Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Introduction: There is a relationship between psychological characteristics such as anxiety, fear, and sadness, with lifestyles and eating habits, specifically in the university population. Objective: To describe the psychological characteristics, lifestyles and eating habits of first-semester students at a private university in Medellín, Colombia during the years 2015-2018. Material and method: Observational, descriptive, retrospective study, from secondary sources and with an analytical tendency. The data obtained from an ad hoc questionnaire applied to first-semester students from a private university were taken that investigated their perception of some psychological characteristics, lifestyles and eating habits. Results: A statistically significant association was found between suicidal ideation and meat consumption, as well as sugar consumption with the presence of fear. Proportionally inverse relationship between fruit consumption and the presence of anxiety and sadness. Conclusions: These statistics are of great relevance because they show the need to create plans and projects focused on improving the life habits of students who are beginning to enter university life, since their development will depend on this during their career. Diets low in fat and sugars, but rich in fruits and vegetables, are recommended as elements that can reduce the presence of problems related to mental health.

Introduction: Given the abundance of food products high in critical nutrients, front-of-pack warning signs were implemented in them with the objective of providing information to the consumer that helps them choose healthy foods. Objective: To describe the published findings on the results of front-of-pack warning signs of prepackaged foods in the purchasing behavior of the Latin American population from a systematic review of scientific production. Method: Systematic review according to PRISMA recommendations, search carried out in EBSCO, REDALYC, Scielo and Siicyt databases. Results: We identified and consulted 32 studies, 9 of which were included for providing results on the impact of front-of-pack warning signs. Conclusions: The warning signs in frontal labeling had a positive effect on the choice of healthy foods, with variable results in the dimensions of purchase and consumption. Locally representative studies are needed to identify the most effective labeling format for each population. The implementation of warning signs as public health policy should be accompanied by a framework of strategies that improve access to healthy food and education for the general population.

Resumen en español Introducción: La bromelina se ha utilizado con fines terapéuticos desde el siglo XIX. Se han reportado distintos estudios que mostraron resultados favorables para el sistema gastrointestinal tanto in vitro como en animales e incluso en humanos. Objetivo: Desarrollar una revisión de alcance actualizada considerando los últimos 21 años de investigación para la descripción del uso terapéutico gastrointestinal de la bromelina en humanos, animales e in vitro. Método: Se realizó una revisión exploratoria (scoping review) con base en los requerimientos de PRISMA para este tipo de revisiones. La búsqueda sistemática se llevó a cabo en las bases de datos PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Académico, Springer Link y Wiley de estudios publicados entre el 2000-2021. Resultados: Se encontraron 13 artículos, 5 ensayos clínicos, 4 en animales y 4 in vitro. Los resultados significativos encontrados fueron para vaciamiento gástrico, analgésica, antiácido, anticancerígena, antiestreñimiento, antiinflamatoria e inmunomoduladora, prebiótica y probiótica. Conclusiones: El potencial terapéutico de la bromelina es prometedor, solo se requiere incrementar al cantidad y calidad de la evidencia, realizando más ensayos con metodología apropiada para estudios clínicos. Palabras clave: Bromelina; Enfermedades Gastrointestinales; Nutracéutico. Resumen en inglés Background: The bromelain has been used for therapeutical purposes since the 19th century. Different studies have been reported the use of this proteolytic enzyme with favorable effects for the gastrointestinal system both in vitro and in animals and even in humans. Objective: Develop an updated scoping review considering the last 21 years of research for the description of the gastrointestinal therapeutic use of bromelain in humans, animals, and In-vitro. Material and methods: An exploratory review (scoping review) was carried out based on the requirements of (PRISMA) for this type of review. The systematic search was in six electronic databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, Springer Link, and Wiley; of studies published between 2000-2021. Results: 13 publications including 5 clinical trials, 4 in animals, and 4 in-vitro studies were eligible. Significant results were found for the following activities: gastric emptying, analgesic, antacid, anticancer, anti-constipation, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, prebiotic and probiotic. Conclusions: The therapeutic potential of bromelain is promising, it is only required to increase the quantity and quality of the evidence, carrying out more trials with appropriate methodology for clinical studies. Keywords: Bromelain; Gastrointestinal diseases; Nutraceutical.

Introduction: The food choice is related to taste preferences and eating habits learned in childhood. Objective: To evaluate the effect of marketing strategies for unhealthy food packaging on the taste preferences of first grade students from elementary schools in the City of Santa Fe, in 2019. Material and method: Intervention study. Through a non-probabilistic convenience sampling, two elementary schools from different socio demographic levels in the city of Santa Fe were selected. Forty-five children of both sexes participated. They were evaluated anthropometrically and participated in the tasting of three pairs of food products, each one presented with its original container and another identical, but white or gray. It was assessed if the taste of each food pair was the same or different. If there was a reported difference, they were asked to indicate the product with the preferred flavor. A self-administered questionnaire inquired about consumption habits and the family environment. Results: 86% of the students evaluated anthropometrically presented excess of weight. Most participants found no difference in taste. Among those who answered that the taste was different, 68% belonged to a more vulnerable social stratum. In addition, more than 90% of boys and girls that perceived a difference in the taste of the product preferred the original packaging. Conclusions: The results of this study, carried out for the first time in Argentina, reinforce the debate on the relevance of a policy that regulates food advertising aimed at children.

Introduction: Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) can increase the risk of obstetric complications during pregnancy. Moreover, the treatment itself represents a risk for both the mother and the fetus. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of UTI in pregnancy in a primary care health center and to assess whether there are risk factors that increase this prevalence within the same population. Material and method: Retrospective and cross-sectional study, review of 75 records of the prenatal consultation, patients with a minimum of 25 weeks of gestation, sample calculated to test the hypothesis of a proportion, simple probabilistic sampling, demographic analysis was carried out, the distribution of patients with UTI with relation to sociodemographic variables and diagnosis of vaginosis during pregnancy. The prevalence ratio (PR) was calculated. Results: Prevalence of UTI in pregnancy (45.33%), diagnosis of UTI was made predominantly by combining clinical criteria with results of the General Urine Examination or with this study in isolation. The most used treatment was nitrofurantoin (44.12%). Higher prevalence of UTI in the age group 30-35 years (PR 1.68 [95% CI 1.02-2.77]), high school education (PR 1.76 [1.11-2.79]), with diagnosis of vaginosis in the same pregnancy (PR 1.6 [1.001-2.58]). Conclusions: High prevalence of UTI in pregnancy, association between the development of UTI and belonging to the age group of 30-35 years, high school education, suffering from vaginosis during the same pregnancy.

Introduction: The adolescent and youth population are a priority group in terms of sexual health promotion, given that their main problems are due to risk behaviors, which has been established as a priority by states in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Objective: To explore what research has been done on interventions based on the promotion of sexual health in adolescents and young people in Latin America and the Caribbean. Material and method: A literature review was conducted based on Arksey and O'Malley's Scoping Review design. The search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, Scien Direct, EBSCO, Scielo and Redalyc indexes and databases. Results: It was found that most of the selected studies were carried out in Colombia and Cuba and the methodological approach most used was qualitative. The most relevant findings were grouped into three areas: initial evaluation, intervention and final evaluation. Conclusions: The panorama of interventions for the promotion of sexual health in adolescents and young people shows little production in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is necessary to increase it and define relevant strategies to improve sexual health conditions in this particular population.

Introduction: it is essential to understand how the nutritional status of breastfeeding women influences the concentrations of nutrients in their breast milk. Objective: to correlate the food-nutritional situation of 80 lactating women in two regions of Venezuela with the content of their breast milk. Material and Method: the anthropometric evaluation was carried out through the body mass index, while for diet quality the 24-hour recall methods, qualitative frequency of consumption and food diversity score were applied; for the analysis of fat and calorie content of breast milk, the crematocrit method was used. Results: 66.25% of the women obtained a normal nutritional diagnosis and 8.75% underweight. Dietary diversity was medium in the Andes and low in the Oriente, with average intakes of calories and proteins in both regions below the acceptable ranges of macronutrient distribution for the Venezuelan population. The content of calories and lipids in breast milk samples from both regions exceeded international references, finding only a correlation of low-lipid milk in women with emaciation. Conclusions: a relationship was found between low weight and insufficient lipid content in breast milk.

Introducción: La producción y consumo de carne son la principal fuente de impactos ambientales derivados de la alimentación. Las dietas bajas en proteína animal y vegetarianas se han propuesto como una posible alternativa para ayudar en la solución de esta problemática. Objetivo: Identificar los motivos asociados con la disminución del consumo de carne. Método: Se aplicó un cuestionario construido ex profeso a 60 estudiantes universitarios: 47 mujeres y 13 hombres con edades entre 18 y 27 años, que reportaron ser semi vegetarianos, vegetarianos o veganos. Resultados: Los resultados indican que los principales motivos para limitar el consumo de carne incluyen la ética, el bienestar animal, la preocupación por el medio ambiente, la salud y la nutrición. Conclusión: Se identificaron las principales razones que llevan a los estudiantes a disminuir su consumo de carne. Comprender los motivos para reducir el consumo de proteína animal podría ayudar a diseñar estrategias que contribuyan a la transición hacia dietas con menor consumo de carne y alcanzar la sustentabilidad alimentaria.

Introduction: Food security is an issue linked to the development of individuals, households and societies. However, it is a multidimensional concept that is sensitive to social, economic or health factors. Employment position is a decisive aspect of the financial resources that a person, family or household has to face food insecurity. Objective: To identify, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects that the job position of the head of the household had on the food security of households in Mexico. Materials and methods: Descriptive and cross-sectional study, based on data from the National Survey of Health and Nutrition Continuous COVID-19. Using ordinal logistic regressions, the effect of the job position of the head of the household on food insecurity was estimated, adjusting for characteristics of the head of the household such as gender, education or if he or she is elderly, as well as household characteristics such as household size, locality and region of the country. Results: Households whose head was working as a worker, day laborer or laborer are more likely to experience food insecurity than households with a head who works as a boss. or employer. Conclusion: It is essential that governments develop policies focused on food security in sectors of the population that are socially vulnerable such as workers, day laborers or peons.

Introduction: Nutritional status is related to aging. Objective: To determine the relationship between albumin levels and nutritional status in older adults from Tlaxcala. Material and method: Cross-sectional study, in 31 people aged 60 to 65 years; 22.5% men and 77.5% women, albumin and BMI were determined, using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) instrument. Results:  74.20% had low albumin levels, 58.1% were overweight/obese, 9.7% were malnourished, and 67.7% were at risk of malnutrition due to MNA. Conclusions: At a general level, malnutrition prevailed, albumin values correlate with the different methods of anthropometric measurement of nutritional status.