Overnutrition and Scholastic Achievement: Is There a Relationship? An 8-Year Follow-Up Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the association between overnutrition and scholastic achievement (SA). Methods: A representative and proportional sample of 477 children of the 5th elementary school grade of both genders was randomly chosen during 2010, in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. SA was measured through the 2009 Education Quality Measurement System (SIMCE) tests of language (LSA), mathematics (MSA) and understanding of the natural environment (UNESA). Current nutritional status was assessed through the body mass index Z-score (Z-BMI). Nutritional quality of diet, schedule exercise, socioeconomic status, family, and educational variables were also recorded. Four and 8 years later, SA was assessed through the 2013 SIMCE and the University Selection Test (2017 PSU), respectively. Results: Socioeconomic status, the number of repeated school years, and maternal schooling were strong predictors of 2009 SIMCE and the independent variables with the greatest explanatory power for LSA (Model R2 = 0.178; p 2 = 0.205; p2 = 0.272; p Conclusions: These results confirm that overnourished children did not achieve significantly lower SA

Percepción de escolares chilenos de distinto nivel socioeconómico sobre la regulación de la publicidad de alimentos

El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la percepción de escolares de 8 a 12 años, de ambos sexos, distinto nivel socioeconómico (NSE) y estado nutricional, sobre la regulación de la publicidad de alimentos y bebidas azucaradas. En un estudio de corte transversal, se aplicó una encuesta previamente validada a 812 escolares (399 niños y 413 niñas) de NSE alto y bajo en 3 ciudades del país. Los datos se analizaron según NSE y estado nutricional. La obesidad fue más prevalente en los niños de NSE bajo, quienes veían más comerciales de alimentos y bebidas en televisión y los de NSE alto en Internet y celulares. Sobre el 65% de los escolares en ambos NSE llevaba dinero para comprar alimentos en el horario escolar. En los primeros meses de entrada en vigencia de la Ley 20.606, el 80% de los niños indicaron que les gustaba ser informados de lo que contenían los alimentos y los sellos Alto en Calorías, Alto en Grasas Saturadas y Alto en Sodio fueron significativamente más importantes para los de NSE alto. El sello Alto en Azúcares fue igualmente importante en ambos NSE. Estos resultados permitirán apoyar intervenciones de educación en nutrición y marketing social que motiven la alimentación saludable en niños, padres y profesores.The objective of this study was to analyze the perception of schoolchildren, 8 to 12 years, both sex, of different socioeconomic status (SES) and nutritional status, on food and sugary beverages advertising regulation. A cross-sectional study that used a previously validated survey to 812 schoolchildren (399 boys and 413 girls) of high and low SES in 3 Chilean cities was performed. The data was analyzed according to NSE and nutritional status. Obesity was more prevalent in low-SES children. These children watched significantly more food and beverages TV ads while high SES children do it more through Internet and cell phones. Over 65% of children of both SES brought money to school to buy food. In the first months after the 20.606 Law was implemented, 80% of the children indicated that they like to be informed on food content. On the other hand, the symbols “High in Calories”, “High in Saturated Fats”, and “High in Sodium”, were significantly more relevant for children of high SES. The symbol “High in Sugars” was equally important for children of both SES. These results will support the design of nutrition education and social marketing interventions that promote healthy eating in children, parents and teachers

Quantification of Helicobacter pylori levels in soil samples from public playgrounds in Spain*

Helicobacter pylori are ubiquitous Gram-negative bacteria with a high estimated level of infection in the world populations, but a majority of the infected persons are asymptomatic. This pathogen has been classified by the World Health Organization as a class I carcinogen and recognized as the causal agent of most peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis that might lead to stomach cancer. Although not all the transmission pathways of these bacteria into humans have been properly identified, enough data have suggested that the oral-oral or fecal-oral ones are the main infection routes. Helicobacter pylori have been detected in non-treated water and in drinking water, which suggested that water might be an important infection source. As childhood is the critical period of infection, the aim of the present work was to examine the presence of Helicobacter pylori in soil samples from public playing areas of Spanish parks