Service-Learning, Movies, and Infectious Diseases: Implementation of an Active Educational Program in Microbiology as a Tool for Engagement in Social Justice.

Service-Learning is an educational methodology that allows student learning while addressing community needs. A program in microbiology and infectious diseases was implemented in Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. University lecturers, clinical microbiologists, doctorate students, and undergraduates from several Bachelor Degrees and courses worked in an interdisciplinary team along with social institutions that attend disadvantaged persons. Using commercial movies that deal with infectious diseases, the students learn clinical microbiology, prepare divulgation materials, visit social centers to accompany, and help others to know about illnesses and prevention. The program was developed through two academic years and involved 58 voluntary students, 13 teachers and tutors, and 4 social entities as community partners. Postsurvey evaluation of the program revealed a highly satisfactory achievement of goals: acquiring scientific and personal competencies by university students, including critical analysis and science diffusion, solving problems or collaborative team working, and contributing, together with the tutors, to the social responsibility of the university.

Asociación entre desnutrición crónica y distensión abdominal en preescolares de Mizantéferi, sur-oeste de Etiopía / Association between chronic malnutrition and abdominal distension in prescholars of Mizantéferi, south-west Ethiopia

INTRODUCCIÓN: La desnutrición crónica es un problema de salud pública que afecta a 155 millones de menores de 5 años en el mundo. Un niño desnutrido es más susceptible a infecciones como las parasitarias intestinales causadas por helmintos y protozoos. Estas enfermedades dañan el estado de salud, contribuyendo al círculo vicioso entre desnutrición e infección. OBJETIVOS: El propósito de este estudio fue analizar la relación de la distensión abdominal y el retraso en el crecimiento. MÉTODOS: La muestra fue de 161 niños y niñas entre 3 y 6 años asistentes a un centro escolar en Mizantéferi, Etiopia. Se clasificaron en función de la talla para la edad de acuerdo a las referencias de crecimiento de la OMS, así como según su grado de distensión abdominal. RESULTADOS: Existe una asociación (p < 0.005). entre crecimiento retardado y distensión abdominal. El paso de desnutrición leve a moderada o de moderada a grave incrementa el riesgo de distensión abdominal 1,67 veces (IC95% 1,19 - 2,38). CONCLUSIONES: La distensión abdominal es un indicador fácil de reconocer que alerta sobre una potencial parasitosis intestinal

INTRODUCTION: Stunting is a public health problem that affects 155 million children under the age of five worldwide. A malnourished child is more susceptible to infections such as intestinal parasites caused by helminths and protozoa. These diseases damage health status, contributing to the vicious circle between malnutrition and infection. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between abdominal distension and growth retardation. METHODS: The sample was 161 children aged 3-6 years attending a school in Mizantéferi, Ethiopia. They were classified according to height-for-age according to WHO growth references, as well as according to their degree of abdominal distension. RESULTS: There is an association (p < 0.005) between growth retardation and abdominal distension. The change from mild to moderate or moderate to severe malnutrition increases the risk of abdominal distension 1.67 times (CI95% 1.19 - 2.38). CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal distension is an easily recognized indicator that warns of potential intestinal parasitosis

Development of subcutaneous fat in Spanish and Latin American children and adolescents: Reference values for biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac skinfolds.

Subcutaneous fat skinfolds represent a reliable assessment instrument of adiposity status. This study provides current percentile references for four subcutaneous skinfolds (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac) applicable to children and adolescents in Spain and in Latin American countries where data are scarce. The design consisted of a cross-sectional multicenter study performed with identical methods in 5 countries (Argentina, Cuba, Mexico, Spain and Venezuela). Total sample comprised 9163 children and youths (boys 4615 - girls 4548) aged 6-18 years, healthy and without apparent pathologies. Percentiles 3, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90, 95 and 97 were calculated by the LMS method. Sexual dimorphism was assessed using the t-test and age differences with ANOVA. Normalized growth percentile references were obtained according to sex and age for each skinfold. The mean values of four skinfolds were significantly greater in girls than boys (p<0.001) and, in both sexes, all skinfolds show statistical differences through age (p<0.001) with different magnitudes. Except triceps in girls, peaks between 11 and 12 years of age are more noticeable in boys than in girls. Although the general model of growth is known, the skinfold measurements show variability among populations and differences of magnitude are presented according to the analyzed population. Therefore, these age and sex-specific reference percentile values for biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac skinfolds, derived from a large sample of Spanish and Latin American children and adolescents, are a useful tool for adiposity diagnosis in this population for which no reference values were available.

Predicting percentage body fat through waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) in Spanish schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the association between waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) and body fat and to develop predictive adiposity equations that will simplify the diagnosis of obesity in the paediatric age group. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study conducted in Spain during 2007 and 2008. Anthropometric dimensions were taken according to the International Biology Program. The children were classified as underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese according to national standards of percentage body fat (%BF). WtHR differences among nutritional status categories were evaluated using ANOVA. Correlation analysis and regression analysis were carried out using WtHR as a predictor variable for %BF. A t test was applied to the results obtained by the regression model and by the Siri equation. The degree of agreement between both methods was evaluated by estimating the intra-class correlation coefficient. SETTING: Elementary and secondary schools in Madrid (Spain). SUBJECTS: Girls (n 1158) and boys (n 1161) from 6 to 14 years old. RESULTS: WtHR differed significantly (P < 0.001) depending on nutritional status category. This index was correlated (P < 0.001) with all adiposity indicators. The mean %BF values estimated by the regression model (boys: %BF = 106.50 × WtHR - 28.36; girls: %BF = 89.73 × WtHR - 15.40) did not differ from those obtained by the Siri equation. The intra-class correlation coefficient (0.85 in boys, 0.79 in girls) showed a high degree of concordance between both methods. CONCLUSIONS: WtHR proved to be an effective method for predicting relative adiposity in 6-14-year-olds. The developed equations can help to simplify the diagnosis of obesity in schoolchildren.

Errores técnicos de medida en el diagnóstico de la desnutrición infantil: datos procedentes de intervenciones de Acción Contrael Hambre entre 2001 y 2010 / Technical errors of measurement in the diagnosis of child malnutrition: data from ACF interventions between 2001 and 2010

Se analiza la calidad de las medidas antropométricas efectuadas por 199 antropometristas que actuaron en 17 encuestas nutricionales de Acción Contra el Hambre efectuadas en Afganistán, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Mali, República de Myanmar y Filipinas. Para las tres dimensiones analizadas: peso, talla y perímetro del brazo (MUAC) el error técnico de medida (ETM) absoluto es aceptable, aunque supera el reseñado en la estandarización del Multicenter Growth Reference Study de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). El nivel de competencia de los equipos de antropometristas que midieron en las 17 intervenciones difiere significativamente. El error técnico de medida relativo (ETM%) supera el margen de tolerancia para el peso en una de las encuestas y en cinco para el MUAC. Por lo que respecta al ETM% inter-observador, se encuentra en un rango adecuado para la talla y el peso, pero excede el nivel de tolerancia recomendado en 11 de las 17 campañas de intervención. Se recomienda hacer énfasis en la formación del personal técnico encargado de tomar las medidas antropométricas y tener especial cuidado en la medida del MUAC (AU)

We analyze the quality of the anthropometric measurements made by 199 anthropometrists who acted in 17 nutritional surveys conducted by ACF in Afgha - nistan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Mali, Republic of Myanmar and the Philippines. For the three dimensions analyzed: weight, height and arm circumference (MUAC) the technical error of measurement (TEM) is acceptable, although it is over high than standardization values, outlined in the Multicenter Growth Reference Study of the World Helath Organization (WHO). The level of competence anthropometrists teams that measured in the 17 interventions differ significantly. The relative technical error of measurement (TEM%) exceeds the tolerance for the weight in one survey and five for MUAC. With respect to the TEM% inter-observer is in a suitable range for height and weight, but exceeds the recommended tolerance level in 11 of the 17 intervention campaigns. It is recommended to emphasize the training of technical staff in charge of taking anthropometric measurements and take special care in measuring the MUAC (AU)

Influencia de la migración en el estado nutricional y comportamiento alimentario de adolescentes marroquíes residentes en Madrid (España) / Influence of migration on nutritional status and dietary behavior

Introducción: Los procesos migratorios se asocian a modificaciones en los hábitos alimentarios que influyen en el estado nutricional de los individuos. Estos cambios pueden tener diferentes consecuencias en función de las circunstancias y los condicionantes socioculturales sobretodo en el caso de niños y adolescentes que aún no han concluido su etapa de crecimiento y desarrollo. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los cambios en los hábitos alimentarios asociados a la migración en una muestra de adolescentes de origen marroquí residentes en Madrid, comparando los indicadores antropométricos de su estado nutricional con otra muestra de adolescentes residentes en Ouarzazate, Marruecos. Material y Métodos: La muestra marroquí fue recogida en 2007 está formada por 327 adolescentes(135 varones y 192 mujeres) entre los 15 y 19 (..) (AU)

Introduction: Migration processes are associated with changes in dietary patterns that influence the nutritional status of individuals. These changes may have different consequences depending on the circumstances and sociocultural conditions, especially in the case of children and adolescents who have not completed their period of growth and development. Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze changes in dietary patterns associated with migration ina sample of adolescents of Moroccan origin living in Madrid, comparing anthropometric indicators of nutritional status with another sample of adolescents residing in Ouarzazate, Morocco. Material and Methods: The Moroccan sample was collected in 2007 and is composed by 327 adolescents (..) (AU)

Estimación de la adiposidad a partir del índice cintura talla: ecuaciones de predicción aplicables en población infantil española / Adiposity assessment from waist to height ratio: prediction equations for Spanish infant population

Introducción El índice cintura-talla (ICT) es fácil de medir, estable durante el crecimiento y está relacionado con marcadores cardiometabólicos en la infancia y adolescencia. Refleja los depósitos de grasa abdominal y es interesante conocer su relación con la adiposidad total y el porcentaje de grasa. Objetivo Analizar la asociación entre el ICT y la grasa corporal y desarrollar ecuaciones predictivas de la adiposidad que simplifiquen la diagnosis del sobrepeso y la obesidad infantil. Material y Métodos Se han analizado 2319 escolares de ambos sexos entre 6 y 14 años. Se midió el peso (kg), la talla (cm), el perímetro de la cintura (cm) y los pliegues adiposos del bíceps, tríceps, subescapular y suprailíaco (mm). Se calcularon: el índice cintura-talla (ICT) el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y el porcentaje de grasa (% G) por el método de Siri. Los sujetos fueron clasificados en la categoría de normopeso, sobrepeso u obesidad de acuerdo a los estándares de Marrodán et al., evaluando mediante ANOVA las diferencias de ICT entre las tres categorías nutricionales. Se efectuó un análisis de correlación y regresión tomando el ICT como variable predictora de la suma de pliegues y del % G. Se empleó una prueba de T de Student para comparar los variables originales de adiposidad y las predichas por el modelo. Resultados El ICT difiere significativamente (p< 0,001) en función de la categoría nutricional. Este índice se correlacionó significativamente (p < 0,001) en función de la categoría nutricional. Este índice se correlacionó significativamente (p < 0,001) con todos los indicadores de adiposidad aunque los coeficientes “r” fueron más elevados para el contraste con la suma de pliegues (0,823 envarones; 0,821 en mujeres) y el % G (0,811 en varones; 0,793 en mujeres) que con el IMC (0,690 en varones; 0,721 en mujeres). Los valores promedio estimados por el modelo de regresión subestimaron la suma de pliegues ( 0,91 mm en varones; 1,48 mm en mujeres) y resultaron levemente superiores a los de partida en el caso del % G (0,14 mm en varones; 0,31 mm en mujeres). Para la adiposidad relativa, no existen diferencias significativas entre la expresión de Siri y las ecuaciones desarrolladas en el presente trabajo: Varones: % G= 106,50 x ICT- 28,36; Mujeres: %G = 89,73 x ICT -15,40 Conclusiones El índice de cintura-talla (ICT) resulta eficaz para predecir la adiposidad relativa entre los 6 y 14 años. Las ecuaciones desarrolladas contribuyen a simplificar el diagnóstico del sobrepeso y la obesidad en edad pediátrica (AU)

Introduction The waist to height ratio (WHR) is an easy to measure index, stable during growth and related with cardiometabolic markers in childhood and adolescence. WHR reflects abdominal fat deposits, but is interesting to know its relationship with total adiposity and body fat percentage. Objectives The aim of these paper is to analyze the association between WHR and body fat and to develop predictive equations of adiposity in order to simplify the diagnosis of infant overweight and obesity. Material and Methods 2319 schoolchildren of both sexes between 6 and 14 were analized in this study and weight (kg), height (cm), waist circumference (cm) and biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold thickness (mm) were measured. The waist to height ratio (WHR) body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (% BF) by Siri methodology were calculated. Subjects were classified in the category of normal weight, overweight or obesity according to standards of % BF of Marrodán et al. ANOVA test was carried out to evaluate the differences of WHR among the nutritional categories. An analysis of correlation and regression were applied using the WHR as predictor of the sum of skinfold thickness and % BF. We used a Student T test to compare the original variables of adiposity and those predicted by the regression mo del. Results The WHR differs significantly (p <0.001) depending on the nutritional category. This index was significantly correlated (p <0.001) with all indicators of adiposity although the coefficients “r” were higher for the contrast with the sum of skinfolds (0.823 in boys - 0.821 in girls) and % BF (0.811 in boys - 0.793 in girls) than with BMI (0.690- in boys, 0,721 in girls). The average values estimated by the regression model underestimated the sum of skinfolds (0.91 mm in boys and 1.48 mm in girls) and were slightly higher than original values in the case of % BF (0.14 mm in boys and 0.31 mm in girls). For relative adiposity, there is no difference between the expression of Siri and the equations developed in this work: Boys: % BF= 106.50 x 28.36 WHI; Girls: % BF = 89.73 x -15.40 WHI. Conclusions The waist to height ratio (WHR) is effective for predicting relative fatness (% BF) between 6 and 14 years. The developed equations can help to simplify the diagnosis of overweight and obesity in pediatric age (AU)

Asociación entre actividad física y percepción de la imagen corporal en adolescentes madrileños / Association between physical activity and body image perception in a sample of Spanish adolescents (Madrid)

En el presente estudio se pretende evaluar la relación entre la composición corporal, la auto-percepción de la imagen y el tipo e intensidad del ejercicio físico practicado en un grupo de jóvenes madrileños de 13 a19 años. Estas asociaciones son fundamentales en la adolescencia, periodo de importantes cambios físicos y psicológicos que está fuertemente influenciado por una sociedad centrada en el culto al cuerpo. La metodología utilizada ha sido, en primer lugar la entrega de encuestas en las que se interrogaba a los jóvenes sobre el ejercicio físico realizado fuera del aula. En segundo término un cuestionario para la percepción de su imagen corporal basado en la elección de siluetas (asociadas a distintos Índices de Masa Corporal o IMC) y finalmente la toma de dimensiones antropométricas encaminadas a la valoración de la composición corporal. Los resultados obtenidos confirman que existe una distorsión de la percepción corpórea en ambos sexos. Sin embargo, es curioso comprobar que, aunque dicha alteración es mayor en el sexo masculino, los varones no muestran deseos de adelgazar mientras que la mayoría de las mujeres si tienen dicha pretensión. Este hecho influye en el tipo de actividad física escogida ya que, sobre todo las chicas, escogen actividades de tipo individual aeróbico cuya finalidad suele ser disminuir el IMC, mientras que ellos denotan preferencia por los deportes en equipo que no muestran dicho propósito (AU)

The aim of this study is to assess the relationships between body composition, self-perception and the type and intensity of exercise performed in a group of Spanish adolescents from 13 to 19 years old. These associations are crucial in adolescence as it represents a period of major physical and psychological changes, being strongly influenced by a society focused mainly on the body. The methodology consisted, on a first step, on surveys referring to overtime school physical activities. On a second one, by the application of a survey to diagnose body image perception from the analysis of silhouettes(each associated with one Body Mass Index or BMI value) and finally anthropometric measures were taken in order to evaluate body composition. The results confirm body image distortion in both sexes. However, it is curious that males show no desire to lose weight while most women have such a plan. Consequently, this influences the type of activity chosen as women prefer individual aerobic activities to lower their BMI while men chose team sports with no such intention (AU)