Evaluation of depression, anxiety, risky eating behaviors, eating habits and physical activity after the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents in Mexico City.

INTRODUCTION: during the pandemic, an increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as lifestyle changes in adolescents has been reported. OBJECTIVES: to evaluate anxiety and depression symptoms, risky eating behaviors (REB), eating habits and physical activity after the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexican adolescents; to associate the study variables with the development of REB. METHODS: a study was performed with a sample of 2,710 adolescents. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Questionnaire to measure Risky Eating Behaviors were applied; eating habits and physical activity were evaluated. A Multivariate Logistic Regression analysis was performed to evaluate an association between study variables and REB. RESULTS: it was found that 34.4 % and 47.2 % of the adolescents presented symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively. Furthermore, 10.6 % had REB and 18.1 % were at risk of REB. The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 46.5 %; only 13.1 % of the participants had healthy eating habits and 18.2 % adequate physical activity. Symptoms of depression (p < 0.0001), anxiety (p < 0.0001), higher BMI (p < 0.0001), female sex, excessive consumption of sugary drinks, eating outside the home (p < 0.0001), and lifestyle (p = 0.001) were associated with REB. CONCLUSIONS: confinement caused chaos on the lifestyle of adolescents as well as their psychological health. It is essential to develop educational programs that involve government authorities, parents and health agencies to reinforce the topics of healthy eating, physical activity and mental health in the country's secondary schools.

Epidemiological Overview of Overweight and Obesity Related to Eating Habits, Physical Activity and the Concurrent Presence of Depression and Anxiety in Adolescents from High Schools in Mexico City: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Overweight and obesity in adolescents has become a serious public health problem worldwide and Mexico City is no exception. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiological panorama of overweight and obesity related to eating habits, physical activity and the concurrent presence of depression and anxiety in adolescents from high schools in Mexico City. Anthropometric measurements were taken from 2710 adolescents from 33 participating high schools. Likewise, a previously validated eating habit and physical activity questionnaire was administered, which consisted of four different sections, where each of the sections focused on key aspects of the participants' lifestyle: (1) eating habits, (2) intake of non-recommended foods, (3) food and company environment, and (4) physical activity. Moreover, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for anxiety and depression was applied. In this study, a high prevalence of overweight and obesity (26.5% overweight and 20.0% obese) was found in adolescents from high schools in Mexico City. Only 13.14% of participants had adequate eating habits and 18.19% physical activity habits. An association was found between having inadequate eating habits and obesity in adolescent women (OR = 1.95; CI 1.009-3.76). Additionally, associations were observed between depression symptoms and obesity (OR = 5.68, CI 1.36-32.81; p = 0.01), while anxiety was associated with underweight and obesity adjusted by other dietary habits and psychological factors. Therefore, it is important to identify adolescents with overweight or obesity and establish prevention strategies for weight control in this age group, promoting healthy eating, physical activity and education in mental health.

Construct Validity of a Questionnaire on Eating and Physical Activity Habits for Adolescents in Mexico City.

The assessment of eating and physical activity habits is an important step in promoting healthy behaviors among the adolescent population and is key in the prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. For this purpose, reliable and valid measuring instruments are essential. In this context, the aim of this article is to present the validation of a self-report questionnaire on eating and physical activity habits among adolescents in Mexico City. In order to validate the questionnaire, a cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 2710 adolescents between 11 and 12 years of age, the piloting of the questionnaire was carried out in September 2022 with a focus group, and the programming of the anthropometric measurements was established with the Federal Educational Authority of CDMX, as well as the application of the questionnaire to 33 schools, with these activities being scheduled from 7 November 2022 to 3 February 2023 and having an application duration of 15-25 min for each of the groups to which it was applied; the questionnaire that was applied consists of 31 questions that refer to the frequencies, quantity, or performance of behaviors related to the frequency and type of food, type of physical activity and behaviors related to the act of eating referring to the place where it is carried out (home or away from home) and with whom it is carried out (alone or in company), and about the individual's lifestyle. Subsequently, the reliability of the instrument was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and an exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine the structure of the questionnaire. The results obtained showed that the questionnaire was adequately reliable (α = 0.778) with an eight-factor structure: four questions on mealtime frequencies, four questions on physical activity and lifestyles, six questions on the consumption of high-calorie foods, four questions on company and food consumption, four questions on the consumption of vegetables and fruits, four questions on the place of food consumption, two questions on the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and three questions on the consumption of sugary drinks, plain water, and milk. In conclusion, the self-report questionnaire on eating and physical activity habits among adolescents in Mexico City is reliable, has adequate internal consistency, and can therefore be used as a useful tool for the evaluation of eating and physical activity habits in this population.

Depression symptoms and sweet foods consumption in Mexican college men: the role of emotional eating.

Introduction: Objective: to evaluate the association between depression symptoms and frequency of unhealthy food consumption, and to explore the mediation effect of emotional eating in this relationship in college men. Method: a cross-sectional study was performed on 764 men at a public university in Mexico City. To assess emotional eating (EE), a validated Spanish-language version of the Eating and Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress Questionnaire (EADES) was applied. Depression symptoms were evaluated using the scale elaborated by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies (CES-D) and a Questionnaire of Frequency of Food Consumption was used to measure frequency of food consumption. Path and mediation analysis were applied. Results: one-fifth (20.42 %) of college men reported depression symptoms (CES-D ≥ 16). Students with depression symptoms had a higher mean EE score (p < 0.001), a higher frequency of fried food (p = 0.049), sweetened beverages (p = 0.050), and sweet foods consumption (p = 0.005) than students with low CES-D score. According to the mediation analysis, the effect of depression symptoms on the frequency of sweet foods consumption was partially mediated by EE (23.11 % of the total effect). Conclusion: the prevalence of depression symptoms was high. EE is an important mediator in the relationship between depression symptoms and the consumption of sweet foods. Understanding the manifestation of eating behaviors in men and their relationship with depression symptoms may help clinicians and health authorities develop treatment and prevention programs aimed to decrease the risk of obesity and eating disorders.

Introducción: Objetivo: evaluar la asociación entre los síntomas de depresión y la frecuencia de consumo de alimentos no saludables y explorar el efecto de la alimentación emocional como variable mediadora en esta relación en hombres universitarios. Método: se realizó un estudio transversal en 764 hombres de una universidad pública en la Ciudad de México. Se aplicó la versión validada en español del Eating and Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress Questionnaire (EADES) para evaluar la alimentación emocional (AE). Los síntomas de depresión fueron evaluados mediante la escala elaborada por el Centro de Estudios Epidemiológicos (CES-D) y el consumo de alimentos se evaluó con el Cuestionario de Frecuencia de Consumo de Alimentos. Se llevó a cabo un análisis de senderos y de mediación. Resultados: una quinta parte (20,42 %) de los hombres universitarios reportaron síntomas de depresión (CES-D ≥ 16). Los estudiantes con síntomas de depresión tuvieron una puntuación media de AE más alta (p < 0,001), mayor frecuencia de consumo de frituras (p = 0,049), de bebidas azucaradas (p = 0,050) y de alimentos dulces (p = 0,005) que aquellos con baja puntuación en la escala de CES-D. De acuerdo con el análisis de mediación, el efecto de los síntomas de depresión sobre la frecuencia de consumo de alimentos dulces fue mediado parcialmente por la AE (23,11 % del efecto total). Conclusión: la prevalencia de síntomas de depresión fue alta. La alimentación emocional es un mediador importante en la relación entre síntomas de depresión y consumo de alimentos dulces. Conocer la conducta alimentaria en los hombres y su relación con los síntomas de depresión puede ayudar a los médicos y autoridades de salud a desarrollar tratamientos y programas preventivos destinados a disminuir el riesgo de obesidad y trastornos alimentarios.

Validation of a new screening questionnaire for disordered eating behaviors in men.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop an instrument to identify disordered eating behaviors (DEB) in college men (hereafter, DEBM-Q). METHODS: A two-stage project consisting of a diagnostic scale construction (n1 = 9 for interviews, n2 = 9 for cognitive laboratory) and a validation study with a cross-sectional sample (N = 570) was carried out. Both semi-structured interviews and a cognitive laboratory with nine participants were conducted to obtain DEBM-Q items. DEBM-Q was applied to 570 freshmen male in Mexico City. Psychometric characteristics and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) were analyzed. An item-total correlation value greater than 0.30 was determined, and factor loads greater than 0.40 were considered valid. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA, n1 = 297) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA, n2 = 273) were performed. RESULTS: Two fixed factors explaining 55.08% of the total variance were extracted. Factor 1, "Drive for Thinness" (8 items), explained 30.84% of the variance, whereas factor 2, "Drive for Muscularity" (8 items), explained 24.23% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha for the whole questionnaire was 0.84. DEBM-Q was correlated with the Dutch Food Restriction Scale (RS) (r = 0.52, p < 0.001), Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) (r = 0.46, p < 0.001), Emotional Eating Scale (EES) (r = 0.18, p < 0.001), and Negative Affect Subscale (PANAS-X) (r = 0.11, p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: DEBM-Q is a valid and practical short screening tool (16 items) allowing early identification of disordered eating in young men, thereby facilitating clinical management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V: Opinions of authorities, based on descriptive studies, narrative reviews, clinical experience, or reports of expert committees.

Work Environment, Mental Health, and Eating Behavior in Mexican Nurses.

Nursing staff in public hospitals face highly demanding working conditions, which are related to mental health and eating problems. The current study aimed to identify the most frequent work characteristics associated with mental health problems and eating behavior in nursing staff. A cross-sectional study was performed on a random sample of 190 nurses at a specialized hospital in Mexico City. Work characteristics, mental health problems (stress, depression, and anxiety), emotional eating, and loss-of-control eating were measured using standardized scales. Associations among relevant work variables and mental health and eating behavior were assessed using logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. High prevalence of stress (28%), depression (35%), anxiety (33%), emotional eating (27%), and loss-of-control eating (38%) were found. These mental health problems have been associated with variables related to work overload, little appreciation of work, and exposure to the suffering and death of patients. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 60(1), 31-37.].

Effect of Income Level and Perception of Susceptibility and Severity of COVID-19 on Stay-at-Home Preventive Behavior in a Group of Older Adults in Mexico City.

Early information on public health behaviors adopted to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) may be useful in controlling the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. The objective of this study was to assess the role of income level (IL) and the perception of older adults, regarding COVID-19 susceptibility and severity, on adopting stay-at-home preventive behavior during the first week of the outbreak in Mexico. Participants in this cross-sectional study were urban community dwellers, aged ≥ 65 years from Mexico City. A total of 380 interviews were conducted over the phone. The mean respondent age was 72.9 years, and 76.1% were women. Over half (54.2%) of the participants perceived their susceptibility to COVID-19 as very low or low. Similarly, 33.4% perceived COVID-19 severity as being very low or low, and 57.6% had decided to stay at home: this behavior was associated with IL (ß = 1.05, p < 0.001), and its total effect was partially mediated (15.1%) by perceived severity. Educational attainment was also associated with staying at home (ß = 0.10, p = 0.018) and its total effect was partially mediated (15.0%) by perceived susceptibility. Interventions aimed at low income and less educated older adults should be developed to improve preventive behaviors in this vulnerable group during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prevalence of Malnutrition and Depression in Older Adults Living in Nursing Homes in Mexico City.

This study evaluated the association between nutritional status, depressive symptoms, and the number of prescription drugs taken by older adults living in nursing homes in Mexico City. In a cross-sectional study, 262 participants were subjected to anthropometric and nutritional (Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)) evaluations; additionally, their depression (Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)) and functional status were assessed. Multiple logistic regression was used for identifying factors associated with the risk of malnutrition/malnourishment. The mean age of participants was 83.1 ± 8.6 years. A total of 59.9% and 21.1% were at risk of malnutrition and malnourished, respectively. With respect to depression, 27.9% of the participants had mild depression, while 11.4% showed severe depression. An inverse correlation between MNA evaluations and depression scores was found (Spearman's ρ = -0.4624, p < 0.001); residents with a better nutritional status had lower depression scores. Individuals with depressive symptoms were approximately five times more likely to be at risk of malnutrition or malnourished (OR = 5.82, 95% CI = 2.27-14.89) than individuals without depression. Residents taking three or more prescription drugs daily (OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.27-2.63, p < 0.001) were more likely to be at risk of malnutrition or malnourished. In summary, poor nutritional status was associated with depression, while the intake of numerous prescription drugs was associated with being at risk of malnutrition or malnourished.

Sarcopenia, nutritional status and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study in a group of Mexican women residing in a nursing home.

AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia and its association with nutritional status and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in older women living in a nursing home. METHODS: This cross-sectional study assessed nutritional status using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Sarcopenia was defined according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People; hand grip strength and physical performance were determined by dynamometry and gait speed, respectively. Muscle mass was assessed using calf circumference. RESULTS: The mean age of the 114 participants was 84.1 ± 7.0 years. The prevalence of sarcopenia and T2DM was 30.7% and 10.5%, respectively. The majority (66.7%) had a normal nutritional status, 29.8% were at risk of malnutrition, and 3.5% were undernourished. The prevalence of sarcopenia in participants at risk of malnutrition and those who were undernourished was higher compared with participants with a normal NS (P < 0.0001). A statistically significant difference was observed in the Barthel Index (BI) between women with and without sarcopenia (P = 0.048). The multivariate logistic regression model, adjusted by age (p = 0.007) showed an association between sarcopenia and nutritional status. Women with a poor nutritional status were more likely to have sarcopenia (OR 4.97, P = 0.003) whilst those with T2DM showed a higher probability of sarcopenia (OR 5.52, P = 0.019) than women without T2DM. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia was highly prevalent in women with a poor nutritional status and T2DM. It is necessary to implement intervention programs to reduce adverse outcomes.

Depression and food consumption in Mexican college students.

INTRODUCTION: depression is frequently accompanied by overeating and a preference for certain foods that may consequently lead to weight gain. OBJECTIVES: a) to determine the prevalence of depression and the consumption of unhealthy food in first-year college students; and b) to analyze the association between depression score and food consumption frequency. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was carried out in 1,104 freshman students, 40.3% men and 59.7% women, at a public university in Mexico City. The 20-item depression scale (CES-D) and Food Frequency Questionnaire were applied to measure depressive symptoms and food consumption. Logistic regression analysis was carried out for food consumption frequency and CES-D depression score grouped in quartiles. RESULTS: the prevalence of depression symptoms was 18.2% in men and 27.5% in women (p < 0.001). A considerable proportion of the students reported poor eating habits: consumption of fried food (30.3%), sweetened drinks (49.0%) and sugary food (51.8%) 2-7 times/week; and less than half the students practiced vigorous physical activity (39.7%). In women, a higher depression score was associated with a higher frequency of consumption of fast food (OR = 2.08, p = 0.018), fried food (OR = 1.92, p = 0.01) and sugary food (OR = 2.16, p = 0.001), and a lower frequency of physical exercise (< 75 min/week; OR = 1.80, p = 0.017). In men, no association was observed between depression score and food consumption variables. An association was observed between depression and low exercise frequency (OR = 2.22, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: women vulnerable to depression may use food to cope with negative mood states. Therefore, institutional health promotion and nutritional education programs should include adequate emotion and stress management.

Dating Violence in Mexican College Students: Evaluation of an Educational Workshop.

Dating violence represents an important health problem among adolescents and young adults, not only because of its high prevalence but also because of its negative consequences for individual and social development. Educational programs aimed at the prevention and reduction of aggression are indispensable; therefore, the aims of this study were to assess perception and attitudes toward dating violence, and to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational workshop among college students. A total of 212 students from a public university in Mexico City participated in the study. The participants were distributed into two groups: the intervention group (IG; which received a workshop on dating violence) and the control group (CG; which did not participate in the workshop). A self-reported questionnaire was applied to assess students' perception and attitudes toward violence. Means and standard deviations were calculated. In both groups, the comparison between pre- and post-evaluation scores was carried out using the test for matched pairs. The MANOVA test was performed for repeated measurements. The participants of the workshop showed positive changes in perception and attitudes toward dating violence, p < .0001; these changes were not observed in the CG, p = .98. Women in the IG showed a higher improvement than men, p = .04. Findings highlight the importance of creating long-term health promotion programs to improve human relationships, particularly in such important areas as dating violence.

Comparison of the prevalence of sarcopenia using skeletal muscle mass index and calf circumference applying the European consensus definition in elderly Mexican women.

AIM: To compare the prevalence of sarcopenia using two indicators: skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and calf circumference (CC) used in the algorithm proposed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Mexican elderly women. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Lean body mass was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. To define sarcopenia, the SMI was obtained using a cut-off value of 5.5 kg/m2 , and the CC cut-off was 31 cm. For gait speed and handgrip strength, the cut-off values were 0.8 m/s and 20 kg, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 137 women (mean age 73.8 ± 6.7 years) participated in the study. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 14.6% using SMI and 11.0% using CC (P = 0.009). Body mass index was associated with a lower probability of sarcopenia applying SMI or CC (OR 0.75, P = 0.002 for SMI and OR 0.71, P = 0.004 for CC). Sarcopenia evaluated either with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry or CC was not associated with physical performance, such as five times chair stand test, timed up and go test and short physical performance battery. Additionally, SMI was not associated with physical performance, five times chair stand test (P = 0.775) and timed up-and-go test (P = 0.341). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of sarcopenia in active elderly women was low. A higher prevalence of sarcopenia was detected using SMI compared with CC. It is important to identify the best methods to assess skeletal muscle mass to obtain a reliable diagnosis of sarcopenia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 161-170.

Relationship among obesity, depression, and emotional eating in young adults.

Depressive symptoms are often associated with obesity, and emotional eating may play a considerable role in weight gain. This study aimed to examine the association among depression symptoms, emotional eating, and body mass index (BMI) in Mexican college students; and to assess emotional eating as mediator between depressive symptoms and BMI. A total of 1453 students at a public university in Mexico City completed the scale Self-Efficacy in Emotion- and Stress- Related Eating of the Eating and Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress Questionnaire (EADES) to assess emotional eating, and the scale created by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies (CES-D) to identify depressive symptoms. Weight and height were measured to calculate BMI. Structural equation models (SEM) were used to assess emotional eating as mediator between depressive symptoms and BMI by sex. Depressive symptoms were associated with emotional eating in both men (Beta = -0.33, p < 0.001) and women (Beta = -0.46, p < 0.001). Emotional eating, in turn, was associated with BMI in men (Beta = -0.08, p < 0.001) as well as in women (Beta = -0.09, p < 0.001). Emotional eating was a mediator between depression and BMI, adjusted for age in both sexes. This finding suggests that emotion management should be taken into consideration in obesity prevention and treatment strategies applied to young adults.

Psychometric characteristics of the Eating and Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress Questionnaire and obesity in Mexican university students.

INTRODUCTION: Emotional eating has been defined as eating in a response to negative emotions and it is associated with weight gain. The English version of Eating Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress Questionnaire (EADES) was developed to assess how individuals use food in order to cope with stress and emotions. OBJECTIVE: To analyze psychometric characteristics of Spanish version of EADES and to identify whether the constructs of EADES were associated with obesity in university students. METHODS: The EADES (Spanish version) was administered to 232 Mexican university students from 18 to 29 years old. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. A test-retest evaluation was conducted with 75 participants. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha of EADES was 0.92; the interclass correlation coefficient was 0.88. Regarding BMI and EADES results, the subscale Emotion and Stress Related Eating was significantly associated with obesity (p = 0.026). Through factor analysis of the instrument, three factors were extracted and items that showed factor loading < 0.40 were eliminated. 40 items remained in the questionnaire. With regard to obesity and the 40-items version of the instrument, a statistically significance association was found for the total score (OR = 0.973, p = 0.020) and for the factor Self-confidence related to Emotional Eating component (OR = 0.940, p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: A good internal consistency and temporal stability of the Spanish version of the instrument were found; the 40-item EADES version was positively associated with obesity. This instrument could be useful in assessing emotional eating.

Introducción: la conducta alimentaria emocional se ha definido como el comer como respuesta a las emociones negativas y se ha asociado con el aumento de peso. El cuestionario Eating Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress Questionnaire (EADES, Conducta Alimentaria Relacionada a Emociones y Estrés), fue desarrollado para la identificación y evaluación de las conductas relacionas con la ingestión de alimentos como resultado del estrés y las emociones. Objetivo: analizar las características psicométricas de la versión en español del EADES e identificar la posible asociación entre los constructos que conforman el EADES con la presencia de obesidad en estudiantes universitarios mexicanos. Métodos: la versión traducida al español del EADES fue administrado a 232 estudiantes de 18 a 29 años. Se calculó el Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC). El análisis de confiabilidad ( test-retest) se llevó a cabo con 75 participantes. Resultados: el alfa de Cronbach de EADES en español fue de 0,92; el coeficiente de correlación intraclase fue de 0,88. Se observó una asociación significativa entre el puntaje del EADES, subescala Conducta Alimentaria Relacionada a Emociones y Estres, y el IMC (p = 0.026). Mediante el análisis de factores del intrumento, tres factores fueron extraídos, y los ítems que mostraron cargas factoriales < 0,400 fueron eliminados, lo que dio por resultado una versión reducida del EADES, la cual se conformó por 40 ítems. Con respecto a la obesidad y el instrumento reducido, se encontró una asociación estadísticamente significativa para la puntuación total (OR = 0,973, p = 0,020) y para el factor de Autoconfianza en la Conducta Alimentaria Emocional (OR = 0,940, p = 0,026). Conclusiones: se encontró una buena consistencia interna y estabilidad temporal del instrumento EADES en la versión en español; la versión reducida a 40-ítems se asoció positivamente con obesidad. Este instrumento puede ser útil para la evaluación de la conducta alimentaria emocional.

The relationship between sarcopenia,undernutrition, physical mobility and basic activities of daily living in a group of elderly women of Mexico City.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome, which affects the functional status and mobility of individuals. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of sarcopenia and undernutrition, and to assess the association between sarcopenia and mobility, and sarcopenia and basic activities of daily living (ADL) in a group of elderly women. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in patients attending a geriatric service at a government hospital in Mexico City. Sarcopenia was identified applying Baumgartner's equation by obtaining skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and undernutrition was diagnosed using mini-nutritional assessment instrument (MNA). The SENECA questionnaire and Katz index were used to evaluate mobility and ADL, respectively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: lineal regression models were constructed fitting SMI as a dependent variable and SENECA, and ADL scores as independent variables, adjusted for age. RESULTS: 90 women with a mean age of 78.2 (± 6.8) were studied. Undernutrition was identified in 15.5% of the patients. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 41.1%. Patients with sarcopenia presented a high prevalence of undernutrition (p < 0.001). Sarcopenia was associated with difficulty in climbing stairs (OR = 2.63, p = 0.03), adjusted for age. The mobility score was associated with sarcopenia, in the group without sarcopenia the mean score was 16.3, and with sarcopenia it was 18.3, (p = 0.04). Regarding ADL, 64.9% of the patients with intermediate independence and dependence had sarcopenia, while 35.1% with total independence presented sarcopenia (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The elder women with sarcopenia had a higher prevalence of undernutrition. Sarcopenia was associated with difficulties in mobility, particularly difficulties in climbing stairs.

Antecedentes: La sarcopenia es un síndrome geriátrico que afecta el estado funcional y la movilidad de los ancianos. Objetivo: Identificar la prevalencia de sarcopenia y desnutrición, y evaluar la asociación entre sarcopenia y movilidad, y sarcopenia y actividades básicas de la vida diaria (ABVD), en un grupo de mujeres ancianas. Sujetos y métodos: Un estudio de corte transversal, fue llevado a cabo en pacientes que asistían a un servicio de geriatría en un hospital público en la ciudad de México. La sarcopenia fue identificada aplicando la ecuación de Baumgartner para obtener el índice de masa muscular esquelética apendicular (IMEA) y la desnutrición fue diagnosticada usando la evaluación mínima del estado de nutrición (MNA). El cuestionario de SENECA y el índice de Katz fueron usados para evaluar movilidad y ABVD, respectivamente. Análisis estadístico: un modelo de regresión lineal fue construido usando IMEA como variable dependiente y SENECA, y la calificación de ABVD como variables independientes, ajustado por edad. Resultados: 90 mujeres con un promedio de edad de 78,2 (± 6,8) AÑOs fueron estudiadas. La desnutrición fue identificada en 15,5% de las pacientes. La prevalencia de sarcopenia fue de 41,1%. Las pacientes con sarcopenia presentaron una alta prevalencia de desnutrición (p < 0,001). La sarcopenia se asoció con dificultad para subir escaleras (OR = 2,63, p = 0,03), ajustada por edad. La movilidad se asoció con sarcopenia; en el grupo sin sarcopenia el promedio de la escala fue 16,3, y con sarcopenia 18,3, (p = 0,04). En relación a ABVD, 64,9% de las pacientes con independencia intermedia/dependencia tenía sarcopenia, mientras que 35,1% con independencia total presentó sarcopenia, (p < 0,001). Conclusiones: Las pacientes con sarcopenia tenían una mayor prevalencia de desnutrición. La sarcopenia se asoció con dificultad para la movilidad, particularmente subir escaleras.

Obesity, eating behaviour and mental health among university students in Mexico City.

INTRODUCTION: Psychological factors are important in the development of obesity; however these are frequently underestimated in intervention programs. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of mental health with altered eating behavior related to weigh gain, and with abdominal obesity among college students in order to provide more comprehensive guidelines for intervention programs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 1,122 university students (from a total population of 1,820 freshmen students) at the Metropolitan Autonomous University, Mexico City. Body mass index and waist circumference (WC) were recorded. A six items questionnaire was applied to assess altered eating behavior. Self-reported questionnaires for depression (Beck Depression Inventory), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder Scale of Carrol and Davidson), and impulsiveness symptoms (Plutchik Impulsivity Scale) were used. Multiple logistic regression models were performed. RESULTS: An increased WC was associated with depression symptoms (OR=1.4), female sex (OR=1.5), and age (OR=1.1). Students with altered eating behaviors showed elevated levels of impulsivity (e.g. have difficulties to stop eating, OR=4.2) and depression (e.g. have problem to eat at regular times, OR=6.98). In addition, higher WC was associated with female sex, parents' obesity, and unhealthy eating behaviors (e.g. have difficulties to stop eating, OR=1.42; and constantly feel hungry, and eat too much, OR=2.25). CONCLUSIONS: Although preventive programs directed at development of adequate eating habits and physical activity are considered a key component of intervention programs, strategies for the management of emotions, the promotion of positive mood and impulsivity-reduction techniques are a necessary complement for a comprehensive approach to overweight and obesity.

Introducción: Los factores psicológicos son importantes en el desarrollo de la obesidad; sin embargo, éstos se subestiman con frecuencia en los programas de intervención. Objetivo: Analizar la asociación entre salud mental y conductas alimentarias alteradas en relación con el sobrepeso y la obesidad abdominal entre estudiantes universitarios con el fin de proporcionar directrices más amplias para los programas de intervención. Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado con 1.122 estudiantes universitarios (de una población total de 1 820 estudiantes del primer año) de la Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Ciudad de México. Se registraron el índice de masa corporal y la circunferencia de la cintura (CC). Se aplicó un cuestionario para evaluar alteraciones de la conducta alimentaria . Se utilizaron cuestionarios de auto-reporte para la identificación de depresión (Inventario de Depresión de Beck), la ansiedad (trastorno de ansiedad general Escala de Carrol y Davidson), y los síntomas de impulsividad (Escala de Impulsividad Plutchik). Se realizaron modelos de regresión logística múltiple. Resultados: Un aumento del CC se asoció con síntomas de depresión (OR = 1,4), el sexo femenino (OR = 1,5) y la edad (OR = 1,1). Los estudiantes con conductas alimentarias alteradas mostraron niveles elevados de impulsividad (por ejemplo, tienen dificultades para dejar de comer, OR = 4,2) y la depresión (por ejemplo, tienen problemas para comer a horas regulares, OR = 6,98). Además, el aumento de CC se asoció con el sexo femenino, la obesidad de los padres, y los comportamientos alimenticios poco saludables (por ejemplo, tienen dificultades para dejar de comer, OR = 1,42, y constantemente se siente hambre y comer en exceso, OR = 2,25). Conclusiones: A pesar de que los programas de prevención dirigidos a desarrollo de hábitos alimentarios adecuados y la actividad física son considerados un componente clave de los programas de intervención, estrategias para el manejo de las emociones, la promoción del estado de ánimo positivo y técnicas de reducción de la impulsividad son un complemento necesario para un enfoque integral del tratamiento del sobrepeso y la obesidad.