No abstract

Women from low socioeconomic backgrounds are more affected by obesity than men. The influence of weight as a determinant of women’s eating behaviors has seldom been studied, especially in Latin America. In this study, we analyzed the food choices of vulnerable women according to their weight status. We conducted photo-elicitation interviews with 31 women from low-income neighborhoods in Santiago, Chile. Weight and height were measured and participants were divided into normal weight (n = 9), overweight (n = 15), and obese groups (n = 7) according to World Health Organization (WHO) body mass index (BMI) categories (p < 0.001). Quantitative and qualitative approaches were used for the analysis. Women in overweight and obese groups described more about their families, temporality, financial issues, and food perception. When weight groups were analyzed separately, more factors explaining eating behaviors were found (mental and physical health, body dissatisfaction, gender role, and obstacles for eating healthy) in the obese group. Results suggest that women with obesity or overweight based their diets on more internal and external factors than did normal weight women. This study contributes to our understanding of why changing behaviors can be difficult in women with obesity. Health care providers should consider these factors in the implementation of programs to address the need for a healthy diet for overweight and obese women.

Good communication between health care providers (HCPs) and patients is critical in achieving positive health outcomes. The purpose of this article was to compare the perceptions of Chilean woman and their HCPs with respect to determinants of eating behaviors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women (n=15) visiting a public health care center in Chile and with their HCPs (n=8) who were in charge of promoting healthy eating behaviors among women. Data from the interviews indicated similarities and inconsistencies in determinants of eating behaviors between the groups. Both mentioned many important factors that influence women's eating behaviors, including food preferences, dietary knowledge, self-control and self-efficacy, family, food cost, and food availability. HCPs appeared to be less aware of the role that personality traits and past experiences play as potential determinants which women mentioned. In contrast, women were less aware of the influence of anxiety and low self-esteem on eating choices, which HCPs noted as key factors. Although it was encouraging to see agreement between women and their HCPs in some areas, it is important to work on increasing understanding among the groups with respect to the important role psychological factors play in influencing eating behavior. We suggest that HCPs should focus on the importance of women's personality traits and past eating behaviors, as well as work on improving women's self-esteem and helping to decrease their anxiety levels. HCPs should be encouraged to develop good communication with each person in order to help them understand the roles that external and internal factors play in eating behaviors.

PatRicia gálvez-eSPinoza 1,a,b , loRena igleSiaS-veJaR 1,a , maRcela vizcaRRa-catalán 2,a,c , ana maRía Palomino 1,3,a,c , aleJandRa valencia 1,a,d , andiaRa ScHwingel 2,e "We eat in this way because…" Understanding eating behaviors of Chilean women of low socioeconomic status Background: The prevalence of obesity is higher in women than in men, especially in those of lower socioeconomic status. It is established that this group tends to have a less healthy diet. Aim: To explore the eating behaviors of low-income Chilean women. Material and Methods: Semi-structured interviews with photo-elicitation were conducted with 31 Chilean women aged 36 ± 6 years, who lived with a partner and had at least one sibling under 12 years of age. The interviews were transcribed and an inductive analysis of the participants' discourses was made. Results: Seven themes were described in relation to their influence on three eating behaviors (food purchase, preparation and intake): Family, preferences, temporality, financial issues, special occasions, perceptions about food, and availability of food. The family exerted a strong influence on the behaviors and had an impact on the other themes encountered. Conclusions: Eating behaviors were influenced by several factors, both at the personal and environment levels. These factors interacted with each other to produce different forms of behavior modulation. It is therefore problematic to promote healthy eating behaviors while not considering all the influences on this behavior.

IntroductionThe associations between micronutrients and obesity and/or chronic diseases are not consistent.MethodsCross‐sectional study of 300, 8–11 y children. The following measurements were obtained: 1) Anthropometry: weight (wt), height (ht), zBMI; 2) Body composition: % body fat; 3) Biomarkers metabolic risk: insulin, glucose, serum lipids, adiponectin, leptin; 4) Micronutrient indicators: hemoglobin (hb), serum ferritin (SF), serum transferrin receptors (TfR), hepcidin, plasma zinc (ZnPl) and serum VD concentrations (25OHD).Results26% of children were overweight and 29% obese. None of the children were anemic or Zn deficient. 4% were Fe deficient and 28% VD deficient. No associations were found between FS or 25OHD and either wt, ht, % fat or metabolic risk indicators. A significant direct association was observed between TfR and Wt (r 0.24), ht (r 0.14), zBMI (r 0.25), % body fat (r 0.22). Significant correlations were found between hepcidin and both wt (r −0.12) and zBMI (r −0.12). ZnPl correlated with % body fat (r 0.12) and insulin (r −0.20). No significant differences in Hb, SF, hepcidin or 25OHD were found between obese (Ob) and non‐obese children. Both TfR and ZnPl were significantly higher in Ob children.ConclusionsVitamin D status is not associated to Ht, % body fat or biomarkers of metabolic risk. Ob children had higher ZnPl and TfR concentrations than N children.Source of funding: FONDECYT research grants 1090252, 1100206 and 1110085.