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Breastfeeding is considered a primary strategy in health promotion and disease prevention. This document addresses aspects that make evident the importance of breastfeeding for the health of the mother and her child, and the role of health professionals to promote, protect and support breastfeeding. An epidemiological panorama of breastfeeding in Mexico is presented, the main constituents of milk, the benefits of breastfeeding, both for the baby and for the mother, the barriers and myths that somehow influence breastfeeding, the main problems of breastfeeding and how to solve them, the proposed steps and the technique to achieve successful breastfeeding and promote a culture of breastfeeding.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Neck circumference (NC) has been used for screening overweight/obesity for its high correlation with age, weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC). Cut-offs should be population specific. The aim of the study was to obtain cut-offs of NC for overweight/obesity in Mexican adolescents and to correlate them with anthropometric indicators. SUBJECTS/METHODS Weight, height, BMI, NC, WC, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of 465 12-14-year-old Mexican-mestizo students attending a public school in Mexico City were assessed. Using receiver operating characteristics analyses, neck cut-offs were obtained according to the WHO age and sex criteria for overweight/obesity. RESULTS NC cut-offs with the highest sensitivity and specificity for males and females, respectively, were as follows: 30.0 and 29.3 cm for 12-year-olds; 31.9 and 30.4 cm for 13-year-olds; and, 33.5 and 30.7 cm for 14-year-old adolescents. Overweight/obesity was identified with NC cut-offs in 80% of males and 86% of females, and showed significant correlations (p

Background Influenza serologic diagnosis is mainly based on hemagglutination inhibition and microneutralization methods, both methods require handling living viruses under an enhanced biosafety level. Aim The current study was performed for developing an ELISA using synthetic peptides to detect influenza A H1N1 virus 2009 specific antibodies in serum and saliva. Methods Alignments were made with H1N1 hemagglutinin and neuraminidase (HA and NA, respectively) sequences; only conserved sites were used for antigenicity prediction. Two synthetic peptides were assayed; one of neuraminidase (NA15) and one of hemagglutinin (HA-15) and used in ELISA for detecting IgG and IgA antibodies. A cross-sectional study was performed in three municipalities of Mexico City, using negative samples collected before the 2009 influenza outbreak, samples of people who became ill during the outbreak, and samples of the participants in the epidemiological study with or without symptoms. Results The determination of serum IgG antibodies with both peptides allowed differentiating between the post outbreak groups with respect to all others. No differences were found in IgA determination in saliva against both peptides. The frequency of positive participants for NA-15 was 9.5 and 8.8% for HA-15 in serum IgG; whereas the frequency of positive participants for NA-15 was 11%, and for HA-15 was 8.6% for saliva IgA. Conclusions Synthetic peptides of the neuraminidase and hemagglutinin proteins can be used in ELISA for the determination of IgG and IgA antibodies against the influenza A H1N1 virus 2009.

Resumen. Los expertos en salud pAoblica han argumentado que las campaA±as de prevenciA³n de la obesidad pueden tener efectos negativos para la salud, como los comportamientos de riesgo para los trastornos alimentarios. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar la relaciA³n entre el A­ndice de masa corporal, la presencia de comportamientos de riesgo para los trastornos alimentarios y escuchar los mensajes de prevenciA³n de la obesidad. Se midiA³ a los adolescentes para calcular su A­ndice de masa corporal. Se evaluA³ la presencia de conductas de riesgo para los trastornos alimentarios, y se registrA³ el nAomero y con frecuencia de mensajes de prevenciA³n de la obesidad que escucharon. Se utilizA³ un anAilisis de conglomerados para el anAilisis estadA­stico. Entre los resultados se encontrA³ que los adolescentes informaron haber escuchado un promedio de siete mensajes diferentes de prevenciA³n de la obesidad en una semana; El mensaje mAis escuchado fue medir su cintura. Los comportamientos de riesgo mAis comunes para los trastornos alimentarios observados en los adolescentes fueron el ejercicio excesivo y el miedo a aumentar de peso. Se identificaron los grupos, un grupo eran adolescentes obesos que informaron haber escuchado menos mensajes de prevenciA³n de la obesidad y presentaron diversos comportamientos de riesgo para los trastornos alimentarios. Otro grupo fue el de adolescentes de peso normal que informaron haber escuchado mAis mensajes de prevenciA³n de la obesidad y presentaron pocos comportamientos de riesgo para los trastornos alimentarios. En conclusiA³n, es aconsejable diseA±ar campaA±as que prevengan simultAineamente la obesidad y los comportamientos de riesgo para los trastornos alimentarios. Otro grupo fue el de adolescentes de peso normal que informaron haber escuchado mAis mensajes de prevenciA³n de la obesidad y presentaron pocos comportamientos de riesgo para los trastornos alimentarios. En conclusiA³n, es aconsejable diseA±ar campaA±as que prevengan simultAineamente la obesidad y los comportamientos de riesgo para los trastornos alimentarios. Otro grupo fue el de adolescentes de peso normal que informaron haber escuchado mAis mensajes de prevenciA³n de la obesidad y presentaron pocos comportamientos de riesgo para los trastornos alimentarios. En conclusiA³n, es aconsejable diseA±ar campaA±as que prevengan simultAineamente la obesidad y los comportamientos de riesgo para los trastornos alimentarios.

En la mayoría de las campañas de prevención no se considera medir el efecto no esperado que pudieran tener en la salud de la población. El objetivo fue analizar el contenido de los mensajes publicitarios de las campañas de prevención de la obesidad que ocasionaría un efecto negativo en la salud. Los mensajes de las campañas de prevención de la obesidad se examinaron con la técnica cualitativa de análisis de contenido. Se encontró que la información de los mensajes no es suficientemente clara y llevaría a prácticas de conductas no saludables. También, se observaron en los mensajes imágenes corporales esbeltas como saludables y estereotipos negativos de la obesidad, situación que dañaría la percepción que tienen las personas de su imagen corporal. En conclusión, hay mensajes que en lugar de prevenir la obesidad alentarían insatisfacción corporal y conductas no saludables como hacer dieta y obsesión por controlar y medir el peso.

Neck circumference (NC) has been used for screening overweight/obesity for its high correlation with age, weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC). Cut-offs should be population specific. The aim of the study was to obtain cut-offs of NC for overweight/obesity in Mexican adolescents and to correlate them with anthropometric indicators.Weight, height, BMI, NC, WC, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of 465 12-14-year-old Mexican-mestizo students attending a public school in Mexico City were assessed. Using receiver operating characteristics analyses, neck cut-offs were obtained according to the WHO age and sex criteria for overweight/obesity.NC cut-offs with the highest sensitivity and specificity for males and females, respectively, were as follows: 30.0 and 29.3 cm for 12-year-olds; 31.9 and 30.4 cm for 13-year-olds; and, 33.5 and 30.7 cm for 14-year-old adolescents. Overweight/obesity was identified with NC cut-offs in 80% of males and 86% of females, and showed significant correlations (p 0.01) in males and females with weight (r = 0.821 and r = 0.840, respectively), BMI (r = 0.649 and r = 0.819, respectively), WC (r = 0.710 and r = 0.813, respectively) and MUAC (r = 0.736 and r = 0.815, respectively).Neck circumference may be used as a first-stage screening tool or jointly with BMI to identify overweight/obesity in 12-14-year-old Mexican adolescents.

Background. To promote breastfeeding, it is essential to educate and train health professionals to provide counseling and accompaniment to mothers so they can build confidence and gain security for a successful initiation and continuation of breastfeeding. Objective. To evaluate the impact of an educational workshop for medical students aimed to improve their knowledge of and attitudes towards breastfeeding. Material and methods. We conducted a workshop addressing various topics and activities related to breastfeeding with the participation of 154 medical students. Their knowledge and attitudes were assessed at the beginning and end of the workshop. The data were analyzed using non-parametric statistical tests. Results. The results showed that the majority of the students improved their knowledge and attitudes; among the most significant improvements were: information on breast milk nutrient content, the correct breastfeeding technique, the most common breastfeeding problems and solutions, and the need to provide mothers with counseling, support and accompaniment. Conclusions. The educational workshop resulted an effective practice in medical students to increase knowledge and acquire positive attitudes towards breastfeeding. It is important to consider that during their time in medical school, students should have the option of being trained as lactation consultantsKeywords: Breastfeeding, educational workshop, medical students, health promotion.ResumenAntecedentes. Para promover la lactancia materna es indispensable formar y capacitar al personal de salud de manera que brinde consejería y acompañamiento a las madres para que desarrollen seguridad y confianza y logren un inicio y continuación exitosa de la lactancia materna. Objetivo. Evaluar un taller educativo en estudiantes de medicina que tuvo como propósito mejorar sus conocimientos y actitudes sobre lactancia materna. Material y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un taller con 154 estudiantes de medicina donde se abordaron diversos temas y actividades relacionadas con la lactancia materna, al inicio y final del taller se evaluaron sus conocimientos y actitudes. Los datos se analizaron utilizando pruebas estadísticas no paramétricas. Resultados. Se encontró que la mayoría de los estudiantes incrementó los conocimientos y actitudes; entre los más significativos estuvieron: información sobre el contenido nutricional de la leche materna, la técnica correcta de amamantamiento, la resolución de los problemas más comunes y la necesidad de brindar a la madre consejería, apoyo y acompañamiento. Conclusiones. El taller educativo resultó ser una práctica efectiva en los estudiantes de medicina para aumentar los conocimientos y adquirir actitudes positivas hacia la lactancia materna. Es importante considerar que, durante la formación médica, los estudiantes tengan la opción de capacitarse como promotores de la lactancia materna.Palabras clave: Lactancia materna, taller educativo, estudiantes de medicina, promoción de la salud.

Introducción. Campañas de prevención de la obesidad que simbolizan el cuerpo saludable como aquel sin exceso de peso, podrían afectar la percepción de la imagen corporal de los adolescentes, tal como ocurre con la publicidad del ideal estético.Objetivo. Evaluar la percepción que tienen del cuerpo saludable y su relación con la insatisfacción corporal.Método. Se realizó una encuesta en 460 adolescentes de una escuela pública de la ciudad de México. Se utilizó un test de siluetas para evaluar la percepción de: su imagen actual, la imagen que les gustaría tener y la imagen que consideran saludable de acuerdo a las campañas de prevención de la obesidad. La información se analizó mediante correlaciones estadísticas entre cada una de las percepciones corporales con la insatisfacción.Resultados. La mayoría de los adolescentes (76.8%) ubican el cuerpo saludable en un índice de masa corporal de peso normal. También se encontró una relación casi nula con dirección negativa entre el cuerpo saludable y la insatisfacción corporal.Conclusiones. Los resultados señalan que las campañas logran que los adolescentes identifiquen un cuerpo asociado con menores riesgos a la salud, sin implicar gran afectación en su percepción de la imagen corporal.

In order to advance in the study of positive body image among different cultures, it is important to create culturally appropriate measures. We examined the psychometric properties of a Latin-American Spanish translation of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2; Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015a), specifically assessing measurement invariance using a large sample of 3845 male and female adolescents from Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia. Participants completed the BAS-2, Eating Disorder Inventory-2, Male Body Attitude Scale and the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire-3. The BAS-2 had a unidimensional factor structure in each of the three samples. We confirmed the structural, metric, and scalar invariance of the scale regardless of gender or country. Adolescents in Argentina had lower body appreciation compared with those in Mexico and Colombia. Overall, females had lower body appreciation than males, with the greatest gender difference found in the Argentinean sample. Our findings strongly support the validity and reliability of this Latin-American translation of the BAS-2 in measuring positive body image in adolescents in Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia.

Background: Influenza A (H1N1) is the most recent pandemic disease that has affected the human population. Objective: To evaluate knowledge and preventive measures related with this disease one year after the epidemic of Mexico- that took place in 2009. Material and methods: An epidemiologic survey regarding influenza A (H1N1) was conducted in June 2010 among 2541 students from the second grade of all public high schools in a borough in Mexico City. The questionnaire included items on the knowledge of the disease and practice of preventive measures. Results: Most students obtained the information from television, half of them from parents and only one fifth from teachers; 72% of the participants had a favorable knowledge about the disease and the measures to avoid being infected. However, only 37% practiced such preventive measures. Conclusion: Knowledge has a positive influence on practices towards health. Parents and teachers have an important role in health education, thus efforts should be directed to involve them more intensely in health education.

To know the frequency of flu symptoms and describe preventive measures practiced by the inhabitants of Mexico City during the AH1N1 epidemic.A cross-sectional design was used and a survey containing demographic and health information was conducted in August and September 2009 in a sample of 4003 randomly selected people living in Mexico City.Referred flu symptoms were: 29% running nose, 25% cough, 25% throat infection, 17% muscle and joint pain, 10% respiratory problems, and 7% fever. Also 16% said having hypertension, 10% diabetes, and 2% morbid obesity. Among the preventive measures, 74% washed hands, 32% covered the nose and mouth with the forearm when coughing or sneezing, 28% used sanitizer gel five times a day in average, and 47% did not greet with a kiss or handshake.Almost all the population followed preventive measures and did not show high percentages of influenza symptoms. Useful elements for prevention were identified, such as the frequency of seasonal influenza vaccination, self-medication, and living with a person diagnosed with AH1N1. It is important to continue with mass communication to strengthen adequate hygiene and health measures.

Antecedentes: La caries dental tiene una etiología multicausal donde intervienen tres factores primarios: huésped, flora bucal y sustrato sobre el que ésta se desarrolla. El propósito de este trabajo fue conocer la asociación entre la presencia de microorganismos y la capacidad amortiguadora de la saliva con la presencia de caries. Método: Se realizó una exploración clínica de la cavidad bucal y se tomó una muestra de saliva en una población de niños de 5 a 13 años de edad de cuatro escuelas primarias privadas de la delegación Venustiano Carranza, Distrito Federal, México. Se calcularon dos tipos de índices y se desarrollaron tres pruebas microbiológicas. Resultados: La prevalencia de caries fue 86.6%; se encontró un índice de dientes permanentes cariados, perdidos y obturados de 1.3 y un índice de dientes temporales cariados, con extracción indicada y obturados de 2.7; 40% de la población presentó una infección alta por Streptococcus mutans; 35% presentó una infección severa de Lactobacillus sp y 69% presentó una capacidad amortiguadora media. Conclusiones: Existe una relación entre la presencia de caries y un incremento en el número de colonias de S. mutans y Lactobacillus sp. aunado a una capacidad amortiguadora baja.

Blastocystis hominis is a pathogenic protozoon that lives in the human bowel and causes diarrhea: the mode of transmission is a passive one, through the ingestion of stool-contaminated water or foods that contain infective forms of the parasite. The purpose of this study is to report the prevalence of Blastocystis hominis among food vendors in the markets within the Xochimilco jurisdiction, Mexico City, Mexico. A cross-sectional study was conducted in which food vendors answered an epidemiological questionnaire and underwent a serial stool culture. The frequency of the intestinal parasitoses reported was estimated and an analysis was carried out associating the presence of Blastocystis hominis with socio-economic and hygienic factors using the odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval. The frequency of intestinal parasites and commensals was 50.4%; Blastocystis hominis was found in 48 (41.7%) food vendors. The risk analysis showed that Blastocystis hominis was associated with: male gender, poor personal hygiene habits, personal history of parasitosis, and family history of parasitosis. The prevalence reported is high when compared with other populations studied. The relevance of this report lies on the fact that food vendors handle foods and could transmit the infection to consumers.

In order to know the prevalence of cysticercosis and taeniosis among food traders at the markets of a political delegation in Mexico City, 262 traders were interviewed among 11 markets in Xochimilco. Coproparasitoscopic serial studies and western blot assay in sera were done looking for T. solium eggs and specific antibodies against cysticerci respectively. From interviewed persons, 115 delivered fecal samples and 110 provided blood samples. Prevalence of cysticerco-antibodies was 0,9% and T. solium eggs were not found. Traders used to sell any kind of food related with pig meat, 11,3% used to breed at home pigs and sacrificed them illegally to sell their meat. Otherwise as observed in other country (Peru), traders in pig meat food that work at markets in Mexico City seldom seem to be exposed to T. solium