Search

The aim of this article is to describe the nutritional status and eating patterns of children aged 1-3 years from low-income families who reside in areas with different productive activities: primary production and production of goods and services. A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed with a qualitative and quantitative methodology, evaluating anthropometric and biochemical nutritional status, food intake, economic and demographic characteristics, dietary practices and representations. The results show that children from areas of primary production had a lower prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency. They also had a higher consumption of energy, calcium, zinc, vitamin A and protein and a greater diversity and quality in food consumption. We can conclude that the geographical context of families closer to sources of primary production favors interaction with individuals outside of the family, expanding both the informal social network and access to better quality nutritional food.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) has been recognized as an important public health problem in developing countries. Preschoolers account for risk groups within vulnerable populations. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of VAD and associated factors in a sample of preschoolers.Cross-sectional study with children aged 1-6 years receiving social assistance and seen at primary health care centers in the outskirts of the city of La Plata, Buenos Aires. Vitamin A levels were determined by measuring serum retinol with a liquid chromatography; anthropometric parameters and dietary intake were recorded. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to assess the association among outcome measures.Data from 624 children were analyzed. The geometric mean of retinol was 23.8 pg/dL (95 % CI: 23.3-24.3). The prevalence of VAD and the risk for VAD were 24.3 % and 57.4 %, respectively. Retinol levels were significantly lower among boys, low-weight children, and those with low intake (below the first tertile of distribution). The multivariate analysis showed a significant association between VAD and male sex (odds ratio: 1.93; 95 % CI: 1.15-3.24) and between VAD and low intake (odds ratio: 1.48; 95 % CI: 1.15-2.62).The prevalence of VAD (24.3 %) is a major public health problem in this population. VAD-associated factors were male sex and low vitamin A intake.Introducción. La deficiencia de vitamina A (DVA) ha sido reconocida como un importante problema de salud pública en países en vías de desarrollo. Los niños en edad preescolar son grupos de riesgo en poblaciones vulnerables. El objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia de DVA y los factores asociados en una muestra de niños de edad preescolar. Material y métodos. Estudio de corte transversal que incluyó a niños de 1 a 6 años beneficiarios de planes sociales, atendidos en centros de atención primaria de la periferia de la ciudad de la Plata, Buenos Aires. Se determinó el contenido de vitamina A midiendo retinol sérico, por cromatografía líquida, y se registraron parámetros antropométricos e ingesta alimentaria. Se utilizó un modelo de regresión logística multinomial para evaluar la asociación entre las variables. Resultados. Se analizaron datos de 624 niños. La media geométrica de retinol fue 23,8 pg/dl (IC 95 %: 23,3-24,3). Las prevalencias de DVA y riesgo de DVA fueron 24,3 % y 57,4 %, respectivamente. Los niveles de retinol fueron significativamente menores en niños varones, con bajo peso y aquellos con bajo consumo (menor del primer tercilo de distribución). El análisis multivariable mostró asociación significativa entre DVA y el sexo masculino (OR: 1,93; IC 95 %: 1,15-3,24) y con el bajo consumo (OR: 1,48; IC 95 %: 1,15-2,62). Conclusión. La prevalencia de DVA hallada (24,3 %) constituye un importante problema de salud pública en esta población. Los factores asociados a dicha deficiencia fueron el sexo masculino y el bajo consumo.

Introduction. Lead is a toxic metal which, even at low blood levels, can alter normal neurodevelopment in children, so no blood lead level is acceptable. Lead absorption from diet accounts for the highest contribution to blood lead levels in the population who is not exposed to contaminated environments or because of their occupation. The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of diet to lead exposure among children aged 1 to 7 years who attended Hospital de Niños de La Plata for health check-ups. Population and methods. The study was conducted between June 2015 and May 2016. A questionnaire on the frequency of food intake was administered to 91 children whose average age ± standard deviation was 3.0 ± 1.7 years, and foods included in the analysis were selectedbased on this questionnaire. Selected foods were purchased from different regional stores. Composite samples were made up of different food groups. Lead levels corresponding to each food group were determined and, finally, the daily intake of lead was estimated for the studied population. Results. The daily intake of lead was 138 µg/day. The food groups with the higher intake rates were processed meat products (15.4%), bakery products (14.8%), milk (12.5%), and meat (11.7%). Conclusions. Children aged 1 to 7 years attending a public hospital in La Plata have a lead burden from dietary intake of 138 µg/day., Introducción. El plomo es un metal tóxico, que, aun en bajas concentraciones sanguíneas, es capaz de alterar el normal desarrollo neurológico de los niños, por lo que no existe un nivel aceptable de plombemia. La absorción de plomo de los alimentos es la mayor contribución a los niveles de plombemia de la población no expuesta laboralmente o a ambientes contaminados. El objetivo fue determinar la contribución dietaria a la exposición al plomo en niños de 1 a 7 años de edad que concurrían por controles de salud al Hospital de Niños de La Plata. Población y métodos. El estudio se realizó entre junio de 2015 y mayo de 2016. Se realizó un cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos sobre 91 niños cuya edad promedio ± desvío estándar fue de 3,0 ± 1,7 años, sobre la cual se seleccionaron los alimentos por analizar. Se compraron los alimentos seleccionados en diversos comercios de la región. Se armaron muestras compuestas de diversos grupos de alimentos. Se determinó la concentración de plomo en los grupos de alimentos y, finalmente, se estimó la ingesta diaria de plomo de la población estudiada. Resultados. La ingesta diaria de plomo fue de 138 µg/día.Los grupos de alimentos que tuvieron mayor contribución fueron los productos cárnicos procesados (15,4%), los panificados (14,8%), la leche (12,5%) y la carne (11,7%). Conclusiones. Los niños de 1 a 7 años que concurren a un hospital público de La Plata tienen una carga de plomo en la dieta de 138 µg/día., Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas, Centro de Investigaciones del Medioambiente

Obesity is associated with a wide range of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.To establish an association between the nutritional status of 6-10 year old boys and girls and blood pressure.A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted in 6-10 year old schoolboys and schoolgirls. Outcome measures and indicators studied included nutritional status as per body mass index; presence of central fat mass distribution estimated by waist circumference; and blood pressure (height, age and gender tables). Differences in mean values were analyzed using a Student's t test. The relationship between outcome measures was estimated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Linear regression models were adjusted for systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure using the following explanatory outcome measures: z scores for body mass index, age, gender and waist circumference.Five hundred and fifty five male and female children were evaluated; they were all younger than 11 years old. A total of 26.3% was overweight and 15.1% was obese. The prevalence of hypertension was 1.08%. Results show a positive linear relationship between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and age and waist circumference, and a trend is observed between systolic blood pressure and the body mass index z score (p = 0.068).Overweight and obesity were the most common nutritional disorders in schoolaged children in the studied district; there is an association between age, waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and between systolic blood pressure and the body mass index z score.

The prevalence of low weight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity in a sample of Argentinian pregnant women using two reference charts, the Rosso and Mardones (RM) and the Calvo Chart were compared.A descriptive, cross-sectional, comparative study of data from pregnant women beneficiaries of food aid programs collected in the period 2003-2010 in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina was performed.Evaluations with the Calvo and RM charts showed statistically significant differences in the prevalence of all nutritional conditions (low weight, 22% vs. 28%; normal weight, 45% vs. 28%; overweight, 21% vs. 15%; obesity, 11% vs. 29%, respectively). Such differences were more marked in normal weight and obese pregnant women.Changes in prevalences as a result of replacing the RM with the Calvo Chart should be borne in mind to avoid misinterpretations about changes in the nutritional condition of pregnant women.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of Plan Más Vida (PMV) on the micronutrient nutritional condition of children aged 1 to 6 years 1 year after PMV implementation. The food program was intended for low-income families from the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina and provided supplementary diets. A prospective, nonexperimental study was carried out. Children (472 at baseline and 474 after 1 year) were divided into two groups (1-2 and 2-6 years of age). Biochemical tests (hemogram, ferritin, zinc, vitamin A, and folic acid), anthropometric assessments (weight and height), and dietary surveys (24-h recall) were performed. Chronic growth retardation (-2 height/age Z-score) was present in 2.8% and 8.7% of 1-2- and 2-6-year-old children, respectively; 14.4% in the former and 8.8% in the latter group had overweight/obesity. No significant changes were recorded 1 year after PMV implementation. Whereas anemia values decreased (55.3% to 39.1%, p = 0.003) and serum zinc values increased in 1-2-year-old children, the risk for vitamin A deficiency decreased significantly in both age groups. The evaluation of the early impact of PMV actions provided important nutritional data that should be used by provincial health authorities to conduct future evaluations.

We studied the impact of a food supplementation program (Plan Mas Vida (PMV)) on the micronutrient nutritional condition of pregnant women from low-income families 1 year after its implementation. The food program provided supplementary diet (wheat and maize—fortified flour, rice or sugar, and fortified soup). We performed a prospective, nonexperimental, cross-sectional study in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, evaluating pregnant women at baseline (n = 164) and 1 year after PMV implementation (n = 108). Biochemical tests (hemogram, ferritin, vitamin A, zinc, and folic acid), anthropometric assessments (weight and height), and dietary surveys (24 h recall) were performed at the two study points. One year after PMV implementation, no significant changes in anthropometric values were observed. Folic acid deficiency and the risk of vitamin A deficiency (retinol, 20–30 μg/dl) decreased significantly (35.8 to 6.1 % and 64 to 41 %, respectively; p, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas

We determined the effect of calcium supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) and identified predictors of bone mass changes in adolescent mothers 6 months postpartum. A prospective, analytical, clinical study was performed in adolescent mothers (or = 19 years old; n = 37) from La Plata, Argentina. At 15 days postpartum, mothers were randomly assigned into one of two groups and started with calcium supplementation; one group received dairy products (932 mg Ca; n = 19) and the other calcium citrate tablets (1000 mg calcium/day; n = 18). Weight, height and dietary intake were measured and BMD was determined by DEXA at 15 days (baseline) and 6 months postpartum. BMC, total body BMD and BMD were assessed in lumbar spine, femoral neck, trochanter and total hip. Regression models were used to identify the relationship of total body BMD and BMC with independent variables (calcium supplementation, months of lactation, weight at 6 months, percent weight change, lean mass at 6 months, percent lean mass change, total calcium intake). Results showed that changes in BMD and BMC at the different sites were similar in both groups, and changes in percent body weight and total calcium intake were the main predictive factors. In conclusion, the effect of calcium was similar with either form of supplementation, i.e., dairy products or tablets, and changes in percent body weight and total calcium intake were predictors of total body BMD and BMC changes.

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of a food aid program (Plan Más Vida, PMV) on the micronutrient nutritional condition of lactating mothers 1 year after its implementation. The food program provided supplementary diets (wheat- and maize-fortified flour, rice or sugar, and fortified soup) to low-income families from the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. A prospective, non-experimental study was carried out to evaluate the micronutrient nutritional status of lactating mothers (n = 178 at baseline and n = 151 after 1 year). Biochemical tests (hemoglobin, ferritin, zinc, vitamin A, and folic acid), anthropometric assessments (weight and height) and dietary surveys (24-h recall) were performed. We found no significant changes in anthropometric values 1 year after the intervention. The risk for vitamin A (retinol 20-30 μg/dl) and folate deficiency significantly decreased 1 year after PMV implementation (56.3 vs. 29.9 and 50.3 vs. 3.4 %, respectively; p < 0.001). Anemia was seen in 25.8 % of lactating mothers at baseline, without statistically significant differences 1 year after (p = 0.439). The nutritional data obtained after assessing the early impact of PMV actions may be useful to provincial health authorities to perform periodic evaluations in the future. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York. Fil: Varea, Ivana. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina Fil: Malpeli, Agustina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina Fil: Disalvo, Liliana. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina Fil: Apezteguia, Maria. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina Fil: Falivene, Mariana Araceli. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina Fil: Ferrari, Guillermina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina Fil: Pereyras, Silvia. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina Fil: Carmuega, Estéban. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina Fil: Etchegoyen, Graciela Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina Fil: Vojkovic, María. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina Fil: Gonzalez, Horacio Federico. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina

Objective: Bone mineral density (BMD) loss has been described in adult women in the 12-month postpartum period. However, little is known about the precise BMD pattern in adolescent mothers. The present study aimed to evaluate BMD in Argentinean adolescent mothers followed up during the 12-month postpartum period. Design: Analytical, prospective clinical trial. BMD and body composition were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; bone mineral content (BMC) and BMD were measured in the lumbar spine (L2–L4), femoral neck (FN), femur trochanter (TR), total hip (TH) and total body. Changes in BMD and BMC were analysed using ANOVA for pairwise comparisons. Other comparisons were performed with the paired-sample t test and Wilcoxon test; Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to analyse the relationship among continuous variables. Setting: La Plata, Argentina. Subjects: Adolescent mothers (n 35; 17 years old or less) were recruited within 15 d after delivery. Studies and follow-up were performed at 15 d and 3, 6 and 12 months postpartum. Results: BMD and BMC losses at 3 and 6 months and recovery at 12 months fitted a quadratic curve (ANOVA) at the three sites studied (FN, TH, TR), in total-body BMD (P=0·000) and BMC (P=0·038). At hip sites, BMD loss occurred at 3 months (FN, P=0·000; TR, P=0·000; TH, P=0·000) and 6 months (FN, P=0·000; TR, P=0·000; TH, P=0·000) compared with basal values. Percentage BMD loss immediately after delivery up to 6 months was about 5%. Conclusions: Adolescents showed significant BMD and BMC losses at 6 months postpartum, with an almost total recovery at 12 months in all sites studied., Facultad de Ciencias Médicas

We assessed changes in body composition in lactating adolescent mothers living under unfavorable socioeconomic and sanitary conditions. A total of 17 healthy primiparous adolescents under 17 years of age attending the Maternity Hospital of the city of La Plata, Argentina, were followed at 4 time points (15 days and 3, 6 and 12 months postpartum) to assess, a) dietary intake, b) practice of physical activity, c) nutritional condition (weight, height, body mass index [BMI] according to age, and body composition by the sum of skinfold measurements), d) characteristics of lactation, and e) growth parameters of the child. The mean age of adolescents was 15.06 +/- 0.66 years (mean menarchal age, 11.59 +/- 0.80 years). All adolescents breastfed up to 12 months postpartum, and maternal milk covered above 80% the baby intake (mean 7.06 +/- 2.54 breast feeds/day). While the daily intake of nutrients by adolescent mothers was constant up to 6 months postpartum, there was a modest decrease in that of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids 15 days and 12 months postpartum. The decrease in energetic intake during the same period was significant (p0.05). The practice of physical activity was classified as moderate during the follow-up period. Whereas mean basal percent of fat body mass (FBM) was 29.85 +/- 2.87, and decreased significantly at 6 (27.2% +/- 3.9%; p = 0.02) and 12 (26.1% +/- 3.9%; p = 0.002) months postpartum, changes in lean body mass (LBM) were not significant. In conclusion, lactating adolescents maintained LBM, whereas weight, FBM and BMI decreased markedly from 3 months postpartum.

Little is known about the long-term evolution, nutrition status, growth, and eventual deficiencies of patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) adapted to oral feeding after parenteral nutrition (PN). Because there are not absolute criteria for weaning from parenteral or enteral nutrition to oral feeding, new nutrient deficiencies may develop. Subtle nutrition deficits could induce subclinical immune deficiencies; therefore, we studied long-term growth, nutrition status, and the state of the immune system in 10 patients with SBS after weaning PN for at least 2 years.Ten children with SBS (3-12 years old; mean, 7.4 years) who had not received PN for at least 2 years were studied. Anthropometric measurements, hemoglobin values, and indicators of iron, zinc, copper, folate and vitamin B(12) nutrition status were evaluated, along with immunoglobulins, lymphocyte subpopulations, and polymorphonuclear candidicidal activity.Weight-for-height was normal in 8 children; height-for-age was low in 5 children whose SBS was established early in life. Fat body mass was also low in 5 subjects. Four children presented macrocytosis, 2 with anemia. Low serum levels of vitamin B(12) (1 child), folates (4 children), and ferritin (2 children) were observed. Diminished candidicidal activity (4 children) was the only remarkable immunological abnormality.Many biologic and growth deficiencies are frequently seen in patients with SBS, even in children adapted to enteral feeding. This finding and the existence of previously unreported decreased candidicidal activity in some patients with SBS deserve long-term clinical and biologic follow up.