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The objective of the present study was to analyze the psychometric properties of validity and reliability of the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS) in Ecuadorian university students, since a cultural validation of the instrument has not been found in Ecuador. The study population consisted of a non-probabilistic sample of 600 participants (59.6% women and 40.4% men, M = 21 years, SD = 2.82). The factorial structure was examined with the method of extraction by Parallel Analysis of unweighted least squares (ULS) and of prominent rotation. In both, internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach’s alpha coefficients and composite reliability. Like the original version, both subscales have a factorial structure of one dimension and are considered good in terms of reliability, which concludes that the scale meets the criteria of validity and reliability in Ecuador.

This study aims to determine the degree of acetylcholinesterase inhibition and neurological symptoms for each of the psychiatric disorders diagnosed in the farm workers of a rural population in the state of Baja California, Mexico. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 140 agricultural workers (exposed participants). The study was run using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Diagnostic Test (MINI), a pre-established questionnaire to diagnose the mental state of each agricultural worker. Analysis of enzymatic activity was carried out using the modified Ellman method. The results showed that, among agricultural workers with slightly inhibited enzymatic activity, 25% met the criteria for the diagnosis of major depression with suicidal attitudes, 23.9% with inhibited enzymatic activity showed generalized anxiety, 23.5% showed combined depression–anxiety, and 22% met the criteria for major depression and no psychiatric diagnosis disorder. These results suggest the need for the development of effective public-health strategies to inform farm workers about integrated pesticide management in order to prevent serious health complications.

Diversos modelos teóricos cognitivos y psicoeducativos postulan que tener alta autoeficacia hacia hábitos y conductas saludables promueve la prevención de la obesidad y calidad de vida. Sin embargo, se conoce poco sobre el efecto de las intervenciones preventivas de la obesidad sobre la autoeficacia en la etapa escolar. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de un programa de prevención de la obesidad (PPO) a través de autoeficacia dirigida a la realización de conductas saludables. Se aplicó un diseño longitudinal cuasi-experimental con tres mediciones (pretest, postest y seguimiento a 16 meses). La muestra no probabilística estuvo compuesta por 112 escolares entre 8 y 10 años (M = 8.83; DE= 0.62) de 3° y 4º grados de una escuela pública primaria de la Ciudad de México. Los datos se analizaron con ANOVA de Medidas Repetidas. Tras la aplicación del PPO niños y niñas incrementaron significativamente autoeficacia en el factor disminución de alimentos con bajo aporte nutricional. A los 16 meses de seguimiento, los efectos en ese mismo factor se mantuvieron en niños y niñas. La intervención incrementó autoeficacia para eliminar el comer emocional. La autoeficacia para elegir alimentos saludables mejoró significativamente en las niñas, mientras que autoeficacia hacia la actividad física se incrementó en los niños. Las niñas comparadas con los niños mostraron durante el seguimiento una puntuación superior en autoeficacia hacia conductas saludables. Los resultados del PPO son prometedores para prevenir la obesidad infantil. Futuros estudios controlados deben analizar su efecto en otras variables, como la dieta restringida e índice de masa corporal.

Although anxiety seems to be a constant in patients with eating disorders, little is known about its interaction with other variables. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to compare the risk of anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nerviosa (BN) based on the sex of participants, degree of anxiety and city of residence. The study is a non-experimental and cross-sectional design. The sample was nonrandom and consisted of 857 college students (67% female and 33% male) with a mean age of 21.96 years (SD = 4.84), 42% were Mexico City residents and 58% were from Ensenada city. Participants completed two self-report scales, one for assessing risk of AN and BN, and other to measure anxiety. The findings show that the degree of anxiety differs according to the city of residence, being higher in Ensenada city. In addition, a significant interaction was found between the variables; for instance, the risk of BN in Ensenada city residents increases as anxiety increases. Therefore, it is confirmed not only the importance of sex and anxiety on eating disorders, but also the interaction of these two variables with the city of residence.

Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the association between perceived stress and indicators of metabolic syndrome and how this association is mediated by sleep problems, unhealthy eating habits, and night eating syndrome, in addition to serum levels of ghrelin and cortisol in university students. Methods: We recruited 192 students from a public university in Mexico. Weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure were taken in accordance with standard protocols. Validated questionnaires were used to assess perceived stress, sleep quality and eating habits. Fasting blood samples were taken to measure ghrelin, cortisol, triglycerides, glucose and HDL-C. Results: Path Analysis indicated direct positive effects of stress over PSQI (β = 0.341) and NES (β = 0.443); PSQI over NES (β = 0.233) and NES over glucose (β = 0.170), triglycerides over LDL-C (β = 0.215), waist circumference over SBP (β = 0.259). Likewise, standardized negative regression weights of PSQI over Diet Quality Index (β = -0.239) and ghrelin concentrations (β = -0.132), ghrelin over Diet Quality Index (β = -0.188) and waist circumference (β = -0.147). Diet Quality Index over triglycerides (β = -0.184); sleep duration over systolic blood pressure (β = -0.242); waist circumference over HDL-C (β = -0.256). Conclusion: Psychological stress leads to increased indicators of MetS via decreased sleep quality, inadequate eating habits and eating behavior in university students.

There is growing evidence of the relationship between Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and cognitive decline; however, this has not been conclusively established yet. This systematic review and meta-analysis address the most crucial cognitive performance findings, including those on global cognitive function, memory, attention, and executive functions, in adult people with MetS. Two electronic databases were searched (April-May 2020) using the terms "metabolic syndrome" and "cognition," including publications from 2010 to 2020. Thirty-six studies were found. Among these, 17 reported negative associations in cognition with MetS, mainly in terms of verbal memory and executive functions, particularly in the middle-aged population. A meta-analysis of global cognitive function revealed that the MetS group had a lower score than the control group (25.26 and 25.6, respectively, 95% CI, −0.60 to −0.12, p = 0.004). MetS is related to the enhanced presentation of cognitive impairment and its evolution into a Major Neurocognitive Disorder (MND). Further research involving longitudinal studies, including assessments with similar instruments, correctly separated by age group and education, is required.

The objective of this study is to assess the effect of alcohol consumption, anxiety, and food restriction before and after consuming alcohol and body image on the risk of anorexia and bulimia in college students from Tijuana, Baja California, through predictive statistical models. A quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional design and a non-probabilistic sample of 526 college students from Tijuana, Baja California, México were used. Application of the scales (with acceptable psychometric properties) was conducted in classrooms. Through path analyses, four models were found with adequate indicators of goodness of fit: (1) risk of anorexia in women [Chi Square (X2) = 5.34, p = 0.376, Adjusted Determination Coefficient (R2)= 0.250]; (2) anorexia risk for men (X2 = 13.067, p = 0.192, R2 = 0.058); (3) risk of bulimia in women (X2 = 3.358, p = 0.645, R2 = 0.202); and bulimia risk for men (X2 = 14.256, p = 0.075, R2 = 0.284). The findings provide empirical evidence for the food and alcohol disturbance model.