Nutritional valuation of schoolchildren from three Ibero-American countries: A comparative analysis of the references proposed by International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and World Health Organization (WHO)

Introducción: El índice de masa corporal (IMC) resulta un indicador útil para valorar la condición nutricional en la infancia y adolescencia. Si bien no existe consenso respecto a los valores o puntos de corte de IMC que deben utilizarse para la diagnosis del sobrepeso, la obesidad o la insuficiencia ponderal, las referencias propuestas por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y la International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) son las más aceptadas. No obstante, existen discrepancias importantes en los resultados obtenidos en función de una u otra referencia. Objetivo: Analizar y comparar la condición nutricional de una muestra internacional a partir del IMC, mediante la aplicación simultánea de las referencias recomendadas por la IOTF y la OMS. Métodos: Se calculó el IMC de 1289 escolares de 10 a 13 años de México, Venezuela y España. A cada niño le fue atribuida una categoría nutricional (bajo peso, normopeso, sobrepeso y obesidad) utilizando el criterio de la IOTF (puntos de corte equivalentes a 18,5; 25 y 30 en adultos) y OMS (-1 DE: bajo peso + 1 DE: sobrepeso y +2 DE: obesidad). Las prevalencias de estado nutricional obtenidas por cada criterio fueron comparadas mediante la prueba de Chi-Cuadrado. Resultados: El porcentaje de escolares en cada una de las categorías nutricionales varió significativamente en función de la referencia empleada. La prevalencia de malnutrición por exceso o por defecto fue, en ambos sexos y en los tres países, superior al emplear los parámetros OMS. La referencia OMS evidenció un 10,9% menos de niños normonutridos y un 13,1% más de malnutridos que la IOTF. Discusión: Los resultados de esta investigación permiten inferir que la referencia propuesta por la OMS resulta ser más “preventiva” al momento de identificar individuos malnutridos. Se subraya la importancia de especificar los criterios empleados para la determinación del estado nutricional en los estudios de carácter epidemiológico, así como de contrastar las referencias empleadas para el diagnóstico. Conclusiones: Las referencias OMS para IMC sobrestiman la prevalencia de bajo peso, sobrepeso y obesidad en relación a los puntos de corte propuestos por el IOTF para el diagnóstico de la malnutrición.Introduction: Body Mass Index (BMI) is a useful tool for assessing nutritional status in childhood and adolescence. Although there is no consensus on BMI values or cutoffs to be used for the diagnosis of overweight, obesity and underweight references proposed by World Health Organization (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) are the most accepted. However, there are significant discrepancies in the results obtained in terms of either reference. Objective: To analyze and compare the nutritional status of an international sample from IMC, by simultaneous application of IOTF and WHO recommended references. Methods: 1289 schoolchildren’s BMI between 10 and 13 years of Mexico, Venezuela and Spain was estimated. Each child was assigned a nutritional category (underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese) using the IOTF criteria (points cut equivalent to 18,5, 25 and 30 in adults) and WHO (-1 SD: low weight +1 DE: overweight and +2 SD: obesity). The prevalence of nutritional status of each criterion was compared using the Chi-square test. Results: The percentage of students in each of the nutritional categories mottled significantly depending on the reference used. The prevalence of excess or defect malnutrition, in both sexes and in all three countries, was exceeded using the WHO parameters. WHO reference showed 10,9% less than well-nourished children and 13,1 % more malnourished than the IOTF. Discussion: The results of this research allow inferring that the reference proposed by WHO appears to be more “protecting” when identifying malnourished individuals. The importance of specifying the criteria for determination of nutritional status in epidemiologic studies, as well as to contrast the references used for diagnosis, is emphasized. Conclusions: The WHO BMI references overestimate the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in relation to the cutoff points proposed by the IOTF for diagnosing malnutrition.Instituto de Genética VeterinariaFacultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Nutritional valuation of schoolchildren from three Ibero-American countries: A comparative analysis of the references proposed by International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and World Health Organization (WHO)

Introducción: El índice de masa corporal (IMC) resulta un indicador útil para valorar la condición nutricional en la infancia y adolescencia. Si bien no existe consenso respecto a los valores o puntos de corte de IMC que deben utilizarse para la diagnosis del sobrepeso, la obesidad o la insuficiencia ponderal, las referencias propuestas por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y la International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) son las más aceptadas. No obstante, existen discrepancias importantes en los resultados obtenidos en función de una u otra referencia. Objetivo: Analizar y comparar la condición nutricional de una muestra internacional a partir del IMC, mediante la aplicación simultánea de las referencias recomendadas por la IOTF y la OMS. Métodos: Se calculó el IMC de 1289 escolares de 10 a 13 años de México, Venezuela y España. A cada niño le fue atribuida una categoría nutricional (bajo peso, normopeso, sobrepeso y obesidad) utilizando el criterio de la IOTF (puntos de corte equivalentes a 18,5; 25 y 30 en adultos) y OMS (-1 DE: bajo peso + 1 DE: sobrepeso y +2 DE: obesidad). Las prevalencias de estado nutricional obtenidas por cada criterio fueron comparadas mediante la prueba de Chi-Cuadrado. Resultados: El porcentaje de escolares en cada una de las categorías nutricionales varió significativamente en función de la referencia empleada. La prevalencia de malnutrición por exceso o por defecto fue, en ambos sexos y en los tres países, superior al emplear los parámetros OMS. La referencia OMS evidenció un 10,9% menos de niños normonutridos y un 13,1% más de malnutridos que la IOTF. Discusión: Los resultados de esta investigación permiten inferir que la referencia propuesta por la OMS resulta ser más “preventiva” al momento de identificar individuos malnutridos. Se subraya la importancia de especificar los criterios empleados para la determinación del estado nutricional en los estudios de carácter epidemiológico, así como de contrastar las referencias empleadas para el diagnóstico. Conclusiones: Las referencias OMS para IMC sobrestiman la prevalencia de bajo peso, sobrepeso y obesidad en relación a los puntos de corte propuestos por el IOTF para el diagnóstico de la malnutrición.Introduction: Body Mass Index (BMI) is a useful tool for assessing nutritional status in childhood and adolescence. Although there is no consensus on BMI values or cutoffs to be used for the diagnosis of overweight, obesity and underweight references proposed by World Health Organization (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) are the most accepted. However, there are significant discrepancies in the results obtained in terms of either reference. Objective: To analyze and compare the nutritional status of an international sample from IMC, by simultaneous application of IOTF and WHO recommended references. Methods: 1289 schoolchildren’s BMI between 10 and 13 years of Mexico, Venezuela and Spain was estimated. Each child was assigned a nutritional category (underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese) using the IOTF criteria (points cut equivalent to 18,5, 25 and 30 in adults) and WHO (-1 SD: low weight +1 DE: overweight and +2 SD: obesity). The prevalence of nutritional status of each criterion was compared using the Chi-square test. Results: The percentage of students in each of the nutritional categories mottled significantly depending on the reference used. The prevalence of excess or defect malnutrition, in both sexes and in all three countries, was exceeded using the WHO parameters. WHO reference showed 10,9% less than well-nourished children and 13,1 % more malnourished than the IOTF. Discussion: The results of this research allow inferring that the reference proposed by WHO appears to be more “protecting” when identifying malnourished individuals. The importance of specifying the criteria for determination of nutritional status in epidemiologic studies, as well as to contrast the references used for diagnosis, is emphasized. Conclusions: The WHO BMI references overestimate the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in relation to the cutoff points proposed by the IOTF for diagnosing malnutrition.Instituto de Genética VeterinariaFacultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

The Peltetec ophiolitic belt (Ecuador): a window to the tectonic evolution of the Triassic margin of western Gondwana

New field and petrographic observations, whole-rock major- and trace-element geochemical data, Nd and Sr isotope systematics and U-Pb SHRIMP zircon ages of the Peltetec metaophiolite and related rocks (Ecuador) allow the characterization of the igneous and sedimentary protoliths and the evaluation of the geodynamic evolution of the active western margin of Gondwana during the Mesozoic. The Peltetec ophiolitic belt, exposed along the western margin of the Cordillera Real (Ecuador) and previously considered of Cretaceous age, comprises slices of metamorphosed (greenschist facies) and variably deformed peridotites, gabbros (locally cumulate), basaltic lavas and dykes, hydrothermal breccias and sedimentary rocks. The geochemical characteristics of the tholeiitic basaltic rocks indicate a Sr-Nd isotope depleted mantle source with variable imprint of subduction zone-derived or continental crust-assimilated components, as indicated by enrichment in Th, negative anomaly of Nb and relative depletion in high field strength elements (HFSE). Geochemical diversity allows defining different groups of noncumulate igneous rocks with oceanic island arc and NMORB-like back-arc affinities. U-Pb zircon ages from a metabasite yielded 228.1 ± 1.7 Ma, interpreted as the crystallization age of the magma. These data allow proposing the generation of the Peltetec ophiolite in a back-arc setting as a consequence of late Triassic extension of the western continental margin of Gondwana. Granites located at the western margin of the Peltetec Unit with S-type affinity and equal Triassic age (U-Pb age of 228.2 ± 0.8 Ma) document coeval anatexis of the continental crust as a consequence of heating associated with the same extensional event that originated the ophiolite. Geologic correlation allows enlarging such tectonic scenario to include ophiolitic units of similar age in Colombia.This work was funded in the frame of the project ‘Proyecto Junior PIJ-16-04 (VIPS-EPN)’ of the Escuela Politécnica Nacional and received support for analyses at CIC from the University of Granada

Ocean floor and Barrovian metamorphic events in the Mesozoic Peltetec ophiolitic belt (Ecuador)

The Peltetec ophiolitic belt, exposed along the western margin of the Cordillera Real (Ecuador), comprises tectonic slivers of metamorphosed (greenschist facies) and variably deformed metaperidotites (serpentinites), gabbros (locally cumulate), greenschist and sub-greenschist rocks. New field data, deformation and petrographic observations, whole-rock major element, mineral composition and P-T determinations of the Peltetec metaophiolite allow determining the metamorphic-geodynamic events of a section of the active western margin of Gondwana during the Mesozoic. Two metamorphic events are proposed: (i) ocean-floor metamorphism during the formation of oceanic lithosphere under low-pressure amphibolite facies conditions (M0), followed by (ii) prograde metamorphism up to the greenschist facies along an intermediate (Barrovian) P/T gradient (M1; ~315°C and ~ 3.9 kbar, ca. 23°C/km). The first metamorphic event occurred under near-static stress conditions and rocks did not suffer significant deformation. During this event, pyroxenes were replaced by hornblende while plagioclase recrystallized. The second event produced strongly recrystallized and foliated greenschist facies rocks with a peak assemblage of actinolite + chlorite + albite + epidote + titanite ± phengite. We interpreted that this assemblage developed during the closure of a back-arc basin and the emplacement of the ophiolite onto the continental margin in the late Triassic or possibly by compressive events in the Early Cretaceous and/or Late Cretaceous. Later processes are related to the regional mostly strike-slip Peltetec fault/shear zone that produced displacement and mixing of blocks, as indicated by cataclastic structure present in most of the slivers, but without differentiable metamorphic recrystallization overprint.The work was supported by the Escuela Politécnica Nacional [Proyecto Junior PIJ-16-04 (VIPS-EPN)]; Escuela Politécnica Nacional [Proyecto Semilla PIS-22-03(VIPS-EPN)]; Spanish MICINN [PID2019-105625RB-C21]

Petrogenesis of the Tampanchi Ultramafic–Mafic Complex (Ecuador): Geodynamic implications for the northwestern margin of South America during the late Cretaceous

The Tampanchi Ultramafic–Mafic Complex (TUMC), located in the central segment of the Cordillera Real (Ecuador), is an oval-shaped intrusive body of approximately 18 km2 emplaced within a Cretaceous metavolcano-sedimentary sequence. Field investigations, zircon geochronology, mineral and whole-rock elemental and isotopic compositions constrain the nature of the parental magma as well as the physical conditions of emplacement, age of crystallization and tectonic setting of formation of the TUMC. The Complex consist of wehrlite and olivine-hornblende clinopyroxenite crosscut by hornblende gabbros and minor dikes/veins of diorite and granite. Hornblendites formed mainly at the contact between the olivine-hornblende clinopyroxenite and the intrusive hornblende gabbros by reaction-replacement processes. Geochemical data for both the wehrlites and pyroxenites define a trend with dominantly olivine and clinopyroxene accumulation, whereas a second trend is formed by hornblende gabbros that differentiated to leucocratic rocks, with amphibole as the dominant fractionating mafic phase. The trace elements show enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements, depletion in high field strength elements (Nb, Zr, Ti) and P, and enrichment in Pb, Sr and Ba relative to primitive mantle, indicating subduction-related parental liquids. The Nd and Sr isotopic composition suggests a uniform mantle source metasomatized by subducted crustal components. Thermobarometric estimations constrain emplacement and crystallization at intermediate to shallow continental crust levels (∼12.5 km depth) of hydrated basaltic melt under oxygen fugacity conditions above the nickel-nickel oxide buffer (ΔNNO = 0 to 2). Zircon SHRIMP U-Th-Pb age data constrain crystallization at 75.1–76.0 Ma, with scarce inherited zircons that record limited recycling of the Cordillera Real basement. These results confirm magmatic arc activity at the continental margin of South America during the late Cretaceous as a result of an E-dipping subduction zone prior to the accretion of the Ecuadorian-Colombian-Caribbean oceanic plateau, and support simultaneous double subduction at the northwest margin of South America during the Cretaceous.This work was funded in the frame of the project “Proyecto Junior PIJ-16-04 (VIPS-EPN)” of the Escuela Politécnica Nacional to F. Villares. J.A.Proenza and A. Garcia-Casco appreciate financial support from Spanish MICINN project PID2019-105625RB-C21. This is the IBERSIMS publication N° 86

Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas hacia COVID-19 entre pacientes atendidos en la tienda de triaje del Hospital Universitario de Caracas: un estudio transversal en Venezuela: CAP hacia COVID-19 en Venezuela

Introduction: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) studies related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) allow the identification of erroneous concepts and inadequate practices about this disease. This baseline information is essential to design effective strategies and improve adherence to prevention measures. Objective: Identify the KAP related to COVID-19 in Venezuelan patients screened at the Caracas University Hospital triage tent. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 215 patients between April 25th and May 25th, 2020 with in-person interviews using a KAP survey. Results: Most surveyed patients (53.5%) were asymptomatic. Most of them had adequate knowledge about symptoms and transmission of the disease without distinction between the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. Most of them indicated to be practicing quarantine, frequent handwashing, and face mask use in public areas; however, daily replacement of cloth face masks was more frequent in the asymptomatic group, whereas replacement every 3 days of cloth face masks was more frequent in the symptomatic group. Finally, more than half of the participants admitted having been in crowded places, being this practice more common among the symptomatic compared to the asymptomatic patients. Conclusions: This is the first KAP study in Venezuela about COVID-19. The knowledge and practices of Venezuelans could be improved through the strengthening of education and training programs. This information obtained from the early phase of the pandemic in Venezuela could contribute to the design of COVID-19 promotion and prevention strategies.Introducción. Los estudios de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas (CAP) relacionados con la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) permiten identificar conceptos erróneos y prácticas inadecuadas sobre esta enfermedad. Esta información de referencia es fundamental para diseñar estrategias eficaces y mejorar la adherencia a las medidas de prevención. Objetivo. Identificar los CAP relacionadas con la COVID-19 en pacientes venezolanos cribados en la carpa de triaje del Hospital Universitario de Caracas. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal en 215 pacientes entre el 25 de abril y el 25 de mayo de 2020 con entrevistas personales utilizando una encuesta de CAP. Resultados. La mayoría de los pacientes encuestados (53,5%) se encontraban asintomáticos. Los pacientes encuestados tenían un conocimiento adecuado sobre los síntomas y la transmisión de la enfermedad, sin distinción entre los sintomáticos y asintomáticos. La mayoría de ellos indicó estar respetando las prácticas de cuarentena, lavado de manos frecuente y uso de tapabocas en público; sin embargo, el reemplazo diario de los tapabocas de tela fue más frecuente en el grupo de los asintomáticos, mientras que el reemplazo cada 3 días fue más común en los sintomáticos. Finalmente, más de la mitad de los participantes admitió haber estado en lugares concurridos, siendo esta práctica más frecuente en los sintomáticos que los asintomáticos. Conclusiones. Este es el primer estudio de CAP en Venezuela sobre la COVID-19. El conocimiento y las prácticas de los venezolanos podría mejorar mediante el fortalecimiento de los programas de educación y capacitación. Esta información obtenida de la fase inicial de la pandemia en Venezuela podría contribuir al diseño de estrategias de promoción y prevención de la COVID-19