Validation of the educational material for the “Niñ@s en Movimiento” (children in motion) program to Treat child Obesity

ABSTRACT: To validate the content of the first booklet “Niñ@s en Movimiento” (designed in Spain), in the Colombian setting, targeting parents or caretakers, and overweight or obese children, which is available free online. Methodology: Qualitative research. After a selection process, 14 overweight children and their parents or caretakers were selected to participate. The children were students at the Colegio Básico “Camino de Paz" School in Medellin. To classify anthropometric data, the study used the World Health Organization program. To validate the booklet, a question guideline was drawn up and focus groups were held. The criteria used included attraction, comprehension, identification, acceptance and induction to action. Data were analyzed using the SPSS® software Version 21.0, and a data analysis protocol. Results: In the section “the importance of breakfast”, in the educational material, some parents or caretakers stated that it is necessary to indicate an adequate way to prepare food, how to serve it and the amounts that they should their children, which is not clear in the booklet. Regarding the children, in the sections “my breakfasts” and “food classification”, there were technical words that complicated comprehension. Furthermore, when talking about food classification, there are foods they have not seen nor eaten. In the parent or caretaker criteria evaluation, comprehension was poorly scored, as some of the terms were not clear. The children also ranked negatively this criterion. Vocabulary was difficult to understand because it had a foreign context. Conclusions: Breakfast, although an established habit, can improve; nevertheless, the guidelines of the booklet would have to be adapted to local language and food culture so that these recommendations may improve the applicability of this educational resource.RESUMEN: Validar, en un contexto colombiano, el contenido de la primera cartilla del programa “Niñ@s en Movimiento” (diseñada en España), dirigida a padres o cuidadores, y a los niños que padecen sobrepeso u obesidad, disponible en internet con acceso libre. Metodología: Investigación cualitativa. Tras el proceso de selección, participaron 14 niños con sobrepeso y sus padres o cuidadores, del Colegio Básico “Camino de Paz” de Medellín. Para la clasificación de los datos antropométricos se utilizó el programa de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Para la validación de la cartilla se elaboró una guía de preguntas y se realizaron grupos focales; se usaron los criterios de atractividad, entendimiento, identificación, aceptación e inducción a la acción. Los datos se analizaron mediante el software spss® versión 21.0, y un protocolo de análisis de datos. Resultados: En la sección “La importancia del desayuno”, del material educativo, algunos padres o cuidadores manifestaron que es necesario indicar la forma adecuada para preparar los alimentos, en qué condiciones y qué cantidad deben servirles a sus hijos, lo cual no es claro en la cartilla. Respecto a los niños, en las secciones “Mis desayunos” y “Clasificación de los alimentos” se encontró que las palabras técnicas dificultan la comprensión; además, al hablar de la clasificación de alimentos, algunos no los han visto ni consumido. En la evaluación de los criterios por parte del padre o cuidador, el entendimiento fue mal calificado, porque no son claros algunos términos; los niños también calificaron negativamente este criterio, por la dificultad para entender vocabulario desconocido debido a su contexto extranjero. Conclusiones: El desayuno, aunque es un hábito establecido, puede mejorar; sin embargo, las orientaciones de la cartilla tendrían que adaptarse al lenguaje y a la cultura alimentaria local, para que las recomendaciones mejoren la aplicabilidad de este recurso educativo

Self-Reported Prevalence of Gluten-Related Disorders and Adherence to Gluten-Free Diet in Colombian Adult Population

Background. Celiac disease seems to be rare in Colombians, but there are currently no data about the prevalence rates of symptomatic adverse reactions to gluten or adherence to gluten-free diet (GFD) in this population. Aim. to evaluate the self-reported prevalence rates of adverse reactions to gluten, adherence to GFD, and gluten-related disorders at population level in Colombia. Methods. A self-administered questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a population from Northwest Colombia. Results. The estimated prevalence rates were (95% CI) 7.9% (6.5–9.6) and 5.3% (4.1–6.7) for adverse and recurrent adverse reactions to wheat/gluten, respectively, adherence to GFD 5.9% (4.7–7.4), wheat allergy 0.74% (0.3–1.4), and nonceliac gluten sensitivity 4.5% (3.5–5.8). There were no self-reported cases of celiac disease. Prevalence of self-reported physician-diagnosis of gluten-related disorders was 0.41% (0.17–0.96). Most respondents reported adherence to GFD without a physician-diagnosis of gluten-related disorders (97.2%). The proportion of gluten avoiders was 17.2% (15.2–19.5). Most of them did not report recurrent adverse reactions to wheat/gluten (87.0%). Conclusions. Nonceliac gluten sensitivity is rarely formally diagnosed in Colombia, but this population has the highest prevalence rate of adherence to GFD reported to date. Consequently, most respondents were avoiding wheat- and/or gluten-based products for reasons other than health-related symptoms

Validación de material educativo del programa Niñ@s en Movimiento para el tratamiento de la obesidad infantil.

Objective: To validate the content of the first booklet “Niñ@s en Movimiento” (designed in Spain), in the Colombian setting, targeting parents or caretakers, and overweight or obese children, which is available free online. Methodology: Qualitative research. After a selection process, 14 overweight children and their parents or caretakers were selected to participate. The children were students at the Colegio Básico “Camino de Paz" School in Medellin. To classify anthropometric data, the study used the World Health Organization program. To validate the booklet, a question guideline was drawn up and focus groups were held. The criteria used included attraction, comprehension, identification, acceptance and induction to action. Data were analyzed using the SPSS® software Version 21.0, and a data analysis protocol. Results: In the section “the importance of breakfast”, in the educational material, some parents or caretakers stated that it is necessary to indicate an adequate way to prepare food, how to serve it and the amounts that they should their children, which is not clear in the booklet. Regarding the children, in the sections “my breakfasts” and “food classification”, there were technical words that complicated comprehension. Furthermore, when talking about food classification, there are foods they have not seen nor eaten. In the parent or caretaker criteria evaluation, comprehension was poorly scored, as some of the terms were not clear. The children also ranked negatively this criterion. Vocabulary was difficult to understand because it had a foreign context. Conclusions: Breakfast, although an established habit, can improve; nevertheless, the guidelines of the booklet would have to be adapted to local language and food culture so that these recommendations may improve the applicability of this educational resourceObjetivo: Validar, en un contexto colombiano, el contenido de la primera cartilla del programa “Niñ@s en Movimiento” (diseñada en España), dirigida a padres o cuidadores, y a los niños que padecen sobrepeso u obesidad, disponible en internet con acceso libre.Metodología: Investigación cualitativa. Tras el proceso de selección, participaron 14 niños con sobrepeso y sus padres o cuidadores, del Colegio Básico “Camino de Paz” de Medellín. Para la clasificación de los datos antropométricos se utilizó el programa de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Para la validación de la cartilla se elaboró una guía de preguntas y se realizaron grupos focales; se usaron los criterios de atractividad, entendimiento, identificación, aceptación e inducción a la acción. Los datos se analizaron mediante el software SPSS® versión 21.0, y un protocolo de análisis de datos.Resultados: En la sección “La importancia del desayuno”, del material educativo, algunos padres o cuidadores manifestaron que es necesario indicar la forma adecuada para preparar los alimentos, en qué condiciones y qué cantidad deben servirles a sus hijos, lo cual no es claro en la cartilla. Respecto a los niños, en las secciones “Mis desayunos” y “Clasificación de los alimentos” se encontró que las palabras técnicas dificultan la comprensión; además, al hablar de la clasificación de alimentos, algunos no los han visto ni consumido. En la evaluación de los criterios por parte del padre o cuidador, el entendimiento fue mal calificado, porque no son claros algunos términos; los niños también calificaron negativamente este criterio, por la dificultad para entender vocabulario desconocido debido a su contexto extranjero.Conclusiones: El desayuno, aunque es un hábito establecido, puede mejorar; sin embargo, las orientaciones de la cartilla tendrían que adaptarse al lenguaje y a la cultura alimentaria local, para que las recomendaciones mejoren la aplicabilidad de este recurso educativo

Self-Reported Prevalence of Gluten-Related Disorders and Adherence to Gluten-Free Diet in Colombian Adult Population

Background. Celiac disease seems to be rare in Colombians, but there are currently no data about the prevalence rates of symptomatic adverse reactions to gluten or adherence to gluten-free diet (GFD) in this population. Aim. to evaluate the self-reported prevalence rates of adverse reactions to gluten, adherence to GFD, and gluten-related disorders at population level in Colombia. Methods. A self-administered questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a population from Northwest Colombia. Results. The estimated prevalence rates were (95% CI) 7.9% (6.5-9.6) and 5.3% (4.1-6.7) for adverse and recurrent adverse reactions to wheat/gluten, respectively, adherence to GFD 5.9% (4.7-7.4), wheat allergy 0.74% (0.3-1.4), and nonceliac gluten sensitivity 4.5% (3.5-5.8). There were no self-reported cases of celiac disease. Prevalence of self-reported physician-diagnosis of gluten-related disorders was 0.41% (0.17-0.96). Most respondents reported adherence to GFD without a physician-diagnosis of gluten-related disorders (97.2%). The proportion of gluten avoiders was 17.2% (15.2-19.5). Most of them did not report recurrent adverse reactions to wheat/gluten (87.0%). Conclusions. Nonceliac gluten sensitivity is rarely formally diagnosed in Colombia, but this population has the highest prevalence rate of adherence to GFD reported to date. Consequently, most respondents were avoiding wheat-and/or gluten-based products for reasons other than health-related symptoms

Characteristics of Allergen Labelling and Precautionary Allergen Labelling in Packaged Food Products Available in Latin America

The characteristics of food allergen labelling are relevant for avoiding accidental exposure to the allergens of interest but no Latin American country has evaluated these characteristics. Our aim was to evaluate the characteristics of food allergen labelling and precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) in six Latin American countries. All data were collected directly from the supermarkets surveyed. A total of 10,254 packaged food products were analyzed, of which 63.3% (n = 6494) and 33.2% (n = 3405) featured allergen labelling and/or PAL, respectively. Most products complied with local regulations (≥87.4% for both locally produced and imported). Thirty-three types of PAL statements were detected; the most frequent was “may contain traces of…” (35.1%). Countries without regulations on the characteristics of allergen labelling had two-fold more products that contained allergens in their ingredients lists but no food allergen labelling. The use of PAL in countries that regulate it (38.2%) was as high as that in countries without PAL regulations (19.2%–44.7%). The findings suggest that the lack of regulations for the characteristics of allergen labeling increases the risk of accidental exposure to allergens of interest. Our findings also suggest that beyond regulations, a scientific approach is required for minimizing and standardizing the use of PAL