Changes in Food and Beverage Purchases Associated With the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Public policies to contain the spread of coronavirus disease in Mexico could have had an effect on food purchase patterns. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess changes in the quantity of food and beverages purchased and proportion spent on food consumed away from home during the coronavirus disease pandemic in Mexican households. DESIGN: This study is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the National Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2014-2020. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: The study included 234,631 households with information on food and beverages purchases from 2014 to 2020. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Food and beverage purchases were classified into six categories: basic, nonbasic energy-dense foods, prepared food for consumption at home, water, milk, and sugar-sweetened beverages. In the National Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2014-2020, expenditures on food and beverages consumed away from home are not classified into any specific items but represents more than 10% of food and beverage expenditures; therefore, the analyses included the proportion of food and beverage expenditures spent on food consumed away from home. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: A two-part model was used to evaluate changes in the quantity of food purchased and the proportion spent away from home during the coronavirus disease pandemic in 2020 compared with 2018, adjusting for socio-demographic variables, gross domestic product and previous survey rounds. Results are presented at the national level, by income quintile and by place of residence. RESULTS: Purchases of basic food increased by 17 g/capita/day at the national level and 22.4 g/capita/day in urban areas (P < 0.001). Purchases of nonbasic energy-dense foods decreased both at the national level (-4.2 g/capita/day; P < 0.001) and by place of residence (-4.8 g/capita/day; P < 0.001 in urban areas and -2.5 g/capita/day; P = 0.001 in rural settings). Purchases of prepared food increased 16 g/capita/day (P < 0.001). In rural areas, purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages increased 7.2 mL/per capita/day (P < 0.001). For the lowest income quintile purchases of processed meat increased 2.4 g/capita/day (P < 0.001). The proportion spent on food consumed away from home decreased by -44.9% (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study show that during the coronavirus disease lockdown there was an increase in basic and prepared food purchases, whereas purchases of nonbasic energy-dense foods and the proportion spent on food consumed away from home decreased. However, findings showed an increase in sugar-sweetened beverages purchases among rural dwellers and an increase in purchases of processed meat among the lowest income quintile. Various factors such as income reductions, unemployment, mobility restrictions, or increases in prices may have led the observed changes. Future research should be conducted to analyze these potential pathways.

Self-reported dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with adipose tissue markers and glucose metabolism in apparently healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and resistin are associated with dysfunctional adipose tissue (AT)-related metabolic complications. The role of dietary eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids in this relationship is unknown. AIM: To investigate the association of EPA and DHA with PAI-1 and resistin, as well as the role of this association on the glucose metabolism of apparently healthy subjects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six healthy individuals were included. Validated food frequency questionnaires were used to analyse dietary habits. Inflammatory and glucose metabolism markers were quantified. Subcutaneous AT samples were obtained, and adipocyte number, area, and macrophage content were assessed. RESULTS: In 36 subjects aged 56 ± 8 years and with a body mass index of 26 ± 4 kg/m2, logEPA, and logDHA showed significant association with logresistin and a marginal association with PAI-1. Adipocyte number, area, and lognumber of macrophages per adipocyte significantly correlated with PAI-1 but not with logresistin. Although logEPA and logDHA were independently associated with loginsulin, loginsulin resistance, and C-Peptide, the addition of logresistin, but not of PAI-1, into the multivariable model, abolished the associations. CONCLUSIONS: EPA and DHA could modulate glucose metabolism across AT functional states. Our data indicate that this association is independent of other metabolic risk factors.

Uric acid is associated with morpho-functional adipose tissue markers in apparently healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Studies have focused on the search of novel biomarkers that allow to easily identify dysfunctional adipose tissue (AT). Uric acid (UA) could be produced and reabsorbed by AT. It has been suggested that the increases of UA concentrations participates in AT dysfunction. We investigated the association of UA with morpho-functional adipose tissue markers in apparently healthy subjects. METHODS: Forty apparently healthy individuals were included. Dietary habits and anthropometrical features were evaluated. Circulating concentrations of UA, adiponectin, leptin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were quantified. Periumbilical subcutaneous AT samples were obtained and adipocyte number, adipocyte area, and macrophages content were assessed. RESULTS: The present study included 40 healthy subjects (67% women) with an average age of 57 ± 9 y, BMI of 26 ± 4 (kg/m2). UA showed a significant association with the number and mean area of adipocytes, macrophages number, adiponectin, and PAI-1. Although UA was independently associated with the number and mean area of adipocytes, macrophages number, adiponectin into the adjusted multivariable model. CONCLUSION: UA concentrations are associated with morpho-functional adipose tissue markers. Our results underscore the importance of UA as one earlier instigator of adipose tissue dysfunction in subjects without metabolic abnormalities.

Changes in apparent consumption of staple food in Mexico associated with the gradual implementation of the NAFTA.

In 1994, the United States, Canada, and Mexico signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to remove trade barriers and facilitate cross-border trade in goods and services. Worldwide, trade agreements, urbanization and economic development have shaped significant changes in dietary habits. This study aims to evaluate the association between the gradual implementation of NAFTA and changes in apparent consumption of staple foods in Mexico. We analyzed national apparent consumption of animal- and vegetable-source foods, using data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) from 1970 to 2018. Association between NAFTA and apparent consumption was estimated using interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) with synthetic controls and included two inflection points based on the implementation of NAFTA: 1994, when the agreement began, and 2008 when it was fully implemented. As a result, comparing Mexico with the synthetic control, we found a significant decrease in apparent consumption of pulses, -3.22 and -1.92 kcal/capita/day in the post-1994 and post-2008 periods, respectively. The vegetable-source foods showed an increase of 5.79 kcal/capita/day after 2008. The trends of apparent consumption of animal-source foods, eggs, and milk had significant increases after 1994 and 2008. The apparent consumption of meat increased only after 2008. The implementation of NAFTA was associated with an increase in apparent consumption of food from animal-source and a decrease in consumption of pulses. After 2008, an increase in apparent consumption of vegetable-source foods was observed.