Profile of the Health and Nutritional Status of Older Adults in Mexico. 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey.

BACKGROUND: The health and nutritional conditions of older adults in Mexico are heterogeneous. The prevalence of chronic noncommunicable diseases is elevated with disparities in functionality and socioeconomic inequities. OBJECTIVES: To obtain updated information of the health and nutritional profile of older adults in Mexico in a national representative sample. METHODS: Information was obtained from 6,687 60 years and older adults from the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT 2012). An index defining the status of «healthy adult¼ was constructed taking into account the variables of independence in performing activities of daily living (ADL), based on the development by Katz, instrumental ADL, no chronic diseases, nonsmoker and no active use of alcohol. Tables of frequencies and proportions were constructed and expanded to describe the general characteristics and nutritional status of the adult Mexican population. A logistic regression model was used to study changes in the probability of being classified as a healthy adult with respect to different variables of interest. Probabilities using the delta method were estimated to establish 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: In this study 12.2% of the older adults, were classified as healthy. The logistic regression model adjusted for the variables included in the study shows that the interaction of age and gender is significant (P = 0.068), where the probability of healthy adult status decreases in women with ageing and remains stable for men. Also, living in the southern region of the country significantly decreases the probability of healthy adult status (P = 0.001). Gender of the older adult was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: In Mexico, the health conditions of older adults are deficient. Public policies need to be generated that are directed at this population group and will translate into self-care actions in the early stages of life so as to guarantee a healthy future.

El subsidio a la tortilla en México: un programa nutricional o económico? / The tortilla subsidy in Mexico: a nutritional or economic program?

To evaluate the impact of the tortilla subsidy on the family food consumption, on its economy and on the nutritional condition of women and under five children, from three marginal zones, with the purpose of focus nutritional interventions. Fifty families were randomly selected in each one of three similar low income sectors of the Oaxaca city. One received subsidy, other has never received it and the third received it five years ago but not at present. Anthropometry was performed in all women of reproductive age and children under five years old. In the first BMI was the indicator used and in children weight for age with two standard deviations was the cut-off point. The tortilla represents between 13.6 per cent to 20 per cent of the family expenditure. Anyhow the energy, protein and some nutrient consumption was higher. The malnutrition index was better in the subsidy community as 12.0 per cent of under five children were low weight for age against 19.2 per cent in the other two communities. The tortilla family expenditure represents 45 per cent of their income and the subsidy reduces it 9 per cent, surely this help a better nutrient consumption and improves the nutritional condition of the poor and marginated urban sectors of the society.

[Child malnutrition in the Mexican rural setting]. / La desnutrición infantil en el medio rural mexicano.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nutritional status of the infantile population in rural Mexico, compare it with previous data and situate the most affected areas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 38,232 families, from 855 randomly selected communities. Anthropometry was obtained from 31,601 children under five years of age and analysis was performed considering the reference values of weight/age, weight/height and height/age. RESULTS: Overall malnutrition affects 42.7 of children according to weight/age indicator (CI = 1.9%). Moderate and severe malnutrition 22 years ago was 17.4% and now these affect 19.3%. Further data show that 55.9% are malnourished according to height/age, and 18.9% according to weight/height. CONCLUSIONS: The ENAL 96 shows that malnutrition is still a severe national problem which has not improved in the last 22 years. The areas of highest prevalence are the southern states which have mostly Indian population.

[Guides for food and nutrition. A didactic proposal]. / Guías de alimentación y nutrición. Una propuesta didáctica.

The nutritional habits are changing, and compromising in a lot of cases the health of the population. A preventive measurement is to educate in the eating manners and the hygienic orientation, since both are essential in order to change eating attitudes and habits. The purpose of these guides was to aid in the training of health workers as well as to orient the Mexican population in improving their eating habits and nutrition. These guides were prepared taking into account the social and cultural characteristics of the population and were based on educational methodology of participation, with the intention of adapting them to each population group. Initially a critical analysis of the diverse material and methods used in nutritional education of urban and rural populations, was carried out and a lack of systematized methods and existent content was observed. Thus, the development of a didactic integral proposal of the nutritional education was considered necessary. The guides contain eleven modules with the most excellent information on nutrition during the life's cycle, hygienic handling and conservation of the foods. Each module contains ideas for the instructors and examples of exercises that they could propose to the population. Didactic units or guides with similar structures were designed conformated by introduction, basic concepts, educational content, bibliography, suggestions for further reading and techniques. The guides were included in a practical manual of easy use designed for health care working with public, including the educationally. The material has been used as an aid in diet and nutrition programs in Mexico and in courses proportionated to general public, where the result of the effectiveness learning index was 89%. The results obtained demonstrate the efficacy of these guides and suggest a longer term prospective study to determine real impact of our proposal.

[Child malnutrition in the Mexican rural environment: an analysis of national nutrition surveys]. / La desnutrición infantil en el medio rural mexicano: análisis de las encuestas nacionales de alimentación.

The national food surveys of 1974, 1979 and 1989 were analysed in order to evaluate the levels and tendencies of the malnutrition prevalence in children one to five years old. The malnutrition prevalence maintained its level with minor changes: it increased from 49 to 53 per cent in the group with -1 SD, and from 17 to 19 per cent in those with -2 SD, in relation with the WHO [correction of OMS]-NCHS standards. If the information is analysed by social sectors, it is possible to conclude that the apparent stability is due to a process of nutritional polarization: the areas that had lower figures improved as the poor and Indian areas with high prevalence of initial malnutrition deteriorated even more.