Gestational weight gain charts for Latin American adolescents.

Monitoring gestational weight gain (GWG) throughout pregnancy among adolescents is important for detecting individuals at risk and timely intervention. However, there are no specific tools or guidelines for GWG monitoring of this group. We aimed to construct GWG charts for pregnant adolescents (10-19 years old) according to pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) using a pooled dataset from nine Latin American countries. Datasets from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay collected between 2003 and 2021 were combined after data cleaning and harmonization. Adolescents free of diseases that could affect GWG and who gave birth to newborns weighing between 2,500-4,000 g and free of congenital malformations were included. Multiple imputation techniques were applied to increase the sample size available for underweight and obesity categories. Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape were used to construct the charts of GWG according to gestational age. Internal and external validation procedures were performed to ensure that models were not over-adjusted to the data. The cohort included 6,414 individuals and 29,414 measurements to construct the charts and 1,684 individuals and 8,879 measurements for external validation. The medians (and interquartile ranges) for GWG at 40 weeks according to pre-pregnancy BMI were: underweight, 14.9 (11.9-18.6); normal weight, 14.0 (10.6-17.7); overweight, 11.6 (7.7-15.6); obesity, 10.6 kg (6.7-14.3). Internal and external validation showed that the percentages above/below selected percentiles were close to those expected, except for underweight adolescents. These charts describe the GWG throughout pregnancy among Latin American adolescents and represent a significant contribution to the prenatal care of this group. GWG cut-offs based on values associated with lower risks of unfavorable outcomes for the mother-child binomial should be determined before implementing the charts in clinical practice.

Correction: Effects of sociodemographic and health factors on the self-management of non-communicable diseases among Chilean adults during the Covid-19 pandemic.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000763.].

Derecho a la alimentación en la Constitución chilena: elementos jurídicos, sociales y nutricionales para una propuesta / Right to food in the Chilean constitution: legal, social and nutritional elements for a proposal

BACKGROUND: The Human Right to Food is not incorporated in the Chilean Constitution. Aim: To identify the legal, social, and nutritional elements for its incorporation into the new Constitution, and to draft a text proposal for the constituent discussion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive and qualitative study on the perceptions of experts and key actors of the food chain in Chile. The sample was for convenience and included civil society, academia, international organizations, parliamentarians, food traders and producers, and national and local authorities (n = 26). The research team, previously trained and standardized, applied semi-structured online surveys, which were recorded and transcribed. Through an inductive approach, a thematic analysis was carried out using the Atlas.ti 9.0 software. RESULTS: Eighty-one percent of the interviewees were in favor of the Constitutional incorporation of the Right to Food. According to interviews, a constitutional text was proposed considering the characteristics of adequate, healthy, safe, and nutritious foods. Also, the food items must be available, physically and economically accessible, and culturally relevant. A guaranteed citizen participation, food sovereignty, food security, and environmental sustainability must be considered. Conclusions: The high prevalence of malnutrition due to excess, poor diet, and food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a current Constitution that does not explicitly guarantee physical and economic access to food, establish a factual and normative background that justifies the incorporation of this right in a new Constitution.

[Right to food in the Chilean constitution: legal, social and nutritional elements for a proposal]. / Derecho a la alimentación en la Constitución chilena: elementos jurídicos, sociales y nutricionales para una propuesta.

BACKGROUND: The Human Right to Food is not incorporated in the Chilean Constitution. AIM: To identify the legal, social, and nutritional elements for its incorporation into the new Constitution, and to draft a text proposal for the constituent discussion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive and qualitative study on the perceptions of experts and key actors of the food chain in Chile. The sample was for convenience and included civil society, academia, international organizations, parliamentarians, food traders and producers, and national and local authorities (n = 26). The research team, previously trained and standardized, applied semi-structured online surveys, which were recorded and transcribed. Through an inductive approach, a thematic analysis was carried out using the Atlas.ti 9.0 software. RESULTS: Eighty-one percent of the interviewees were in favor of the Constitutional incorporation of the Right to Food. According to interviews, a constitutional text was proposed considering the characteristics of adequate, healthy, safe, and nutritious foods. Also, the food items must be available, physically and economically accessible, and culturally relevant. A guaranteed citizen participation, food sovereignty, food security, and environmental sustainability must be considered. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of malnutrition due to excess, poor diet, and food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a current Constitution that does not explicitly guarantee physical and economic access to food, establish a factual and normative background that justifies the incorporation of this right in a new Constitution.

Effects of sociodemographic and health factors on the self-management of non-communicable diseases among Chilean adults during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Individuals with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are potentially at increased vulnerability during the Covid-19 pandemic and require additional help to reduce risk. Self-management is one effective strategy and this study investigated the effect of sociodemographic and health factors on the self-management of some non-communicable diseases, namely hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, among Chilean adults during the Covid-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional telephone survey was carried out on 910 participants with NCDs, from Santiago, Chile. An adapted and validated version of the "Partners in Health" scale was used to measure self-management. Exploratory Factor analysis yielded five dimensions of this scale: Disease Knowledge, Healthcare Team Relationship, General Self-Management and Daily Routines, Drug Access and Intake, and Monitoring and Decision-Making. The average of these dimensions was calculated to create a new variable Self-Management Mean, which was used as a dependent variable together with the five separate dimensions. Independent variables included age, gender, years of schooling, number of diseases, the percentage of Multidimensional Poverty Index in the commune of residence, and self-rated health status. Beta regressions and ANOVA for the Beta regression residuals were utilized for analyses. Beta regression model explained 8.1% of the variance in Self-Management Mean. Age, years of schooling, number of diseases and self-rated health status were statistically associated with Self-Management Mean and dimensions related to daily routines and health decision making, such as Disease Knowledge, General Self-Management and Daily Routines, and Monitoring and Decision-Making. Gender and the percentage of Multidimensional Poverty Index in the commune of residence were insignificant. Strategies for self-management of NCDs during a crisis should consider age, years of schooling, number of diseases, and self-rated health status in their design.

Salud materna y perinatal de gestantes haitianas residentes en Santiago de Chile: situación y desafíos / Maternal and perinatal health of pregnant Haitian women residing in Santiago de Chile: situation and challenges

Objetivo: Comparar variables sociodemográficas, nutricionales y obstétricas, así como indicadores maternos y perinatales entre gestantes chilenas y gestantes haitianas residentes en la Región Metropolitana de Santiago de Chile. Método: Estudio observacional analítico de prevalencia en un hospital de Santiago, aprobado por el Comité de Ética del Servicio Metropolitano Norte de Chile. Datos recolectados de historias clínicas con consentimiento informado. Se realizó un análisis comparativo entre chilenas y haitianas. Se utilizaron la prueba de chi-cuadrado para variables categóricas y el test de la t para variables cuantitativas. Para calcular la estimación del riesgo se realizaron modelos de regresión logística crudos y ajustados con sus respectivos IC al 95 % en el programa Stata 15.0. Resultados: Se consideró a la totalidad de gestantes chilenas (n= 1578) y haitianas (n= 261) con gestación única que tuvieron su parto y sus respectivos recién nacidos (n= 1839) entre enero y julio de 2017. Las chilenas tuvieron mayor probabilidad de insulinorresistencia (8,45 [2,59-27,56]) y obesidad que las haitianas (OR: 3,58 [2,42-5,29]). Las gestantes haitianas tuvieron mayor probabilidad de ingreso tardío a atención prenatal (OR: 3,33 [2,50-4,34]), bajo peso materno (OR: 3,44 [2,17-5,55]), VIH (OR: 12,5 [3,03-50,00]), anemia (OR: 5 [3,03-9,09]), cesáreas (OR: 1,51 [1,58-2,12]) y RN PEG (OR: 1,72 [1,12-2,63]). Conclusiones: La salud materna y perinatal de las gestantes haitianas presenta problemáticas de salud materna y nutricionales diferentes a las de las chilenas, y una mayor tasa de cesárea. Se requieren estudios para indagar en la causa de estas últimas, así como estrategias y capacitaciones que favorezcan la adhesión a la atención prenatal precoz de las gestantes haitianas. (AU)

Objective: To compare sociodemographic characteristics and maternal and perinatal outcomes between Chilean and Haitian pregnant women in the Metropolitan Region of Chile.Methodology: Observational analytical study of prevalence, approved by the Ethics Committee of the North Metropolitan Service of Chile, Data collected from medical records with informed consent. A comparative analysis between Chilean and Haitian women was carried out. A Chi-square test was used for categorical variables and t-test for quantitative variables. For risk estimation, crude and adjusted logistic regression models were performed with their respective 95 % CI in Stata 15.0 program.Results: Universe of 1,578 Chilean pregnant women and 261 Haitian pregnant women assisted in a Santiago hospital. Chilean women had a higher probability of insulin resistance 8.45 [2.59-27.56] and obesity than Haitian women (OR: 3.58 [2.42-5.29]). Haitian pregnant women were more likely to have a late admission to prenatal care (OR: 3.33 [2.50-4.34]), low maternal weight (OR: 3.44 [2.17-5.55]), HIV (OR: 12.5 [3.03-50.00]), anemia (OR: 5 [3.03-9.09]), caesarean sections (OR: 1.51 [1.58-2.12]) and RN PEG (OR: 1.72 [1.12-2.63]).Conclusions: The maternal and perinatal health of pregnant Haitians presents maternal and nutritional health problems different from the Chilean ones and a high rate of cesarean section. Studies are required to investigate the cause of the latter, as well as strategies and training that promote adherence to early prenatal care for Haitian pregnant women. (AU)

Derecho a la alimentación y COVID-19: Estudio cualitativo de percepciones de actores clave en Chile

RESUMEN La pandemia por COVID-19 y las medidas sanitarias para su control han afectado la alimentación de las personas, lo que probablemente lleve a cifras elevadas de malnutrición en todas sus formas. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las percepciones de un grupo de actores clave sobre el aseguramiento del derecho a la alimentación en contexto de pandemia en Chile. El presente es un estudio cualitativo realizado en Chile. Los/as entrevistados fueron seleccionados/as por conveniencia y con una visión transdisciplinaria. Se realizaron 26 entrevistas semiestructuradas online, durante septiembre y octubre de 2020. El análisis de los datos se realizó utilizando un enfoque inductivo y un análisis temático, organizando la información en el software Atlas.ti 9.0. Los discursos de las y los participantes permitieron obtener 4 temas: 1. Seguridad alimentaria en tiempos de pandemia, 2. Apreciación de las estrategias alimentarias gubernamentales, 3. Respuesta comunitaria a la pandemia y 4. Otras miradas para el enfrentamiento de la pandemia. Se concluye que el acceso a los alimentos es la dimensión del derecho a la alimentación más afectada en el país en pandemia. Se reconocen estrategias estatales para mantener la alimentación de la población, sin embargo, estas se perciben como insuficientes. Por otro lado, se destaca la relevancia de la organización comunitaria. Se hace necesario realizar un seguimiento sobre las acciones tomadas para garantizar el derecho a la alimentación en el país y conocer la experiencia de otros países de América Latina y el Caribe para prepararse para futuras crisis.

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic and the sanitary measures to control it have affected people's diets, which is likely to lead to high rates of malnutrition in all its forms. The objective of this study was to describe the perceptions of a group of key actors on the assurance of the right to food in the context of a pandemic. This was a qualitative study conducted in Chile. The interviewees were selected by convenience with a transdisciplinary approach. We conducted 26 semi-structured interviews online, during September and October 2020. Data analysis was carried out using an inductive approach and a thematic analysis. We organized information using Atlas.ti 9.0 software. From the participants' narratives, we obtained 4 themes: 1. Food security in times of pandemic, 2. Appreciation of government food strategies, 3. Community response to the pandemic and 4. Other perspectives for facing the pandemic. We concluded that access to food is the dimension of the right to food most affected during the pandemic. State strategies are recognized as maintaining the population's nutrition; however, these are perceived as insufficient. On the other hand, the relevance of community organization stands out. It is necessary to monitor the actions taken to guarantee the right to food in the country and learn about the experience of other Latin American and Caribbean countries to prepare for future crises.

Pregestational obesity, maternal morbidity and risk of caesarean delivery in a country in an advanced stage of obstetric transition.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether pregestational obesity is associated with the risk of caesarean section in pregnant women living in a country in an advanced stage of the obstetric transition. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Data were collected from prenatal and hospital records. Pregestational obesity was defined as: body mass index, [weight(k)/height (m2)] ≥30, and caesarean sections were categorized as elective, emergency, or non-emergency/medically necessary. Biodemographic and sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric and perinatal pathologies, and maternal anthropometric variables were assessed. Chi-square and t-tests were used to compare qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively. Simple and adjusted generalized linear models were used to evaluate the association between pregestational obesity and caesarean delivery. Finally, population attributable risk was calculated. Data analysis was performed using STATA.v.14.0. PARTICIPANTS: 2309 pregnant women with a singleton pregnancy who gave birth at a public hospital in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile in 2015. RESULTS: The prevalence of pregestational obesity was 21.4%, and the incidence of caesarean deliveries was 34.8% (33% of which corresponded to elective, 46% to emergency, and 21% to non-emergency/medically necessary caesarean deliveries). Pregestational obesity increased the risk of caesarean delivery (aRR = 1.46; 95%CI. [1.19-1.79] as well as the risk of elective (aRR = 1.74; 95%CI. [1.23-2.45]) and emergency caesarean delivery (aRR = 1.44; 95%CI. [1.03-2.00]). The population attributable risk of pregestational obesity for caesarean section was 32%. CONCLUSION: Given the significant association between pregestational obesity and caesarean delivery, it is necessary to develop strategies to decrease obesity among women of childbearing age in order to decrease obstetric intervention.

Resultados materno-perinatales de gestantes peruanas en Chile: Exploración del efecto del migrante sano / Maternal and perinatal outcomes of peruvian pregnant women in Chile: exploring the healthy immigrant effect

RESUMEN Objetivos: Comparar indicadores materno-perinatales entre gestantes chilenas y peruanas en Santiago de Chile entre enero y julio del 2017. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal analítico en 1578 chilenas y 318 peruanas atendidas en un hospital clínico de Santiago. Se realizó un análisis comparativo de las variables materno-perinatales por nacionalidad. Se realizaron modelos logísticos crudos y ajustados con sus intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC 95%). Resultados: Las gestantes peruanas residían en promedio 5,7 años en Chile, tenían más edad (28,1 ± 6,5 vs. 26,6 ± 6,5 años), menos desocupación (52,3% vs. 60,6%), más probabilidad de ingreso tardío al control prenatal (CP) (OR: 2,17, IC 95%: 1,69-2,78) y de tener anemia (OR: 3,45, IC 95%: 2,13-5,56) asociada al ingreso tardío a CP (OR ajustado: 0,43, IC95%: 0,33-0,56). Las gestantes chilenas tuvieron una mayor probabilidad de obesidad al ingreso al CP (OR: 2,48 IC 95%: 1,81-3,41) y al parto (OR: 2,03, 1,57-2,62). Así como, de diabetes gestacional (DG) (OR: 2,12, IC 95%: 1,24-3,61), parto prematuro (OR: 2,82, IC 95%: 1,59-5,01) e hijos con bajo peso al nacer (BPN) (OR: 3,10, IC 95%: 1,51-6,33). En el modelo ajustado la obesidad se asoció en forma independiente a la DG (OR ajustado: 3,8, IC 95%: 2,44-6,18) y al BPN (OR ajustado: 3,34, IC95%: 2,33-4,85. Conclusiones: El efecto del migrante sano se observa en gestantes inmigrantes peruanas, principalmente en resultados perinatales. Es necesario favorecer el ingreso precoz a la atención prenatal, prevenir la anemia y la obesidad, para evitar resultados materno-perinatales adversos en esta población.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To compare maternal and perinatal outcomes between Chilean and Peruvian pregnant women in Santiago, Chile, between January and July 2017. Materials and methods: Analytical cross-sectional study of 1,578 Chilean and 318 Peruvian women who attended a clinical hospital in Santiago. We conducted a comparative analysis of maternal and perinatal variables by nationality. Crude and adjusted logistic models were carried out with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: Peruvian pregnant women resided an average of 5.7 years in Chile, were older (28.1 ± 6.5 vs. 26.6 ± 6.5 years), had less unemployment (52.3% vs. 60.6%), were more likely to enter prenatal care (PC) late (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.69-2.78) and had higher probability of having anemia (OR: 3.45, 95% CI: 2.13-5.56) associated with late entry to PC (adjusted OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.33-0.56). On the other hand, Chilean pregnant women were more likely to be obese upon entry to PC (OR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.81-3.41) and at the time of delivery (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.57-2.62). In addition, Chilean women had higher rates of gestational diabetes (GD) (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.24-3.61), premature delivery (OR: 2.82, 95% CI: 1.59-5.01) and low birth weight (LBW) (OR: 3.10, 95% CI: 1.51-6.33). In the adjusted model, obesity was independently associated with GD (adjusted OR: 3.8, 95% CI: 2.44-6.18) and LBW (adjusted OR: 3.34, 95% CI: 2.33-4.85). Conclusions: The healthy immigrant effect was observed in pregnant Peruvian immigrants, mainly regarding the perinatal outcomes. It is necessary to promote early access to prenatal care and to stablish measures to prevent anemia and obesity, in order to avoid adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in the studied population.

Maternal and perinatal outcomes of peruvian pregnant women in Chile: exploring the healthy immigrant effect. / Resultados materno-perinatales de gestantes peruanas en Chile: Exploración del efecto del migrante sano.

OBJECTIVES: To compare maternal and perinatal outcomes between Chilean and Peruvian pregnant women in Santiago, Chile, between January and July 2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional study of 1,578 Chilean and 318 Peruvian women who attended a clinical hospital in Santiago. We conducted a comparative analysis of maternal and perinatal variables by nationality. Crude and adjusted logistic models were carried out with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS: Peruvian pregnant women resided an average of 5.7 years in Chile, were older (28.1 ± 6.5 vs. 26.6 ± 6.5 years), had less unemployment (52.3% vs. 60.6%), were more likely to enter prenatal care (PC) late (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.69-2.78) and had higher probability of having anemia (OR: 3.45, 95% CI: 2.13-5.56) associated with late entry to PC (adjusted OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.33-0.56). On the other hand, Chilean pregnant women were more likely to be obese upon entry to PC (OR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.81-3.41) and at the time of delivery (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.57-2.62). In addition, Chilean women had higher rates of gestational diabetes (GD) (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.24-3.61), premature delivery (OR: 2.82, 95% CI: 1.59-5.01) and low birth weight (LBW) (OR: 3.10, 95% CI: 1.51-6.33). In the adjusted model, obesity was independently associated with GD (adjusted OR: 3.8, 95% CI: 2.44-6.18) and LBW (adjusted OR: 3.34, 95% CI: 2.33-4.85). CONCLUSIONS: The healthy immigrant effect was observed in pregnant Peruvian immigrants, mainly regarding the perinatal outcomes. It is necessary to promote early access to prenatal care and to stablish measures to prevent anemia and obesity, in order to avoid adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in the studied population.

OBJETIVOS: Comparar indicadores materno-perinatales entre gestantes chilenas y peruanas en Santiago de Chile entre enero y julio del 2017. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal analítico en 1578 chilenas y 318 peruanas atendidas en un hospital clínico de Santiago. Se realizó un análisis comparativo de las variables materno-perinatales por nacionalidad. Se realizaron modelos logísticos crudos y ajustados con sus intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC 95%). RESULTADOS: Las gestantes peruanas residían en promedio 5,7 años en Chile, tenían más edad (28,1 ± 6,5 vs. 26,6 ± 6,5 años), menos desocupación (52,3% vs. 60,6%), más probabilidad de ingreso tardío al control prenatal (CP) (OR: 2,17, IC 95%: 1,69-2,78) y de tener anemia (OR: 3,45, IC 95%: 2,13-5,56) asociada al ingreso tardío a CP (OR ajustado: 0,43, IC95%: 0,33-0,56). Las gestantes chilenas tuvieron una mayor probabilidad de obesidad al ingreso al CP (OR: 2,48 IC 95%: 1,81-3,41) y al parto (OR: 2,03, 1,57-2,62). Así como, de diabetes gestacional (DG) (OR: 2,12, IC 95%: 1,24-3,61), parto prematuro (OR: 2,82, IC 95%: 1,59-5,01) e hijos con bajo peso al nacer (BPN) (OR: 3,10, IC 95%: 1,51-6,33). En el modelo ajustado la obesidad se asoció en forma independiente a la DG (OR ajustado: 3,8, IC 95%: 2,44-6,18) y al BPN (OR ajustado: 3,34, IC95%: 2,33-4,85. CONCLUSIONES: El efecto del migrante sano se observa en gestantes inmigrantes peruanas, principalmente en resultados perinatales. Es necesario favorecer el ingreso precoz a la atención prenatal, prevenir la anemia y la obesidad, para evitar resultados materno-perinatales adversos en esta población.