Food Insecurity, Food Environment and Obesity Among Urban School-Aged Children in Queretaro, Mexico

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the relationship between food insecurity, food environment and obesity in school-aged children in Queretaro. Methods In this cross-sectional study, weight, height and body fat % (BF%) were measured in 122 school-aged children (8.1 ± 1.5 y) from an urban area in Queretaro, Mexico. Additionally, household food insecurity was assessed using the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA). Geolocation data of both food establishments (FE) and participants’ households (HH) were collected and uploaded into a GIS database. The distance to the closest FE within a 300 m radius from each participant's household was calculated using GIS. FE were categorized as follows: (1) FEPF, which mainly sold processed foods (e.g., convenient stores); and (2) FEnPF, which mainly sold non-processed foods (e.g., fruterías – only fruits and vegetables). Univariate analysis was used to assess the interaction of BF%, food insecurity and FE categories using SPSS v23.0. Results Almost half of the children showed high BF% (48%), while 43% lived in HH with some degree of food insecurity. Children in moderately/severely food insecure HH and who lived close to FEnPF had significantly lower BF% (18.9 ± 4.7%), compared to children in food secure HH (24.4 ± 2.5%) or HH experiencing mild food insecurity (25.0 ± 2.6%) (P < 0.05). However, children in moderately/severely food insecure HH, who lived close to FEPF had significantly higher BF% (29.4 ± 2.7%), compared to those experiencing mild food insecurity (23.7 ± 1.5%), or who were food secure (22.8 ± 1.1%) (P < 0.05). Conclusions Children living in moderately/severely food insecure HH showed an opposite BF% pattern when compared to those in food secure or mildly food insecure HH, depending on how close they live to FE that either mainly sold processed foods or unprocessed foods, indicating the potential relationship of food environment to childhood obesity mediated by food insecurity. Funding Sources Partially funded by FOFI, UAQ.

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Food Insecurity and Associated Health and Academic Measures Among College Students in Connecticut

American Journal of Health Studies ◽

10.47779/ajhs.2020.254 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Victoria A. Zigmont ◽

Abigail Linsmeier ◽

Peggy Gallup

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Public University ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Depression Diagnosis ◽

The Past ◽

Effective Interventions

This cross-sectional study explored the health and academic impacts of food insecurity among undergraduates at a public university. A representative campus-wide sample (n=792) found that roughly 30% of students were food insecure, based upon a single validated question about the student’s experience over the past year. Food insecure students had lower GPAs (3.09 vs. 3.25), a higher proportion had a depression diagnosis (22.4 vs. 14.3), and a higher proportion ate fewer than three servings of fruits and vegetables per day (14.4% vs. 7.3%) compared to food secure students. A marginally higher proportion of food insecure students had an anxiety diagnosis (22.8% vs. 14.3%) More research is needed to understand the extent and manifestation of food insecurity so effective interventions can be developed.

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The interplay between fast-food outlet exposure, household food insecurity, and diet quality in disadvantaged districts

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980020004280 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-20

Author(s):

Laura A. van der Velde ◽

Femke M. P. Zitman ◽

Joreintje D. Mackenbach ◽

Mattijs E. Numans ◽

Jessica C. Kiefte-de Jong

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Food Environment ◽

Fast Food ◽

Estimating Equation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Dietary Quality ◽

Food Outlet ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Fast Food Outlet ◽

Outlet Density

Abstract Objective The current study aimed to explore the interplay between food insecurity, fast-food outlet exposure, and dietary quality in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Design In this cross-sectional study, main associations between fast-food outlet density and proximity, food insecurity status and dietary quality were assessed using Generalized Estimating Equation analyses. We assessed potential moderation by fast-food outlet exposure in the association between food insecurity status and dietary quality by testing for effect modification between food insecurity status and fast-food outlet density and proximity. Setting A deprived urban area in the Netherlands. Participants We included 226 adult participants with at least one child below the age of 18 years living at home. Results Fast-food outlet exposure was not associated with experiencing food insecurity (fast-food outlet density: b=-0.026, 95%CI=-0.076; 0.024; fast-food outlet proximity: b=-0.003, 95%CI=-0.033; 0.026). Experiencing food insecurity was associated with lower dietary quality (b=-0.48 per unit increase, 95%CI=-0.94; -0.012). This association was moderated by fast-food outlet proximity (p-interaction=0.008), and stratified results revealed that the adverse effect of food insecurity on dietary quality was more pronounced for those with the nearest fast-food outlet located closer to the home. Conclusions Food insecurity but not fast-food outlet density is associated with dietary quality. However, the association between food insecurity and dietary quality may be modified by the food environment. These findings could inform policy-makers to promote a healthier food environment including less fast-food outlets, with particular emphasis on areas with high percentages of food insecure households.

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Food Insecurity, Carotenoid Values and Coping Strategies of Students on a Mid-Sized College Campus

American Journal of Health Studies ◽

10.47779/ajhs.2020.240 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Elizabeth A. Smith ◽

Chandra R. Story ◽

Korissa C. Hobbs ◽

Tyler Bos ◽

Garvita Thareja

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

And Coping

Food insecurity is a serious public health problem among college students, negatively affecting academic performance and health outcomes. The primary objective of the study involved the exploration of the potential association between food insecurity and carotenoid scan levels. Additionally, the association between food insecurity and coping strategies utilized was investigated. A Qualtrics survey and BioPhotonic Scanner™ were utilized to conduct an exploratory cross-sectional study with students from a mid-size four-year university (n=410). The USDA food security definitions and assessment tools were used for categorization. More than 31% percent of participants were classified as food insecure, with 5.1% considered very low and 26.6% low food security. A statistically significant factor associated with food insecurity was ethnicity (OR= .19). Other factors included: skipped buying textbooks to buy food (OR=.09), avoided buying expensive foods like fruits and vegetables (OR=.24), stretched food by limiting (OR= .09), removed spoiled parts from fruits and vegetables (OR= .73). Carotenoid scan scores were not associated with food insecurity. Coping strategies are often used by food insecure students and should be further examined to pinpoint promising strategies.

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Effect of Fruits and Vegetables Intake on Obesity in School-Aged Children: Meta-Analysis

Childhood Stunting, Wasting, and Obesity, as the Critical Global Health Issues: Forging Cross-Sectoral Solutions ◽

10.26911/the7thicph.03.129 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Utami Pangestu ◽

◽

Yulia Lanti Retno Dewi ◽

Hanung Prasetya ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Fruit Intake ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Central Java ◽

Study Population ◽

Fruits And Vegetables Intake

ABSTRACT Background: Previous studies suggest that individual and environmental factors were associated lack of vegetable and fruit consumption, which can lead to obesity. Recent studies have indicated the level of vegetable and fruit intake in children aged 2-7 years is particularly low. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of fruits and vegetables intake on obesity in school-aged children. Subjects and Method: This was meta-analysis and systematic review. The study was conducted by collecting published articles from Google Scholar, PubMed, Research Gate, dan Springer Link databases, from year 2011 to 2019. Keywords used ”Nutrition” OR “Obesity” AND ”Cross sectional”. The inclusion criteria were full text, using English OR Indonesian language, using cross-sectional study design, and reporting adjusted odds ratio. The study population (P) was school-aged children. Intervention (I) was fruits and vegetables intake with comparison (C) malnutrition. The study outcome (O) was obesity. The collected articles were selected by PRISMA flow chart. The quantitative data were analyzed using Revman 5.3. Results: 6 studies from Ethiopia, South Afrika, Nepal, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, reported that low fruits and vegetables intake increased the risk of obesity in school-aged children (aOR= 1.34; 95% CI= 1.06 to 1.70; p<0.001; I2= 92%). Conclusion: Low fruits and vegetables intake increased the risk of obesity in school-aged children. Keywords: obesity, nutrition, fruits and vegetables intake, school-aged children Correspondence: Utami Pangestu. Masters Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java, Indonesia. Email: [email protected]. Mobile: 087836021638. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/the7thicph.03.129

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Vitamin E Deficiency Is Associated with Reduced Handgrip Strength in Rural Nepalese Children

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa067_032 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1805-1805

Author(s):

Sabi Gurung ◽

Kerry Schulze ◽

Lee Wu ◽

Subarna Khatry ◽

Manfred Eggersdorfer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin E ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Vitamin E Deficiency ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Southern Plains ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Nutrition Research ◽

Gates Foundation

Abstract Objectives Vitamin E deficiency (VED), common in areas of rural South Asia, can affect neuromuscular health. This study determined the extent of VED and its association with neuromuscular function, indicated by hand grip strength, in Nepalese school aged children. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in a birth cohort of 6–8 year old children, born during an earlier maternal micronutrient trial, in Sarlahi District in the southern plains (Tarai) of Nepal. Assessments included anthropometry (height, weight, MUAC), handgrip strength by hydraulic dynamometry, plasma α- and γ-tocopherol concentrations by HPLC, other nutritional and inflammatory biomarkers, diet and SES. Data were analyzed using descriptive, bivariate and multivariable regression analyses. Results In 998 children, mean (+SD) α- and γ-tocopherol levels were 12.21 (+3.27) μmol/L and 1.50 (+0.70), μmol/L respectively. α-Tocopherol distributions were comparable in females (12.34 ± 3.29 μmol/L) and males (12.09 ± 3.24), with 51.9% of all children classified as VED (plasma α-tocopherol < 12 μmol/L). Plasma γ-tocopherol was higher in females than males (1.56 ± 0.72 vs 1.44 ± 0.67, P < 0.01). Handgrip strength (in kg) was higher in males (7.25 ± 2.14) than females (6.44 ± 2.00) (P < 0.001), which also increased with age. In a continuous multivariable model, adjusted for sex and age, handgrip strength increased with plasma α-tocopherol (βα = 0.054 kg/μmol/L (95% CI: 0.0149–0.0926), P < 0.001). Age-sex adjusted handgrip strength was 0.328 (95% CI: 0.015–0.093) kg lower in VED vs non-deficient children (P < 0.01), but was unrelated to plasma γ-tocopherol. There were no interactions in handgrip strength and vitamin E status by sex. Conclusions Vitamin E deficiency is common and is associated with neuromuscular weakness in young, school aged children in southern Nepal, evident by a lower handgrip strength. Funding Sources Funded by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (GH614, OPP5241), Seattle, WA with assistance from the Sight and Life Global Nutrition Research Institute, Baltimore, MD.

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The food environment in Latin America: a systematic review with a focus on environments relevant to obesity and related chronic diseases

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980019002891 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (18) ◽

pp. 3447-3464 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Carolina Pérez-Ferrer ◽

Amy H Auchincloss ◽

Mariana Carvalho de Menezes ◽

Maria F Kroker-Lobos ◽

Leticia de Oliveira Cardoso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Diseases ◽

Latin American ◽

Food Environment ◽

Food Packaging ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Food Prices ◽

Health Claims ◽

Food Retail ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Sodium

AbstractObjective:Food environments may be contributing to the rapid increase in obesity occurring in most Latin American (LA) countries. The present study reviews literature from LA that (i) describes the food environment and policies targeting the food environment (FEP); and (ii) analytic studies that investigate associations between the FEP and dietary behaviours, overweight/obesity and obesity related chronic diseases. We focus on six dimensions of the FEP: food retail, provision, labelling, marketing, price and composition.Design:Systematic literature review. Three databases (Web of Science, SciELO, LILACS) were searched, from 1 January 1999 up to July 2017. Two authors independently selected the studies. A narrative synthesis was used to summarize, integrate and interpret findings.Setting:Studies conducted in LA countries.Participants:The search yielded 2695 articles of which eighty-four met inclusion criteria.Results:Most studies were descriptive and came from Brazil (61 %), followed by Mexico (18 %) and Guatemala (6 %). Studies were focused primarily on retail/provision (n 27), marketing (n 16) and labelling (n 15). Consistent associations between availability of fruit and vegetable markets and higher consumption of fruits and vegetables were found in cross-sectional studies. Health claims in food packaging were prevalent and mostly misleading. There was widespread use of marketing strategies for unhealthy foods aimed at children. Food prices were lower for processed relative to fresh foods. Some studies documented high sodium in industrially processed foods.Conclusions:Gaps in knowledge remain regarding policy evaluations, longitudinal food retail studies, impacts of food price on diet and effects of digital marketing on diet/health.

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Dysfunctional Eating Behaviors and Dietary Intake in Adults Residing in Puerto Rico

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa059_045 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1328-1328

Author(s):

Andrea Lopez-Cepero ◽

Josiemer Mattei ◽

Christine Frisard ◽

Julio Jimenez ◽

Stephenie Lemon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Puerto Rico ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Low Income ◽

Emotional Eating ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Saturated Fats

Abstract Objectives To document the level of dysfunctional eating behaviors, specifically emotional eating (EE), uncontrolled eating (UE) and cognitive restraint (CR), among adults in Puerto Rico (PR), and explore the association between each behavior and dietary intake (i.e., percentage of calories from fats, saturated fats and servings of fruits and vegetables). Methods Cross-sectional study of adults (n = 94) recruited from three health clinics serving low-income communities in Ponce, PR. The Three Factor Eating Questionnaire R18-V2 was used to measure EE, UE and CR; each score ranged from 1 to 4 (higher values indicate stronger behaviors). The Block Fat and Fruits and Vegetables Screener was used to capture percentage of calories from fats, saturated fats and servings of fruits and vegetables. Analysis included adjusted means (SD) and proportions, and linear regressions adjusted for sex, age and marital status. Results Mean age was 45 years, 52% were female and 55% were married. Adjusted mean (SD) scores for EE, UE and CR were 1.92 (0.78), 1.85 (0.66), and 2.32 (0.85), respectively. Adjusted proportions showed that 76%, 88% and 87% experienced any level of EE, UE and CR, respectively. EE and UE scores were significantly associated with greater percentage of calories from total fats (b = 12.0, 95% CI = 0.42, 3.60 for EE; and b = 1.99, 95% CI = 0.05, 3.93 for UE) and saturated fats (b = 3.36, 95% CI = 0.71, 6.01 for EE; and b = 3.31, 95% CI = 0.09, 6.54 for UE). CR scores were significantly associated with greater intake of fruits and vegetables (b = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.20, 1.19). Conclusions Dysfunctional eating behaviors are prevalent among adults in PR and were associated with dietary intake. Results support the need for larger representative studies of dysfunctional eating behaviors, dietary intake and health in PR to shed light into potential intervention targets to decrease the observed health disparities among adults in PR. Funding Sources National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Ponce Health Sciences University Seed Program.

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Food insecurity during pregnancy in a maternal-infant cohort in Brazilian Western Amazon

10.21203/rs.2.17669/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Alanderson Alves Ramalho ◽

Cibely Machado Holanda ◽

Fernanda Andrade Martins ◽

Bárbara Teles Cameli Rodrigues ◽

Andréia Moreira Andrade ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Multiple Model ◽

Transfer Program ◽

Income Transfer ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Transfer Programs ◽

Regular Consumption

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and analyze the factors associated with food insecurity during gestation in a maternal-infant cohort in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazilian Western Amazon.Methods A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with parturients from a maternal-infant cohort in Rio Branco, located in the western Brazilian Amazon. The dependent variable food insecurity was obtained through the Brazilian Scale of Food Insecurity, and associated factors were identified through multiple logistic regression.Results The prevalence of food insecurity in pregnancy was of 34.8% (IC95% = 32.2% - 37.5%). Regarding severity, the prevalence of mild food insecurity was 24.6% (95% CI = 22.3% - 27.0%), moderate food insecurity was 4.8% (95% CI = 3.6% - 6.0%), and severe food insecurity was 5.4% (95% CI = 4.3% - 6.8%). In the final multiple model, the factors directly associated with food insecurity were the presence of open sewage in the peridomestic environment (OR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.21 - 2.22); belonging to economic classes C, D and E (OR = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.35 - 2.94); being an income transfer program beneficiary (OR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.18 - 2.30), while the factors inversely associated with FI were schooling equal to or greater than 8 years (OR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.49 - 0.90); having a partner (OR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.39 - 0.79); primigestation (OR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.44 - 0.78) and regular consumption of fruits and vegetables during pregnancy (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.45 - 0.88).Conclusions Despite the existence of income transfer programs, regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is still relatively low and was associated with food insecurity in pregnant women. These findings reinforce the need for the ratification of actions aimed at the domestic economy in the income transfer programs and the development of actions of food and nutritional education in the gestational period.

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Food Insecurity during Pregnancy in a Maternal–Infant Cohort in Brazilian Western Amazon

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12061578 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 1578

Author(s):

Alanderson A. Ramalho ◽

Cibely M. Holanda ◽

Fernanda A. Martins ◽

Bárbara T.C. Rodrigues ◽

Débora M. Aguiar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Transfer Program ◽

Income Transfer ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Transfer Programs ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Regular Consumption

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and analyze the factors associated with food insecurity during gestation in a maternal–infant cohort in Brazilian Western Amazon. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with parturients from a maternal–infant cohort in Rio Branco, located in the Western Brazilian Amazon. The dependent variable food insecurity (FI) was obtained through the Brazilian Scale of Food Insecurity, and associated factors were identified through multiple logistic regression. The prevalence of FI in pregnancy was of 34.8%. Regarding severity, the prevalence of mild food insecurity was 24.6%, moderate food insecurity was 4.8%, and severe food insecurity was 5.4%. The factors directly associated with FI were the presence of open sewage in the peridomestic environment; belonging to the lower economic classes; being an income transfer program beneficiary, while the factors inversely associated with FI were schooling equal to or greater than 8 years; having a partner; primigestation; and regular consumption of fruits and vegetables during pregnancy. These findings reinforce the need for the ratification of actions aimed at the domestic economy in the income transfer programs and the development of actions of food and nutritional education in the gestational period.

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Comparison of Non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis and Ankylosing Spondyltis from a Single Rheumatology Hospital in Morocco

Current Rheumatology Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573397115666190222195923 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 240-244 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nessrine Akasbi ◽

Siar Nihad ◽

Zoukal Sofia ◽

El Kohen Khadija ◽

Harzy Taoufik

Keyword(s):

Disease Burden ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Low Back ◽

New Classification ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Asas Criteria ◽

History Of ◽

High Level

Background: According to the new classification criteria developed by The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society, patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) can be classified in 2 subgroups: Patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: ankylosing spondylitis patients (AS) and those with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA). Objective: The aim of the present study is to describe and discuss the differences and similarities between the two subgroups. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a single rheumatology hospital in Morocco. These included patients diagnosed as having axial spondyloarthritis according to ASAS criteria 2010, during a period of 6 years. The AS and the nr-axSpA subgroups were compared for the various axSpA-related variables. Results: Of the 277 patients with a diagnosis of axial SpA who were included in this study, 160 had AS and 117 had nr-axSpA. AS and nr-ax-SpA shared a similar age at diagnosis, similar prevalence of low back pain, lumbar stiffness, extra-articular manifestations, BASDAI and BASFI. In the multivariate analysis, AS patients were mainly male with cervical stiffness, enthesitis, coxitis and high level of ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate). The females generally had a family history of SpA and arthritis and were associated to the nr-axSpA form in the univariate analysis. Conclusion: This was the first study to characterise patients with AS and nr-axSpA in Morocco. Consistent with other studies published, this study showed that patients with nr-axSpA and patients with AS shared a comparable degree of disease burden.

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