Archivos Latinoamericanos de Nutrición

A study of nutritional status and dietary habits among schoolchildren from different indigenous communities within the municipality of Ixhuatlán de Madero, State of Veracruz (Mexico)

Resumen México está inmerso en una situación de transición social y nutricional con consecuencias para la población general. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el estado nutricional de escolares indígenas mexicanos, dependiendo de su género, edad y comunidad indígena y analizar sus hábitos alimenticios. Estudio transversal realizado en 230 escolares (7-12 años de edad), reclutados de seis comunidades indígenas en México. Se evaluó el peso, la talla, talla sentado y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) de los sujetos. Para conocer sus hábitos alimentarios, los sujetos también participaron en una entrevista semi-estructurada y se les pidió que respondieran a un cuestionario de frecuencia de alimentos. Existieron diferencias significativas en la talla y talla sentado por edad (p < 0.05) y no por sexo. El 17.8% presentó exceso de peso (sobrepeso + obesidad), con diferencias por edad (p < 0.05), siendo superior en chicos (20.3%) frente a chicas (14.8%). Existió asociación (p = 0.005) entre estado nutricional y comunidad de pertenencia. Existió una elevada ingesta diaria de carbohidratos (refrescos) 70.8% y de grasa mediante frituras (78.7% de casos). Existe una creciente prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad entre la población infantil perteneciente a las comunidades más aisladas y cuyo abastecimiento dependía del acceso a la tienda de cada comunidad.

Summary Mexico is currently immersed in a context of social and nutritional transition with important consequences for the general population. This study aimed to analyze the nutritional status of indigenous Mexican school children, depending on their gender, age and indigenous community. We also wished to analyze their eating habits. A cross-sectional study performed on 230 school children (7-12 years of age), recruited from six indigenous communities in Mexico. Weight, standing height, sitting height, and body mass index (BMI) of the subjects were evaluated. To assess their eating habits, the subjects also participated in a semi-structured interview and were asked to respond to a food frequency questionnaire. There were significant differences in standing height and sitting height in regard to age (p<0.05) though not in regard to gender. The 17.8% of the subjects had excess weight (overweight + obesity) with significant differences for age (p < 0.05). There was a higher percentage of excess weight among boys (20.3%) than among girls (14.8%). Our study also detected an association (p = 0.005) between nutritional status and indigenous community. The eating habits of the children were characterized by a high daily ingestion of carbohydrates in the form of soft drinks (70.8%) and fat from fried foods (78.7%). There is a growing prevalence of overweight and obesity in the child population in the more isolated indigenous communities, whose food supply directly depends on access to grocery stores at each location.

Reliability of a questionnaire to evaluate the food balance of school menus

Resumen Una adecuada planificación del menú escolar puede servir como estrategia en la prevención de la obesidad infantil y las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles. El objetivo del estudio fue aportar evidencias de fiabilidad de un cuestionario capaz de evaluar el equilibrio alimentario (cualitativo) de menús escolares. El cuestionario estudiado constaba de 17 ítems referidos a grupos de alimentos, técnicas culinarias y la combinación de los platos para su uso en la evaluación de la oferta alimentaria en comedores escolares (cuestionario EQ-MEs). Para la fiabilidad se analizó la reproducibilidad (coeficiente de correlación intraclase y de Pearson), tanto el grado de acuerdo intraobservador como entre dos observadores, de una muestra de 255 planificaciones mensuales de menús para 20 días ofrecidos en la Comunitat Valenciana (España). Se completó el estudio con el análisis gráfico de Bland-Altman. La asociación intraobservador mostró un coeficiente de correlación intraclase entre 0,940 y 1, y de Pearson entre 0,900 y 0,990. La comparativa interobservadores reflejó una asociación con valores entre 0,771 y 0,980 para el coeficiente de correlación intraclase (excepto para el ítem combinación de platos con 0,516), y entre 0,895 y 0,845 para el de Pearson (excepto para el ítem combinación de platos con 0,350). El análisis gráfico de Bland-Altman mostró también las altas asociaciones encontradas. En conclusión, el cuestionario EQ-MEs es un instrumento fiable para evaluar el equilibrio de menús escolares, de fácil utilización y que permite clasificarlos.

Summary Proper school menu planning can serve as a strategy in the prevention of childhood obesity and chronic noncommunicable diseases. The aim of the study was to provide reliable evidence of a questionnaire that allows to evaluate the food balance of school menus. There was studied the reliability of a questionnaire of 17 articles referred to groups of food, culinary technologies and the combination of the plates for his use in the evaluation of the food offer in school dining rooms (questionnaire EQ-MEs). For the reliability there was analyzed the reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient and of Pearson), so much degree of agreement intra-observer as between two observers, of a sample of 255 monthly plannings of menus for 20 days offered in the Valencian Community (Spain). The study was completed with the Bland-Altman graphical analysis. The association test-retest showed an intraclass correlation coefficient between 0.940 and 1, and of Pearson between 0.900 and 0.990. Comparative inter-observers it reflected an association with values between 0.771 and 0.980 for the intraclass correlation coefficient (except for the article combination of plates with 0.516), and between 0.895 and 0.845 for that of Pearson (except for the article combination of plates with 0.350). Bland-Altman’s graphical analysis showed also the high opposing associations. In conclusion, the EQ-MEs questionnaire is a reliable instrument to evaluate the balance of school menus, easy to use and classifying them.

Validity of a questionnaire to estimate vitamin A intake in pregnant women

Summary The objective was to assess the relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to estimate daily vitamin A intake in pregnant women using two biomarkers as references, maternal serum retinol and breast milk retinol. This is an observational, descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study. FFQ was applied to 161 pregnant women at the largest public maternity hospital in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. The FFQ recall period was the last 30 days before childbirth. The mother was asked if she had consumed or not each food item over the last 30 days, how often and which portion size. Samples of maternal blood and breast milk for determination of retinol concentrations were collected. Partial Pearson correlation test, agreement by kappa quadratic statistics, cross-classification into quartiles and the method of triads with two biomarkers were performed. The mean FFQ intake of vitamin A was 875 µg/day and the frequency of inadequate intake was 52.8%. Low correlation coefficients were observed between the FFQ and both biomarkers. In cross-classification, considering foods sources with or without provitamin A, 63.6% to 68.3% of the results fell into the same or adjacent quartiles, respectively; less than 10% of all results were classified into opposite quartiles. The validity coefficient of the FFQ was 0.484. FFQ performed better when considering only food sources of preformed vitamin A and both biomarkers (ρ=0.554). As a conclusion, FFQ provided an estimate of vitamin A intake with moderate accuracy, being suitable to rank pregnant women according to categories of intake.

Resumo O objetivo foi avaliar a validade relativa de um Questionário de Frequência Alimentar (QFA) para estimar o consumo de vitamina A em mulheres grávidas usando dois biomarcadores como referência, retinol sérico materno e retinol de leite materno. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, descritivo, analítico e transversal. O QFA foi aplicado a 161 gestantes na maior maternidade pública de Ribeirão Preto. O período de abrangência do QFA foi de 30 dias antes do parto. Questionava-se à mãe se ela havia ingerido ou não cada item de alimento contido em um álbum fotográfico nos últimos 30 dias e qual era a frequência e o tamanho da porção consumida. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue materno e leite materno para determinação das concentrações de retinol. Foi realizado o teste de correlação parcial de Pearson, concordância de kappa, classificação cruzada em quartis e o método de tríades com dois biomarcadores. A ingestão média pelo QFA de vitamina A foi de 875mg / dia e a frequência de ingestão inadequada foi de 52,8%. Baixos coeficientes de correlação foram observados entre o QFA e ambos os biomarcadores. Na classificação cruzada, considerando fontes de alimentos com ou sem provitamina A, 63,6% a 68,3% dos resultados caíram no mesmo quartil ou adjacentes, respectivamente; Menos de 10% de todos os resultados foram classificados em quartis opostos. O coeficiente de validade do QFA foi de 0,484. O QFA apresentou melhor desempenho quando considerou apenas fontes alimentares de vitamina A pré-formada e ambos os biomarcadores (ρ = 0,554). A acurácia do QFA para a estimativa de vitamina A foi considerada moderada, sendo adequado para categorizar as gestantes em categorias de consumo.

Perception of feeding phenomenon and organoleptic properties of food by a group of elderly people with presbyphagia

Resumen El envejecimiento conlleva cambios fisiológicos y no fisiológicos que afectan la percepción del adulto mayor sobre el fenómeno de la alimentación, sin embargo, las investigaciones internacionales podrían no representar a la población chilena, existiendo escasa información acerca de la percepción del adulto mayor con presbifagia y los factores que influyen en su alimentación. El objetivo del presente estudio cualitativo y de diseño fenomenológico es conocer la percepción de los adultos mayores con presbifagia sobre el fenómeno de la alimentación, abarcando factores fisiológicos y no fisiológicos, junto a las propiedades organolépticas de los alimentos que prefieren. Para ello se aplicó una entrevista semiestructurada a ocho adultos mayores con presbifagia asistentes a un Centro de Actividades Prácticas (muestreo por saturación). El discurso se procesó mediante codificación axial en dos niveles: formación de códigos (a través de citas del entrevistado), memos (conceptos de los investigadores) y la codificación selectiva, mediante la integración de los códigos en familias, aplicando el método de comparaciones constantes, utilizando Atlas.ti 6. Los resultados indican que en la alimentación intervienen factores sociales y psicológicos. Las propiedades organolépticas que influyen en la percepción del adulto mayor son: tamaño, consistencia, sabor, temperatura e intensidad del color, las cuales afectan la elección de los alimentos. En conclusión la percepción del adulto mayor con presbifagia sobre la alimentación, está influenciada por factores fisiológicos y no fisiológicos, los cuales determinan la preferencia de propiedades organolépticas y elección de alimentos. Además de encontrarse influenciada por hábitos alimentarios adquiridos y ubicación geográfica.

Summary Aging involves physiological and non-physiological changes that affect the perception of the elderly on the phenomenon of food, however, international investigations could not represent the Chilean population, because of the little information about the perception of the elderly with presbyphagia and the factors that influence their diet. The purpose of this qualitative study with phenomenological design is to know the perception of older adults with presbyphagia about food phenomenon, considering physiological and non-physiological factors along with the organoleptic properties of foods that they prefer. For this, a semistructured interview was applied to eight older adults with presbyphagia attending at the Practical Activities Center (sampling by saturation). The speech was processed through axial coding in two levels: formation of codes (through appointments of the interviewee), memos (concepts of researchers) and selective coding, through the integration of family codes, applying the method of constant comparisons, using Atlas.ti 6. The results indicate that social and psychological factors are involved in feeding. Organoleptic properties that influence the perception of the elderly are: size, consistency, taste, temperature and intensity of the color, which affect the choice of food. In conclusion the perception of the elderly with presbyphagia food, is influenced by physiological and non-physiological factors which determine the preference of organoleptic properties and food choices. In addition to being influenced by acquired habits and geographic location.

Effects of fish oil consumption on metabolic syndrome parameters in obese IIMb / Beta rats

Resumen Existe consenso científico acerca de la necesidad de cambiar hábitos de alimentación y aumentar la actividad física como estrategias para prevenir y paliar la epidemia de sobrepeso y obesidad. En este estudio se evaluaron los efectos de dietas isocalóricas e isolipídicas, con diferente calidad de lípidos, sobre algunos indicadores de síndrome metabólico en ratas de la línea IIMb/Beta de 70 días de edad. Este modelo murino manifiesta obesidad acompañada de hipertriacilglicerolemia y resistencia insulínica desde la pubertad y desarrolla diabetes tipo 2 en la adultez. Se suministraron durante 90 días tres dietas formuladas según AIN-93 (American Institute of Nutrition-93) ad libitum: Dieta AIN con aceite de girasol como fuente de lípidos; Dieta JB con grasa bovina (remplazando al aceite de girasol) y Dieta JBn-3 con grasa bovina más ácidos grasos poliinsaturados n-3 provenientes de aceite de pescado. Los animales que consumieron la dieta JBn-3 manifestaron disminución (p<0,05) en algunos indicadores de sindrome metabólico como la hiperinsulinemia, la hipertriacilglicerolemia y el depósito de lípidos totales, colesterol y triacilgliceroles hepáticos. Si bien se requieren más estudios, se confirma la validez de las intervenciones dietarias para el abordaje de la obesidad y sus comorbilidades recomendadas por los organismos internacionales.

Summary There is scientific consensus about the importance of changing dietary habits and increasing physical activity for the prevention and treatment of obesity and its co-morbidities. The effects of isocaloric and isolipidic diets with different type of fat on symptoms of the metabolic syndrome in 70 days old IIMb/Beta rats were evaluated. This murine model develops obesity, hypetryacilglycerolemia and insulin resistance since puberty, progressing to type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Three diets formulated according to AIN-93 (American Institute of Nutrition-93) were offered ad libitum during 90 days: Diet AIN with sunflower oil; Diet JB with bovine fat (replacing sunflower oil) and Diet JBn-3 with bovine fat and PUFAn-3 from fish oil. The group fed JBn-3 diet showed diminution (p<0,05) on several of the clinical manifestations of the metabolic syndrome, such as: hyperinsulinemia, hypertriacylglycerolemia and hepatic total lipids, cholesterol and triacylglycerols. Although more research is required, the study supports the beneficial effects of dietary approaches on obesity and its comorbidities.

Evaluation of antioxidant capacity, physicochemical characteristics and sensory profile of Opuntia robusta and O. ficus-indica

Resumen Las Opuntia spp. son un recurso fitogenético Mexicano de gran valor nutritivo y alto contenido de betalaínas, compuestos conocidos por sus propiedades antioxidantes. Este estudio evaluó las características fisicoquímicas, el contenido de betalaínas y su capacidad antioxidante (CA), así como el perfil sensorial de frutos de O. robusta y O. ficusindica. Esta última presentó mayor acidez y contenido de sólidos solubles (F= 769,2; P= 0,0001), (F= 360,4; P ≤0,0001), que O. robusta. En humedad y contenido de cenizas no hubo diferencias significativas entre ambas especies. La concentración de betalaínas fue superior en Opuntia robusta (F=529,1; P= ≤0,0001) betacianinas (0,114 mg/mL pulpa) y betaxantinas (0,073 mg/ mL de pulpa), en O. ficus-indica (0,023 mg/ mL de pulpa y 0,0198 mg/ mL de pulpa). Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la CA (F=545,9; P ≤0,0001), en O. ficus-indica hasta 195,38 µmol equivalente Trolox/ mL por el método Ácido2, 2´-azino-bis-(3-etilbenzotiazolina)6-sulfónico (ABTS) y 22% de inhibición de radicales libres por el método 2,2 difenil-1-pricrilhidrazilo (DPPH), para O. robusta 165,6 µmol equivalente Trolox/ mL y más del 36% de inhibición de radicales libres. Los resultados mostraron que la CA está directamente relacionada con la concentración de betacianinas y betaxantinas. Ambas variedades de Opuntia exhiben una tendencia a lo dulce y ácido, con aromas, sabores y resabios con notas frutales y vegetales. Estos resultados sugieren que estas especies pueden ser empleadas para la extracción de betalaínas debido a su gran potencial para utilizarse en la industria como fuente de pigmentos naturales con propiedades antioxidantes y agradables características sensoriales.

Summary Opuntia spp. are a Mexican phytogenetic resource with great nutritive value and high betalains (compounds known for their antioxidant properties) content. Our main goal was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics, betalains concentration and antioxidant capacity (AC), as well as sensory profiles of Opuntia robusta and O. ficus-indica, where the later one showed higher acidity and soluble solids content (F= 769.2; P= 0.0001 and F= 360.4; P ≤0.0001 respectively) than O. robusta. There was no significant difference between the species in terms of humidity and ash content. Betalains concentrations were higher in Opuntia robusta (F=529.1; P= ≤0.0001), while betacyanins (0.114 mg/ mL pulp) and betaxantins (0.073 mg/ mL de pulp) were higher in O. ficus-indica (0.023 mg/ mL pulp and 0.0198 mg/ mL de pulp). Significant differences for AC were found (F=545.9, P ≤0.0001), with O. ficus-indica showing up to 195.38 µmol Trolox equivalent / mL by the method 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 22% of free radicals inhibition by the method 2, 2 diphenyl-1-pricrylhydrazyl (DPPH), while 165.6 µmol Trolox equivalent / mL and more than 36% free radicals inhibition were found for O. robusta. Results showed that the antioxidant capacity is directly related with betacyanins and betaxantines concentration. BothOpuntia varieties exhibit a tendency to sweetness and acidity, with aromas, flavors and scents within fruity and vegetable notes. These results suggest that both species could be used in the extraction of betalains due to their great industrial potential as a source of natural pigments with antioxidant properties and pleasant sensorial characteristics.

In vitro antioxidant and bioactive properties of corn (Zea mays L.)

Summary This study investigated the antioxidant activity, inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase, angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) and aldose reductase (AR) of five types of corn cultivars (white, yellow, black, red and purple). The total phenolic content (TPC) and total anthocyanins (TA) ranged from 146.28 to 598.71 mg GAE/g and from 1.66 to 446.38 mg C3G/100 g respectively. All tested extracts were capable of scavenging peroxynitrite (ONOO-) at level of 1.6 mg/mL of TPC to extents ranging from 41.29 to 86.23%. All of the extracts also inhibited the activity of α-glucosidase with efficacies values from 17.75 to 69.83% whereas moderate inhibitory activity ACE (17.22-42.4%) and AR inhibitory activity from 22.7 to 87.2% was shown. Differences in inhibition of peroxynitrite formation and inhibition of enzymatic activities appeared to be dependent on the profile of total phenolic compounds, anthocyanins and another non phenolic compounds present in each type of corn

Resumen La actividad antioxidante, efectos inhibitorios sobre las enzimas α-glucosidasa, enzima convertidora de angiotensina (ECA) y aldosa reductasa (AR) de cinco tipos de maíz (blanco, amarillo, negro, rojo y morado) fueron analizadas. El contenido de compuestos fenólicos totales (CFT) y antocianinas totales (TA) se encontraron de 146,28 a 598,71 mg GAE/g y de 1,66 a 446,38 mg C3G/100 g respectivamente. Todos los extractos probados fueron capaces de inhibir la formación de peroxinitrito (ONOO-) de 41,29 a 86,23% a una concentración de CFT de 1.6 mg/mL. Todos los extractos también fueron capaces de inhibir la actividad de α-glucosidasa con eficacias de inhibición de 17,75 a 69.83% y una actividad inhibidora de AR de 22,7 a 87,2%, mientras la actividad de inhibición sobre ACE se mostró moderada (17,22 a 42,4%). Las diferencias de la inhibición de la formación de peroxinitrito y de las actividades enzimáticas parecen ser dependientes del perfil de compuestos fenólicos totales y antocianinas además de otros compuestos de naturaleza no fenólica presentes en cada tipo de maíz.