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

This paper examines the strategies used to discursively construct an image of immigrants based on certain identity traits linked to their nationality in a collection of 175 editorials and opinion columns published in Chile between 2017 and 2019. This discourse analysis enabled an identification of the main nationalities referred to in this body of work (Haitian, Venezuelan, Peruvian, and Colombian) and to observe how the most frequently mentioned nationalities are characterized in the text and used argumentatively. The analysis revealed a differentiated use of nationality as a sign of more or less «radical» otherness. It also showed a frequent use of a migrant’s nationality in unfavorable arguments regarding migration, and a recurrent link  —in the same respect— between the Haitian nationality and problematic or threatening situations.

The book Cuerpos disidentes y sus cartografías de protesta [that could be translated as Dissident Bodies and Mapping Out Protest] presents a diagnostic analysis of the public mobilizations regarding sexual and gender diversity in nine Mexican municipalities. It proposes a ground-breaking reflection about the action dynamics and the elements that constitute and interconnect each of the cases presented.

Introduction: The style, profile and attitude about food are related to socio-cultural dimensions that condition food consumption. Objective: To describe eating style, profile and attitudes and consumption of sweeteners at the Universidad Nacional de Lanús, and its relationship with sociodemographic conditions. Material and method: A descriptive-cross-sectional study was carried out on a non-probabilistic sample (n=236) of students, teacher-researchers and non-teachers during 2021, through a self-administered questionnaire, on style (omnivorous/vegetarian), profile (innovative /non-innovative), food attitudes (hedonistic/restrictive/conscious), consumption habits and evaluation by attributes of sweeteners. These variables were related to sociodemographic conditions. Descriptive analysis. Results: 46% were innovative, with a tendency towards women, >25 years old, and medium-high SES. 45% were hedonists, predominantly <40 years old and low SES, among restrictive (30%) women and >40 years old, and medium-high SES among conscientious. Sugar consumption (54%) predominates in low SES and <25 years, and is identified with negative attributes. Stevia has attributes linked to health, although its consumption is low (24%). Conclusions: A relationship is observed between sociodemographic characteristics and profile, attitude and eating style and sweeteners. The valuations on them do not correspond to the consumption, conditioned by habits, costs, others.

Introduction: Anthropometric assessment is a reliable method in the early detection of chronic non-communicable diseases, with an increasing prevalence in the face of an increasingly older, sedentary population with an unhealthy lifestyle. Objective: To identify in the family of students of the degree in Nutrition, from the University of Sciences and Arts of Chiapas, the body mass index, waist hip and complexion, relating them to metabolic risk. Material and method: Descriptive, cross-sectional study, sample of 48 relatives of undergraduate students in Nutrition, aged 19 to 59 years, variables weight, height, waist, hip and wrist circumferences, determination of body mass index, waist-hip and complexion. With descriptive statistical analysis. Results: The predominant body mass index was normal, 63.8% had a large complexion according to wrist circumference. 46.8% with presence of android obesity, waist-hip ratio in women 27.6%, men 19.1%; relationship between body mass index and height/wrist index with a significant difference p≤0.05* in all anthropometric variables. Conclusions: The study population showed a large complexion, short stature, and android obesity, evidenced by the greater accumulation of fat in the upper segment, representing a greater risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, which implies greater care in lifestyle.

Introduction: Food insecurity impacts the nutritional status of populations, being the lack of availability and accessibility of food derived from poverty, one of the main factors that contribute to its appearance. Objective: to identify the level of food insecurity, nutritional status and associated sociodemographic factors in residents of Oaxaca, Mexico. Material and method: cross-sectional study in 297 people. The Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale was applied, sociodemographic and anthropometric data were collected and compared between levels of food insecurity. Results: A high prevalence of overweight + obesity and food insecurity of 86.4% and 76.1% respectively was found. People with severe insecurity had higher BMI, ICT and waist circumference; as well as lower socioeconomic level and education of the head of the household. The presence of children under 18 years of age increased the risk of food insecurity by 27% [RP=1.27; CI:1.02-1.58)]. Conclusions: It is important to promote the improvement of social conditions, strengthening educational, economic and nutritional programs, mainly in homes with the presence of minors.

Introduction: Abdominal obesity, determined by excess in Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT), increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. The most common method to evaluate childhood obesity is body mass index (BMI), but recently studies also suggest the use of waist circumference (WC) and waist to height ratio (WHR). Objective: Evaluate the efficiency of anthropometric indicators in VAT prediction and classify overweight-obesity (OW/OB). Material and method: Cross-sectional, analytical and comparative study. 59 children (47.5% girls) of 10.6 ± 2.1 years of age in public schools of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico were evaluated; anthropometric variables were examined, estimating BMI and WHR, VAT was determined by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA); multiple linear regression, Bland Altman's concordance and Cohen's Kappa index were analysed.  Results: The most efficient model to predict VAT was the WC (R2=0.90). The anthropometric indicators reported good concordance with each other in the diagnosis of OW/OB (Kappa ≥ 0.6), although the Bland Altman analysis only reported good agreement between WC-TAV and WHR-TAV. Conclusions: WC and WHR were better predictors of VAT. Results suggest that WC and WHR can be used to assess abdominal obesity and diagnose OW/OB in Mexican children.

Introduction: The expiration date indicates the useful life of the food, offering from its packaging not only a health alert, but also a sensory and nutritional quality of the product. As in Venezuela it is mandatory legal compliance for manufacturers and retailers to make this information visible on the packages. Objective: Evaluate their current level of compliance. Material and method: Seven establishments from five large supermarket chains were visited, where the proper use or not of the expiration declaration on highly perishable products such as meat, dairy products and eggs was evaluated. Results: 6066 packages or containers were verified, corresponding to 2022 food products of different commercial brands where 40.10% (n=811) managed to adhere to faithful compliance with health regulations, but not 59.89% (n=1211) complementary. The lowest compliance was 4.88% (n=26) in meat products packaged in the same supermarket, as well as 22.06% (n=62) in dairy products also handled and repackaged in the establishment. Conclusion: A large public health problem is detected in non-compliance with the declaration of expiration of food, which requires orchestrated work between authorities, manufacturers, distributors and consumers to reduce all possible associated risks.

Introduction: Food is immersed in the health-disease process, therefore, it is important to recognize the preferences of university students. Objective: To know the food preferences of university students from a nutrition program. Material and method: Cross-sectional study in 343 students at a Public University of Nuevo León, Mexico. Online survey adapted from an eating behavior questionnaire. Descriptive analysis. Results:  91% women, age 21.03 (± 2.86) years. Dishes that they prefer at school are chilaquiles and panini, outside of school they select chilaquiles, sandwich and tacos, in convenience stores they choose snacks. Consumption factors are taste and price; time is what is missing to improve their diet. Conclusions: The knowledge of food preferences in students allows establishing preventive actions in the university environment.

Introduction: During the period of confinement due to covid-19, the population modified work and social activities, altering eating patterns, physical activity practices and sleep, causing a direct impact on physical and emotional health. Objective: To describe the changes generated in eating behavior and lifestyles during the COVID-19 pandemic in a university population living in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. Material and method: Cross-sectional study, where university students from the state of Chiapas, Mexico participated. Data collection was carried out through a digital survey using Google Forms. Results: 306 students participated with an average age of 20.75 years (SD= 2.062), a statistically significant increase was found in the number of meals eaten per day, the average per week in consumption of processed meat, eggs, cookies (pastries) and sugary drinks. Statistically significant decrease in consumption of fish and shellfish, dairy, fast food. Also, significant increase, sleep time, watching television and use of electronic devices. Conclusions: The population presented a tendency to changes in diet and unhealthy lifestyles, increasing the risk factors of suffering from other types of diseases.

Introduction: Despite being a preventable and curable disease, malaria continues to be a public health problem. Objective: Identify barriers and facilitators to malaria elimination.  Material and method: Between 2019 and 2020, literature available in Pubmed and LILACS databases was reviewed; a matrix was made for the organization and subsequent analysis of the information.  Results: In total, 57 articles were selected showing as barriers, the lack of human, technical and economic resources, vector resistance to pharmacological management, parasitic and vector diversity and human mobility between endemic regions. Strategies such as integrated vector management, dynamic stratification of the disease, timely detection and management and adequate epidemiological surveillance were repeatedly mentioned as facilitators. Conclusion: It is necessary to identify the social, epidemiological and political reality at the regional level in order to personalize and sustain elimination strategies.