Magnitude and spatial distribution of food and nutrition security during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tucumán (Argentina)

Objective: To describe the magnitude and spatial distribution of household food and nutrition security (FNS) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tucumán (Argentina) and identify factors associated with food insecurity. Methods: During April and May 2020 a cross-sectional quantitative study was performed. Data from 3915 households were analyzed. The study of FNS was performed with the Latin American and Caribbean Scale for Food Security. To identify associated factors, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied. Results: Household food insecurity affected 55.9% of the sample (mild: 39.3%, moderate: 10.8%, severe: 5.8%). Analyzing the spatial distribution, the eastern area showed the highest food insecurity prevalence, followed by the south and west areas. Logistic regression analysis showed that household food insecurity varied according to household size, presence of children, socioeconomic status, and health area of residence. Conclusions: Household size, presence of children, socioeconomic status and public health area of residence were associated to household food insecurity. The perception of hunger was higher in larger households, in those with low and medium socioeconomic status and in households located in the southern area of the province.Fil: Cordero, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Cesani Rossi, María Florencia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Ontogenia y Adaptación; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentin

Children malnutrition and food insecurity as expression of socio-economic conditions of families from Villaguay, Argentina (2010-2012): A biocultural approach

Objetivo: Indagar a) si existen diferencias en las condiciones de vida estimadas a partir de variables socio-económicas, entre familias con niños de 3 a 6 años de edad, residentes en zonas urbana, periurbana y rural del departamento de Villaguay, Entre Ríos, Argentina; y b) en caso de haberlas, si esas diferencias se expresan en el estado nutricional infantil y en la percepción de inseguridad alimentaria en los hogares (PIAH) (en lo que respecta al acceso). Población y Métodos: El estudio fue de tipo transversal e incluyó 303 niños de 3 a 6 años de edad. Para el estudio antropométrico se tomaron peso corporal y estatura, y se empleó la referencia The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (Frisancho, 2008) para determinar los indicadores de estado nutricional. La información socio-económica se relevó mediante una encuesta semiestructurada, mientras que la PIAH se obtuvo a partir de la encuesta propuesta por la Academia para el Desarrollo Educativo. Ambas encuestas fueron completadas por los padres de los niños medidos antropométricamente. Resultados y Conclusiones. En general se observó que las poblaciones estudiadas presentaron diferencias socioeconómicas en relación con el nivel educativo y empleo paterno y materno, hacinamiento crítico, cobertura de salud, entre otras; estas diferencias se expresarían en la distribución diferencial de la malnutrición infantil y de la percepción de las limitaciones que los padres manifestaron tener a una buena alimentación tanto en términos de cantidad como de calidad.Objective: To inquire: a) if there are differences in living conditions estimated through socio-economic variables among families with 3 to 6 years old children, living in urban, peri-urban and rural areas of Villaguay department, Entre Ríos, Argentina; and b) in case there is any, whether these differences are expressed in child nutritional status and in the perception of households food insecurity (PHFI) (regarding access). Population and Methods. The study was transverse and included 303 children aged 3 to 6 years old. For the anthropometric study, we considered body weight and height, along with The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (Frisancho, 2008) reference to determine nutritional status indicators. Socioeconomic information was inquired through a semistructured survey, while the PHFI was obtained from the survey proposed by the Academy for Educational Development (AED), both filled by parents of children measured anthropometrically. Results and Conclusion: In general, it was observed that the studied populations showed socio-economic differences in relation to parental education level and employment, critical overcrowding, and health insurance, among others; these differences might be expressed in the differential distribution of children malnutrition and in the perception of the limitations that parents said to have to a good nutrition both in terms of quantity and quality.Fil: Bergel Sanchís, María Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria ; ArgentinaFil: Cesani Rossi, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria ; ArgentinaFil: Oyhenart, Evelia Edith. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria ; Argentin

Leishmaniasis in the knee area

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection caused by species leishmaniae, which can produce two types of manifestations: visceral and cutaneous. In south America cutaneous leishmaniasis is more common than visceral leishmaniasis. A case of primary cutaneous leishmaniasis from Bolivia is presented for its rarity. The patient of our case showed an ulcerated lesion of the knee. Montenegro's intradermal test was positive. Giemsa-stained touch preparation of the skin biopsy revealed amastigotes inside macrophages, consistent with leishmaniasis. The patient was treated with meglumine antimoniate intramuscular (20 mg of Sb+/kg/day) three weeks, with complete cicatrization of the lesion.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Leishmaniasis in the knee area

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection caused by species leishmaniae, which can produce two types of manifestations: visceral and cutaneous. In south America cutaneous leishmaniasis is more common than visceral leishmaniasis. A case of primary cutaneous leishmaniasis from Bolivia is presented for its rarity. The patient of our case showed an ulcerated lesion of the knee. Montenegro's intradermal test was positive. Giemsa-stained touch preparation of the skin biopsy revealed amastigotes inside macrophages, consistent with leishmaniasis. The patient was treated with meglumine antimoniate intramuscular (20 mg of Sb+/kg/day) three weeks, with complete cicatrization of the lesion.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Overweight, obesity and perceived health in contexts of poverty in Tucumán, Argentina

En contextos en los que la pobreza compromete la salud y la calidad de vida infantil, el estudio de la salud percibida permite identificar aspectos de la calidad de vida afectados por el sobrepeso y la obesidad. Desde esta perspectiva, los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: 1) determinar la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en escolares con edades comprendidas entre 8 y 12 años residentes en contextos de pobreza, 2) describir y comparar la percepción de la salud de niños y niñas según la presencia o ausencia de sobrepeso y obesidad, y 3) identificar eventuales factores asociados a la baja calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo y transversal, en el que se aplicó el cuestionario KIDSCREEN-52 y se relevó el peso y la talla de 666 escolares residentes en el departamento de Simoca (provincia de Tucumán), el cual registra elevados porcentajes de pobreza estructural. Las altas prevalencias de sobrepeso (23,0%) y obesidad (27,2%) encontradas comprometen la percepción de la salud infantil, especialmente con relación a aspectos psicosociales, como el estado anímico, la autonomía, la aceptación social y los recursos económicos familiares.In contexts in which poverty compromises children’s health and quality of life, the study of perceived health allows for the identification of aspects of quality of life affected by overweight and obesity. From this perspective, the objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren aged 8-12 years living in contexts of poverty, 2) to describe and compare the perception of health of children according to the presence or absence of overweight and obesity, and 3) to identify possible factors associated with low quality of life related to health. A quantitative and cross-sectional study was conducted. The KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire was applied and weight and height were assessed in 666 schoolchildren living in the department of Simoca (province of Tucumán), which has high percentages of structural poverty. The high prevalence of overweight (23.0%) and obesity (27.2%) affect the perception of health among children, especially in psychosocial dimensions such as moods and emotions, autonomy, social acceptance, and financial resources.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Growth, nutritional status and body composition: a cross-sectional study on manifestations of sexual dimorphism in schoolchildren in Tucumán, Argentina

Introducción: El dimorfismo sexual (DS) del crecimiento se expresa fundamentalmente en el tamaño, la forma y la composición corporal. Depende en gran medida de factores genéticos y hormonales; aunque su expresión se ve condicionada por las características del entorno, entre ellas la desnutrición. No obstante, la relación entre sobrepeso, obesidad y DS ha sido poco explorada. Objetivo: Analizar si existen diferencias sexuales en el crecimiento y la composición corporal de escolares de Tucumán (Argentina) e identificar si la expresión del DS se modifica en presencia de sobrepeso u obesidad. Material y Métodos: Estudio antropométrico transverso en escolares de ambos sexos. Se relevaron: Peso corporal; Talla; Circunferencias (brazo, cintura y cadera) y Pliegues subcutáneos (bicipital, tricipital, subescapular y suprailíaco). Se calcularon: Índice de Masa de Corporal (IMC), Índice Subescapular/ Tricipital (IST), Áreas Muscular y Grasa del brazo. Se determinó el estado nutricional de cada participante, conformándose tres grupos: 1) con estado nutricional adecuado, 2) con sobrepeso y 3) con obesidad. Se realizaron comparaciones sexuales mediante pruebas U de Mann-Whitney en la población total y en cada grupo de estado nutricional. Se consideró un nivel de significación p<0,05. Resultados: La muestra estuvo compuesta por un 52,7% de varones y 47,3% de mujeres (n=1.844) con edades comprendidas entre 8,0 y 11,9 años. Las niñas presentaron medias superiores en la mayoría de las variables analizadas; con diferencias sexuales más evidentes a los 11 años. Considerando el estado nutricional, el 12,9% presentó sobrepeso y el 19,0% obesidad, sin diferencias sexuales significativas. Conclusiones: El patrón dimórfico de los escolares con sobrepeso y obesidad se vio atenuado con respecto a quienes presentaron un estado nutricional adecuado. Los varones con obesidad presentaron crecimiento relativo mayor en las variables asociadas al tejido adiposo; dando cuenta de la mayor ecosensibilidad masculina a ambientes obesogénicos.Introduction: Growth sexual dimorphism (SD) mainly involves size, shape and body composition. It largely depends on genetic and hormonal factors, although its expression is conditioned by environmental characteristics, including undernutrition. However, the relationship between overweight, obesity and SD has been little explored. Objective: To analyze sexual differences in growth and body composition of schoolchildren from Tucumán (Argentina) and identify whether SD expression is affected by overweight or obesity. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional anthropometric study in schoolchildren of both sexes. Variables measured: body weight, size, circumference (arm, waist and hip) and skinfolds (bicipital, tricipital, subscapular and suprailiac). Body mass index, subscapular/triceps index, muscle and fat arm areas were calculated. The nutritional status of schoolchildren was determined, and they were accordingly divided into three groups: adequate, overweight and obese. Mann-Whitney U test was used to perform SD comparisons in total population and among each nutritional status group. A p level <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The sample consisted of 52.7% of men and 47.3% of women (n=1,844) with ages between 8.0 and 11.9 years. Girls presented higher means in most of the variables analyzed, with more evident sexual differences at 11 years. Considering nutritional status, 12.9% were overweight and 19.0% obese, with no significant sex differences. Conclusions: The dimorphic pattern was attenuated in overweight and obese schoolchildren compared with adequate nutritional status. Obese boys showed a relatively higher growth in variables associated with adipose tissue, accounting for the greater male ecosensitivity to obesogenic environments.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Overweight, obesity and perceived health in contexts of poverty in Tucumán, Argentina

En contextos en los que la pobreza compromete la salud y la calidad de vida infantil, el estudio de la salud percibida permite identificar aspectos de la calidad de vida afectados por el sobrepeso y la obesidad. Desde esta perspectiva, los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: 1) determinar la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en escolares con edades comprendidas entre 8 y 12 años residentes en contextos de pobreza, 2) describir y comparar la percepción de la salud de niños y niñas según la presencia o ausencia de sobrepeso y obesidad, y 3) identificar eventuales factores asociados a la baja calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo y transversal, en el que se aplicó el cuestionario KIDSCREEN-52 y se relevó el peso y la talla de 666 escolares residentes en el departamento de Simoca (provincia de Tucumán), el cual registra elevados porcentajes de pobreza estructural. Las altas prevalencias de sobrepeso (23,0%) y obesidad (27,2%) encontradas comprometen la percepción de la salud infantil, especialmente con relación a aspectos psicosociales, como el estado anímico, la autonomía, la aceptación social y los recursos económicos familiares.In contexts in which poverty compromises children’s health and quality of life, the study of perceived health allows for the identification of aspects of quality of life affected by overweight and obesity. From this perspective, the objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren aged 8-12 years living in contexts of poverty, 2) to describe and compare the perception of health of children according to the presence or absence of overweight and obesity, and 3) to identify possible factors associated with low quality of life related to health. A quantitative and cross-sectional study was conducted. The KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire was applied and weight and height were assessed in 666 schoolchildren living in the department of Simoca (province of Tucumán), which has high percentages of structural poverty. The high prevalence of overweight (23.0%) and obesity (27.2%) affect the perception of health among children, especially in psychosocial dimensions such as moods and emotions, autonomy, social acceptance, and financial resources.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Carboxymethylated bacterial cellulose: An environmentally friendly adsorbent for lead removal from water

Carboxymethylated bacterial cellulose (CMBC) was synthesized under controlled reaction condition to provide a material with a degree of substitution (DS) that guarantees that the characteristic water insolubility of cellulose is retained (DS = 0.17). The CMBC synthesized was fully characterized by conductometric titration, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and solubility assays. The suitability of the produced CMBC for lead removal from water was evaluated. Experimental isotherm data were fitted to different models of sorption isotherms: Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich, and Frumkin, with Langmuir equation resulting in the best fit. Kinetic data were also adjusted to pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models and results undoubtedly showed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation was the one that most appropriately described the lead adsorption of CMBC, indicating that lead is adsorbed on CMBC predominantly by chemical interaction. The breakthrough curve was fitted to different models: Bohart-Adams, Clark and Modified Dose-Response, being the Bohart-Adams equation the one that gave the best fit. Desorption studies were carried out in order to know the technical feasibility of the reuse of CMBC. Almost 96% of the retained lead was eluted in just 20 mL, and the CMBC lifetime was over 50 adsorption/desorption cycles. Overall, results obtained suggest that the CMBC herein synthesized may result in an alternative economic and environmentally friendly lead adsorbent for water treatment.Fil: Rossi, Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Montoya Rojo, Ursula Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Tecnología en Polímeros y Nanotecnología. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Tecnología en Polímeros y Nanotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Cerrutti, Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Tecnología en Polímeros y Nanotecnología. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Tecnología en Polímeros y Nanotecnología; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Foresti, María Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Tecnología en Polímeros y Nanotecnología. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Tecnología en Polímeros y Nanotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Errea, María Inés. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Relationship between nutritional status, consumption of non nutritive foods and stress perception in perimenopausal women

La perimenopausia puede afectar el peso corporal, la ingesta alimentaria y el estado anímico de las mujeres. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir la relación entre estado nutricional, consumo de alimentos no nutritivos y percepción de estrés en mujeres adultas (40-65años) habitantes de Vedia, Provincia de Bs. As (Argentina). Estudio descriptivo transversal, muestra no probabilística a las mujeres, se las clasificó según etapa biológica en pre y postmenopáusicas y se controló el consumo de ansiolíticos. Se evaluó estado nutricional mediante índice de masa corporal (IMC) y riesgo cardio-metabólico (RCM) según circunferencia de cintura (CC). La percepción de estrés (PS) se valoró por escala de estrés percibido (PSS-10). Se estimó el consumo de alimentos no nutritivos, bebidas azucaradas y alimentos ricos en grasas. Se incluyeron 91 mujeres, edad media de 52,1 años (DS= 7,7) (40% premenopáusicas; 60% posmenopáusicas). El 62,6% presentó sobrepeso u obesidad y 70,3% RCM. La media de PS fue 15 puntos (DS= 6,0), siendo mayor en las postmenopáusicas (p= 0,03) y en las que consumían ansiolíticos (p< 0,001). La PS no se asoció al IMC (p= 0,83) ni a la distribución adiposa (p= 0,95). El consumo de alimentos no nutritivos fue similar en ambos grupos, sólo se registró un consumo mayor de chocolates en posmenopáusicas (p= 0,03). Así, el climaterio y la menopausia se deberían abordar por un equipo interdisciplinario, capacitados desde una perspectiva biopsicosocial y no solo desde la óptica clínica.Perimenopause is a critical period that can affect body weight, food intake and mood. Our objective was to describe the relationship between nutritional status, nonnutritive food consumption and perception of psychological stress in adult women (40-65 years old) from Vedia, Province of Buenos Aires (Argentina). A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out using a non-probabilistic sample. Women were classified according to the biological stage in pre-and postmenopausal and anxiolytic consumption was controlled. Nutritional status was measured by body mass index (BMI) and cardiometabolic risk (CMR) by waist circumference (WC). The perception of stress (PS) was assessed using the PSS-10 scale. Consumption of non-nutritive foods, sugary drinks and high-fat foods was estimated. Ninety-one women were included with a mean age of 52,1 years (SD= 7,7) (40% premenopausal; 60% postmenopause); 62,6% were overweight or obese” and 70,3% had CMR according to WC. The mean of PS for the sample was 15 points (SD= 6,0), which was higher in postmenopausal women (p= 0,03) and in those who consumed anxiolytics (p<0,001). PS was not associated with BMI (p= 0,83) nor with adipose distribution (p= 0,95). The consumption of non-nutritive foods was similar among women in both biological stages, except the consumption of chocolate that was higher in the postmenopausal (p= 0,03). Thus, the climacteric and menopause should be addressed by an interdisciplinary team, trained from a biopsychosocial perspective and not only from a clinical perspective.Fil: Rossi, María Laura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Nutrición; ArgentinaFil: Janjetic, Mariana Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Nutrición; ArgentinaFil: Ferreyra, Marina Alexandra. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Nutrición; ArgentinaFil: Ciccarelli, Maria Albertina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Nutrición; ArgentinaFil: Matioli, María. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Nutrición; ArgentinaFil: Vásquez, Felisa. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Nutrición; ArgentinaFil: Torresani, María Elena. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Nutrición; Argentin