Co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors and their implications for mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a study with university students.

BACKGROUND: The university years are a critical period for young adults, as they are more exposed to obesogenic behaviors and experience stressful situations that compromise their mental health. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms and evaluate the association between the combined occurrence of obesogenic behaviors among university students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on students from a public university in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from July to August 2020 using an online questionnaire. The outcome variables (anxiety and depression symptoms) were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). The co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors was measured based on irregular consumption of fruits and vegetables, frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods, physical inactivity during leisure time, and sedentary behavior. A Venn diagram was used for the exploratory analysis. To verify the association between the outcome and explanatory variables, a directed acyclic graph model was constructed, and multivariate logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). RESULTS: A total of 1,353 students aged 18-24 years participated in this study. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were present in 46.1% and 54.6% of the participants, respectively. The most prevalent combination of obesogenic behaviors was frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods, physical inactivity during leisure time, and sedentary behavior (17.2%). The greater the number of simultaneous obesogenic behaviors, the higher the chance to present symptoms of anxiety [OR: 2.81 (95%CI: 1.77-4.46)] and depression [OR: 3.46 (95%CI: 2.20-5.43)]. CONCLUSION: These findings reinforce the need to take actions to promote mental health in the university environment in conjunction with programs to promote a healthy lifestyle and improve the physical and mental well-being of students.

Association between parental feeding styles, body mass index, and consumption of fruits, vegetables and processed foods with mothers´ perceptions of feeding difficulties in children.

BACKGROUND: Feeding difficulties (FDs) are complex phenomena influenced by parental factors, feeding behaviour, and cultural factors. However, studies of the influences of these factors on FDs incidence are scarce. Thus, this study aimed to identify the associations between mothers' perceptions of FDs in children and parental feeding styles, body mass index, and the consumption of fruits, vegetables and processed foods. METHOD: Two hundred and fifty-seven mothers of children aged 1 to 6 years and 11 months participated in this cross-sectional study and self-completed electronic questionnaires on sociographic variables, parental feeding styles, the consumption of fruits, vegetables and processed foods and FDs. Nutritional status was classified by body mass index (kg/m2). RESULTS: The prevalence of FDs in children was 48.2%, and the mean age was 43.8 (± 17.6) months. The indulgent parental feeding style was the most common (40.1%), followed by the authoritative (31.1%), authoritarian (23.7%), and uninvolved (5.1%) styles. An indulgent parental feeding style (OR: 4.66; 95% CI: 2.20-9.85), a high body mass index (OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.09-1.68), and the consumption of processed foods (OR: 5.21; 95% CI: 2.85-9.53) were positively associated with increased odds of the absence of FDs in children. The associations of authoritarian and uninvolved parental feeding styles and the consumption of fruits and vegetables with FDs in children were not significant. CONCLUSION: This study identified multiple factors that are possibly associated with feeding behaviours in young children. However, further studies need to be undertaken to evaluate how such behaviours affect FDs.

Asociación del consumo de frutas y vegetales con marcadores del estrés oxidativo e inflamación en adolescentes cubanos

Con el objetivo de identificar la relación entre el consumo de frutas y vegetales, los indicadores del estrés oxidativo e inflamación se realizó un estudio transversal con 39 adolescentes. De los indicadores del estrés oxidativo se determinaron en el suero sanguíneo el malondialdehído, los productos avanzados de la oxidación de proteínas y el poder reductor férrico y en eritrocitos el glutatión reducido y como indicador de inflamación el recuento leucocitario y el conteo diferencial. Se encontraron asociaciones significativas a través de los cuartiles del consumo de vegetales y frutas con el potencial reductor férrico y el glutatión reducido con aumento de ambos, así como, con el malondialdehído y los productos de la oxidación avanzada de proteínas, con disminución de estos. Se concluye que el mayor consumo de vegetales y frutas se asoció con variaciones en los biomarcadores de estrés oxidativo, con aumento de los indicadores de las defensas antioxidantes y disminución de los de daño oxidativo inflamatorio.

SUMMARY With the objective of identifying the relationship between the consumption of fruits and vegetables, the indicators of oxidative stress and inflammation, a cross-sectional study was carried out with 39 adolescents. Of the indicators of oxidative stress, malondialdehyde, advanced products of protein oxidation and ferric reducing power were determined in the blood serum, and reduced glutathione in erythrocytes and, as an indicator of inflammation, the leukocyte count and the differential count. Significant associations were found across the quartiles of vegetable and fruit consumption with ferric reducing potential and reduced glutathione with an increase in both, as well as with malondialdehyde and products of advanced protein oxidation, with a decrease in these. It is concluded that the greater consumption of vegetables and fruits was associated with variations in the biomarkers of oxidative stress, with an increase in the indicators of antioxidant defenses and a decrease in those of inflammatory oxidative damage.

Com o objetivo de identificar a relação entre o consumo de frutas e hortaliças, os indicadores de estresse oxidativo e inflamação, foi realizado um estudo transversal com 39 adolescentes. Dos indicadores de estresse oxidativo, malondialdeído, produtos avançados de oxidação de proteínas e poder redutor férrico foram determinados no soro sanguíneo, e glutationa reduzida em eritrócitos, e contagem de leucócitos e contagem diferencial foram indicadores de inflamação. Foram encontradas associações significativas entre os quartis de consumo de hortaliças e frutas com potencial redutor de ferro e glutationa reduzida com aumento de ambos, bem como com malondialdeído e produtos avançados de oxidação proteica, com diminuição destes. Conclui-se que o maior consumo de hortaliças e frutas esteve associado a variações nos biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo, com aumento dos indicadores de defesas antioxidantes e diminuição dos de dano oxidativo inflamatório.

Multiple health risk behaviors, including high consumption of ultra-processed foods and their implications for mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background and aim: The growing increase in diet- and behavior-related illnesses has drawn the attention of many epidemiologists who attribute such changes to the epidemiological and nutritional transition. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the association between the combined occurrence of health risk behaviors, such as sedentary lifestyles, high weekly consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), and non-daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, and symptoms of anxiety or depression in adults. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study based on an epidemiological survey in two Brazilian cities. The outcome, anxiety, and depression symptoms were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Food consumption was assessed using a qualitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) with reference to consumption in the last 3 months and categorized into the consumption of fruits and vegetables and the consumption of UPFs according to the NOVA classification. Sedentary behavior was assessed by considering the amount of sitting or reclining time per day reported by participants and categorized as less than 9 h of sitting or reclining and 9 h or more. For the analysis, adjusted Poisson regression (PR) was used to estimate the prevalence ratio and the 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Those with the health risk behaviors, non-daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, and high consumption of UPFs had a 2.6 higher prevalence ratio for symptoms of mental disorder (PR: 2.6 and 95%CI: 1.1-6.5), as well as those with all three health risk behaviors, had a 2.8 higher prevalence ratio for symptoms of mental disorder (PR: 2.8 and 95%CI: 1.3-6.1). Conclusion: This study revealed that the existence of a combination of two and three health risk behaviors led to a higher prevalence of symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Behaviors related to chronic non-communicable diseases development in university students

Abstract Introduction: The scientific literature has reported the trend of the impact of non- communicable diseases on public health, and therefore, the investment of resources that interfere in the development of a country. Objective: To identify the presence of specific behaviors associated with the development of chronic non-communicable diseases in university students, since they are a susceptible population to the modification of these tendencies. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on a 375 university students' sample. The stepwise method was applied to identify risk factors associated with the development of chronic non-communicable diseases. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were used to determine possible relationships between the variables studied. Results: The prevalence of tobacco use was 7.5%, frequent alcohol consumption was 91.5%, fruit intake was 96.3%, and vegetable intake was 95%. Additionally, only 48% of the sample practiced intense physical activity. Also, a relationship among the male sex, with the consumption of tobacco and the practice of low physical activity was found. Conclusions: Behaviors associated with chronic non-communicable diseases such as alcohol and tobacco consumption were identified in university students.

Aplicación y efectividad de un modelo educativo en hábitos saludables con entrega de fruta y programa de actividad física en escolares

RESUMEN El objetivo fue evaluar una intervención educativa en hábitos de alimentación saludable basada en el programa Colación BKN en pre-escolares y escolares entre los años 2013-2018. Diseño longitudinal con comparación de cortes trasversales en escolares de prekínder a cuarto año básico durante 4 años en 14 escuelas de la Región Metropolitana de Chile. El programa consistió en entrega de fruta como colación, educación alimentaria, mejora de la actividad física y kioscos escolares, con participación de profesores y familias. Como resultado se observó una mejoría de los conocimientos en alimentación saludable de los niños, con una excelente satisfacción de usuarios. Sobrepeso y obesidad se mantuvieron el 2016 y 2018, pero aumentaron el 2015 y 2017. En escuelas similares no intervenidas el exceso de peso fue mayor con respecto a las del programa. Hubo una tendencia a disminuir el consumo de dulces y bebidas azucaradas en prekínder y kínder entre 2014 y 2017 y el consumo de 3 porciones al día de frutas y verduras en niños intervenidos fue superior al promedio nacional de 2 porciones al día.Conclusiones: Hubo un aumento exitoso en el consumo de frutas y verduras, educación alimentaria y actividad física para el cambio hacia hábitos más saludables.

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate an educational intervention for healthy eating habits based on the Colación BKN program, among preschool and schoolchildren, carried out in 2013-2018. We conducted a longitudinal study with cross-sectional data among preschool and school-age children (up to the fourth grade) over four years in 14 schools in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. The intervention program consisted of fruit delivery, nutrition education and improvements in physical activity and school food kiosks, with active participation of teachers and parents. There was an improvement in knowledge of healthy foods in children and excellent user satisfaction. Overweight and obesity did not increase during 2016 and 2018, but increased in 2015 and 2017. In similar not-intervened schools there was an increase of overweight and obesity compared with Colación BKN schools. For food consumption, there was a decrease in consumption of candy and soft drinks in preschool students and all children consumed more than three portions of fruits and vegetables per day, which is greater than the national average of two portions per day in the general population. Conclusions: There was a successful increase in fruit and vegetable consumption with nutrition education and promotion of healthy habits, such as physical activity and healthy food consumption.

Factores asociados al consumo de frutas y verduras en Argentina: un estudio multinivel / Factors associated with the consumption of fruits and vegetables in Argentina: A multilevel study

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN Algunos estudios apuntan a una asociación entre la evolución de la prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles con los patrones alimentarios y la situación nutricional de la población. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir el consumo de frutas y verduras en Argentina y su asociación con factores socioeconómicos, demográficos y de actividad física, a nivel individual, provincial y regional. MÉTODOS Se utilizó un modelo multinivel, con información de la Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo (2013) y del Censo Nacional (2001 y 2010). RESULTADOS El modelo demostró que ser del sexo femenino, tener más años de edad, ingreso a partir de 4.501 pesos y nivel de instrucción secundario completo o más se asocia de manera positiva al consumo de estos alimentos. En contraste, estar separado/a, divorciado/a, viudo/a o soltero/a y practicar actividad física moderada o baja se asocia negativamente a la ingesta de frutas y verduras. El efecto de la variabilidad explicada a nivel provincial y regional resultó ser mínimo. CONCLUSIONES El trabajo se enmarca en una línea de estudios que señalan que los factores relacionados con la alimentación saludable están vinculados a los entornos sociales y físicos, principalmente a características socioeconómicas del grupo de pertenencia y al contexto en que se vive. En este sentido, sería importante contar con información con mayores niveles de desagregación.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Some studies show an association between the evolution of the prevalence of non-communicable chronic diseases with eating patterns and nutritional situation of the population. The purpose of this research was to describe fruit and vegetable consumption in Argentina and its association with socio-economic, demographic and physical activity factors at individual, provincial and regional levels. METHODS A multilevel model approach was used, with information provided in the Argentina National Survey of Risk Factors (2013) and National Census of Population (200! and 2010). RESULTS The model showed a positive association between fruit and vegetable consumption and being female, being older, having a monthly income over the ARS $450! threshold and having finished secondary school. In contrast, being separated, divorced, widowed or single, and practicing moderate or low physical activity were negatively associated with the intake of fruits and vegetables. The effect of the variability at provincial and regional level turned out to be minimal. CONCLUSIONS This work is part of a series of studies that link factors related to healthy eating with social and physical environments, mainly with socioeconomic characteristics of the peer group and its context. In this sense, it would be important to provide more disaggregated information.

Tu Salud, ¡Si Cuenta!: Exposure to a community-wide campaign and its associations with physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption among individuals of Mexican descent.

Mexican Americans along the US-Mexico border have been found to be disproportionately affected by chronic diseases particularly related to lack of physical activity and healthful food choices. A community-wide campaign (CWC) is an evidence-based strategy to address these behaviors but with few examples of implementation in Mexican descent populations facing profound health disparities. We examined exposure to a CWC, titled Tu Salud ¡Sí Cuenta!, and its association with meeting the recommended minutes of moderate and vigorous physical activity weekly and consuming more portions of fruits and vegetables daily. A cross-sectional sample of 1438 Mexican descent participants was drawn from a city-wide, randomly-selected cohort interviewed between the years 2008 and 2012. Multivariable comparisons of participants exposed and not exposed to the CWC and meeting physical activity guidelines or their fruit and vegetable consumptions using mixed effects models were conducted. The community-wide campaign components included different forms of mass media and individually-focused components such as community health worker (CHW) home visits. After adjusting for gender, age, marital status, educational attainment, language preference, health insurance, and diabetes diagnosis, the strongest association was found between meeting physical activity guidelines and exposure to both CHW discussions and radio messages (adjusted OR = 3.83; 95% CI = [1.28, 6.21]; p = 0.0099). Participants who reported exposure to both radio and TV messages consumed more portions of fruits and vegetables than those who reported no exposure (adjusted RR = 1.30; 95% CI = [1.02, 1.66]; p = 0.0338). This study provides insights into the implementation and behavioral outcomes associated with exposure to a community-wide campaign, a potential model for addressing lifestyle modifications in populations affected by health disparities.

Caracterización de hábitos relacionados con enfermedades crónicas en población universitaria de Honduras / Characterization of habits related to chronic diseases in the university population of Honduras

Objetivo: caracterizar por primera vez los principales hábitos relacionados con las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles en estudiantes universitarios. Método: estudio descriptivo transversal en una muestra estimada de 248 estudiantes entre indígenas y mestizos que ingresaron en 2012 en la Universidad Nacional de Agricultura, Honduras. Se contó con la aprobación del Comité de Ética del Instituto de Nutrición de Centroamérica y Panamá y con el consentimiento de los participantes. Se aplicó el cuestionario STEPS para recolectar información sociodemográfica, consumo de frutas, verduras, tabaquismo, alcoholismo y actividad física. Se realizó examen físico que incluyó toma de presión arterial, medida de la cintura, talla, peso y glucometría. Resultados: en la muestra, 139 (56,28 por ciento) eran hombres. La edad promedio fue de 21,5 años. El 22,22 por ciento tenía sobrepeso; 4,12 por ciento bajo peso y 3,29 por ciento obesidad; 12,75 por ciento declararon fumar y 53,5 por ciento consumir alcohol. En promedio, hombres y mujeres, consumían 1,6 y 1,1 porciones de frutas y verduras al día respectivamente. El 94,74 por ciento utilizaba bicicleta o caminaba al menos 10 minutos; 58,1 por ciento practicaba deportes. El 98 pior ciento tenía presión arterial normal y el 5,74 por ciento prediabetes (101-125 mg/dL en ayunas). Conclusiones: la población estudiantil lenca y otras etnias no se diferencian en su estado nutricional de los mestizos. La población posee factores protectores para las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles como actividad física y bajo consumo de tabaco, pero ingieren apenas frutas y verduras. Las mujeres participan menos en deportes(AU)

Objective: to characterize for the first time the main habits related to non-communicable chronic diseases in university students. Methods: a cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted in an estimated sample of 248 students from native and mixed groups, who joined the National University of Agriculture in 2012 in Honduras. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama. The participants gave their informed consent. The questionnaire STEPS was used for collecting socio-demographic information, data on consumption of fruits, vegetables, smoking, alcohol and physical activity. A physical examination including measurement of height, weight, waist, blood pressure and blood glucose levels was performed in all of them. Results: of the surveyed 248 students, 139 (56.28 percent) were men. The average age was 21.5 years and 63.71 percent of the participants had a monthly family income of less than US$255. In the group, 22.22 percent ere overweighed, 3.29 percent obese and 4.12 percent low weighed. Alcohol was taken by 53.5 percent and 12.75 percent were current smokers. An average of 1.6 and 1.1 portions of fruits and vegetables per day were consumed, respectively. In this sample, 94.74 percent rode a bicycle or walked at least 10 minutes a day; 58.1 percent played sports. Most of them (98 percent ad normal blood pressure and 5.74 percent howed pre-diabetic glucose levels (101-125 mg/dL on fasting). Conclusions: the lencas and other native groups were not important different in nutritional status from students of mixed race. The population has protective factors that prevent it from developing non communicable diseases like physical activity and low smoking indexes; however, they barely consume fruits and vegetables. Women were especially less involved in sports(AU)

Significados del consumo de frutas y hortalizas en dos comunidades de zona rural del municipio de Turbo, Urabá Antioqueño / The meanings of eating fruits and vegetables in two rural communities of municipality of Turbo, Uraba Antioqueño

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo: interpretar el significado atribuido al consumo de frutas y hortalizas en un grupo de familias de Turbo. El enfoque metodológico fue cualitativo, el cual permitió comprender las realidades alimentarias de los sujetos que vivencian la situación y en los escenarios y contextos donde ocurrieron los hechos. El método utilizado fue la etnografía; las técnicas para recabar la información fueron la entrevista cualitativa, el grupo de discusión y la observación. Hallazgos: en las familias participantes quienes más consumen frutas y hortalizas son las madres y los niños menores de nueve años, éstas son también quienes enseñan a los menores a consumir dichos alimentos. A las frutas y hortalizas les atribuyen propiedades en la prevención y curación de enfermedades, principalmente respiratorias y del tracto gastrointestinal.

The present study aimed at interpreting the meaning of fruits and vegetables consumption for a group of families of Turbo. The methodological approach was qualitative, which allowed the understanding of food realities through the subjects who experience the situations, scenarios and contexts where the studied facts occurred. The method used was ethnography; the techniques for gathering information were qualitative interviewing, group discussion, and observations. Findings: Mothers and children under nine are the ones who eat more fruits and vegetables among families; mothers are also those who teach the children to consume such foods. Fruits and vegetables are regarded as helps to prevent and cure diseases, especially respiratory and gastrointestinal ones.

Motivaciones y barreras para consumir 5 porciones de frutas y verduras al día en madres de escolares y profesores de enseñanza básica / Motivation and barriers in the consumption of five daily servings of fruit and vegetables by mothers of school age children and primary school teachers

Como línea base para diseñar intervenciones más efectivas en promoción y educación, se estudió las etapas del cambio, motivaciones y barreras relacionadas con el consumo de 5 porciones diarias de frutas y verduras en 463 madres de escolares de distinto nivel socioeconómico (NSE) y 412 profesores de enseñanza básica. Estos grupos fueron escogidos por su influencia en la formación de hábitos en los niños. Para determinar las etapas del cambio, se aplicó un instrumento diseñado y validado por el Instituto Americano de Investigación del Cáncer, adaptado en Chile, contestado voluntariamente por los participantes. El 58 por ciento de las madres y el 61 por ciento de los profesores comían 1 a 2 porciones de frutas y verduras al día; el 29,4 y 32,3 por ciento 3 a 4 porciones, y sólo el 10,3 y 4,1 por ciento las 5 porciones, respectivamente. Entre las principales motivaciones para comer 5 porciones destacaron “me gustan”, para “prevenir enfermedades”, “me hacen sentir bien” y “para bajar de peso”. Entre las barreras: “se me olvida comerlas”, “no tengo tiempo”, “no me quitan el hambre” y “me da flojera prepararlas”, sin diferencias por NSE. El precio de las frutas y verduras fue considerado una barrera por el 15,1 por ciento de las madres de NSE medio alto y el 26,4 por ciento de las de NSE medio bajo (p<0,002). En los profesores, estas cifras alcanzaron al 25,4 por ciento en los hombres y al 11,7 por ciento en las mujeres (p<0,002). Se concluye que es necesario implementar intervenciones específicas para lograr que madres y profesores apoyen este saludable hábito en los niños.

As a baseline for the promotion of health and the design of educational interventions, the benefits, barriers and stages of change related to the consumption of five daily servings of fruit and vegetables were studied in 463 mothers of school age children from different socioeconomic levels (SEL) and 412 primary school teachers in 3 cities in Chile. These groups were selected because of their influence over children’s eating habits. For the evaluation of stages changes, a questionnaire designed by the American Institute for Cancer Research was adapted and applied. The questionnaire was answered voluntarily by the participants. 58 percent of the mothers and 60 percent of the teachers ate 1-2 servings of fruit and vegetables daily; 29.4 and 32.3 percent ate 3-4 servings and only 10 and 4 percent respectively ate 5 servings. Benefits reported from fruit and vegetable consumption in both groups were pleasure, wellness, a sense of well being and weight management. Barriers mentioned were forgetfulness, time constraints, non-satisfaction of appetite and lack of motivation. The price of fruit and vegetables was considered high by 15.1 percent of mothers of medium high SEL and by 26.4 percent of medium low SEL (p<0.002). Among teachers, 25.4 percent of men and 11.7 percent of women also considered price as a barrier (p<0.002). Such results show that both mothers and teachers need specific interventions to improve their own motivation for eating more fruit and vegetables and to thus support this healthy eating habit in children.