Highlights The experiences of Uruguayan families during the COVID-19 pandemic were explored. The pandemic elicited negative feelings in the majority of participants. Social distancing measures caused a major disruption in daily habits. Changes in children's mood and behavior were perceived by the majority of the participants. Participants from low socio-economic level faced more difficulties to cope with social distancing. Positive changes in some families were identified in terms of family relationships and eating patterns.

This study examined changes in students' attitudes, motivation and French achievement during a five‐week, residential, summer program. Sixty‐two students were administered a battery of attitude and motivation tests as well as a test of oral French proficiency prior to, and upon completion of the course. In addition, both teacher‐ratings and self‐ratings of French language skills were collected at several time periods during the course. Data were analysed across the various testings for three groupings of students (i.e., beginning, intermediate, or advanced). Changes in attitudes, motivation and French proficiency were observed and the course was particularly effective in increasing student motivation to learn French and in promoting a rather rapid improve‐ ment in oral/aural skills. The pattern of attitude changes was more complex as both positive and negative shifts were observed. Possible implications of these findings for similar programs are discussed.

Objective: To explore the use of references to the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the marketing strategies used on Facebook to promote ultra-processed products. Design: A search for Facebook accounts of ultra-processed products was performed using a master list of products commercialized in two online supermarkets in Uruguay. For each of the identified Facebook accounts, all the content posted from the confirmation of the first cases of COVID-19 in Uruguay, on March 14th, 2020, until July 1st, 2020 was recorded. Posts including mentions to COVID-19, social distancing measures or their consequences were identified and analyzed using content analysis. Setting: Uruguay, Latin America. Results: A total of 135 Facebook accounts were identified, which generated a total of 1749 posts related to ultra-processed products, from which 35% included references to COVID-19. The majority of the posts included references to prevention measures. Approximately one third of the posts included proposals of activities to do at home, most of which were linked to a healthy lifestyle. Tips for coping with quarantine and descriptions of the charitable work undertaken by brands were also identified. Conclusions: Results from the present work provide evidence that industries of ultra-processed products have taken advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to promote their products, create positive associations with the brands and improve their image as part of their digital marketing strategies.

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Objective: To explore Uruguayan paediatricians’ personal recommendations about complementary feeding and to assess if they are aligned with current guidelines and scientific evidence. Design: A questionnaire composed of open-ended questions was used to explore foods recommended to start complementary feeding, foods regarded as the most important during the first meals, recommendations for delayed introduction of foods and foods that should be avoided. Reasons underlying the recommendations were also explored. Setting: Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay (Latin America). Participants: A total of 212 paediatricians were recruited during a National Pediatrics Conference, organised by the Uruguayan Society of Pediatrics. Results: The recommendations about complementary feeding provided by paediatricians to parents and caregivers in Uruguay seemed not to be fully aligned with the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health. Paediatricians recommend a rigid food introduction sequence, characterised by the early introduction of soft pureed vegetables and fruits, followed by meat and the delayed introduction of allergenic foods. Food diversity and the concept of ultra-processed were not frequently identified in the responses. Conclusions: Results stress the importance of developing educational and communication approaches targeted at paediatricians to contribute to the uptake of updated recommendations regarding complementary feeding.

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