Self-Reported Nutritional Status and Breakfast Characterization in Latin American University Students.

OBJECTIVE: To associate breakfast consumption frequency with self-reported nutritional status and dietary patterns of Latin American university students by human development. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, multicenter observational study. University students from 11 Latin American countries (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Paraguay, Panama and Uruguay) were invited to participate by answering an online self-administered questionnaire on food consumption and sociodemographic indicators, associations were investigated using logistic regression. RESULTS: The logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between breakfast consumption and the crude model, models 2 and 3 in countries with very high and upper-middle/high human development. However, after adjustment in the most comprehensive model, the association is no longer statistically significant. In the fully adjusted model of the variables, a significant relationship was observed between breakfast consumption and both healthy and unhealthy dietary patterns. Specifically, students who typically consume breakfast exhibit greater consumption of oatmeal and fruits, as well as healthier dinner choices. Conversely, they exhibit lower consumption of fast food, sugary drinks, and juices. In particular, in highly developed countries, along with the mentioned foods, consumption of dairy was linked to breakfast consumption in a positive way, while alcohol consumption was negatively associated. CONCLUSION: University students who eat breakfast on a regular basis maintain a healthier diet in comparison to those who do not, irrespective of their country's level of human development.

Asociación entre sueño insuficiente, cambio en el tamaño de lasporciones, patrones alimentarios y sobrepeso/obesidad enestudiantes latinoamericanos / Association between insufficient sleep, change in portion size, eating patterns and overweight/obesity in latin american students

Fundamentos: El sueño es una función biológica de vital importancia ya que interviene en múltiples procesosbiológicos como la regulación energética, estando asociada una mala calidad y/o cantidad de sueño con elsobrepeso y la obesidad. El objetivo fue identificar la asociación de sueño insuficiente con cambios en el tamaño delas porciones, patrones alimentarios y sobrepeso/obesidad en estudiantes universitarios de América Latina.Métodos: Estudio transversal y multicéntrico. A los estudiantes, utilizando un cuestionario on-line, se les consultósobre su alimentación, horas de sueño, peso y estatura y otras variables sociodemográficas.Resultados: El estudio incluyó a 4.880 estudiantes, mayoritariamente mujeres (73,8%), la regresión no mostróasociaciones entre sueño insuficiente con estado nutricional y aumento del tamaño de las porciones de alimentos.En el modelo 3 (mayor ajuste) se observó que el sueño insuficiente se asoció con el consumo de infrecuente dedesayuno OR:1,22 (IC 95% 1,07-1,40) y frutas OR:1,16 (IC 95% 1,01-1,33), y no realizar actividad física OR:1,18(IC95% 1,03-1,34). Por otro lado, hubo asociaciones protectoras frente al sueño insuficiente como pertenecer alsexo femenino OR: 0,86 (IC 95% 0,74-0,99) y ser estudiantes de carreras de la salud OR:0,64 (IC 95% 0,56-0,73).Conclusiones: El estudio revela que el sueño insuficiente en estudiantes universitarios se asocia con no desayunartodos los días y consumir insuficiente fruta.(AU)

Background: Sleep is a biological function of vital importance since it intervenes in multiple biological processessuch as energy regulation, with poor quality and/or quantity of sleep being associated with overweight and obesity.The objective was to identify the association of insufficient sleep with changes in portion sizes, eating patterns andoverweight/obesity in university students in Latin America.Methods: Cross-sectional, multicenter study. Students, using an online questionnaire, were asked about their diet,hours of sleep, weight and height, and other sociodemographic variables.Results: The study included 4,880 students, mostly women (73.8%). The regression showed no association betweeninsufficient sleep with nutritional status and increased food portion size. In model 3 (higher adjustment), it wasobserved that insufficient sleep was associated with infrequent consumption of breakfast OR:1.22 (95% CI 1.07-1.40) and fruits OR:1.16 (95% CI 1.01-1.33), and no physical activity OR: 1.18 (95% CI 1.03-1.34), on the other handthere were protective associations against insufficient sleep such as belonging to the female sex OR: 0.86 (95% CI0.74-0.99) and being students of health careers OR:0.64 (95% CI 0.56-0.73).Conclusions: The study reveals that insufficient sleep in university students is associated with not eating breakfastevery day and insufficient fruit consumption.(AU)

[Diet and body weight at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico]. / Alimentación y peso corporal al inicio de la pandemia por COVID-19 en México.

Background: Weight changes in adults have strong repercussions on people's health status. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these changes could be more evident due to the mandatory confinement, as well as eating habits and lifestyle. In this study, changes in diet and body weight in Mexican population at the beginning of COVID-19 lockdown period (weeks 4-7) were evaluated using an online survey. Objective: To identify the characteristics of the diet and the perceived change in body weight at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. Material and methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study of 1281 people over 18 years of age, electronic survey in weeks 4-7 of confinement with sociodemographic data, food consumption and perception of body weight. Results: The change in food consumption was 53.9%, finding differences according to gender in beverages (carbonated, juices, alcoholic), coffee/tea, fruits, legumes (p < 0.05). The perception of body weight increases by 3.4 (increased) and 2.1 (lowered) times more than the risk of change in diet. Conclusions: The dietary differences refer to a tendency to the type of food consumed, mainly sugary drinks, with the perception of changes in positive body weight in women.

Introducción: los cambios de peso corporal tienen fuertes repercusiones en el estado de salud de las personas. Durante la pandemia, estos cambios podrían verse más pronunciados debido al confinamiento obligatorio, así como a los malos hábitos alimentarios y al estilo de vida. En este estudio se examinaron los cambios en la alimentación y el peso corporal en población mexicana durante el inicio de la pandemia por COVID-19 (semanas 4-7 de confinamiento) mediante una encuesta en línea. Objetivo: identificar las características de la alimentación y el cambio percibido del peso corporal al inicio de la pandemia por COVID-19 en México. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo, transversal, de 1281 personas mayores de 18 años, mediante encuesta electrónica en las semanas 4-7 de confinamiento, con datos sociodemográficos, consumo alimentario y percepción del peso corporal. Resultados: el cambio de consumo de alimentos fue del 53.9%, encontrando diferencias según sexo en bebidas (carbonatadas, jugos, alcohólicas), café/té, frutas, leguminosas (p < 0.05). La percepción del peso corporal incrementó en 3.4 (subieron) y 2.1 (bajaron) veces más el riesgo de cambio en la alimentación. Conclusiones: las diferencias alimentarias refieren una tendencia al tipo de alimentos que consumen, principalmente bebidas ricas en azúcares, con percepción de cambios en el peso corporal positivo en mujeres.

Gut microbiota, malnutrition, and immunity: COVID-19's confounding triad.

The coronavirus disease has swept the world, bringing scientists from multiple disciplines together to work on a focused cause. In this forum, we discuss different roles that microbiota, malnutrition, and immunity have on severity of coronavirus disease and the importance of studying them from a gut-systemic perspective using multi-omics approaches.

A Descriptive Qualitative Study of the Perceptions of Regulatory Authorities, Parents, and School Canteen Owners in the South of Ecuador about the Challenges and Facilities Related to Compliance with the National Regulation for School Canteens.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Ecuadorian school population continues to increase. An important factor in children's nutrition is the food offered in school canteens. The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of the challenges faced by and facilities of school canteens in the provinces of southern Ecuador in terms of complying with national regulations. For this qualitative descriptive study, semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2021 with six school canteen owners, six school directors, five health experts, and seven parents of children attending school from three provinces, Cañar, Azuay, and Morona Santiago, in Ecuador. The data were transcribed and subsequently analyzed in ATLAS ti. The participants indicated several challenges to comply with the regulations of school canteens, such as the expenses generated by them, the lack of control of street food vendors in the surroundings of the schools, and the lack of trained personnel. Regarding the facilities, they highlighted that the regulation for cleaning and hygiene are more easily fulfilled. Standards and control of the food stipend in school canteens are required to ensure a supply of healthy food for the children. Multiple challenges and strategies are proposed to improve the eating habits of the school population and to improve the nutrition of schoolchildren.

Asociación entre consumo de alcohol y exceso de peso entre estudiantes universitarios de América Latina

Introducción: El sobrepeso y la obesidad son problemas de salud pública de nivel mundial. Si bien existe información respecto al consumo de alcohol en estudiantes universitarios durante la pandemia, pocos autores han señalado la asociación entre este hábito y el exceso de peso en esta población. El objetivo fue determinar la asociación entre el consumo de alcohol y el exceso de peso en estudiantes universitarios de 10 países de Latinoamérica durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio transversal y multicéntrico con 4.539 estudiantes universitarios matriculados en diez países de América Latina. Para la valoración del consumo de alcohol se utilizó la pregunta ¿Consumes bebidas alcohólicas? (1 porción 1 vaso de 200 ml). El índice de masa corporal (IMC) se determinó a partir del peso y la altura auto informado. Para determinar si el exceso de peso (IMC ≥25 kg/m2) estaba asociado con el consumo de alcohol, se utilizó un análisis de regresión logística, ajustado por edad, sexo, año de estudio, nivel socioeconómico, actividad física y tabaquismo. Resultados: Entre los estudiantes con estado nutricional normal, un 59,6% no consumía alcohol, mientras entre los que presentaban un exceso de peso era un 55,1%. Los estudiantes que consumían 2 o más porciones de alcohol al día tenían 2,18 veces más riesgo de tener exceso de peso (OR: 2.18 [95% IC: 1,26 a 3,77]), comparado con aquellos que no consumían alcohol. Conclusión: Se observó que aquellos estudiantes que consumieron más alcohol tuvieron más probabilidades de tener exceso de peso.

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are public health problems worldwide. Alcoholic beverages could increase total energy intake causing an increase in body weight. However, few authors have pointed out the association between this habit and excess weight in this population. The objective of this study was to determine the association between alcohol consumption and excess weight in university students from 10 Latin American countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: A cross-sectional and multicenter study was carried out with 4,539 university students enrolled in ten Latin American countries. To assess alcohol consumption, the question Do you consume alcoholic beverages? (1 portion 1 glass of 200 ml). Body mass index (BMI) kg/m2 was determined from self-reported weight and height. To determine if excess weight was associated with alcohol consumption, a logistic regression analysis was used, adjusted for age, sex, year of study, socioeconomic level, physical activity, and smoking. Results: Among students with normal nutritional status, 59.6% did not consume alcohol, while among those with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 it was 55.1%. Students who consumed 2 or more servings of alcohol per day had a 2.18 times greater risk of being overweight (OR: 2.18 [95% CI: 1.26 to 3.77]), compared with those who did not consume alcohol. Conclusion: It was observed that those students who consumed more alcohol were more likely to be overweight.

Estado nutricional de los adultos ecuatorianos y su distribución según las características sociodemográficas. Estudio transversal / Nutritional status in Ecuadorian adults and its distribution according to socio-demographic characteristics. A cross-sectional study

Introducción: el 30 % de la población mundial presenta actualmente problemas de sobrepeso y obesidad, mientras que en Ecuador la incidencia es del 64,68 %. La identificación de grupos poblacionales más vulnerables al sobrepeso y la obesidad es un tema básico para establecer mejores políticas públicas. Objetivo: identificar a los grupos poblacionales con riesgo de sobrepeso y obesidad según determinantes sociodemográficos (etnia, estado civil, pobreza y edad). Métodos: estudio transversal. Se analizaron los datos de 89.212 adultos de ambos sexos provenientes del estudio ENSANUT-EC 2018. Se utilizó el índice de masa corporal (IMC) para evaluar la prevalencia del sobrepeso y la obesidad, y se realizó un análisis de regresión lineal múltiple para relacionar el IMC con los determinantes sociodemográficos. Resultados: las mujeres presentaron en promedio 1,03 kg/m2 más que los hombres y el IMC se elevó 0,04 kg/m2 por cada año de edad. En relación al estado civil, los casados presentaron 1,14 kg/m2 más que los solteros. Tomando en cuenta los quintiles de pobreza y al q1 como categoría de referencia, los quintiles 2, 3 y 4 mostraron un IMC mayor en 0,65, 0,88, 0,77 y 0,41 kg/m2, respectivamente (p < 0,001). En cuanto a la etnia, los indígenas presentaron un IMC 0,78 kg/m2 menor que el de los blancos; los montubios y los afroamericanos presentaron 0,37 y 0,61 kg/m2, respectivamente, más que los blancos. Las personas que residen en el área urbana presentan 0,41 kg/m2 más que los residentes del área rural. Conclusiones: identificamos grupos de mayor riesgo nutricional, como las mujeres y las personas casadas, para el sobrepeso y la obesidad, mientras que los indígenas y las personas más pobres tienen riesgo de bajo peso, lo que indica que en Ecuador los adultos presentan problemas tanto de exceso como de déficit. Es necesaria la implementación de políticas dirigidas a grupos poblacionales especificos. (AU)

Introduction: 30 % of the world population currently has overweight and obesity problems, while in Ecuador this is 64.68 %. The identification of population groups more vulnerable to overweight and obesity is a basic issue to establish better public policies.Objective: to identify the population groups at risk of overweight and obesity according to socio-demographic determinants (ethnicity, marital status, poverty and age).Methods: a cross-sectional study. Data from 89,212 adults of both sexes were analyzed. Body mass index (BMI) was used to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and multiple linear regression analysis was performed to relate BMI to sociodemographic determinants.Results: women had an average of 1.03 kg/m2 more than men, and BMI rose by 0.04 kg/m2 for each year of age. In relation to marital status, married people presented 1.14 kg/m2 more than single people. Taking into account the poverty quintiles and q1 as a reference category, quintiles 2, 3 and 4 showed a higher BMI of 0.65, 0.88, 0.77 and 0.41 kg/m2, respectively (p < 0.001). Regarding ethnicity, indigenous people had a BMI 0.78 kg/m2 less than whites; Montubios and Afro-Americans had 0.37 and 0.61 kg/m2, respectively, more than whites. People residing in the urban area present 0.41 kg/m2 more than the residents in the rural area.Conclusions: we identified groups of higher nutritional risk such as women and married people for overweight and obesity, while indigenous people and the poorest people were at risk for low weight, which indicates that in Ecuador adults have problems of both excess and deficit. It is necessary to implement policies aimed at specific population groups. (AU)

[Nutritional status in Ecuadorian adults and its distribution according to socio-demographic characteristics. A cross-sectional study]. / Estado nutricional de los adultos ecuatorianos y su distribución según las características sociodemográficas. Estudio transversal.

Introduction: Introduction: 30 % of the world population currently has overweight and obesity problems, while in Ecuador this is 64.68 %. The identification of population groups more vulnerable to overweight and obesity is a basic issue to establish better public policies. Objective: to identify the population groups at risk of overweight and obesity according to socio-demographic determinants (ethnicity, marital status, poverty and age). Methods: a cross-sectional study. Data from 89,212 adults of both sexes were analyzed. Body mass index (BMI) was used to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and multiple linear regression analysis was performed to relate BMI to sociodemographic determinants. Results: women had an average of 1.03 kg/m2 more than men, and BMI rose by 0.04 kg/m2 for each year of age. In relation to marital status, married people presented 1.14 kg/m2 more than single people. Taking into account the poverty quintiles and q1 as a reference category, quintiles 2, 3 and 4 showed a higher BMI of 0.65, 0.88, 0.77 and 0.41 kg/m2, respectively (p < 0.001). Regarding ethnicity, indigenous people had a BMI 0.78 kg/m2 less than whites; Montubios and Afro-Americans had 0.37 and 0.61 kg/m2, respectively, more than whites. People residing in the urban area present 0.41 kg/m2 more than the residents in the rural area. Conclusions: we identified groups of higher nutritional risk such as women and married people for overweight and obesity, while indigenous people and the poorest people were at risk for low weight, which indicates that in Ecuador adults have problems of both excess and deficit. It is necessary to implement policies aimed at specific population groups.

Introducción: Introducción: el 30 % de la población mundial presenta actualmente problemas de sobrepeso y obesidad, mientras que en Ecuador la incidencia es del 64,68 %. La identificación de grupos poblacionales más vulnerables al sobrepeso y la obesidad es un tema básico para establecer mejores políticas públicas. Objetivo: identificar a los grupos poblacionales con riesgo de sobrepeso y obesidad según determinantes sociodemográficos (etnia, estado civil, pobreza y edad). Métodos: estudio transversal. Se analizaron los datos de 89.212 adultos de ambos sexos provenientes del estudio ENSANUT-EC 2018. Se utilizó el índice de masa corporal (IMC) para evaluar la prevalencia del sobrepeso y la obesidad, y se realizó un análisis de regresión lineal múltiple para relacionar el IMC con los determinantes sociodemográficos. Resultados: las mujeres presentaron en promedio 1,03 kg/m2 más que los hombres y el IMC se elevó 0,04 kg/m2 por cada año de edad. En relación al estado civil, los casados presentaron 1,14 kg/m2 más que los solteros. Tomando en cuenta los quintiles de pobreza y al q1 como categoría de referencia, los quintiles 2, 3 y 4 mostraron un IMC mayor en 0,65, 0,88, 0,77 y 0,41 kg/m2, respectivamente (p < 0,001). En cuanto a la etnia, los indígenas presentaron un IMC 0,78 kg/m2 menor que el de los blancos; los montubios y los afroamericanos presentaron 0,37 y 0,61 kg/m2, respectivamente, más que los blancos. Las personas que residen en el área urbana presentan 0,41 kg/m2 más que los residentes del área rural. Conclusiones: identificamos grupos de mayor riesgo nutricional, como las mujeres y las personas casadas, para el sobrepeso y la obesidad, mientras que los indígenas y las personas más pobres tienen riesgo de bajo peso, lo que indica que en Ecuador los adultos presentan problemas tanto de exceso como de déficit. Es necesaria la implementación de políticas dirigidas a grupos poblacionales especificos.

Healthy Lifestyle Habits in Latin American University Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Center Study.

Background: Deterioration in the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and healthy eating behavior due to the effect of COVID-19 lockdown has been reported. The aim of this study was to associate eating habits and HRQoL with physical activity behavior in Latin American university students during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Measured 4,859 university students with a mean age of 22.4 years and they were mostly female (73.7%) from 10 Latin American countries (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and, Peru). Eating habits were measured using a survey validated with other university students, HRQoL was assessments using the short version of the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF) scale and physical activity behavior with a dicotomous question based on the international recommendations for physical activity.Results: There is a higher complaince for all the international recommendations for healthy foods intake in the physically active group of students (p < 0.01), with the exception of alcohol and salt. In addition, physically active students presented a significantly higher HRQoL (p < 0.001) in all the dimensions analyzed when compared to physically inactive students.Conclusions: Latin American university students who are physically active are more likely to have a healthier eating behavior and a lower risk of a decreased HRQoL during COVID-19 pandemic.

Bodyweight change and its association with food and beverage consumption at the beginning COVID-19 confinement.

OBJECTIVES: SARS-CoV-2, a newly identified coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, has challenged health services and profoundly impacted people's lifestyles. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic on food consumption patterns and body weight in adults from 12 Ibero-American countries. METHODS: Multicentric, cross-sectional study. Data was collected using an online survey disseminated by social networks. The sample included 10 552 people from Spain and 11 Latin American countries who were selected by snowball sampling. RESULTS: While 38.50% of the sample reported weight gain, 16.90% reported weight lost. Weight change was associated with sex, age, country of residence, and education level. People who were not confined more often reported having maintained their weight in comparison to people who were confined. All Latin American countries showed an increased consumption of sweetened drinks, pastry products, fried foods, and alcoholic beverages during confinement. Consumption of eggs and dairy products was independent from body weight change. People who consumed more fruits and vegetables during confinement more often reported having lost weight. In contrast, body weight gain during confinement was associated with increased intake of sugary drinks, baked goods and pastries, pizza, fried foods, and alcoholic beverages. CONCLUSION: During COVID-19 confinement, the Latin American countries included in this study showed a change in their consumption patterns toward less healthy diets, which in turn was associated with an increase in the body weight of their population.

Quality of the diet during the COVID-19 pandemic in 11 Latin-American countries.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The confinement by COVID-19 has affected the food chain and environments, which added to factors such as anxiety, frustration, fear and stress have modified the quality of the diet in the population around the world. The purpose of this study was to explore diet quality during the COVID-19 pandemic in 11 Latin American countries. METHODOLOGY: Multicentric, cross-sectional study. An online survey was applied to residents of 11 Latin-American countries, during April and May 2020, when confinement was mandatory. Diet quality was evaluated using a validated questionnaire. RESULT: 10,573 people participated in the study. The quality of the food by country shows that Colombia presented the best quality, while Chile and Paraguay presented the lowest. When comparing the overall results of diet quality by gender, schooling and age, women, people with more schooling and people under 30 years of age, presented better diet quality. The regression model showed that the variables associated with diet quality were: age (df = 3, F = 4. 57, p < 0.001), sex (df = 1, F = 131.01, p < 0.001), level of education (df = 1, F = 38.29, p < 0.001), perception of weight change (df = 2, F = 135.31, p < 0.001), basis services (df = 1, F = 8.63, p = 0.003), and quarantine (df = 1, F = 12.14, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: It is necessary for governments to intervene to reverse these indicators, considering that inadequate feeding favors the appearance of no communicable diseases, which favor a higher risk of infection and worse prognosis with COVID-19.

Caracterización de patrones alimentarios al inicio de la pandemia por covid 19 en chile / Characterization of the dietary profile of the old adults in Ibero-american during of pandemic by COVID 19

Objetivo: Caracterizar el perfil alimentario de las Personas Mayores de Iberoamérica en tiempos de pandemia por COVID 19.Material y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico en 12 países de Iberoamérica, se aplicó una encuesta en línea que incluyó preguntas sociodemográficas y un cuestionario de Ingesta de Alimentos que incluyo la frecuencia de consumo para verduras, bebidas azucaradas, legumbres, lácteos y porción de los alimentos.Resultados: La muestra quedó conformada por 624 participantes, 72,1% (n= 450) de mujeres. El 54,7% de mujeres no consume bebidas azucaradas, en cambio en hombres un 54% consume al menos un vaso al día (p=0,012). El 35,6% de hombres consumieron ≥3 por semana legumbres versus el 23% mujeres (p=0,020). El 37,3% de las mujeres consumen ≥2 porciones diarias de lácteos, en hombres solo un 28,1% (p= 0,030). Las mujeres presentan un mayor consumo de verduras (44,7%, n= 201) respecto de los hombres (28,7%), (p=0,001). El 17,4% de la muestra total aumentó el tamaño de la porción de alimentos, sin do mayor en mujeres (p=0.005).Conclusión: Las mujeres presentan hábitos alimentarios más saludables que los hombres en base a frutas, verduras, por otra parte, la variación del tamaño se observa un incremento en especial en mujeres lo que puede relacionarse con el aumento de la obesidad.(AU)

Objective: To characterize the food profile of the OlderPeople of Ibero-America in times of the COVID 19 pandemic.Material and methods: Multicenter study in 12 Ibero-American countries, an online survey was applied thatincluded sociodemographic questions and a Food Intakequestionnaire that included the frequency of consumption forvegetables, sugary drinks, legumes, dairy products andportion of food.Results: The sample was made up of 624 participants,72.1% (n= 450) of women. 54.7% of women do not consumesugary drinks, while in men 54% consume at least one glassa day (p=0.012). 35.6% of men consumed ≥3 legumes perweek versus 23% of women (p=0.020). 37.3% of womenconsume ≥2 daily servings of dairy products, in men only28.1% (p= 0.030). Women have a higher consumption ofvegetables (44.7%, n= 201) compared to men (28.7%),(p=0.001). 17.4% of the total sample increased the size ofthe food portion, being higher in women (p=0.005).Conclusion: Women have healthier eating habits thanmen based on fruits, vegetables, on the other hand, thevariation in size increases, especially in women.(AU)

Body weight in relation to hours of sleep, and physical activity in Latin American university students during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Short sleep, physical inactivity, and being locked up are risk factors for weight gain. Objective: We evaluated weight gain according to sex, age, hours of sleep and physical activity in university students from 10 Latin American countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional and multicenter study (n = 4880). Results: The average age was 22.5 ± 4.4 years. 60.2% were currently locked up. 73.6% were women, 48.2% increased their body weight, 66% reported insufficient sleep hours, and 65.9% were inactive. Women gained more weight than men (73.2%) and younger students gained more weight (85.1%). Those who had insufficient sleep hours gained most weight (67.6%). Inactive participants gained most weight (74.7%). Students who have insufficient sleep are 21% more likely to have changes in body weight compared to students who have optimal sleep. Conclusion: The increase in body weight and its risk factors during confinement should be considered as emerging from public health.

Psychological factors of diet quality among rural populations of Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine the relationship between symptoms of anxiety and/or anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) and diet quality during confinement due to COVID-19 in rural populations in Latin America. METHODS: This was a multicentric, cross-sectional study. An online survey was applied, which included the Beck Anxiety Inventory, Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale for assessing the presence of anhedonia, the Food Intake Questionnaire and sociodemographic questions. RESULTS: The study included 10 552 people from 11 countries; 708 participants were living in rural areas. More than half of the participants were quarantined at the time of the survey. Diet quality was inversely associated with anhedonia (p<0.001) and anxiety (p=0.003). In addition, a healthier diet was associated with being female (p=0.030), having a higher level of education (p=0.008) and country of residence (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Among the rural population during the COVID pandemic, this study found a worse diet quality was associated with symptoms of anhedonia and anxiety, as well as lower level of education and being male. Proposals to improve the quality of the diet could include interventions aimed at people's mental health.

Consumo de bebidas azucaradas durante la pandemia por Covid-19 en doce países iberoamericanos: Un estudio transversal

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar el consumo de bebidas azucaradas (BA) durante el confinamiento por la pandemia por Covid-19 y su relación con factores sociodemográficos y dietéticos. Material y Métodos: Estudio multicéntrico. Fueron invitados a participar residentes en 12 países (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, España, Guatemala, México, Perú, Paraguay, Panamá y Uruguay) a quienes se les aplicó un cuestionario online de consumo de alimentos e indicadores sociodemográficos. Resultados: Se analizaron 10.573 cuestionarios. Con respecto al consumo de BA el 78,0% de las mujeres tuvieron un consumo bajo versus un 69,2% de los hombres. Por edad, las frecuencias de consumo de BA fueron similares según grupo etario. Por nivel educacional, un 13,4% personas con nivel universitario reportó un excesivo consumo de BA versus un 23,1% de personas de con nivel de educación primaria o básica (p<0,001). Por procedencia, urbano o rural, la frecuencia de consumo de BA fue similar. Según auto reporte un 19,0% aumento de peso por consumo excesivo de BA versus un 10,4% de aquellos que bajaron de peso (p<0,001). Cifras similares se encontró en auto reporte de cambio de tamaño de porción, un 19,3% que aumentaron su porción consumieron BA en exceso versus un 10,0% que disminuyeron el tamaño de porción. Finalmente, en un modelo de regresión: ser de sexo masculino, tener entre 40 y 59 años, nivel académico primario, el aumento de peso y presentar cambios en la dieta, aumentaron la probabilidad de tener un nivel alto de consumo BA. Conclusión: el consumo de BA en general es bajo, pero relevantemente excesivo en algunos grupos de las variables de estudio, además existe una relación entre el consumo de BA y las variables estudiadas.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) during confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its relationship with sociodemographic and dietary factors. Material and Methods: Multicenter study. Citizens residing in 12 countries were invited to participate (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Paraguay, Panama, and Uruguay) to whom an online survey on food consumption and sociodemographic indicators was applied. Results: 10,573 questionnaires were analyzed. Regarding the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, 78.0% of women had low consumption versus 69.2% of men. Frequency of SSB consumption was similar according to age group. For education, 13.4% of people with a university-level education reported excessive consumption versus 23.1% of people with a primary or basic education level (p<0.001). The frequency of SSB consumption was similar by urban versus rural residence. According to self-report, 19.0% of weight gain was due to excessive consumption of SSB compared to 10.4% of those who lost weight (p<0.001). Similar figures were found in self-reported portion size change, 19.3% who increased their portion consumed SSB in excess versus 10.0% who decreased portion size. Finally, in a regression model: being a man, being between 40 and 59 years old, primary academic level, weight gain, and presenting changes in diet, increased the probability of having a high level of SSB consumption. Conclusion: The consumption of SSB, in general, is low but excessively relevant in some groups of the study variables, in addition, there is a relationship between the consumption of SSB and the variables studied.