Introduction: The assessment of intake and eating habits become increasingly important to relate them to the risk of disease. In this sense, food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) are a common dietary tool used in both clinical practice and nutritional epidemiological studies. Objective: The aim of the study was the validation of a food groups frequency questionnaire (FGFQ) based on an exchange system, in relation to a 7 days food record (FR) used as reference. Methods: A total of 60 healthy adults (males and females) were recruited. To each one a dietitian applied the FGFQ to be validated and then gave instructions for completing the 7 days FR used as a reference standard. Energy and macronutrient distribution were calculated for both methods and appropriate statistical methods were applied. Results: The correlation coeffi cients comparing methods were found between r = 0.3 and r = 0.6 (p < 0.01), and the intraclass correlation coeffi cient between r = 0.2 and r = 0.6 (p < 0.01). The cross-classifi cation analysis revealed that over 80% of individuals were classifi ed into identical and contiguous quartiles from both dietary methods. Conclusions: The proposed FGFQ, based on an exchange system of 19 groups, has obtained comparable results to other similar models for assessing of energy and macronutrient distribution with a more rapid outcome.
ObjectiveTo identify causes of persistence of endemic goiter in specific areas in Mexico, despite a mandatory salt iodination program established since the early 1960s.ResultsIn the mountainous state of Hidalgo school‐age children (SAC) had a prevalence of goitre between 6% (capital city) ‐ 21.2% (tropical low‐lands). Prevalence of low (<50 µg/L) urinary iodine excretion (UIE) ranged between 28% ‐ 52%. 97% of families consumed iodized table salt; only 50% of the samples were adequately iodized (>50 ppm). Goitrogens included consumption of yucca, sweet potato, broccoli and cauliflower; 24% of the population consumed water from wells contaminated with E. coli or heavy metals (arsenic and mercury). In the coastal state of Colima, goiter in SAC had a prevalence of 21 4%, with low UIE in 19.5% and high UIE in 32.0%. 92% of the population used coarse‐grain ocean salt, with 86.8% of locally‐iodized salt samples <50 ppm. Goitrogens included consumption of peanuts (31.5%), cabbage (30.1%), broccoli (27.7%) and cauliflower (25.7%). Median counts of colony‐forming units/100ml of drinking water were: 207.5 (well water), 151 (cisterns), 52 (private homes), 25 (elementary schools) and 12 (kindergartens). Percentile (P) IQ scores were: P5 (low): 48.5%; P5 to P25 (below average): 24 2%; P25 to P75 (average): 18.8%; P75 to P95 (above average): 3.6%; P95 (high): 4 9%. Moderate ID was associated with a 4.26 times higher risk of low IQ.
Given the growing epidemics of chronic diseases in developing countries, we launched an intervention to reduce cardiovascular risk in adult men and women diagnosed with hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus, in Chiapas and Costa Rica.Intervention (INT) consists of 6 educations sessions to promote healthy life styles, offered by primary health care workers on a monthly schedule. INT is compared with standard care (SC) following a quasi‐experimental design. All participants are followed up at the clinic for 8‐months.We have 95 INT participants and 90 SC participants in Chiapas, and 84 INT and 86 SC in Costa Rica. Almost 80% of all participants are overweight or obese in both countries. The INT group in Costa Rica presents 50% co‐morbidity of hypertension and diabetes, and 9% co‐morbidity in Chiapas. INT participants present systolic blood pressure of 134 ± 23 mmHg in Chiapas and 140 ±20 mmHg in Cost Rica; and fasting glucose levels of 144.2 ± 66.5 mg/dl in Chiapas and 119.0 ± 48.4 mg/dl in Costa Rica. Over 90% of participants report taking medication. Baseline CVD risk is lower in both groups from Chiapas compared to INT and SC groups in Costa Rica.Most INT participants in both countries present uncontrolled metabolic risk factors, offering an opportunity for the intervention to demonstrate a beneficial effect as compared to those receiving standard care. Challenges include limited attendance to education sessions.
BackgroundPreventive interventions for high blood pressure (HBP) are urgently needed in developing countries.ObjectiveFormative research to assess perceptions and knowledge on HBP risk, healthy lifestyle and use of mobile phone for health advice among adults living in urban areas in Argentina, Peru and Guatemala.MethodsFocus group discussion segmented by gender (4/country, 5–13 subjects each) with healthy men and women, 30–59 yrs old. Qualitative analysis was done by topic (HBP, healthy lifestyles, use of mobile phone), country and sex.ResultsWomen related HBP to salt intake, menopause, pregnancy and breastfeeding; men related HBP to salt intake, being over 50 yrs and to a cause of death. Barriers identified to follow a healthy diet were: income, knowledge, overeating and time. Men also mentioned eating away from home as a barrier. Women saw physical activity as a group event and men as a structured activity (e.g. gym workouts). All subjects perceived their mobile phone as a daily necessity. Men tended to be more possessive with their mobile phone, while women more often shared it with other family members. No relevant differences were found among countries.ConclusionsGender differences in perceived HBP risk, food preparation, eating habits and physical activity choices should be specifically addressed. Mobile phones seem to be a useful tool to deliver health advice.Funding: NHLBI HHSN 268200900028C
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