Food insecurity and sociodemographic factors in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To understand the association of food insecurity with sociodemographic factors in a sample population in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in 10 countries in Latin America using an online survey through various digital platforms from October 14, 2020 to February 15, 2021. Statistical analysis of data was performed by applying descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis. Results: Of a total of 6 357 surveys, 58.2% of respondents experienced food security, 29.3% were slightly food insecure, 9.2% were moderately food insecure, and 3.3% were severely food insecure. Concerning the association food insecurity and sociodemographic variables, there is a significant association in the variables studied, including area of residence, education level, occupation, number of persons in the household, household with children younger than 10 years of age, and socioeconomic level. Conclusions: These findings indicate that sociodemographic factors associated with food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America were rural residence; complete and incomplete basic and secondary schooling; occupation (homemaker, unemployed, and self-employed); low, medium-low, and medium socioeconomic level; household with more than four persons; and household with children younger than 10 years of age.

Food insecurity and sociodemographic factors in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic / Inseguridad alimentaria y factores sociodemográficos en América Latina durante la pandemia de COVID-19 / Insegurança alimentar e fatores sociodemográficos na América Latina durante a pandemia de COVID-19

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To understand the association of food insecurity with sociodemographic factors in a sample popu- lation in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. This was a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in 10 countries in Latin America using an online survey through various digital platforms from October 14, 2020 to February 15, 2021. Statistical analysis of data was performed by applying descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis. Results. Of a total of 6 357 surveys, 58.2% of respondents experienced food security, 29.3% were slightly food insecure, 9.2% were moderately food insecure, and 3.3% were severely food insecure. Concerning the association food insecurity and sociodemographic variables, there is a significant association in the variables studied, including area of residence, education level, occupation, number of persons in the household, house- hold with children younger than 10 years of age, and socioeconomic level. Conclusions. These findings indicate that sociodemographic factors associated with food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America were rural residence; complete and incomplete basic and secondary schooling; occupation (homemaker, unemployed, and self-employed); low, medium-low, and medium socioeco- nomic level; household with more than four persons; and household with children younger than 10 years of age.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Determinar la asociación de la inseguridad alimentaria con factores sociodemográficos en una muestra de población de América Latina durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal multicéntrico en diez países de América Latina mediante una encuesta en línea a través de diversas plataformas digitales, entre el 14 de octubre del 2020 y el 15 de febrero del 2021. Se realizó un análisis estadístico de los datos usando procedimientos de estadística descriptiva, la prueba ji al cuadrado y un análisis de regresión logística. Resultados. En un total de 6 357 encuestas, el 58,2% de las personas encuestadas gozaba de seguridad ali- mentaria, el 29,3% tenía una inseguridad alimentaria leve, el 9,2% una inseguridad alimentaria moderada y el 3,3% una inseguridad alimentaria grave. Por lo que respecta a la asociación entre la inseguridad alimentaria y las variables sociodemográficas, hay una asociación significativa para algunas de las variables estudiadas, como la zona de residencia, el nivel de estudios, la actividad laboral, el número de personas en el hogar, el hogar con menores de 10 años y el nivel socioeconómico. Conclusiones. Estos resultados indican que los factores sociodemográficos asociados a la inseguridad alimentaria durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en América Latina fueron la residencia en zonas rurales; la edu- cación primaria y secundaria completa o no; la actividad laboral (trabajo doméstico, personas desempleadas y trabajadores autónomos); el nivel socioeconómico bajo, medio bajo, y medio; el hogar con más de cuatro personas; y el hogar con menores de 10 años.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Compreender a relação entre insegurança alimentar e fatores sociodemográficos em uma amostra populacional da América Latina durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos. Estudo transversal multicêntrico realizado em 10 países da América Latina por meio de uma pesquisa on-line conduzida em diferentes plataformas digitais de 14 de outubro de 2020 a 15 de fevereiro de 2021. A análise estatística dos dados foi realizada por meio da aplicação de estatísticas descritivas, teste qui-quadrado e análise de regressão logística. Resultados. De um total de 6 357 questionários, 58,2% dos entrevistados afirmaram ter segurança alimentar, 29,3% indicaram um nível de insegurança alimentar leve, 9,2% tinham insegurança alimentar moderada e 3,3%, insegurança alimentar grave. No que diz respeito à relação entre insegurança alimentar e variáveis sociodemográficas, há uma relação significativa com as variáveis estudadas, incluindo área de residência, nível de escolaridade, ocupação, número de pessoas no domicílio, domicílio com crianças com menos de 10 anos de idade e nível socioeconômico. Conclusões. Os achados apontam que os fatores sociodemográficos associados à insegurança alimentar durante a pandemia de COVID-19 na América Latina foram residência em zona rural; ensino fundamental e médio completo e incompleto; ocupação (do lar, desempregado(a) e autônomo(a)); nível socioeconômico baixo, médio-baixo e médio; domicílio com mais de quatro pessoas; e domicílio com crianças menores de 10 anos de idade.

The double burden of malnutrition and gross motor development in infants: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present work was to study the relationship between the double burden of malnutrition and gross motor development in infants. METHOD: ology: Sample included 5900 infants under 24 months of age, participants of the ENSANUT-ECU study. To evaluate nutritional status, we calculated z-scores for body mass index/age (BAZ) and height/age (HAZ). Six gross motor milestones were considered: sitting without-support, crawling, standing and walking with-support, standing and walking without-support. Data was analysed using logistic regression models in R. RESULTS: Independently form age, sex and other socio-economic factors, the probability of achieving three gross motor milestones was significantly lower among chronically undernourished infants compared to their peers: sitting without-support, crawling, and walking without-support. Compared to no malnourished infants the probability of sitting without-support at six months was 10% lower for chronically undernourished infants (0.70, 95%CI [0.64-0.75]; 0.60, 95%CI [0.52-0.67]; respectively). The probability of crawling at eight months and walking without-support at 12 months were also significantly lower among chronically undernourished infants (0.62, 95%CI [0.58-0.67]); 0.25, 95%CI [0.20-0.30]; respectively) in comparison to no malnourished infants (0.67, 95%CI [0.63-0.72]); 0.29, 95%CI [0.25-0.34]; respectively). Obesity/overweight was not associated with the achievement of gross motor milestones, except for sitting without-support. Chronically undernourished infants with low or high BMI/age were generally delayed in the achievement of gross motor milestones than their peers. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic undernutrition is related to delayed gross motor development. Public health measures are needed to be implemented to prevent the double burden of malnutrition and its detrimental effects on infant development.

Stress and Diet Quality Among Ecuadorian Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic. A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Stress has been associated with food habits. Stress changes eating patterns and the salience and consumption of hyperpalatable foods. During the lock-down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, stress was very common. Objective: We investigated the association between stress and diet quality in Ecuadorian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Data was collected using a self-administered online survey. Stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), and diet quality was evaluated using the Global Diet Index (GDI). A linear regression model with restrictive cubic splines was used to investigate the association between stress and diet quality. Participants: Participants were recruited by convenience sampling, including a total of 2602 individuals. Most participants were female (68.57%) and had university education (78.52%), with a median age of 25 (IQR: 25, 37). Results: Stress was reported by 26.06% of participants. The majority of individuals (75.79%) reported having a diet that needed changes or an unhealthy diet. Independently from biological sex, age, level of education, people/room ratio, economic allowance, and expenses for food, stress was statistically significantly associated with diet quality (p = 0.035). The association between stress and diet quality was inverse and non-linear; higher stress levels were associated with poorer diet quality. The consumption of palatable foods was not statistically significant associated with stress. Conclusions: Stress is associated with poorer diet quality. Public health measures to improve the mental health and lifestyle of the population are needed during the lock-down of the pandemic.

Propiedades psicométricas de la escala de tácticas de conflictos modificada. Aplicación en el contexto de los adolescentes ecuatorianos / Psychometric properties of the modified conflict tactics scale. Application in the Ecuadorian adolescent context

El estudio de la violencia en el noviazgo adolescente tiene relevancia para la Salud Pública, dado su carácter predictivo y el impacto social de esta variable en la convivencia de la población adulta. Las escalas de valoración de violencia en el noviazgo requieren ser validadas para asegurar la fiabilidad y la certeza de sus resultados. Objetivo: Analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la escala de tácticas de conflicto modificada M-CTS en el contexto de la violencia en el noviazgo de adolescentes ecuatorianos. Materiales y métodos: Se trata de un estudio de validación mediante análisis factorial confirmatorio y análisis de variables lingüísticas y culturales, con muestreo al probabilístico (n=1249) con edades comprendidas entre 13 y 19 años, que cumplieron los requisitos de tener o haber tenido una relación de noviazgo. Resultados: Fueron modificadas culturalmente 6 preguntas y fue verificada la estructura de 4 factores del cuestionario (argumentación, violencia psicológica, física leve y física severa). Se encontró una baja fiabilidad para el ítem argumentación perpetrador (0,26) y victimización (0,26) y buena fiabilidad para violencia física grave para los dos perfiles (0,80 y 0,76). Conclusiones principales: La adaptación cultural del M-CTS ofreció una validez adecuada para los diferentes tipos de violencia en población adolescente ecuatoriana permitiendo comparar las prevalencias encontradas con otros países que usaron este instrumento basado en las mismas perspectivas teóricas y metodológicas. (AU)

The study of adolescent dating violence is relevant for Public Health, given its predictive nature and the social impact of this variable on the coexistence of the adult population. Dating violence rating scales need to be validated to ensure the reliability and certainty of their results. Objective: To analyze the psychometric properties of the modified M-CTS conflict tactics scale in the context of dating violence among Ecuadorian adolescents. Materials and methods: This is a validation study through confirmatory factor analysis and analysis of linguistic and cultural variables, with probabilistic sampling (n = 1249) with ages between 12-20 years, who met the requirements of having or having had a dating relationship. Results: 6 questions were culturally modified, and the 4-factor structure of the questionnaire was verified (argumentation, psychological violence, mild physical and severe physical). Low reliability was found for the perpetrator argument (0.26) and victimization (026) items and good reliability for severe physical violence for both profiles (0.80 and 0.76). Main conclusions: The cultural adaptation of the M-CTS offered adequate validity for the diverse types of violence in the Ecuadorian adolescent population, allowing to compare the prevalence found in other countries that used this instrument based on the same theoretical and methodological perspectives. (AU)

Association between dairy product intake and high blood pressure in Chilean adults.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major risk for cardiovascular disease. Several studies have connected dairy consumption with lower blood pressure (BP). However, these have not considered the Latin American population. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between consumption of full-fat or low fat/fat free dairy products and high blood pressure in Chilean adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional study containing data from 3,807 adults between 20 and 98 years old from the National Health Survey (NHS) of Chile 2016-2017. Information on lifestyle, food frequency, and socio-demographics was collected using standardized questionnaires. Trained fieldworkers took anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. The frequency of consumption data included seven ad-hoc questions on habitual eating and frequency options, based on the Mediterranean diet (fish products, fruit and vegetable, and dairy products) and its protective effect on cardiovascular diseases. The selection of foods was supported by expert opinion. RESULTS: Of the 3,807 adults, 37% were male and 63% were female. Sex, education level, frequency of dairy products and fish, smoking, and sport or physical activity had a direct relationship with consumption of dairy products (P < 0.05). Consumption of low fat/fat free dairy products was protectively associated with high blood pressure in the unadjusted model (OR: 0.76, CI 95% 0.64-0.91). However, after adjustment for confounding variables (education level modifies the effect 10.2%), this association was attenuated (OR: 0.88; CI 95% 0.71-1.08). CONCLUSION: We found limited evidence that the type of dairy products consumed is associated with high blood pressure in the Chilean population.

Anthropometry, dietetic habits and sleepiness in Ecuadorian adults

The reduction of hours of sleep affects the physical and mental health of people. Having unhealthy sleep habits are associated with a greater occurrence of daytime sleepiness, which in turn has been related to poorer nutritional status. The objective of this study was to relate food intake, anthropometric measurements, and daytime sleepiness in Ecuadorian adults. Non-experimental, cross-sectional study, the sample included 400 men and women between 18 and 65 years of age, who attended an outpatient consultation of general medicine, family medicine, and traumatology services of a public hospital in Quito-Ecuador. Anthropometric and body composition measurements were measured using tetrapolar bio-impedance, following the recommendations of the International Society for the Advancement of Anthropometry (ISAK). Caloric intake was measured using a 24-hour recall and for daytime sleepiness (DS) the Epworth questionnaire was used. Statistical analyzes were performed using R. From the sample 56.5% presented DS, which affected women more frequently compared to men (p < 0.05). Differences were found between body measurements and dietary intake between groups of people with and without DS. Caloric intake, waist circumference, percentage of fat mass were higher in people with DS (p < 0.05), while muscle mass was higher in subjects without DS (p <0.05). No differences were found concerning visceral fat. We conclude that SD is related to less healthy values in terms of dietary intake and anthropometric measures(AU)

La reducción de las horas de sueño afecta la salud física y mental de las personas. Tener hábitos de sueño poco saludables se asocia a una mayor ocurrencia de somnolencia diurna, lo que a su vez se ha relacionado con un peor Estado Nutricional. El objetivo de este estudio fue relacionar la ingesta de alimentos, las medidas antropométricas y la somnolencia diurna en adultos ecuatorianos. Estudio no experimental, transversal n=400 hombres y mujeres entre 18 y 65 años, que acudieron a consulta externa de los servicios de medicina general, medicina familiar y traumatología de un hospital público de Quito, Ecuador tomado como referencia. Se tomaron medidas antropométricas siguiendo las recomendaciones de la Sociedad Internacional para el Avance de la Antropometría (ISAK) y de composición corporal a través de la bioimpedancia tetrapolar. La ingesta calórica se midió mediante un recordatorio de 24 horas y para somnolencia diurna (SD)se utilizó el cuestionario de Epworth. Los análisis estadísticos se realizaron utilizando el software R. 56,5% de la muestra presenta SD, que afectó con mayor frecuencia a las mujeres en comparación con los hombres (p <0,05). Se encontraron diferencias entre las medidas corporales y la ingesta dietética entre grupos de personas con SD y sin ella. La ingesta calórica, la circunferencia de la cintura, el porcentaje de masa grasa fue mayor en personas con SD (p <0.05), mientras que la masa muscular fue mayor en sujetos sin SD (p <0.05). No se encontraron diferencias en relación con la grasa visceral. Concluimos que SD está relacionada con valores menos saludables en cuanto a ingesta dietética y medidas antropométricas(AU)

Interaction Between Nutrition and Metabolism.

Diet plays a fundamental role in the nutritional status, in the homeostasis and in the capacity of an individual to adapt to the environment. A proper or an inadequate nutrition has an impact on the persistence, remission and incidence of various conditions, including the infectious diseases. Consequently, nutrition has a crucial importance on survival rates and health recovery of individuals or even populations around the globe. The synergistic relationship between nutritional needs and infectious processes has been demonstrated conclusively in diverse studies. This chapter will discuss the most important nutrients, their most common natural dietary sources, the different digestive processes for each one as well as the absorption, transport, storage, excretion and function of each of the nutrients within the organism. We also go through some concepts on the interaction between nutrition and the immune system, as well as examples on the influence of nutrition or specific nutrients on some infectious diseases, and their influence on the gene expression.