effect. Previous research has shown that providing diet-concerned individuals with a reminder, or prime, of their dieting goal can help them control their consumption. Here, we investigated if providing such a prime is also effective for reducing the magnitude of the pack size effect. We conducted two experiments in which the cover of a dieting magazine (Experiment 1) and diet-related commercials (Experiment 2) served as diet goal primes. Both experiments had a 2 (pack size: small vs. large) × 2 (prime: diet vs. control) × 2 (dietary restraint: high vs. low) between participants design. We measured expected consumption of four snack foods in Experiment 1 (N = 477), and actual consumption of M&M's in Experiment 2 (N = 224). Results showed that the diet prime reduced the pack size effect for both restrained and unrestrained eaters in Experiment 1 and for restrained eaters only in Experiment 2. Although effect sizes were small, these findings suggest that a diet prime motivates restrained eaters to limit their consumption, and as a result the pack size has less influence on the amount consumed. We discuss limitations of this research as well as potential avenues for further research and theoretical and practical implications.

Violation of eating expectancies does not reduce conditioned desires for chocolate.

Although eating desires can be easily learned, their extinction appears more difficult. The present two-session study aimed to investigate the role of eating expectancies in the short and longer-term extinction of eating desires. In addition, the relationship between eating desires and conditioned evaluations was examined to test whether they might share a similar mechanism. It was hypothesized that the short-term extinction of eating desires would be more successful after the disconfirmation of eating expectancies (instructed extinction or IE), while resulting in worse longer-term extinction because omission of the food reward during extinction is not surprising. In contrast to the hypotheses, it was found that IE had no effect on the short-term and longer-term extinction of eating desires. Eating desires correlated with conditioned evaluations only to some extent. It is concluded that eating expectancies do not mediate the short-term extinction of conditioned eating desires. In addition, their longer-term extinction does not appear to be facilitated by a greater violation of eating expectancies. This suggests that it might not be necessary to focus on expectancy violation in cue exposure therapy to reduce eating desires.

Consumo de bebidas azucaradas en adolescentes escolarizados de la provincia de salta. Centro nacional de investigaciones nutricionales, 2014 / Sweetened beverages consumption in school adolescents in the province of salta. National centre of nutritional investigations, 2014

El consumo elevado de bebidas azucaradas se ha relacionado con mayor prevalencia de obesidad y hábitos de vida no saludables. Sus calorías, vacías de nutrientes, son elegidas por muchos consumidores, entre ellos adolescentes, constituyendo la mayor fuente de azúcares añadidos en sus dietas. La ingesta calórica resultante del consumo de estas bebidas es un factor que podría contribuir al aumento de peso entre los jóvenes. Objetivos: evaluar la prevalencia y asociación de factores nutricionales, socio-demográficos y hábitos de vida con consumo frecuente de bebidas azucaradas en adolescentes escolarizados de Salta (2008-2009). Metodología: estudio transversal. Muestreo probabilístico de escuelas de nivel medio. Valoración antropométrica, cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos y hábitos de vida a adolescentes del último curso (16-20 años). Análisis estadístico: distribución de frecuencias, chi2. Regresión logística multivariada (OR, p< 0,05). SPSS19, EPI-INFO.Resultados: se evaluaron 659 adolescentes; 73,7% consumía bebidas azucaradas en forma frecuente (>3 veces/semana), 42,8% no realizaba actividad física. La prevalencia de sobrepeso/obesidad fue de 13,8 y 3,9 %. El consumo de bebidas azucaradas se asoció a familias de bajos ingresos (OR 1.63), al consumo frecuente de golosinas (OR 2.26) y la falta de actividad física (OR 2.24). No se asoció con el estado nutricional. Conclusiones: se observa consumo elevado de bebidas azucaradas, asociado a hábitos de vida no saludables y familias de bajos ingresos. Es imperativo aplicar estrategias de salud pública, como la educación sobre la ingesta de bebidas y su reemplazo por líquidos más saludables.

The high consumption of sweetened beverages has beenlinked to increased prevalence of obesity and unhealthy living habits. Their calories, nutrient de cient, are chosen by many consumers, including adolescents, constituting the largest source of added sugars in their diets. The resulting caloric intake from consumption of these drinks is a factor that may contribute to weight gain among young adults.Objective: to evaluate the prevalence and association of nutritional, socio- demographic and lifestyle factors with frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among adolescent students of the last course (2008-2009). Methods: cross-sectional study. Probability sampling of high schools. Anthropometric evaluation, frequency questionnaire and food consumption habits of last year teenagers (16-20 years). Statistical analysis: frequency distribution, chi2. Multivariate logistic regression (OR, p < 0,05).SPSS 19. EPIINFO. Results: 659 adolescents were evaluated, 73,7% consumed sugary drinks frequently (> 3times/week), 42,8% did not perform physical activity. The prevalence of overweight / obesity was 13,8% and 3,9%. Consumption of sweetened beverages was associated with low-income families (OR 1.63), frequent consumption of sweets (OR 2.26) and lack of physical activity (OR 2.24). It was not associated with the nutritional status. Conclusion: High consumption of sugar-sweetened beveragesis associated with unhealthy life habits and low-income families. It is imperative to implement public health strategies, such as education about beverage intake and replacing them with healthier liquids.

A case of hyperemesis in bulimia nervosa.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder defined by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, primarily self-induced vomiting. Most common complications are due to purge behaviors and are frequently responsible for hospitalization. These include electrolyte disturbances, dehydration, hypovolemia, stomatitis, esophageal diseases, and functional impairment of the colon. However, an obstruction-like syndrome has never been reported. We report the case of a middle-age woman suffering from bulimia nervosa and referring at the emergency department with a 7-day story of hyperemesis responsible for an acute renal failure. During hospitalization, after the most important and common medical causes of hyperemesis were excluded, an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. The endoscopist reported the presence of an impressive bezoar, which underwent to mechanical fragmentation and biopsy sampling, revealing it was made up exclusively of liquorice wheels. An endoscopy performed few days after showed the complete dissolution of the bezoar, and the patient was discharged without any further gastrointestinal complaint.

Enamel erosion caused by the effervescent acid powder in Tiritón ice cream: an in vitro study / Erosión del esmalte dental producto del polvo ácido efervescente contenido en helado Tiritón

The aim of this article was to see the erosive effect of the efferves¬cent powder acid in Tiritón ice cream (Nestlé Savory, Vevey, Switzerland) on the human tooth enamel. The erosive potential of Tiritón ice cream was determined under in vitro conditions by subjecting five tooth enamel slices from three healthy permanent first molars from healthy patients attending the dental clinic at the Universidad Nacional Andres Bello in Concepción. The samples were exposed to a mixture of saliva from a girl without incidence of dental caries and the effervescent powder in the stick holding the Tiritón ice cream for 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 seconds. Afterwards, the effect was assessed through a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and pH measurement. All specimens showed a pH of 3.0. The SEM showed increasing levels of erosion for longer periods of exposure time. Tiritón ice cream produces a much more acidic environment than the one required for starting enamel dissolution. This will later cause a higher vulnerability to caries and dental erosion than the reported in other candy. The images obtained through SEM clearly show the erosive effect caused by the effervescent acid powder for periods of exposure time shorter than a minute.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue visualizar el efecto erosivo sobre el esmalte dental humano del polvo ácido efervescente contenido en el helado Tiri¬tón (Nestle Savory, Vevey, Suiza). El potencial erosi¬vo del helado Tiritón, se determinó en condiciones in vitro sometiendo 5 cortes de esmalte, de 3 primeros molares permanentes sanos, provenientes de pacien¬tes sanos de la clínica odontológica de la Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello, sede Concepción. Las mues-tras fueron sometidas a la mezcla de saliva de una ¬niña sin incidencia de caries y el polvo efervescente contenido en el helado Tiritón, en 10, 20, 30 40 y 50 segundos, posteriormente se visualizó el efecto a través de microscopia electrónica de barrido (MEB) y medición del pH. Todos los especímenes presentaron un pH de 3,0. A través de MEB se observaron grados crecientes de erosión en función del tiempo. El helado Tiritón genera un medio ácido mucho mayor al necesario para el inicio de la disolución del esmalte lo que posteriormente provocará vulnerabilidad a la caries y a la erosión dental, superior al reportado en otras golosinas. Las imágenes obtenidas a través de MEB permitieron visualizar con claridad el efecto erosivo que se produce, por el polvo ácido eferves¬cente en tiempos de exposición menores al minuto.

Do portrayals of women in action convey another ideal that women with little self-determination feel obligated to live up to? Viewing effects on body image evaluations and eating behaviors.

Theoretical and empirical research suggests that valuing the body in terms of its functionality and physical competence (rather than its appearance) may improve women's relationships with their body and food. We tested this proposition by investigating women's responses to contrasting portrayals of the female body as a function of viewers' general motivation (SD: self-determined vs NSD: non self-determined). A sample of undergraduate women (N = 91) was randomly assigned to view a "body-as-process" video, a "body-as-object" video, and a neutral video. Afterwards, participants completed measures of appearance and competence self-appraisals and were then offered three varieties of chocolate bars to sample and evaluate. Their actual intake (g) along with motives to exert self-control (identified vs introjected) were assessed. Negative viewing effects were obtained for both the "body-as-process" and the "body-as-object" videos and these effects were exacerbated by participants' motivation. Women with a NSD motivation evaluated their appearance and competence more negatively post-exposure. They also endorsed more guilt-related reasons (introjected motives) to exert control over their consumption of chocolate which predicted diminished intake. These findings suggest that portrayals of female athleticism and physical competence may represent another ideal that women with a NSD motivation feel obligated to live up to.

Sugar-free menthol candy drops improve the palatability and bowel cleansing effect of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution.

BACKGROUND: Colon preparations are generally poorly tolerated. OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of sugar-free candy drops in improving palatability and tolerability of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (PEG-E). DESIGN: Single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: University medical center. PATIENTS: Ambulatory patients scheduled for elective colonoscopy. INTERVENTION: Menthol candy drops. Patients were randomly assigned to split-dose, 4-L, PEG-E ± cough drops. Palatability was assessed on a linear scale of 1 to 5 (1 = disgusting; 5 = tasty). Quality of preparation, remaining unconsumed volume, and side effects were secondary outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Palatability and tolerability of PEG-E. RESULTS: A total of 99 patients were enrolled (50 control group, 49 candy drops-added group). The mean (± standard deviation) palatability score was significantly better in candy drop users versus controls (3.9 ± 0.7 vs 2.8 ± 1.2, respectively; P < .001) as were the preparations scored as excellent (63.3% vs 34% of controls; P = .004). Side effects were similar except for nausea (24.5% candy drops vs 44% controls; P = .04). The amount of unconsumed PEG-E was not different between candy drop and control groups (128 [± 361 mL] versus 69 [± 194 mL], respectively; P = .32) but was significantly lower in excellent grade preparations versus other grades (31 [± 103 mL] versus 162 [± 384 mL], respectively; P = .024). On multivariate logistic regression, an excellent preparation was associated with candy drops (odds ratio [OR] 3.3, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-7.8; P = .006) and smaller unconsumed volume of same-day PEG-E [OR 0.996, 95% CI, 0.992-1.000; P = .044). LIMITATIONS: Single-center study. CONCLUSION: Sugar-free menthol candy drops are a safe and effective addition to split-dose PEG-E, resulting in improved tolerability and patient compliance, which appears to translate into improved bowel cleansing. ( CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01541683.).

Estudio del consumo y aporte nutricional de bocadillos en escolares de la Región Metropolitana de Chile / Study of snacks consumption and their nutritional composition levels of school age children of Metropolitan Region of Chile

Snack foods are products easy to handle. The objective of this work was to determine their consumption, proximate composition and fatty acid profile of snack food consumed by school age children of Metropolitan Region of Chile. To reach these goals, 203 schoolchildren were interviewed to determine snack foods consumption frequency and preference. Results showed that, this type of food represents an important pattern in diet. The highest snack consumption were potatoes chips type American and plain, chocolate cookies (small package) and corn chips. Proximate composition and fatty acids profile were determinate for these foods, each analysis was carried out in duplicate and three samplings were performed. Four snack foods analyzed had a significant fat content near 25 g/100 g and low contents of protein and total dietary fiber, indicating that these foods are products with high fat and caloric intake. For fatty acids profile, cookies presented the highest content of SFA, with 63 g/100 for PUFA content, the potato chips plain showed a high content, 60,3 g/100 g. These products present a high contribution in fat and energy, their high frequency consumption could be an important factor in the high rates of obesity observed in recent years in school age-children in the Metropolitan Region of Chile.

Los alimentos tipo bocadillo son productos fáciles de manipular que no requieren preparación. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la incidencia del consumo, composición química, aporte calórico y perfil de ácidos grasos de alimentos tipo bocadillo de mayor consumo en la población escolar de la Región Metropolitana de Chile. Se realizó una encuesta a 203 escolares para determinar su frecuencia y preferencia. Los resultados indicaron un alto consumo, mostrando mayor preferencia por cuatro tipos de bocadillo, chips de papas fritas corte americano y liso, galletas con chispas de chocolate en paquete pequeño y chips de maíz. A estos alimentos se les determinó análisis proximal y perfil de ácidos grasos, para lo cual se realizó 3 muéstreos con muestras compuestas y análisis en duplicado. Los cuatro alimentos tipo de bocadillo estudiados presentan un alto contenido de materia grasa con valores cercanos al 25 g/100 g, además de tener bajos contenidos de proteínas y fibra dietaria total llevando a considerar por consiguiente a este tipo de alimento como productos con un alto contenido graso y aporte calórico. El perfil de ácidos grasos demostró, en tres de los cuatro tipos de bocadillo analizados, un alto contenido de AGS, mostrando la grasa de las galletas un valor de AGS cercano a 64g/100 g, solo los chips de papas fritas corte liso mostraron una adecuada relación AGPI/AGS. Estos productos presentan un alto aporte en grasa y energía, su alta frecuencia de consumo podría ser un factor importante en los altos índices de obesidad observados en los últimos años en escolares de la Región Metropolitana.