Development of the Chilean front-of-package food warning label.

BACKGROUND: Front-of package (FoP) nutrition labels are an option to guide consumer's decision at the point of food purchase. Chile was the first country worldwide to implement a FoP warning label and thereafter several countries have followed this model. The objective of this study is to describe the process of development of the Chilean FoP warning label. METHODS: A stepwise study was conducted including literature review, qualitative phase (lay audience & expert group meetings) and quantitative phase in women/adolescents from low-middle-socioeconomic status neighborhoods, Santiago, Chile (2 sub-studies, using point-of-sale questionnaires). Outcomes were prototype visualization, ease of understanding, and ability to modify purchase behavior. RESULTS: The literature review and qualitative phase provided information on general text (e.g. short wording) and design characteristics (e.g. use of a logo, use of red or black colors); based on these characteristics 15 prototypes were created and quantitatively tested. In the first survey, a black-&-white stop sign and a black-&-white hand were preselected; in the second survey, the stop sign stating 'Excess of ' had significantly better performance than the hand in terms of visualization, intention to purchase, and ability to modify intended purchase. Due to legal reasons the "excess of" was replaced by "high-in" in the final implementation of the law. CONCLUSIONS: A simple black-&-white stop sign warning label was the best option to flag pre-packaged foods with an excess of energy or nutrients of concern for non-communicable diseases; this FoP warning label was implemented in Chile in June 2016 as part of the Chilean Food Labeling and Marketing Law.

Impact of a school-based intervention on nutritional education and physical activity in primary public schools in Chile (KIND) programme study protocol: cluster randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chile has suffered a fast increase in childhood obesity in the last 10 years. As a result, several school programmes have been implemented, however the effectiveness of these needs to be evaluated to identify and prioritize strategies to curve this trend. METHODS: Cluster randomized controlled trial. Twelve primary public schools chosen at random over three regions of the country will take part in this study. The sample size consisted of a total of 1,655 children. For each region one school will be selected for each of the three nutritional intervention modes and one school will be selected as the control group. The intervention modes consist of the following: Healthy Kiosk and nutritional education (KSEAN); Optimized physical activity (AFSO); Healthy Kiosk and nutritional education (KSEAN) + optimized physical activity (AFSO); Control group. The effectiveness of each intervention will be evaluated by determining the nutritional condition of each child by measuring percentage of body fat, BMI and the z-score of the BMI. This study will also identify the eating behaviours, nutritional knowledge and fitness of each child, along with the effective time of moderate activity during physical education classes. DISCUSSION: A protocol to evaluate the effectiveness of a school based intervention to control and/or reduce the rates of childhood obesity for children between 6 and 10 years of age was developed. The protocol was developed in line with the Declaration of Helsinski, the Nüremberg Code and the University of Chile Guidelines for ethical committees, and was approved by the INTA, Universidad de Chile ethical committee on Wednesday 12 March 2014. There is consensus among researchers and health and education personnel that schools are a favourable environment for actions to prevent and/or control childhood obesity. However a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to date has led some to question the wisdom of allocating resources to programmes. This is the first study of this kind in Chile and could be an important first step to provide guidance to political authorities in relation to which food and nutrition strategies to prioritize to curve this alarming trend. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN32136790 , registered retrospectively on 05 September 2014.

[Food promotion and food preferences in Chilean school age children from different socioeconomic levels]. / Promoción de alimentos y preferencias alimentarias en escolares chilenos de diferente nivel socioeconómico.

UNLABELLED: To determine the attitude towards marketing of food and beverages a sample of 1,048 school children ages 8 to 13 from three cities of Chile (north, center and south of the country) were interviewed. The instrument applied was a validated questionnaire used in previous studies. A descriptive analysis of the variables was performed and differences were determined by region, socioeconomic level (SEL) and gender using Chi2 test. Differences per SEL were higher in Santiago. A greater proportion of school children of medium-low SEL watched more than 2 hours of TV during weekdays and weekends (p < 0.001). The proportion of children that liked food and beverage commercials was greater in medium-low SEL in Santiago (66%) (p < 0.001), as opposed to 26 to 35% in the medium high SEL. A high percentage indicated that they liked promotional campaigns of foods at supermarkets, on the streets, shopping centers and on the Internet. The preferred commercials were those for beverages, chocolates, ice-creams and cereals. Most common foods taken from home to school were cookies, fruits and yogurt. Most of the children had money available to buy food and the products more frequently preferred were cookies, sweets, French fries, beverages with sugar, chocolates, ice-creams and hot-dogs. CONCLUSION: marketing of food and beverages is recognized and remembered by school age children, influencing what they buy and consume regularly at school.

[Motivation and barriers in the consumption of five daily servings of fruit and vegetables by mothers of school age children and primary school teachers]. / Motivaciones y barreras para consumir 5 porciones de frutas y verduras al día en madres de escolares y profesores de enseñanza básica.

As a baseline for the promotion of health and the design of educational interventions, the benefits, barriers and stages of change related to the consumption of five daily servings of fruit and vegetables were studied in 463 mothers of school age children from different socioeconomic levels (SEL) and 412 primary school teachers in 3 cities in Chile. These groups were selected because of their influence over children's eating habits. For the evaluation of stages changes, a questionnaire designed by the American Institute for Cancer Research was adapted and applied. The questionnaire was answered voluntarily by the participants. 58% of the mothers and 60% of the teachers ate 1-2 servings of fruit and vegetables daily; 29.4 and 32.3% ate 3-4 servings and only 10 and 4% respectively ate 5 servings. Benefits reported from fruit and vegetable consumption in both groups were pleasure, wellness, a sense of well being and weight management. Barriers mentioned were forgetfulness, time constraints, nonsatisfaction of appetite and lack of motivation. The price of fruit and vegetables was considered high by 15.1% of mothers of medium high SEL and by 26.4% of medium low SEL (p < 0.002). Among teachers, 25.4% of men and 11.7% of women also considered price as a barrier (p < 0.002). Such results show that both mothers and teachers need specific interventions to improve their own motivation for eating more fruit and vegetables and to thus support this healthy eating habit in children.

Solvent effects on the spectroscopic properties of 4-hexylresorcinol.

A study was made on the spectroscopic properties of 4-hexylresorcinol (4HR) in several solvents at room temperature. Absorption and emission spectra were slightly affected by solvent polarity. Stokes' shifts were small (approximately 3000 cm(-1)) and the fluorescence quantum yields varied between 0.05 and 0.68, depending on the solvent. The spectral shifts were correlated with different solvent scales. Multiple regression analysis indicates that both non-specific solute-solvent interactions as well as specific solute-solvent interactions (such as hydrogen bonding) play an important role in the position of the Stokes' shift and on the fluorescence quantum yield in the solvents under study.

Nutrition education in Chilean primary schools.

The purpose of this study was to incorporate nutrition education in Chilean primary schools. The baseline information included nutritional status, food consumption and physical activity of 1701 children from 3rd to 7th grade in ten urban and rural schools. Main results showed a high prevalence of obesity (15.4%) and overweight (19.6%), low consumption of vegetables, fruits, and dairy products, high intake of snacks and a low level of physical activity, especially in girls. Because the Ministry of Education does not allow the incorporation of new programs into the curriculum, the educational strategy was based on the development of a text book, a teacher's guide, five practical guides for students from third to eighth grade and a CD-Rom. These materials were validated by 36 teachers in six schools through an educational intervention. Teachers and students considered the educational materials useful, motivational and easy to understand. This program is being implemented in 57 schools.

[A methodological proposal to include nutrition education in primary schools. Experience in Chile]. / Propuesta metodológica para incorporar la educación en nutrición en la enseñanza básica. La experiencia de Chile.

This article presents the methodology to incorporate nutrition education in Chilean primary schools. In 2001, nutritional status, food and nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practices of 1701 school children from ten urban and rural public schools (3rd to 7th grade) were evaluated. This information was necessary to design the nutrition education strategy. The prevalence of obesity was 15.4% and overweight 19.6%. Daily intake of dairy products, fruits and vegetables was low, while the consumption of energy dense snacks was very high. Because the Ministry of Education does not allow the incorporation of new programs to the curriculum, the educational strategy was based on the development of a text book, a teacher's guide, five practical guides for students from third to eight grade and a CD-Rom. These materials were validated by 36 teachers through an educational intervention during 5 months in six schools (intervention groups). The teachers reported that the educational materials were useful, motivational and easy to understand for both, teachers and students. Preliminary results showed a significant increase in food and nutrition knowledge, in the consumption of dairy products and a decrease in the consumption of bread among the intervention groups. Intake of snacks increased in both groups, but it was significantly higher in the control group. These results indicate that nutrition education will only produce significant changes in food habits if health and educational authorities establish regulations for food advertisement oriented to children and also to food items sold in the schools.

[Motivations and barriers of chilean children; threats or opportunities for the implementation of 2013 food based dietary guidelines]. / Motivaciones y barreras de los niños chilenos; ¿amenazas u oportunidades para la implementación de la guías alimentarias 2013?

INTRODUCTION: Implementation of the updated Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG) for the Chilean population requires the design of innovative strategies and effective. OBJECTIVE: To determine motivations and barriers for children and mothers of preschool-age children to follow new FBDG messages, aiming to identify challenges and opportunities for designing effective communication and implementation strategies. METHODS: A qualitative study based on 12 focus groups of 9 to 13 age children and 6 focus groups of mothers of preschool-age children, living in the north, central and south regions of the country, to analyze their reaction to each one of the 2013 FBDG messages. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Answers of children and mothers did not show differences by gender (in the case of the children) or region of the country. Results show the most frequent and representative comments regarding each message. Challenges to reducing the consumption of foods high in energy, fat, sugar and salt include advertisements and plentiful supply and low prices for these types of foods, both in the school environment and on the street. Opportunities identified included the advertisement of fruits, vegetables and dairy products to promote their consumption, as well as the coming implementation of Law 20.606, which is expected to be an effective way to support this initiative. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that the design of strategies based on values, desires and needs of different groups will contribute to optimizing the implementation of the 2013 Chilean FBDG.

Introducción: La implementación de las nuevas Guías Alimentarias Basadas en Alimentos (GABA) para la población chilena, requiere el diseño de estrategias innovadoras y efectivas. Objetivo: Determinar las motivaciones y barreras de niños y madres de preescolares ante los nuevos mensajes de las GABA, para identificar amenazas y oportunidades a considerar en el diseño de estrategias de comunicación e implementación aceptables para ellos. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo, con 12 grupos focales de niños de 9 a 13 años y 6 grupos focales de madres de preescolares en el norte, centro y sur del país, para analizar su reacción ante cada uno de los 11 mensajes de las GABA 2013. Resultados y discusión: Las respuestas de los niños y madres no mostraron diferencias por género (en el caso de los niños) o región del país. Se presentan los comentarios más frecuentes y representativos ante cada mensaje. Como amenazas para reducir el consumo de alimentos de alta densidad energética, altos en grasas, azúcares y sal se identificó la publicidad, gran oferta y bajos precios de este tipo de alimentos en las escuelas y en la calle. Las oportunidades identificadas incluyeron la publicidad de frutas, verduras y lácteos como facilitadoras de su consumo, así como la próxima implementación de la Ley 20.606, que se espera represente un apoyo efectivo a esta iniciativa. Conclusión: Los resultados del presente estudio indican que el diseño de estrategias basadas en los valores, deseos y necesidades de los distintos grupos contribuirá a optimizar la implementación de las GABA en el país.

¿Cómo aumentar el consumo de leguminosas en la población Chilena? / How can legume consumption be increased in the Chilean population?

RESUMEN En las últimas décadas la obesidad se ha transformado en uno de los mayores problemas de salud pública a nivel mundial. En Chile más del 50% de los niños de pre kinder y 1° año básico tienen exceso de peso. Esto ha motivado acciones para fomentar la alimentación saludable, como la Ley 20.606, las Guias Alimentarias Chilenas del año 2013 y la incorporación de alimentos saludables en el Programa de Alimentación Escolar. A pesar de lo anterior, se observó un aumento del consumo aparente de alimentos procesados de alta densidad energética, grasas saturadas, sodio y de azúcares agregados, perdiendo importancia los alimentos naturales (verduras, frutas y legumbres). Las legumbres han presentado un consumo decreciente desde 1987, llegando a consumir menos de kilo/hogar al mes. Por otro lado, existe una clara aceptación del consumo de legumbres en los niños, a pesar de desconocer las recomendaciones de consumo, y un rechazo a su preparación en el hogar por las madres, indicando el poco apoyo del hogar a la adquisición de este saludable hábito en los niños. A pesar de las estrategias establecidas para aumentar el consumo de legumbres, estas han sido escasas y con baja cobertura. Se ha demostrado que la escuela es importante en el desarrollo de estilos de vida saludables, al igual que un ambiente familiar que los fomente.

ABSTRACT In recent decades, obesity has become one of the biggest public health problems worldwide. In Chile, more than 50% of pre-school and 1st-grade students are overweight. This has led to a series of actions to promote healthy eating in the Chilean population, such as the 20,606 law, the 2013 Chilean Dietary Guidelines and the incorporation of healthy foods into the school food program. Despite these efforts there has been an increase in the consumption of high energy density processed foods, saturated fats, sodium and added sugars, and a decrease in the consumption of natural foods (vegetables, fruits and legumes). Legume consumption has been decreasing since 1987, with current consumption averaging less than 1 kilogram per home per month. On the other hand, there is a clear acceptance of legume consumption by children, despite not knowing recommended consumption. At the same time, mothers demonstrate a rejection to legume preparation in the home; indicating how little support there is in the home for children to acquire this healthy eating habit. Strategies to increase the consumption of legumes have been few and have had low coverage. It has been shown that the school environment is important in developing healthy lifestyles in children, as is a family environment that promotes healthy lifestyles.

Motivaciones y barreras de los niños chilenos; ¿amenazas u oportunidades para la implementación de las guías alimentarias 2013? / Motivations and barriers of chilean children; threats or opportunities for the implementation of 2013 food based dietary guidelines?

Introducción: La implementación de las nuevas Guías Alimentarias Basadas en Alimentos (GABA) para la población chilena, requiere el diseño de estrategias innovadoras y efectivas. Objetivo: Determinar las motivaciones y barreras de niños y madres de preescolares ante los nuevos mensajes de las GABA, para identificar amenazas y oportunidades a considerar en el diseño de estrategias de comunicación e implementación aceptables para ellos. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo, con 12 grupos focales de niños de 9 a 13 años y 6 grupos focales de madres de preescolares en el norte, centro y sur del país, para analizar su reacción ante cada uno de los 11 mensajes de las GABA 2013. Resultados y discusión: Las respuestas de los niños y madres no mostraron diferencias por género (en el caso de los niños) o región del país. Se presentan los comentarios más frecuentes y representativos ante cada mensaje. Como amenazas para reducir el consumo de alimentos de alta densidad energética, altos en grasas, azúcares y sal se identificó la publicidad, gran oferta y bajos precios de este tipo de alimentos en las escuelas y en la calle. Las oportunidades identificadas incluyeron la publicidad de frutas, verduras y lácteos como facilitadoras de su consumo, así como la próxima implementación de la Ley 20.606, que se espera represente un apoyo efectivo a esta iniciativa. Conclusión: Los resultados del presente estudio indican que el diseño de estrategias basadas en los valores, deseos y necesidades de los distintos grupos contribuirá a optimizar la implementación de las GABA en el país (AU)

Introduction: Implementation of the updated Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG) for the Chilean population requires the design of innovative strategies and effective. Objective: To determine motivations and barriers for children and mothers of preschool-age children to follow new FBDG messages, aiming to identify challenges and opportunities for designing effective communication and implementation strategies. Methods: A qualitative study based on 12 focus groups of 9 to 13 age children and 6 focus groups of mothers of preschool-age children, living in the north, central and south regions of the country, to analyze their reaction to each one of the 2013 FBDG messages. Results and discussion: Answers of children and mothers did not show differences by gender (in the case of the children) or region of the country. Results show the most frequent and representative comments regarding each message. Challenges to reducing the consumption of foods high in energy, fat, sugar and salt include advertisements and plentiful supply and low prices for these types of foods, both in the school environment and on the street. Opportunities identified included the advertisement of fruits, vegetables and dairy products to promote their consumption, as well as the coming implementation of Law 20.606, which is expected to be an effective way to support this initiative. Conclusion: The results of this study show that the design of strategies based on values, desires and needs of different groups will contribute to optimizing the implementation of the 2013 Chilean FBDG (AU)

[Effectiveness of a dietary and physical activity intervention to prevent obesity in school age children]. / Efectividad de una intervención en educación alimentaria y actividad física para prevenir obesidad en escolares de la ciudad de Casablanca, Chile (2003-2004).

BACKGROUND: With the aim of contributing to he Healthy Goal 2010 of reducing significantly the prevalence of childhood obesity we developed and implemented during 2003 and 2004, a school-based obesity prevention intervention which included nutrition education and the promotion of physical activity. AIM: To report the results of the intervention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample included 1760 children (1st to 7th grade) from 3 elementary public schools in Casablanca (experimental group) and 671 from a similar school located in Quillota, a neighboring city (control). Primary outcomes were body mass index (BMI) Z score, the mile and shuttle-run tests and obesity prevalence. We also compared changes in waist circumference and triceps skinfold between both groups. Effectiveness of the intervention was assessed by analyzing separately the group *age* time interaction for the first 3 outcomes (follow-up-baseline), using a mixed model of covariance and by comparing variations in obesity prevalence between both groups. RESULTS: There was a significant decline in BMI Z scores in experimental schools for both genders, but greater in boys (p <0.001 versus p =0.0034 in girls), while in controls, BMI Z scores increased. Obesity prevalence declined significantly in experimental schools; from 17 to 12.3% and from 14.1 to 10.3% in boys and girls respectively, while in the control group, it remained unchanged. Also, triceps skinfold in girls from Casablanca increased significantly less than that of control girls. CONCLUSION: This intervention proved that it is possible to reduce significantly the prevalence of obesity in Chilean schoolchildren attending public elementary schools.

Histopatología del daño múltiple de órganos en autopsias pediátricas / Histopathology of multiple organ damage in paediatric autopsies

Introducción: el daño múltiple de órganos es el conjunto de alteraciones morfológicas, frecuentes en pacientes críticos, diagnosticadas en las autopsias como respuesta a la inflamación sistémica. En estudios realizados, las personas con edades jóvenes de la vida se han visto particularmente afectadas por esta entidad. Objetivo: analizar el comportamiento del diagnóstico del daño múltiple de órganos en autopsias pediátricas procedentes de dos unidades de terapia intensiva e identificar las manifestaciones histopatológicas, la edad y el sexo de los niños fallecidos. Métodos: se revisaron 13 autopsias de niños fallecidos en el Hospital Militar Central "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto" en 5 años (2003-2007) y 42 correspondientes al Hospital Pediátrico Docente de San Miguel del Padrón en un periodo de 7 años (2000-2006), y se extrajeron las que cumplieron los criterios diagnósticos del daño múltiple de órganos. Resultados: se destacó la elevada frecuencia del daño múltiple de órganos en las autopsias de la terapia pediátrica en ambos centros estudiados. Los primeros periodos de vida fueron los más afectados, mientras el sexo mostró variaciones entre ambos centros estudiados. Conclusiones: el diagnóstico del daño múltiple de órganos es expresión de la calidad del trabajo que se realiza con las autopsias y la preparación del personal médico, lo cual se muestra en las elevadas cifras de coincidencias diagnósticas. Modular la respuesta inflamatoria incontrolada, es prevenir que se establezca el referido daño y, por lo tanto, es salvar la vida de un niño.

Introduction: multiple organ damage is a group of morphological alterations, frequent in critical patients, which are diagnosed in autopsies as a response to systemic inflammation. Different studies report that the youngest people have been particularly affected by this disease. Objective: to analyze the behaviour of the diagnosis of multiple organ damage in paediatric autopsies from two Intensive Care Units and identify the histopathological manifestations, the age, and the sex in dead children. Methods: 13 autopsies of dead children were checked in "Dr. Luis Diaz Soto" Central Military Hospital during 5 years (2003-2007). Other 42 corresponding to the Paediatric Teaching Hospital of San Miguel del Padrón were also checked over a period of 7 years (2000-2006). The ones that reported diagnostic criteria of multiple organ damage were selected. Results: a high frequency of multiple organ damage in autopsies of paediatric therapies in both cases under study was emphasized. The first periods of life were the most affected ones and the sex showed some variations in the two centres under study. Conclusions: the diagnosis of multiple organ damage is the reflection of both the quality of work carried out with autopsies and the training of the medical staff. It is shown in the high levels of diagnostic coincidences. To regulate the uncontrolled inflammatory response means preventing the referred damage, thus saving a child's life.

Histopatología del daño múltiple de órganos en autopsias pediátricas / Histopathology of multiple organ damage in paediatric autopsies

Introducción: el daño múltiple de órganos es el conjunto de alteraciones morfológicas, frecuentes en pacientes críticos, diagnosticadas en las autopsias como respuesta a la inflamación sistémica. En estudios realizados, las personas con edades jóvenes de la vida se han visto particularmente afectadas por esta entidad. Objetivo: analizar el comportamiento del diagnóstico del daño múltiple de órganos en autopsias pediátricas procedentes de dos unidades de terapia intensiva e identificar las manifestaciones histopatológicas, la edad y el sexo de los niños fallecidos.Métodos: se revisaron 13 autopsias de niños fallecidos en el Hospital Militar Central Dr. Luis Díaz Soto en 5 años (2003-2007) y 42 correspondientes al Hospital Pediátrico Docente de San Miguel del Padrón en un periodo de 7 años (2000-2006), y se extrajeron las que cumplieron los criterios diagnósticos del daño múltiple de órganos. Resultados: se destacó la elevada frecuencia del daño múltiple de órganos en las autopsias de la terapia pediátrica en ambos centros estudiados. Los primeros periodos de vida fueron los más afectados, mientras el sexo mostró variaciones entre ambos centros estudiados. Conclusiones: el diagnóstico del daño múltiple de órganos es expresión de la calidad del trabajo que se realiza con las autopsias y la preparación del personal médico, lo cual se muestra en las elevadas cifras de coincidencias diagnósticas. Modular la respuesta inflamatoria incontrolada, es prevenir que se establezca el referido daño y, por lo tanto, es salvar la vida de un niño(AU)

Introduction: multiple organ damage is a group of morphological alterations, frequent in critical patients, which are diagnosed in autopsies as a response to systemic inflammation. Different studies report that the youngest people have been particularly affected by this disease. Objective: to analyze the behaviour of the diagnosis of multiple organ damage in paediatric autopsies from two Intensive Care Units and identify the histopathological manifestations, the age, and the sex in dead children. Methods: 13 autopsies of dead children were checked in "Dr. Luis Diaz Soto" Central Military Hospital during 5 years (2003-2007). Other 42 corresponding to the Paediatric Teaching Hospital of San Miguel del Padr¥n were also checked over a period of 7 years (2000-2006). The ones that reported diagnostic criteria of multiple organ damage were selected. Results: a high frequency of multiple organ damage in autopsies of paediatric therapies in both cases under study was emphasized. The first periods of life were the most affected ones and the sex showed some variations in the two centres under study. Conclusions: the diagnosis of multiple organ damage is the reflection of both the quality of work carried out with autopsies and the training of the medical staff. It is shown in the high levels of diagnostic coincidences. To regulate the uncontrolled inflammatory response means preventing the referred damage, thus saving a child's life(AU)

Investigación Promoción de alimentos y preferencias alimentarias en escolares chilenos de diferente nivel socioeconómico / Food promotion and food preferences in Chilean school age children from different socioeconomic levels

Para determinar su actitud ante la promoción comercial de alimentos y bebidas, se seleccionó una muestra de 1.048 escolares de 8 a 13 años en tres ciudades del país (norte, centro y sur), a los que se entrevistó aplicando un cuestionario validado en estudios previos. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las variables estudiadas y se determinó las diferencias según región, nivel socioeconómico (NSE) y sexo con la prueba de Chi2. Las diferencias según NSE fueron mayores en Santiago. Una mayor proporción de escolares de NSE medio bajo veía más de 2 horas de TV durante los días de colegio y fines de semana (p.

To determine the attitude towards marketing of food and beverages a sample of 1,048 school children ages 8 to 13 from three cities of Chile (north, center and south of the country) were interviewed. The instrument applied was a validated questionnaire used in previous studies. A descriptive analysis of the variables was performed and differences were determined by region, socioeconomic level (SEL) and gender using Chi2 test. Differences per SEL were higher in Santiago. A greater proportion of school children of medium-low SEL watched more than 2 hours of TV during weekdays and weekends (p.

[Nutritional status and aerobic capacity among children attending public elementary schools in Chile]. / Estado nutricional y resistencia aeróbica en escolares de educación básica: línea base de un Proyecto de Promoción de la Salud.

BACKGROUND: The Chilean Ministry of Health has developed a health promotion program called "Vida Chile", whose aim is to target risk factors for chronic diseases. To achieve this, school-based initiatives in nutrition and physical activity have been implemented. The evaluation of these initiatives includes a baseline assessment of these two variables. AIM: Baseline assessment of the nutritional status and aerobic capacity of elementary school children (1st to 8th grade). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Children from seven public schools were studied. Weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness and waist circumference were measured. To test the aerobic capacity, the 20-m Shuttle Run Test (Navette) was utilized. RESULTS: The assessment included 4,271 children, mean age was 10.2 years. The percentile of body mass index, as compared to the CDC 2000 Reference was 67.8 +/- 26.7 and 68 +/- 26.7 for boys and girls, respectively. The prevalence of obesity among children from 6 to 8 years, was 20.3 and 17.7% for boys and girls, respectively. Approximately 30% of males and 15% of females with normal weight had a good aerobic resistance, compared to 15 and 4% of their overweight counterparts. Aerobic capacity decreased with increasing age. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of obesity and a deficient level of aerobic capacity among children attending public schools in Chile.

Enfoque alimentario para mejorar la adecuación nutricional de vitaminas y minerales / Food based approaches to improve vitamin and mineral nutritional adequacy

Usando como base la densidad de nutrientes y los planeamientos de las guías alimentarias basadas en alimentos (gaba), se explora la adecuación nutricional de patrones alimentarios constituidos por los alimentos básicos más relevantes en el ámbito mundial-maíz, trigo, arroz y papa. Se analiza la adecuación nutricional de las vitaminas A, C y folatos y de los minerales hierro, zinc y calcio de dietas cuyo componente básico es uno de estos cereales o tubérculos a través de la incorporación de alimentos ricos en vitaminas y minerales se explora, en base a la información sobre composición de alimentos alternativas para mejorar la educación nutricional de estas dietas y cubrir las necesidades del grupo familiar este ejercicio demuestra que la diversificación de la dieta, con cantidades relativamente pequeñas (27 a 70g) de alimentos como frutas, verduras, legumbres y carnes permite mejorar substancialmente el aporte nutricional de vitamina A, vitamina C, folatos, hierro y zinc de las dietas estudiadas para el caso del calcio, se corrobora que la incorporación de un lácteo es fundamental. Llevar a la práctica con éxito este enfoque en base a alimentos requiere de un compromiso a nivel de país para fomentar la producción de alimentos con elevado aporte de nutrientes y educar sobre la importancia de biodisponibilidad de los mismos, para aprovechar los alimentos en todo su potencial paralelamente, se reconoce la necesidad de programas de fortificación para aquellos micronutrientes críticos, cuyas necesidades pueden sobrepasar el real potencial nutricional de los alimentos disponibles, una situación similar ocurre en el caso de grupos vulnerables como mujeres embarazadas e infantes, los cuales requieren de suplementación para asegurar la educación nutricional de sus dietas, se concluye que la gaba representan una buena alternativa para mejorar la educación nutricional de dietas que siguen basándose en un ingrediente principal, siendo también la fortificación de alimentos y suplementación dirigida a los grupos vulnerables, prácticas necesarias y complementarias a la implementación de las gaba

Programa de planificación en alimentación y nutrición para personal de áreas rurales en Chile / Food and nutrition planning program for personnel in rural areas of Chile

Con el fin de promover la capacitación en Planificación Alimentaria y Nutricional del personal de áreas rurales se tradujo y adaptó a la realidad chilena el Diseño Instruccional elaborado por FAO: "Field Programme Management Training Pack: Food and Nutrition". Este es un conjunto autosuficiente de materiales didácticos para capacitar, en cursos de 5 días, a grupos de 15 a 20 personas. Se realizaron 5 experiencias piloto enun total de 89 personas, con diferente nivel de formación; se diseño y aplicó una pauta de observación del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, una encuesta de opinión a los alumnos y un Test de conocimientos pre y post curso y se utilizaron técnicas edumétricas, para ver en que medida el material permite a los alumnos alcanzar los objetivos propuestos. El 74,0% (66 alumnos) de la muestra, obtuvo el rendimiento esperado (>= 70% del puntaje total del test). Se observaron diferencias significativas entre el nivel de conocimientos inicial y final de los alumnos. Los resultados de la Encuesta de Opinión y la Pauta de Observación señalan que el Programa devería ser desarrollado en un período de tiempo más prolongado dado que es demasiada información para 5 días, que el método, las técnicas de enseñanza-aprendizaje y el material audiovisual empleado son adecuados, así como también el número de participantes. Se concluye que éste Programa es útil y práctico para introducir la enseñanza de Planificación en Alimentación y Nutrición a personal de terreno de áreas rurales en Chile

Publicidad de alimentos y conductas alimentarias en escolares de 5° a 8° básico / Food advertising and food behavior in school age children from 5th to 8th grade

Con el fin de obtener información para mejorar la educación alimentaria y nutricional en el sistema escolar, se estudió las actitudes frente a la publicidad de alimentos y las conductas alimentarias de escolares de segundo ciclo de enseñanza básica, aplicando una encuesta previamente validada por el INTA a una muestra de 274 escolares asistentes a escuelas públicas de Copiapó (norte), Melipilla (centro) y Dalcahue (sur). Los datos se presentan en forma descriptiva para el total de la muestra y por comunas. Para determinar la asociación entre las variables se aplicó la prueba de Chi cuadrado. Los mensajes publicitarios preferidos por los escolares fueron los de productos dulces y salados como papas fritas, suflitos, chocolates, galletas y otros ricos en grasa, azúcar y sal (38,5 por ciento), bebidas (28,4 por ciento), yogur (19,5 por ciento) y comida rápida (13,6 por ciento). El 34,3 por ciento del total de escolares ½siempre¼ disponía de dinero para comprar alimentos y el 64,2 por ciento ½algunas veces¼. Con su dinero, el 68,1 por ciento de los escolares compraba alguno de los productos citados, el 17,2 por ciento bebidas, el 6,3 por ciento yogur y el 3,7 por ciento comida rápida. Se concluye que las conductas alimentarias de los escolares, semejantes en las 3 comunas, corresponden principalmente a alimentos poco saludables y bebidas con azúcar. Se reitera la necesidad de educar en nutrición a los escolares y a sus padres y profesores, a través de acciones gubernamentales de educación y promoción de la salud.

Evaluación del estado nutricional en lactentes y preescolares atendidos en centros de recuperación nutricional / Evaluation of nutritional status in infants and preschool children cared in nutritional rehabilitation centers

En el proyecto "Una acción integral para la prevención y tratamiento de la Desnutrición" se crearon 4 Centros Nutricionales para lactantes y preescolares desnutridos o en riesgo. El programa consistió en atención de 8 horas con estimulación psicomotora y dieta de 1.200 Kcal/día. La evaluación inicial en 70 niños demostró que la dieta contnía 985 Kcal/día y la ingesta era de un 60% de ella. El estado nutricional peos/edad SEMPE demostraba 55,7% de desnutrición y OMS un 67%. Talla/edad SEMPE tenía un déficit de 38.6% y OMS 58.6%. Después de 6 meses de intervención nutricional, asistencial y educativa, la dieta era de 1.123 Kcal/día, con una ingesta promedio de 75%. La desnutrición peso/edad SEMPE había disminuido a un 35.7% (p <0.001) y OMS a un 59% (p <0.0014). Para talla/edad SEMPE la disminuición fue al 20% (p <0.0005) y OMS a 28.6% (P <0.0005). Esta recuperación nutricional demuestra que la evaluación cuidadosa de los Centros es fundamental para que se cumplan sus objetivos

Pérfil profesional del nutricionista en Chile / Professional profile of the nutritionist in Chile

Se estudió el perfil y las características del ejercicio profesional del nutricionista en Chile, a través de una encuesta que se aplicó a una muestra del 20 por ciento de los profesionales (335) en 10 regiones del país, incluyendo la Región Metropolitana. Se usó la metodología propuesta por OPS/INCAP y ACODIN adaptada a la realidad nacional. La información se agrupó en 4 campos ocupacionales: nutricionistas clínicas (25,1 por ciento ); atención primaria (18,2 por ciento ); alimentación institucional (13,3 por ciento ); nutricionistas académicos (80,0 por ciento ). Se observó que un 17,0 por ciento de los profesionales trabajan en instituciones gubernamentales, hospitales, como también en instituciones responsables de la alimentación institucional. Los empleadores privados ocupan más del 50 por ciento de sus profesionales en atención primaria e industria. Los salarios más bajos es encontraron en hospitales y atención primaria. La necesidad de capacitación para la labor administrativa fue enfatizada por un 47 por ciento de la muestra. Autoestima y autonomía en las decisiones fue señalado como importantes elementos que es necesario mejorar. Los conocimientos en planificación en los campos institucionales deben ser mejorados si estos resultados se aplican a la enseñanza formal