[Food labeling in Ecuador: implementation, results, and pending actions]. / Etiquetado de alimentos en Ecuador: implementación, resultados y acciones pendientes.

Noncommunicable diseases are the world's leading cause of death, responsible for 38 million deaths in 2012. This epidemic is primarily associated with smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, and changes in dietary patterns, characterized by diets high in sugar and saturated fat, typical of processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, plus low intake of fruits and vegetables. Ecuador is no exception to this epidemiological profile or to changes in eating patterns. Thus, Ecuador's government designed and implemented an action plan aimed at changing the obesogenic environment, which includes six strategic lines. One of these is implementation of a traffic-light nutritional labeling system for processed foods, in late 2014, aimed at guaranteeing people's right to timely, clear, accurate, and non-deceptive information on the content and characteristics of these foods. This article analyzes implementation of processed food labeling and results to date, and proposes complementary measures needed to reach the goal in the National Plan for Good Living, in light of new scientific evidence and different agreements and regulatory frameworks in our Region. Methods included a literature and documentary review, key informant interviews, and analysis and processing of secondary sources.

[Child development in poor areas of Peru]. / Desarrollo infantil en zonas pobres de Perú.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to demonstrate the influence of several socioeconomic factors on the motor and language development of children under 5 from the baseline study conducted within the framework of the Joint Program for Children, Food Security, and Nutrition, implemented by five United Nations agencies across 65 districts in the departments of Loreto, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Apurímac, Peru. METHODS: Dichotomous logistic regression models were used to estimate the likelihood of achievement of motor and language milestones, while polynomial regression models were used to estimate the last milestone achieved and the number of milestones achieved. The study analyzes the influence that maternal education, urban vs. rural housing, and unmet basic needs have on the difference between actual results and expected results for age was analyzed. RESULTS: Children living in rural areas, those whose mothers had low educational attainment, and those from households with unmet basic needs exhibited poorer outcomes in the two areas of development assessed. As the number of risk factors increased, so did the developmental delay. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of child development and follow-up of families during the child-rearing process should be prioritized by health systems and social programs. The instruments used were sensitive to three criteria for validation.

Etiquetado de alimentos en Ecuador: implementación, resultados y acciones pendientes / Food labeling in Ecuador: implementation, results, and pending actions

Las enfermedades no transmisibles representan la principal causa de muerte en el mundo entero, siendo responsables de 38 millones de las defunciones registradas en 2012. Esta epidemia se asocia, principalmente, al tabaquismo, al consumo excesivo de alcohol, el sedentarismo y cambios en el patrón alimentario, caracterizado por el consumo de dietas con un elevado contenido de azúcar y grasas saturadas, propio de los alimentos procesados y bebidas azucaradas, sumado a una escasa ingesta de frutas y hortalizas. El Ecuador no escapa a ese perfil epidemiológico ni a los cambios en el patrón de consumo de alimentos, por lo cual, el Estado Ecuatoriano diseñó e implementó un plan de acción orientado a modificar el entorno obesogénico, que contempla seis líneas estratégicas, una de las cuales es la implementación de un sistema de etiquetado nutricional tipo semáforo a los alimentos procesados, a finales de 2014, orientado a garantizar el derecho de las personas a la información oportuna, clara, precisa y no engañosa sobre el contenido y características de estos alimentos. El presente artículo analiza el proceso de implementación del etiquetado de alimentos procesados, los resultados alcanzados hasta la fecha y propone medidas complementarias que se requieren para el logro de la meta prevista en el Plan Nacional del Buen Vivir, a la luz de la nueva evidencia científica y los distintos acuerdos y marcos regulatorios disponibles en nuestra Región. La metodología de estudio incluyó revisión bibliográfica y de actas, entrevistas a informantes clave, y análisis y procesamiento de fuentes secundarias.

Noncommunicable diseases are the world’s leading cause of death, responsible for 38 million deaths in 2012. This epidemic is primarily associated with smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, and changes in dietary patterns, characterized by diets high in sugar and saturated fat, typical of processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, plus low intake of fruits and vegetables. Ecuador is no exception to this epidemiological profile or to changes in eating patterns. Thus, Ecuador’s government designed and implemented an action plan aimed at changing the obesogenic environment, which includes six strategic lines. One of these is implementation of a traffic-light nutritional labeling system for processed foods, in late 2014, aimed at guaranteeing people’s right to timely, clear, accurate, and non- deceptive information on the content and characteristics of these foods. This article analyzes implementation of processed food labeling and results to date, and proposes complementary measures needed to reach the goal in the National Plan for Good Living, in light of new scientific evidence and different agreements and regulatory frameworks in our Region. Methods included a literature and documentary review, key informant interviews, and analysis and processing of secondary sources.

Desarrollo infantil en zonas pobres de Perú / Child development in poor areas of Peru / Desenvolvimento infantil em áreas pobres do Peru

Objetivos. El objetivo del estudio fue mostrar la influencia de varios factores socioeconómicos en el desarrollo motor y del lenguaje de los niños menores de 5 años a partir del estudio de línea de base realizado en el marco del Programa Conjunto de Infancia, Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición, implementado por cinco agencias de Naciones Unidas en 65 distritos de los departamentos de Loreto, Ayacucho, Huancavelica y Apurímac de Perú. Métodos. Se aplicaron modelos de regresión logística dicotómica para estimar la probabilidad de adquisición de los hitos motores y del lenguaje, y modelos de regresión polinomial para estimar el último hito y el número de hitos alcanzados. Se analizó la influencia de la educación de la madre, la ubicación de la vivienda (urbana o rural) y las necesidades básicas insatisfechas, sobre la diferencia entre el resultado alcanzado y el esperado para la edad. Resultados. Los niños de áreas rurales, hijos de madres con baja escolaridad y pertenecientes a hogares con necesidades básicas insatisfechas exhiben valores más bajos en las dos áreas del desarrollo. El retraso se incrementa al aumentar el número de condiciones de riesgo. Conclusiones. La evaluación del desarrollo y el acompañamiento a las familias en el proceso de crianza de los niños debe ser priorizado por los sistemas de salud y los programas sociales. Los instrumentos utilizados han sido sensibles a tres criterios de validación.

Objectives. The objective of the study was to demonstrate the influence of several socioeconomic factors on the motor and language development of children under 5 from the baseline study conducted within the framework of the Joint Program for Children, Food Security, and Nutrition, implemented by five United Nations agencies across 65 districts in the departments of Loreto, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Apurímac, Peru. Methods. Dichotomous logistic regression models were used to estimate the likelihood of achievement of motor and language milestones, while polynomial regression models were used to estimate the last milestone achieved and the number of milestones achieved. The study analyzes the influence that maternal education, urban vs. rural housing, and unmet basic needs have on the difference between actual results and expected results for age was analyzed. Results. Children living in rural areas, those whose mothers had low educational attainment, and those from households with unmet basic needs exhibited poorer outcomes in the two areas of development assessed. As the number of risk factors increased, so did the developmental delay. Conclusions. Evaluation of child development and follow-up of families during the child-rearing process should be prioritized by health systems and social programs. The instruments used were sensitive to three criteria for validation.

Objetivos. Examinar a influência de vários fatores socioeconômicos no desenvolvimento motor e da linguagem de crianças menores de cinco anos com base no estudo de referência realizado como parte do Programa Conjunto de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional de Crianças, implementado por cinco agências das Nações Unidas em 65 distritos das províncias de Loreto, Ayacucho, Huancavelica e Apurímac, no Peru. Métodos. Foram empregados modelos de regressão logística dicotômica para estimar a probabilidade de aquisição dos marcos de desenvolvimento motor e de linguagem, e modelos de regressão polinomial para estimar o último marco e o número de marcos alcançados. Foi analisada a influência do nível educacional materno, zona de moradia (urbana ou rural) e necessidades básicas não satisfeitas na diferença entre o resultado alcançado e o esperado para a idade. Resultados. As crianças de zonas rurais, filhos de mães com baixa escolaridade e pertencentes a domicílios com necessidades básicas não satisfeitas apresentam valores menores nas duas áreas do desenvolvimento estudadas. O atraso é maior à medida que aumenta o número de condições de risco. Conclusões. A avaliação do desenvolvimento e o acompanhamento das famílias no processo de criação infantil devem ser priorizados pelos sistemas de saúde e programas sociais. Os instrumentos usados mostraram ser sensíveis aos três critérios de validação.

Etiquetado de alimentos en Ecuador: implementación, resultados y acciones pendientes / Food labeling in Ecuador: implementation, results, and pending actions

RESUMEN Las enfermedades no transmisibles representan la principal causa de muerte en el mundo entero, siendo responsables de 38 millones de las defunciones registradas en 2012. Esta epidemia se asocia, principalmente, al tabaquismo, al consumo excesivo de alcohol, el sedentarismo y cambios en el patrón alimentario, caracterizado por el consumo de dietas con un elevado contenido de azúcar y grasas saturadas, propio de los alimentos procesados y bebidas azucaradas, sumado a una escasa ingesta de frutas y hortalizas. El Ecuador no escapa a ese perfil epidemiológico ni a los cambios en el patrón de consumo de alimentos, por lo cual, el Estado Ecuatoriano diseñó e implementó un plan de acción orientado a modificar el entorno obesogénico, que contempla seis líneas estratégicas, una de las cuales es la implementación de un sistema de etiquetado nutricional tipo semáforo a los alimentos procesados, a finales de 2014, orientado a garantizar el derecho de las personas a la información oportuna, clara, precisa y no engañosa sobre el contenido y características de estos alimentos. El presente artículo analiza el proceso de implementación del etiquetado de alimentos procesados, los resultados alcanzados hasta la fecha y propone medidas complementarias que se requieren para el logro de la meta prevista en el Plan Nacional del Buen Vivir, a la luz de la nueva evidencia científica y los distintos acuerdos y marcos regulatorios disponibles en nuestra Región. La metodología de estudio incluyó revisión bibliográfica y de actas, entrevistas a informantes clave, y análisis y procesamiento de fuentes secundarias.

ABSTRACT Noncommunicable diseases are the world’s leading cause of death, responsible for 38 million deaths in 2012. This epidemic is primarily associated with smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, and changes in dietary patterns, characterized by diets high in sugar and saturated fat, typical of processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, plus low intake of fruits and vegetables. Ecuador is no exception to this epidemiological profile or to changes in eating patterns. Thus, Ecuador’s government designed and implemented an action plan aimed at changing the obesogenic environment, which includes six strategic lines. One of these is implementation of a traffic-light nutritional labeling system for processed foods, in late 2014, aimed at guaranteeing people’s right to timely, clear, accurate, and non-deceptive information on the content and characteristics of these foods. This article analyzes implementation of processed food labeling and results to date, and proposes complementary measures needed to reach the goal in the National Plan for Good Living, in light of new scientific evidence and different agreements and regulatory frameworks in our Region. Methods included a literature and documentary review, key informant interviews, and analysis and processing of secondary sources.

Desarrollo infantil en zonas pobres de Perú / Child development in poor areas of Peru / Desenvolvimento infantil em áreas pobres do Peru

RESUMEN Objetivos El objetivo del estudio fue mostrar la influencia de varios factores socioeconómicos en el desarrollo motor y del lenguaje de los niños menores de 5 años a partir del estudio de línea de base realizado en el marco del Programa Conjunto de Infancia, Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición, implementado por cinco agencias de Naciones Unidas en 65 distritos de los departamentos de Loreto, Ayacucho, Huancavelica y Apurímac de Perú. Métodos Se aplicaron modelos de regresión logística dicotómica para estimar la probabilidad de adquisición de los hitos motores y del lenguaje, y modelos de regresión polinomial para estimar el último hito y el número de hitos alcanzados. Se analizó la influencia de la educación de la madre, la ubicación de la vivienda (urbana o rural) y las necesidades básicas insatisfechas, sobre la diferencia entre el resultado alcanzado y el esperado para la edad. Resultados Los niños de áreas rurales, hijos de madres con baja escolaridad y pertenecientes a hogares con necesidades básicas insatisfechas exhiben valores más bajos en las dos áreas del desarrollo. El retraso se incrementa al aumentar el número de condiciones de riesgo. Conclusiones La evaluación del desarrollo y el acompañamiento a las familias en el proceso de crianza de los niños debe ser priorizado por los sistemas de salud y los programas sociales. Los instrumentos utilizados han sido sensibles a tres criterios de validación.

ABSTRACT Objectives The objective of the study was to demonstrate the influence of several socioeconomic factors on the motor and language development of children under 5 from the baseline study conducted within the framework of the Joint Program for Children, Food Security, and Nutrition, implemented by five United Nations agencies across 65 districts in the departments of Loreto, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Apurímac, Peru. Methods Dichotomous logistic regression models were used to estimate the likelihood of achievement of motor and language milestones, while polynomial regression models were used to estimate the last milestone achieved and the number of milestones achieved. The study analyzes the influence that maternal education, urban vs. rural housing, and unmet basic needs have on the difference between actual results and expected results for age was analyzed. Results Children living in rural areas, those whose mothers had low educational attainment, and those from households with unmet basic needs exhibited poorer outcomes in the two areas of development assessed. As the number of risk factors increased, so did the developmental delay. Conclusions Evaluation of child development and follow-up of families during the child-rearing process should be prioritized by health systems and social programs. The instruments used were sensitive to three criteria for validation.

RESUMO Objetivos Examinar a influência de vários fatores socioeconômicos no desenvolvimento motor e da linguagem de crianças menores de cinco anos com base no estudo de referência realizado como parte do Programa Conjunto de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional de Crianças, implementado por cinco agências das Nações Unidas em 65 distritos das províncias de Loreto, Ayacucho, Huancavelica e Apurímac, no Peru. Métodos Foram empregados modelos de regressão logística dicotômica para estimar a probabilidade de aquisição dos marcos de desenvolvimento motor e de linguagem, e modelos de regressão polinomial para estimar o último marco e o número de marcos alcançados. Foi analisada a influência do nível educacional materno, zona de moradia (urbana ou rural) e necessidades básicas não satisfeitas na diferença entre o resultado alcançado e o esperado para a idade. Resultados As crianças de zonas rurais, filhos de mães com baixa escolaridade e pertencentes a domicílios com necessidades básicas não satisfeitas apresentam valores menores nas duas áreas do desenvolvimento estudadas. O atraso é maior à medida que aumenta o número de condições de risco. Conclusões A avaliação do desenvolvimento e o acompanhamento das famílias no processo de criação infantil devem ser priorizados pelos sistemas de saúde e programas sociais. Os instrumentos usados mostraram ser sensíveis aos três critérios de validação.