Food for thought or food for emotions? An analysis of marketing strategies in television food advertising seen by children in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the relationship between the marketing strategies and nutritional quality of foods and beverages promoted in television food advertisements (TV ads) seen by Colombian child audiences overall and based on child gender and socio-economic strata (SES). DESIGN: A quantitative content analysis of marketing appeals was combined with nutritional data of the food products advertised and matched with TV audience ratings data for each food and beverage ads for Colombian children between 4 and 11 years. SETTING: All beverages and foods TV ads cable or over-the-air channels in Colombia in 2017. PARTICIPANTS: N/A. RESULTS: Compared with rational appeals (e.g. freshness, health or nutrition messages), emotional appeals (referencing or depicting human senses or emotions, e.g. using cartoons to suggest fun) were more frequently used in the TV ads most viewed by Colombian children. Female children and children in lower SES tended to be more exposed to emotional appeals in TV ads than their male or higher SES counterparts. Furthermore, TV ads using more emotional appeals tended to be for products high in problematic nutrients. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study highlight the need to implement statutory measures to reduce the deleterious effect of food marketing on children.

Impact of nutrient warning labels on Colombian consumers' selection and identification of food and drinks high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the impact of nutrient warnings on product selection and ability to identify food products high in nutrients of concern in Colombia. METHODS: In an online experiment (May-June 2023), Colombian adults were randomized to a nutrient warning, guideline daily amounts (GDA), Nutri-Score, or no-label condition (n = 8,004). Participants completed selection tasks between two fruit drinks labeled according to their condition, one high in sugar and one not. Next, participants answered questions about products high in sugar, sodium, and/or saturated fat ("high-in" product). Finally, they selected which label would most discourage them from consuming a high-in product. RESULTS: Fewer participants (17%) exposed to the nutrient warning indicated they would purchase the high-sugar fruit drink compared to Nutri-Score (27%, Holm-adjusted (adj) p<0.001) and no label conditions (31%, adj p<0.001); there were no differences between the nutrient warning and GDA label (14%, adj p = 0.087). Compared to the nutrient warning, the GDA label was slightly more effective at helping consumers identify which drink was high in sugar (89% versus 92%, adj p<0.001), while the Nutri-Score and no-label conditions were less effective. Compared to all other conditions, nutrient warnings were more effective at helping participants identify that products were high in nutrients of concern, were more effective at decreasing intentions to purchase these high-in products and were perceived as more effective. Nutrient warnings were most often selected as the label that most discouraged consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrient warnings are a promising policy to help consumers identify and discourage consumption of products high in nutrients of concern. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial Registration: NCT05783726.

Impact of nutrient warning labels on choice of ultra-processed food and drinks high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat in Colombia: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed nutrient warnings' impact on product selection and identification of food products high in nutrients of concern in Colombia. METHODS: In an online experiment (October 2020), 8,061 Colombians were randomized to a nutrient warning, guideline daily amounts (GDA), Nutri-Score, or no-label condition. They viewed two fruit drinks labeled according to their condition, one high in sugar and one not, and completed selection tasks. Next, they assessed four products high in sugar, sodium, and/or saturated fat ("high in" product). Finally, they selected which label would most discourage them from consuming a "high in" product. RESULTS: The nutrient warning performed better on most outcomes. Twenty percent of participants exposed to the nutrient warning would purchase the high-sugar fruit drink compared to GDA (24%, p<0.01), Nutri-Score (33%, p<0.001), and no label (29%, p<0.001). GDA performed slightly better than the nutrient warning in identifying the high-sugar fruit drink (91% vs 88%, p<0.001). The nutrient warning best helped participants correctly identify other "high in" products (75% vs. 23% no-label, 26% Nutri-Score, and 43% GDA, all p<0.001) and had the highest perceived message effectiveness (3.86 on 5-point scale vs. 2.97 GDA and 2.70 Nutri-Score, both p<0.001) and lowest likelihood of purchasing "high in" products (2.58 on 5-point scale vs. 3.23 GDA, 3.49 Nutri-Score, and 3.51 no label, all p<0.001). The nutrient warning most discouraged participants from wanting to consume "high in" products. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrient warnings are a promising policy to help consumers identify and discourage consumption of products high in nutrients of concern. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial Registration: NCT04567004.

Factores de salud percibida y de calidad de vida al inicio de la educación universitaria en Colombia / Perceived health and quality of life factors at the beginning of university education in Colombia

Resumen El objetivo del presente estudio fue identificar factores de salud percibida y de calidad de vida en estudiantes de primer semestre de una universidad privada en Colombia. Para esto, se contó con una muestra por conveniencia de 636 estudiantes (M = 18 años, DE = 1.38) que participó en la primera medición de una investigación longitudinal denominada VIDA2020. En particular, se realizó un diseño de investigación observacional transversal, enmarcado en una investigación de cohorte. Del protocolo de evaluación del proyecto, este reporte incluye un cuestionario con datos sociodemográficos y antecedentes médicos, las subescalas de depresión y estrés del DASS-21, un ítem del SF36V-2 y el WHOQOL-BREF. En general, como resultado se encontró que el 91 % de los estudiantes valora su salud global como buena o excelente; que dicha valoración es significativamente menor en quienes reportan antecedentes de enfermedad (80.5 %) y síntomas de depresión (86.1 %) y estrés (83.1 %); que las mujeres, los migrantes y quienes reportan antecedentes de enfermedad puntúan menor calidad de vida física, psicológica y ambiental; y que el estrés y la depresión predicen menores puntajes de calidad de vida física y psicológica, con correlaciones más fuertes en comparación con las variables demográficas y médicas. Estos hallazgos permiten identificar y priorizar las necesidades especiales en salud de los nuevos estudiantes.

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify factors of perceived health and quality of life in first semester students of a private university in Colombia. For this purpose, a convenience sample of 636 students (M= 18 years, SD.=1.38) participated in this first phase of the longitudinal study called VIDA2020. An observational cross-sectional research design framed within a cohort study was used. From the assessment protocol of the project, this report includes a questionnaire with sociodemographic data and medical history, the DASS-21 depression and stress subscales, one item of the SF36V-2, and the WHOQOL-BREF. Results showed that most students (91%) rated their overall health as good or excellent, but this rating was significantly lower in those reporting a history of illness in their medical background (80.5%) and symptoms of depression (86.1%) and stress (83.1%). Women, migrants and those reporting a history of illness scored lower on physical, psychological and environmental dimensions of quality of life. Additionally, stress and depression predict lower physical and psychological quality of life scores, with stronger correlations compared to sociodemographic and medical variables. These findings allow the identification and prioritization of special health needs of new students.

[Adverse events associated with tramadol and dipirona administration in a level III hospital]. / Detección de efectos secundarios asociados a la administración de tramadol y dipirona en un hospital de alta complejidad.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical drugs such as dipirone and tramadol must be a primary objective in the post-marketing period and as they are used in specific population groups. OBJECTIVES: The frequency of adverse effects (including therapeutic failure) with the medications tramadol and dipirona were described and estimated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: At the Hospital Universitario de la Samaritana, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia, adverse events associated with dipirone and tramadol were rigorously tracked in patients hospitalized in the internal medicine, as well as the orthopedics and surgery departments. For a period of six months, data were collected by means of the Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia Médica y Alimentos (INVIMA) standard report form. Direct costs of adverse event treatment to the patient were calculated. RESULTS: Adverse reactions were detected 213 times in 171 (8.4%) of the 2,547 patients admitted to the services (incidence rate. Of these instances, 53.4% were rated as possible for dipirone and 46.82% for tramadol. Of the total, 0.6% (16 cases) were classes as serious adverse events. The gastrointestinal system was the most affected, with the incidences of adverse events for dipirone of 27%) and tramadol of 42.9%. The total cost generated by the medical response to the 213 adverse events was estimated to be US$14,346.53. CONCLUSIONS: An unacceptable level of preventable adverse events was described that impacted the well-being of patients, as well as the costs associated with remedial treatment. These data recommend that institutional pharmacovigilance programs be required.

Detección de efectos secundarios asociados a la administración de tramadol y dipirona en un hospital de alta complejidad / Adverse events associated with tramadol and dipirona administration in a level III hospital

Introducción. Un objetivo prioritario después de la comercialización de medicamentos, como la dipirona y el tramadol, en grupos particulares de población, como el colombiano, es garantizar la eficacia y la seguridad. Objetivo. Describir y estimar la frecuencia de efectos secundarios, incluida la falla terapéutica, asociados al uso de tramadol y a la dipirona en el Hospital Universitario de La Samaritana (III nivel). Materiales y métodos. Se hizo seguimiento intensivo de los efectos secundarios asociados a la dipirona y al tramadol en los pacientes hospitalizados en los Servicios de Medicina Interna, Ortopedia y Cirugía, durante un período de seis meses como parte de un proyecto a un año. La información se recolectó mediante el formato para reporte al Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia Médica y Alimentos, INVIMA. La probabilidad de causalidad se estableció mediante el algoritmo de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se calcularon los costos directos desde la perspectiva del pagador. Resultados. Se detectaron 213 efectos secundarios en 171 de los 2.547 pacientes que ingresaron a los servicios (proporción de incidencia, 8,4%). El 53,4% se clasificó como posible para la dipirona y 46,82% para el tramadol; el 0,62%, (16 casos) correspondió a efectos secundarios serios. El sistema más frecuentemente afectado fue el gastrointestinal: dipirona, 27%, y tramadol, 42,9%. El costo generado por la atención de los efectos secundarios a los medicamentos del estudio fue de US$ 14.346,53. Conclusiones. El impacto negativo de los efectos secundarios de los medicamentos, los recursos que se emplean en su atención y la capacidad de prevenirlos, demuestran que se requieren programas institucionales de farmacovigilancia.

Introduction. The efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical drugs such as dipirone and tramadol must be a primary objective in the post-marketing period and as they are used in specific population groups. Objectives. The frequency of adverse effects (including therapeutic failure) with the medications tramadol and dipirona were described and estimated. Material and methods. At the Hospital Universitario de la Samaritana, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia, adverse events associated with dipirone and tramadol were rigorously tracked in patients hospitalized in the internal medicine, as well as the orthopedics and surgery departments. For a period of six months, data were collected by means of the Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia Médica y Alimentos (INVIMA) standard report form. Direct costs of adverse event treatment to the patient were calculated. Results. Adverse reactions were detected 213 times in 171 (8.4%) of the 2,547 patients admitted to the services (incidence rate). Of these instances, 53.4% were rated as possible for dipirone and 46.82% for tramadol. Of the total, 0.6% (16 cases) were classes as serious adverse events. The gastrointestinal system was the most affected, with the incidences of adverse events for dipirone of 27%) and tramadol of 42.9%. The total cost generated by the medical response to the 213 adverse events was estimated to be US$14,346.53. Conclusions. An unacceptable level of preventable adverse events was described that impacted the well-being of patients, as well as the costs associated with remedial treatment. These data recommend that institutional pharmacovigilance programs be required.