The association between the observed and perceived neighbourhood food environment and household food insecurity in a low-income district in Lima, Peru.

The objective of the present study was to assess the association between the observed and perceived food environment and food insecurity among households with children <18 years in Lima, Peru. This was a cross-sectional study including an income-stratified random sample of households (n 329) in Villa el Salvador, a low-income district in Lima, Peru. Data were collected with a household questionnaire - including the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and the University of Pennsylvania's Perceived Nutrition Environment Survey (NEMS-P) - and a neighbourhood food outlet census, including recording of food outlets' GPS coordinates. Three-quarters of the households interviewed were food insecure. Compared with food secure households and adjusting for socio-demographic covariates, food insecure households were more likely to disagree to having easy access (OR 5⋅4; 95 % CI 2⋅1, 13⋅4), high quality (OR 3⋅1; 95 % CI 1⋅7, 5⋅5) and variety (OR 2⋅5; 95 % CI 1⋅4, 4⋅6) of fresh fruits and vegetables in their neighbourhood. About 60 % (513 out of 861) of the food outlets identified in participants' neighbourhoods were classified as fresh, including markets, bodegas, and fruit and vegetable vendors. There was no difference in distance to fresh food outlets by household food insecurity; all households were on average within 52-62 m from a fresh food outlet (~2-min walk). Despite negative perceptions of their neighbourhood food environment, food insecure households had similar physical access to fresh food sources than their food secure counterparts. Thus, changes to the food environment may not alleviate food insecurity in urban poor areas of Peru.

Water insecurity, self-reported physical health, and objective measures of biological health in the Peruvian Amazon.

OBJECTIVES: This study examines the associations between water insecurity, self-reported physical health, and objective measures of biological health among 225 Awajún adults (107 women; 118 men) living in the Peruvian Amazon, a "water-abundant" region. METHODS: A survey, which included multiple measures of self-reported physical health, and objective measures of biological health such as blood pressure and nutritional and immune biomarkers. RESULTS: Greater water insecurity was associated with multiple measures of self-reported physical health, including higher incidence of reported diarrhea, nausea, back pain, headaches, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, overall poor perceived health, and "being sick." These symptoms align with the physical strain associated with water acquisition and with drinking contaminated water. A significant association between higher water insecurity and lower systolic blood pressure emerged, which may be linked to dehydration. None of the other biomarkers, including those for nutrition, infection, and stress were significantly associated with water insecurity scores. CONCLUSIONS: These analyses add to the growing body of research examining the associations between water insecurity and health. Biocultural anthropologists are well-positioned to continue probing these connections. Future research will investigate relationships between measures of water insecurity and biomarkers for gastrointestinal infection and inflammation in water-scarce and water-abundant contexts.

Determinants of food insecurity among households with children in Villa el Salvador, Lima, Peru: the role of gender and employment, a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: From 2014-2019, Latin America and the Caribbean had the fastest growth of moderate-to-severe food insecurity than any other region, rising from 22.9% to 31.7%. While the prevalence of food insecurity is higher among women than men in every continent, Latin America has the largest food insecurity gender gap. Factors contributing to this gender inequity include underrepresentation of women in formal employment, heightened burden of dependent care on women, and unequal compensation of labor for women vs. men. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the gender of the head of the household, employment status of household members, and food insecurity in households with children in a low-income district of Lima, Peru. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Villa El Salvador, the fifth largest district in Metropolitan Lima, Peru, where over 20% of the population lives in poverty. Data were collected on a stratified random sample (n = 329) using a household questionnaire, including a validated food security tool (HFIAS). We ran multivariate logistic regression models predicting household food insecurity, with independent variables including gender of household head, education of household head, employment of household head, household-level employment status, age, and weekly food expenses per person. RESULTS: In fully adjusted models, woman-headed households had almost thrice the odds of being food insecure compared to man-headed households. Education also had a significant effect size: a household whose household head did not complete high school was 3.4 times more likely to be food insecure than if they had some post-secondary education. Woman-headed households had a significantly higher proportion of members not formally employed, compared to man-headed households, but employment status was not associated with food insecurity. CONCLUSIONS: Gender of the household head was a major contributing factor to household food insecurity in Villa el Salvador. Gender dynamics affecting opportunities for employment, education, and non-remunerated work should inform national food security policies and interventions with the goal to not only lower food insecurity, but also reduce gender inequities in food insecurity and other nutritional outcomes.

Use of Formal and Informal Food Resources by Food Insecure Families in Lima, Peru: A Mixed-Methods Analysis.

The goal of this study was to measure food insecurity among families with children in a low-income district of Lima, Peru and to identify the formal and informal food resources available to them that may affect their food security status. In June-July 2019, we collected data from 329 randomly selected households in Villa El Salvador (Lima, Peru). Following a mixed methods approach, we found that the percentage of households using food assistance programs (FAPs) increased with increasing levels of food insecurity, but two FAPs were heavily used by households regardless of food (in)security. The main reasons for using FAPs included financial need, already being signed up in the program, and believing that the food was of nutritional value; the main reasons for non-use were finding the program unnecessary, dislike or poor perceived quality of the food, and not being able to sign up for the program. Similarly, informal food resources, such as buying food on credit or receiving food from someone outside the household, were incrementally used with increased levels of food insecurity. Our study clarifies the relationship between level of household food insecurity and FAP use - FAPs more commonly used by food insecure households were used because of financial need, whereas the FAPs most commonly used by food secure households were those with automatic enrollment. At a programmatic level, our research highlights the need for making nutritious and preferred foods available in FAPs and standardizing the application of enrollment criteria.

The double burden of malnutrition in Peru: An update with a focus on social inequities.

BACKGROUND: The decrease in stunting in Peru is seen as a "success story" in the fight against malnutrition; however, the parallel increase in obesity has often been ignored. OBJECTIVE: To investigate trends in the double burden of malnutrition (i.e., the coexistence of stunting and overweight/obesity) in Peru compared with trends in household food expenditures by family socioeconomic status and urban/rural residency. METHODS: Using Peruvian nationally representative surveys, we analyzed stunting (children aged 0-5 y) and overweight/obesity (women aged 18-49 y) trends between 1992 and 2017, as well as trends in household energy consumption from healthy and unhealthy foods between 2001 and 2017 by education, income, participation in the Juntos cash-transfer program, and urban/rural residency. Joinpoint software was used for all trends analyses. RESULTS: Overall, stunting decreased and obesity increased among all social groups between 1992 and 2017. Inequities in stunting by income and urban/rural residency widened over time. From 1992 to 2017, urban stunting prevalence decreased at an average annual percent change (AAPC) of -4.5% (SE = 0.27%, P < 0.0001), whereas rural stunting prevalence decreased at a lower AAPC of -2.6% (SE = 0.30%, P < 0.0001). On the contrary, inequities in obesity narrowed as obesity prevalence among women from the extremely poor group and those living in rural areas increased at a faster rate than that of their counterparts. Rural obesity prevalence increased at an AAPC of 8.5% (SE = 1.14%, P < 0.0001), whereas urban obesity prevalence increased at an AAPC of 2.0% (SE = 0.25%, P < 0.0001). Increases in energy consumption from unhealthy foods were observed along with decreases in energy consumption from healthy foods in most social groups. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of stunting and obesity is high in Peru. The need for multisectoral interventions addressing both ends of the malnutrition spectrum, particularly among disadvantaged groups to avoid further widening of social inequities, is warranted.

Aspectos clínicos e inmunológicos de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 / Clinical and immunological aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Resumen Objetivo: describir los aspectos moleculares y celulares de la respuesta inmune frente a SARS-CoV-2; y las repercusiones clínicas, producto de mecanismos inmunes. Introducción: la aparición de una neumonía atípica en China, en diciembre de 2019, provocó un confinamiento global. El agente responsable de esta enfermedad fue nombrado por el Comité Internacional de Taxonomía de Virus como SARS-CoV-2, y la enfermedad que produce fue denominada COVID-19 por la OMS el 11 de febrero del 2020. Metodología: para este estudio descriptivo se indagó en la base de datos de Pubmed, Science, Nature, The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine, medRxiv y Google académico; cuyos descriptores utilizados fueron COVID-19, 2019-nCoV, SARS-CoV-2, linfocitos, anticuerpos e inmunidad; incluyendo en la revisión 130 estudios. Resultados: las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes que produce SARS-CoV-2 son: fiebre, tos seca y fatiga; siendo los individuos ancianos que presentan con mayor frecuencia complicaciones como el síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo, arritmias, fallo cardíaco agudo y shock séptico. Se identificó descensos significativos de las células NK, linfocitos B, linfocitos T CD4+ y CD8+ en sangre periférica en pacientes con cuadros moderados y severos de COVID-19. Discusión: Las células NK y macrófagos se encargan de la contención y eliminación viral en las primeras etapas de la infección por SARSCoV-2. No está claro la relevancia de la respuesta humoral en la contención, y eliminación de SARS-CoV-2. La respuesta de linfocitos T citotóxicos es esencial para la completa resolución de la infección por SARS-CoV-2, ya que logran la eliminación de las células infectadas. No existe un tratamiento antiviral específico recomendado para COVID-19, y actualmente no existe vacuna disponible.

Abstract Objective: To describe the molecular and cellular aspects of the immune response against SARS-CoV-2 and the clinical repercussions resulting from inefficient immune mechanisms. Introduction: The emergence of an atypical pneumonia in China in December 2019 led to a global confinement. The agent responsible for this new disease was named SARS-CoV-2 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of viruses, and the disease it produces was named COVID-19 by the WHO on February 11, 2020. Methodology: For this descriptive study we researched the databases of Pubmed, Science, Nature, The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine, medRxiv and Google Scholar; which descriptors used were: COVID-19, 2019-nCoV, SARS-CoV-2, lymphocytes, antibodies and immunity; including 130 studies in the review. Results: The most common clinical manifestations produced by SARS-CoV-2 are: fever, dry cough and fatigue, being the elderly people who are mostly having complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, arrhythmias, acute heart failure and septic shock. Significant decreases in NK cells, B lymphocytes, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were identified in peripheral blood in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 conditions. Discussion: NK cells and macrophages are responsible for viral containment and elimination in the early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The relevance of the humoral response in the containment and elimination of SARS-CoV-2 is unclear. The cytotoxic T lymphocyte response is essential for the complete resolution of SARS-CoV-2 infection, as they achieve the elimination of infected cells. There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended yet for COVID-19, and there is currently no vaccine available.

The association between the neighbourhood social environment and obesity in Brazil: a cross-sectional analysis of the ELSA-Brasil study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the neighbourhood social environment, including social cohesion, perceived neighbourhood safety, perceived neighbourhood violence, and obesity in Brazil. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: 6 state capitals in Brazil (Salvador, Vitoria, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro) PARTICIPANTS: Current or former employees of five federal universities and one research centre in each of the six Brazilian state capitals who were participants of the baseline wave (2008-2010) of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (n=11 456; 56% women; 56% White, 28% Brown, and 16% Black). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Obesity, based on measured weight and height, and defined as having a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2. RESULTS: No associations were found between the neighbourhood social environment and obesity among men. In multilevel logistic regression models adjusted for age, education, skin colour, state of residence, and individual-level social cohesion and perceived violence scores, respectively, women living in the least socially cohesive neighbourhoods and in those perceived as most violent had higher odds of obesity compared with their counterparts (OR=1.25, 95% CI=1.02-1.53; OR=1.28, 95% CI=1.04-1.56, respectively). When stratified by neighbourhood socioeconomic status (SES)-defined based on number of people per household, proportion of children 0-4 years, median income and per cent of white residents at the neighbourhood level-results for social cohesion and for violence remained only for women residing in high SES and low SES neighbourhoods, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this civil-servant sample in six large cities in Brazil, the neighbourhood social environment was associated with obesity among women, but not men. Neighbourhood-level interventions to increase social cohesion and reduce violence may help in the prevention of obesity among women in Brazil.

Effect of three diets in the experimental culture of the common snook ( Centropomus undecimalis Bloch, 1792) / Efecto de tres dietas en el cultivo experimental del róbalo ( Centropomus undecimalis Bloch, 1792)

ABSTRACT Objective. To evaluate the effect of three diets on the growth of juvenile common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) maintained in freshwater ponds. Materials and methods. 108 juvenile of common snook were homogenous and randomly distributed in a pond, divided into 9 corrals of 50 m2. Three diets were applied (D1: commercial food for trout, 45% protein; D2: commercial food for cobia, 50% protein and D3: fresh fish, 17.52% protein). The experimental treatments were assigned in triplicate and diets were supplied in two daily doses. Biometrics were performed every 20 days to assess: weight, size, Length-Weight correlation, Feed Conversion Factor (FCA), Condition Factor (K), Specific Growth Rate (SGR) and survival; during 120 days. The results were evaluated with a one-way ANOVA, when differences (p<0.05) were found the means were compared by test Median Mood, otherwise a pos-hoc test was performed (Tukey HSD). Results. Applying the test of Mood Median significant differences were found, showing the highest growth with D2, where values of SGR=0.65±0.09 g/day; FCA=3.76 and K=0.81±0.06. Survival was D1=51.4%, D2=50% and D3=77.8% without inferring statistically among the different diets. Conclusions. The culture of this species in freshwater ponds with commercial food for cobia, is viable in terms of growth and weight gain.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de tres dietas sobre el desempeño de juveniles de róbalo (Centropomus undecimalis) mantenidos en estanques de agua dulce. Materiales y métodos. 108 juveniles de róbalo fueron distribuidos homogénea y aleatoriamente en un estanque dividido en 9 corrales de 50 m2. Se suministraron tres dietas (D1: alimento comercial para truchas, 45% de proteína; D2: alimento comercial para cobia, 50% de proteína y D3: pescado fresco, 17.52% de proteína). Los tratamientos experimentales fueron asignados por triplicado y se les suministró cada dieta en dos dosis diarias. Se realizaron biometrías cada 20 días evaluando: peso, talla, relación Longitud-Peso, Factor de Conversión Alimenticia (FCA), Factor de Condición (K), Tasa Específica de Crecimiento (SGR) y supervivencia final; durante 120 días. Los resultados fueron evaluados con un ANOVA a una vía, cuando no se encontraron diferencias (p>0.05) las medias fueron comparadas mediante la prueba de la Mediana de Mood. En caso de significación estadística del ANOVA, se aplicó la prueba de comparación múltiple de Tukey HSD. Resultados. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticas entre los tratamientos, mostrando los mayores crecimientos y rendimientos con D2, con valores de SGR=0.65±0.09 g/día; FCA=3.76 y K=0.81±0.06. La supervivencia fue D1=51.4%, D2=50% y D3=77.8% sin diferir estadísticamente entre las diferentes dietas. Conclusiones. El cultivo de esta especie en estanques de agua dulce con suministro de alimento comercial para cobia es viable en términos de crecimiento y ganancia en peso.

Association between food assistance program participation and overweight / Associação entre participação em programa de assistência alimentar e sobrepeso

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the association between food assistance program participation and overweight/obesity according to poverty level. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis of data from 46,217 non-pregnant and non-lactating women in Lima, Peru was conducted; these data were obtained from nationally representative surveys from the years 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2008-2010. The dependent variable was overweight/obesity, and the independent variable was food assistance program participation. Poisson regression was used to stratify the data by family socioeconomic level, area of residence (Lima versus the rest of the country; urban versus rural), and survey year (2003-2006 versus 2008-2010). The models were adjusted for age, education level, urbanization, and survey year. RESULTS Food assistance program participation was associated with an increased risk of overweight/obesity in women living in homes without poverty indicators [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06;1.57]. When stratified by area of residence, similar associations were observed for women living in Lima and urban areas; no associations were found between food assistance program participation and overweight/obesity among women living outside of Lima or in rural areas, regardless of the poverty status. CONCLUSIONS Food assistance program participation was associated with overweight/obesity in non-poor women. Additional studies are required in countries facing both aspects of malnutrition. .

OBJETIVO Investigar associação entre participação no programa de assistência alimentar e sobrepeso/obesidade, segundo nível de pobreza. MÉTODOS Estudo transversal com dados sobre 46.217 mulheres não gestantes e não lactantes, de Lima, Peru, obtidos de pesquisas, com representatividade nacional, nos anos de 2003, 2004, 2006 e 2008-2010. A variável dependente foi o sobrepeso/obesidade e a independente foi a participação no programa de assistência alimentar. Utilizou-se regressão de Poisson; os modelos foram estratificados por nível socioeconômico familiar para todo o país, por área de residência (Lima versus o resto do país; urbano versus residência rural) e anos de estudo (2003-2006 versus 2008-2010). Os modelos foram ajustados por idade, nível acadêmico, urbanização e ano de estudo. RESULTADOS Participar do programa de assistência alimentar associou-se com risco aumentado de sobrepeso/obesidade para as mulheres que viviam em domicílios sem indicadores de pobreza (PR = 1,29; IC95% 1,06;1,57). Quando estratificados por área de residência, foram observadas associações similares para as mulheres que vivem em Lima e em áreas urbanas; não foram encontradas associações entre a participação no programa de assistência alimentar e sobrepeso/obesidade entre as mulheres que vivem fora de Lima ou em áreas rurais, independentemente de sua condição de pobreza. CONCLUSÕES Participar do programa de assistência alimentar associou-se com sobrepeso/obesidade para mulheres não pobres. Estudos adicionais serão necessários em países que enfrentam ambas as faces da má nutrição. .

Association between food assistance program participation and overweight.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the association between food assistance program participation and overweight/obesity according to poverty level. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis of data from 46,217 non-pregnant and non-lactating women in Lima, Peru was conducted; these data were obtained from nationally representative surveys from the years 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2008-2010. The dependent variable was overweight/obesity, and the independent variable was food assistance program participation. Poisson regression was used to stratify the data by family socioeconomic level, area of residence (Lima versus the rest of the country; urban versus rural), and survey year (2003-2006 versus 2008-2010). The models were adjusted for age, education level, urbanization, and survey year. RESULTS Food assistance program participation was associated with an increased risk of overweight/obesity in women living in homes without poverty indicators [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06;1.57]. When stratified by area of residence, similar associations were observed for women living in Lima and urban areas; no associations were found between food assistance program participation and overweight/obesity among women living outside of Lima or in rural areas, regardless of the poverty status. CONCLUSIONS Food assistance program participation was associated with overweight/obesity in non-poor women. Additional studies are required in countries facing both aspects of malnutrition.

Mapping the nutrition transition in Peru: evidence for decentralized nutrition policies.

The study objectives were to map the different stages of the nutrition transition for each department within Peru, and to determine the nutrition policy needs for each geographic area based on their current stage in the nutrition transition. Results show that most of the country is suffering from a double-burden of malnutrition, with high rates of stunting among children less than 5 years of age and high rates of overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age. Currently, Peru has only country-wide nutrition policies, administered by the Ministry of Health, that are primarily focused on stunting prevention. This study argues for the need to have decentralized nutrition policies that vary according to what type of malnutrition is being experienced in each geographic area.

Mapping the nutrition transition in Peru: evidence for decentralized nutrition policies / Cartografía de la transición nutricional en el Perú: datos que avalan la necesidad de políticas nutricionales descentralizadas

The study objectives were to map the different stages of the nutrition transition for each departmentwithin Peru, and to determine the nutrition policy needs for each geographic areabased on their current stage in the nutrition transition. Results show that most of the countryis suffering from a double-burden of malnutrition, with high rates of stunting among childrenless than 5 years of age and high rates of overweight and obesity among women of reproductiveage. Currently, Peru has only country-wide nutrition policies, administered by the Ministryof Health, that are primarily focused on stunting prevention. This study argues for the need tohave decentralized nutrition policies that vary according to what type of malnutrition is beingexperienced in each geographic area.

Los objetivos de este estudio consistían en trazar un mapa por departamentos yetapas de la transición nutricional en el Perú y determinar las políticas nutricionalesnecesarias en las distintas zonas geográficas en función de sus etapas en la transición.Los resultados demuestran que la mayor parte del país está sufriendo la llamada“doble carga de la malnutrición”, en la que coexisten tasas elevadas de desnutricióncrónica entre los menores de 5 años y tasas elevadas de sobrepeso y obesidad en lasmujeres en edad fecunda. En el Perú actual, las políticas nutricionales, gestionadaspor el Ministerio de Salud, están centralizadas y su prioridad es prevenir la detencióndel crecimiento. Este estudio aboga por la necesidad de contar con políticas nutricionalesdescentralizadas que varíen en función del tipo de malnutrición que se estépadeciendo en cada zona geográfica.