Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on (25(OH)D) Status in Children 12-30 Months of Age: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Vitamin D (VD) deficiency (serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) affects 27.3% of preschool children in Mexico. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation at different doses on serum 25(OH)D concentrations in preschool children. In a randomized control trial, 222 children 12-30 months old were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: (1) Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol) 400 IU/day (n = 56); (2) Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol) 800 IU/day (n = 55); (3) Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) 1000 IU/day (n = 56); or (4) multiple micronutrients (MM) non-VD (n = 55). Supplements were given five days/wk for three months. Serum 25(OH)D was measured at baseline and after three months. At baseline, mean serum 25(OH)D was 58.9 ± 12.6 nmol/L and 23.4% were VD-deficient. There was a statistically significant increase in serum concentrations of 25(OH)D (range across groups: +8.2 to +17.3 nmol/L). Additionally, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency decreased after three months: for D2 400 IU, -9.0%; for D2 800 IU, -11.0%; for D3 1000 IU, -18.0%; and for MM non-VD, -2.8% (p < 0.05). No adverse effects were observed. VD supplementation for three months was effective for increasing serum 25(OH)D concentrations and for reducing VD deficiency in preschool children. The highest efficacy was observed by giving 1000 IU D3/d.

Exposure to p,p´-DDE during early pregnancy, anthropometry, and gestational age at birth, in a flower-growing region of Mexico.

Prenatal exposure to dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p´-DDE) may interfere with fetal development; however, studies evaluating anthropometry and gestational age at birth show inconsistent results. Typically, p,p´-DDE exposure has been measured during the third trimester and missed the key early pregnancy period. We evaluated the association between p,p´-DDE exposure before week 18 of pregnancy and anthropometry at birth, as well as gestational length, in 170 mother-child pairs from a cohort study in a flower-growing mexican region. Maternal serum p,p´-DDE concentrations were determined by gas chromatography. The associations between p,p´-DDE and z-scores of birth weight, birth length, and gestational age were evaluated by linear multiple regression models. Logistic regression models were used for low birth weight and small size for gestational age. Effect modification by child's sex was explored. The average gestational age at the blood sample extraction was 10.6 weeks. p,p'-DDE was detected in 64.7% of mothers, at a geometric mean of 0.24 ng/mL. Prenatal p,p´-DDE exposure was not associated with the birth outcomes in the whole sample. However, a high p,p´-DDE exposure was marginally associated with greater small for gestational age risk in male newborns (OR≥0.076ng/mL vs <0.076 ng/mL = 3.09, 95% CI: 0.61; 15.58), but not in female (p for interaction = 0.08).Even though, we found no reductions in anthropometric measurements or gestational length associated with early prenatal p,p´-DDE exposure, the potential effect modification by infant's sex in terms of small for the gestational age risk deserves future studies.

Self-efficacy and Social Settings Matter for Fostering Healthy Eating in Mexican Schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE: To identify differences in schoolchildren's self-efficacy for eating behaviors across social settings and self-efficacy sources favoring healthy and unhealthy eating. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study using self-efficacy and demographic surveys, focus groups, and school environment semistructured observations. SETTING: Morelos, Mexico, Cuernavaca City school district, public elementary schools in the National School Lunch Program. PARTICIPANTS AND RECRUITMENT: We studied 274 fifth- and sixth-grade children from 8 elementary schools during the 2016-2017 school year. VARIABLES MEASURED: Children's self-efficacy for healthy and unhealthy eating across 3 settings (school cafeteria, recess, and home). Children's perceptions about sources of self-efficacy, which favor their healthy or unhealthy eating (performance accomplishments, behavior modeling, verbal persuasion, and emotional or physiological states). Sociodemographic information was obtained from parents. ANALYSIS: We performed a variance components analysis with school and students within schools as random effects with paired t tests (quantitative data) and content analysis on the basis of the Social Cognitive Theory (qualitative data). RESULTS: Schoolchildren's self-efficacy for healthy eating differed across social settings, being greater in the school cafeteria than at recess or home, except for drinking water. On average, self-efficacy for unhealthy eating was lower in the cafeteria than in other studied settings. Performance achievements and behavior modeling were key sources of self-efficacy for healthy and unhealthy eating. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Sources of self-efficacy and social settings matter to understanding schoolchildren's healthy and unhealthy eating. Future interventions might consider developing collective efficacy among the school community and boosting children's participation in home meal planning. Further research could explore locus of control and other intrapersonal dimensions influencing self-efficacy.

Dietary patterns in Mexican preschool children are associated with stunting and overweight.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between dietary patterns, stunting, and overweight among Mexican preschoolers. METHODS: This study was conducted with anthropometric (weight, height/length), sociodemographic (age, gender, education level of household head, socioeconomic status, country region and area, ethnicity, and beneficiary of social programs), and dietary data (Semiquantitative-food frequency questionnaire) on children aged from 1 to 4 years collected from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey-2012. Dietary patterns were derived by principal components analysis. The association between dietary patterns, stunting, and overweight was assessed by prevalence ratios (PR), estimated by Poisson regression. RESULTS: In total, 1,112 preschoolers (mean age 3.06 years, SD = 1.08 years; 48.8% females) were included in the study; 11.9% of whom presented stunting, and 6.7% overweight. We identified four dietary patterns: Fruits and Vegetables [F&V], Western [W], Traditional [T], and Milk and Liquids [M&L]. Considering the lowest tertile of each dietary pattern as reference, the prevalence of stunting was 2.04 times higher [95%CI: 1.17-3.56] among children in the highest tertile of the "F&V" pattern. The prevalence of stunting was lower among children in the highest tertile of the "W" pattern [PR = 0.48; 95%CI: 0.27-0.85]. Overweight was negatively associated with the "F&V" dietary pattern [PR = 0.37; 95%CI: 0.16-0.85 for its highest tertile], and children whose consumption was mostly equivalent to the "T" pattern showed higher prevalence of stunting [PR = 1.74; 95%CI: 1.01-3.00]. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of stunting and overweight in a nationwide sample of Mexican preschoolers was associated with dietary patterns.

Vitamin D status in Mexican children 1 to 11 years of age: an update from the Ensanut 2018-19 / Estado de vitamina D en niños mexicanos de 1 a 11 años de edad: una actualización de la Ensanut 2018-19

Abstract Objective: To evaluate vitamin D status and deficiency in Mexican children and related factors, with updated data from a representative national survey. Materials and methods: Data and serum samples of child participants were collected in the Ensanut 2018-19. The measurement 25-(OH)-D was obtained through chemiluminescence. Height and weight, as well as dietary information, were measured using a semi-quan- titative food frequency questionnaire and sociodemographic information. Results: Data of 4 691 children aged 1-11 years were analyzed. Vitamin D deficiency (25-OH-D70% of vitamin D intake. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is important in Mexican children. Actions and programs to fight this deficiency are required.

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar el estado y la deficiencia de vitamina D en niños mexicanos, así como los factores relacionados, con datos actualizados de una encuesta nacional representativa. Material y métodos: Los datos y muestras de suero de niños participantes se recolectaron en la Ensanut 2018-19. La medición de 25- (OH)- D se realizó mediante quimiolu- miniscencia. Se obtuvo estatura, peso e información dietética a través de un cuestionario semicuantitativo de frecuencia alimentaria e información sociodemográfica. Resultados: Se analizaron datos de 4 691 niños entre 1 y 11 años. Se observó deficiencia de vitamina D (25-OH-D 70% de la ingesta. Conclusiones: La deficiencia de vitamina D es considerable en los niños mexicanos. Se requieren acciones y programas para combatirla.

Iron deficiency is not the main contributor to anemia in older Mexican adults: results from the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2018-19 / La deficiencia de hierro no es el principal contribuyente a la anemia en adultos mayores participantes en la Ensanut 2018-19

Abstract Objective: To describe the current status of anemia and iron deficiency (ID), as well as associated sociodemographic characteristics, in older adults (OA). Materials and methods: Serum and capillary blood samples from a sample of OA participants (n=2 902) from the Ensanut 2018-19 were analyzed. ID was defined as s-ferritin<15 μg/L, and anemia was defined according to World Health Organization standards. Logistic regression models were used to associate the characteristics of OA with anemia and ID. Results: Of the OA analyzed, anemia was present in 28.4%, ID in 5% and iron deficiency anemia in 2.07%. Diabetes (OR=2.14), renal insufficiency (OR=10.4), higher age, and urban dwelling (OR=1.35) were conditions associated with higher odds for anemia (p<0.05). Belonging to the 70-79 year age group was the only condition associated with higher odds for ID (OR=1.86, p<0.05). Conclusions: Anemia affects a high proportion of OA, and ID is not the main contributor to anemia. Chronic comorbidities help explain the anemia problem in OA.

Resumen Objetivo: Describir la situación actual de deficiencia de hierro (DH), anemia y características asociadas en adultos mayores (AM). Material y métodos: Se analizó información de 2 902 AM de la Ensanut 2018-19. Deficiencia de hierro se definió: s-ferritina<15 μg/L y anemia de acuerdo con el criterio de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se emplearon modelos de regresión logística para identificar las características asociadas con la DH y anemia en los AM. Resultados: La prevalencia de anemia fue de 28.4%, DH 5% y anemia por DH 2.07%. Diabetes (RM=2.14), insuficiencia renal (RM=10.4), la mayor edad y habitar en localidades urbanas (RM=1.35) se asociaron a mayor momio para anemia (p<0.05). El grupo de edad de 70-79 años fue la única característica asociada a mayor probabilidad de DH (RM=1.86, p<0.05). Conclusiones: La anemia afecta a una proporción de los AM sin tener como principal causa a la DH. Algunas comorbilidades crónicas explican el problema de la anemia en esta población.

Vitamin D status in Mexican children 1 to 11 years of age: an update from the Ensanut 2018-19.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate vitamin D status and deficiency in Mexican children and related factors, with updated data from a representative national survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data and serum samples of child participants were collected in the Ensanut 2018-19. The measurement 25-(OH)-D was obtained through chemiluminescence. Height and weight, as well as dietary information, were measured using a semi-quan-titative food frequency questionnaire and sociodemographic information. RESULTS: Data of 4 691 children aged 1-11 years were analyzed. Vitamin D deficiency (25-OH-D<50 nmol/L) was found in 27.3% of pre-school-age children and 17.2% of school-age children, and was positively associated with the body mass index (BMI). Main dietary sources were milk, eggs and dairy products, which in combination provided >70% of vitamin D intake. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency is important in Mexican children. Actions and programs to fight this deficiency are required.

Iron deficiency is not the main contributor to anemia in older Mexican adults: results from the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2018-19.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the current status of anemia and iron deficiency (ID), as well as associated sociodemographic characteristics, in older adults (OA). Materials and meth-ods. Serum and capillary blood samples from a sample of OA participants (n=2 902) from the Ensanut 2018-19 were analyzed. ID was defined as s-ferritin<15 µg/L, and anemia was defined according to World Health Organization stan-dards. Logistic regression models were used to associate the characteristics of OA with anemia and ID. RESULTS: Of the OA analyzed, anemia was present in 28.4%, ID in 5% and iron deficiency anemia in 2.07%. Diabetes (OR=2.14), renal insuf-ficiency (OR=10.4), higher age, and urban dwelling (OR=1.35) were conditions associated with higher odds for anemia (p<0.05). Belonging to the 70-79 year age group was the only condition associated with higher odds for ID (OR=1.86, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Anemia affects a high proportion of OA, and ID is not the main contributor to anemia. Chronic comorbidities help explain the anemia problem in OA.

Parental Feeding Styles and Their Association With Complementary Feeding Practices and Growth in Mexican Children.

Background: Complementary feeding practices and corresponding parental feeding styles influence nutritional status in later stages of childhood. Findings on the association of these variables with infant growth remain inconsistent; in Mexico, a research gap exists in this area. Research Aims: (1) To characterize parental feeding styles and complementary feeding practices, and (2) to evaluate the association of parental feeding styles with complementary feeding practices and infant growth at 6 and 9 months of age. Methods: Data were collected from a prospective Mexican birth cohort. Parental feeding styles, complementary feeding practices, and anthropometric data from 263 to 234 mother-child pairs (infants of 6 and 9 months of age, respectively) were analyzed. Logistic and linear regression models were used to determine the associations between variables. Results: The predominant parental feeding style was the "responsive style" (90%). Only 43.7 and 8.1% of 6- and 9-month-old infants, had adequate complementary feeding practices, respectively. At 6 months, mothers who were responsive to satiety signals had 11% lesser possibilities (OR = 0.89, 95% CI [0.80, 0.98]) of their infant having inadequate complementary feeding practices than their counterparts and "pressuring to finish" and "pressuring to eat cereal" sub-constructs were associated with lower weight for length and body mass index Z-scores (p = 0.02). Conclusions: A high proportion of infants (>40%) did not meet international recommendations. The "pressuring" parental feeding style sub-constructs were associated with growth indicators in 6-month old infants. This emphasizes the importance of promoting parental responsiveness to infant appetite and satiety signals to achieving adequate complementary feeding practices.

Dietary patterns in Mexican preschool children are associated with stunting and overweight

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between dietary patterns, stunting, and overweight among Mexican preschoolers. METHODS This study was conducted with anthropometric (weight, height/length), sociodemographic (age, gender, education level of household head, socioeconomic status, country region and area, ethnicity, and beneficiary of social programs), and dietary data (Semiquantitative-food frequency questionnaire) on children aged from 1 to 4 years collected from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey-2012. Dietary patterns were derived by principal components analysis. The association between dietary patterns, stunting, and overweight was assessed by prevalence ratios (PR), estimated by Poisson regression. RESULTS In total, 1,112 preschoolers (mean age 3.06 years, SD = 1.08 years; 48.8% females) were included in the study; 11.9% of whom presented stunting, and 6.7% overweight. We identified four dietary patterns: Fruits and Vegetables [F&V], Western [W], Traditional [T], and Milk and Liquids [M&L]. Considering the lowest tertile of each dietary pattern as reference, the prevalence of stunting was 2.04 times higher [95%CI: 1.17-3.56] among children in the highest tertile of the "F&V" pattern. The prevalence of stunting was lower among children in the highest tertile of the "W" pattern [PR = 0.48; 95%CI: 0.27-0.85]. Overweight was negatively associated with the "F&V" dietary pattern [PR = 0.37; 95%CI: 0.16-0.85 for its highest tertile], and children whose consumption was mostly equivalent to the "T" pattern showed higher prevalence of stunting [PR = 1.74; 95%CI: 1.01-3.00]. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of stunting and overweight in a nationwide sample of Mexican preschoolers was associated with dietary patterns.

Effect of Milk-Based Infant Formula Fortified with PUFAs on Lipid Profile, Growth and Micronutrient Status of Young Children: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential to child growth and development. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of PUFAs-fortified infant formula on lipid profile, growth and micronutrient status in children 12 to 30 months old. METHODS: This study is a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. Two study groups were assessed: (a) milk-based infant formula with micronutrients and PUFAs (PUFAs) and (b) milk-based infant formula with micronutrients, no PUFAs added (Non-PUFAs). Children received prepared formula (240 mL) twice a day, according to the color-code assigned to each infant. Anthropometric measurements and venous blood samples were taken at each day-care center at baseline, and again after four months. Total serum lipid extraction was 0.5 mL. Samples were treated and modified by the Folch method and analyzed with gas chromatography. RESULTS: Changes in serum lipid profile (expressed as % FA) between baseline and four months showed a statistically significant increase in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (0.22 vs. -0.07, p < 0.05) and Alpha-Linoleic acid (0.08 vs. 0.02, p < 0.05) in infants who consumed PUFAs-fortified formula compared to Non-PUFAs-fortified formula. Infants increased their length/height-for-age Z-score: median change for the PUFAs group was 0.16 (95% CI = 0.08, 0.28) and 0.23 (95% CI = 0.14, 0.33) for Non-PUFAs, with no differences between groups. Median folate level was significantly higher among the PUFAs group compared to Non-PUFAs: -0.87 (95% CI = -1.38, -0.44) and -3.83 (95% CI = -4.65, -3.03) respectively. Consumption of both supplements was adequate and stable during the intervention. CONCLUSION: A significant improvement was observed in the lipid profile of children who received the PUFAs-fortified milk-based formula.

Breastfeeding and maternal employment: results from three national nutritional surveys in Mexico.

To evaluate the association between maternal employment and breastfeeding (both duration and status) in Mexican mothers using data from three National Health and Nutrition Surveys conducted in 1999, 2006 and 2012. We analyzed data from the 1999 National Nutrition Survey, the 2006 National Nutrition and Health Survey, and the 2012 National Nutrition and Health Survey (NNS-1999, NHNS-2006 and NHNS-2012) on 5,385 mothers aged 12-49 years, with infants under 1 year. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between breastfeeding and maternal employment adjusted for maternal and infant's socio-demographic covariates. Maternal formal employment was negatively associated with breastfeeding in Mexican mothers with infants under 1 year. Formally employed mothers were 20 % less likely to breastfeed compared to non-formally employed mothers and 27 % less likely to breastfeed compared to unemployed mothers. Difference in median duration of breastfeeding between formally employed and unemployed mothers was 5.7 months for NNS-1999, 4.7 months for NNHS-2006 and 6.7 months for NNHS-2012 respectively (p < 0.05). In NHNS-2006 and NHNS-2012, health care access was associated with longer breastfeeding duration. Maternal employment has been negatively associated with breastfeeding in Mexican mothers of <1 year infants at least for the last 15 years. For Mexicans involved in policy design, implementation or modification, these data might offer robust evidence on this negative association, and can be used confidently as basis for conceiving a more just legislation for working lactating women.

Association between migration and physical activity of school-age children left behind in rural Mexico.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore in rural communities of Mexico, the association between physical activity (PA) in school-age children and exposure to migration. METHODS: We measured PA through a questionnaire validated in school-age children and used in Mexican National Surveys. Migration status was measured as the number of years a family member had been in the US, and the amount of remittances that family member had sent to their household in Mexico. We used multivariable linear regression to measure the association between physical activity and migration. RESULTS: School-age children who had a migrant family member spent less time on PA per day, especially recreation activities, compared to school-age children without the migrating influence. Also, children who belonged to a family that received remittances and their migrant relative lived ≥ 5 years in US were less likely to engage in PA. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to migration may predict reduction in PA in school-age children left behind in Mexican rural communities from the State of Morelos. These findings call for PA-tailored interventions that consider household migration characteristics.

Lactancia materna, destete y ablactación: una encuesta en comunidades rurales de México / A survey of breast feeding and other infant feeding practices in rural Mexico

Objetivo. Determinar las prevalencias de lactancia humana, uso de leches industrializadas y ablactación así como los factores asociados a la falta de alimentación al seno materno y al destete temprano. Material y métodos. Estudio transversal realizado por pasantes de medicina en servicio Social en 222 localidades rurales de México, mediante entrevistas estructuradas en 5409 familias con niños menores de un año. Resultados. Las proporciones de niños que nunca recibieron lactancia al seno materno fueron: en la zona norte (N) de 21.4 por ciento; en el Centro(C) de 7.6 por ciento y la sur (S) de 5.3 por ciento. Entre los niños que recibieron lactancia al seno materno, ésta continuó en forma exclusiva o mixta hasta el tercer trimestre de vida en 35.6 por ciento (N), 67.6 por ciento (C) y 77.5 por ciento (S); en el segundo trimestre de vida ya habían sido ablactados 67.2 por ciento (N), 40.9 por ciento (C) y 51.6 por ciento (S). En la región N se encontró que la falta de alimentación al seno materno se asoció con la atenció médica del parto, madres con escolaridad mínima de primaria o con menos de cuatro hijos, casa con piso de material permanente, dos o más enseres domésticos mayores y que el sostén económico no fuera el padre. El destete temprano se asoció con los mismos factores, incluyendo que el niño estuviera al cuidado de una persona distinta a la madre, la lactancia artificial decidida por los padres o por recomendación médica, la ablactación temprana y el uso de servicios médicos de seguridad social y/o privados. Conclusiones. La alimentación con sucedáneos de la leche y el destete temprano son propios de familias pequeñas, con mayor educación materna, mejores condiciones de la vivienda y la influencia de los médicos sobre todo en el norte del país. Además, la ablactación se efectúa antes del segundo semestre de vida, por lo que es recomendable elaborar programas que promuevan la alimentación al seno materno y la ablactación correcta en la población infantil de las comunidades rurales de México

Objective. To determine the prevalence of lactation, the use of industrialized milk and weaning, and the factors related to lack of breast-feeding and early weaning in young infants of rural communities. Material and methods. Transversal study performed by last year medical students doing Social Service in 222 rural communities in Mexico who applied structured interviews to 5 409 families with children younger than 1 year of age. Results. The percentages of children who were never breast-fed were: in the north (N) 21.4%, in the center (C) 7.6% and in the south (S) 5.3%. Children who were still being breast-fed, either exclusively or with mixed feeding by the third trimester were 35.6% (N), 67.6% (C) and 77.5% (S); in the second trimester, 67.2% (N), 40.9% (C) and 51.6% (S) had been weaned. In the N region it was observed that lack of breast-feeding was associated to the health personnel who attended delivery, mothers with six or more years of education and less than four children, dwellings with permanent material floors, two or more household commodities and a head of the family different from the father. Early weaning was essentially associated to the same factors; additionally, to the child being taken care of by someone different from the mother, artificial lactation by parental decision or due to medical recommendation and the use of health services provided by social security or private physicians. Conclusions. Artificial lactation and early weaning are typical of small families, with high educational level of the mother, better living conditions and contact with medical personnel, especially in the N of the country. Children are weaned before the second semester of life and it is therefore deemed neces sary to implement health programs which promote breast-feeding and gradual weaning after the sixth month of life among the infant population of Mexican rural communities.

Feeding patterns of Mexican infants recorded in the 1988 National Nutrition Survey

Infant feeding patterns in Mexico were analyzed using data from the 1988 National Nutrition Survey. The prevalence of breast-feeding among infants declined from 86% at birth to approximately 40% after three months of age. The hazard rate of terminating breast-feeding increased by 38% at the national level and by 87% in the northern region with each increment in household living conditions, decreased 50% in rural municipalities in the south and decreased by 20% in all regions for each month that the introduction of other milks was delayed. The rate of other milk introduction increased by between 16% and 20% at the national level and within the central and southern regions with each household living condition increment but decreased by between 20 to 30% within indigenous or rural. Finally, the probability of solid food introduction increased by between 8 and 15% with each household living condition increment.

De acuerdo con la Encuesta Nacional de Nutrición de 1988 se analizaron los patrones de alimentación de niños mexicanos, encontrando que la prevalencia de lactancia materna disminuyó de un 86% al nacer a un 40% a los tres meses de vida. El destete aumentó en un 38% a nivel nacional y en 87% en la región norte con el mejoramiento de las condiciones de vivienda, y disminuyó en un 50% en los municipios rurales de la zona sur, y en todas las regiones aumentó en un 20% por cada mes que se demoró la introducción de otras leches. La introducción de otras leches aumentó entre un 16% y un 20% dependiendo de las condiciones de vivienda a nivel nacional y en las regiones centro y sur, aunque fue menor en los municipios rurales y en la población indígena: 20% y 30%. Finalmente, la probabilidad de introducir alimentos sólidos aumentó entre un 8% y un 15% dependiendo de las condiciones de vida.