Association between built environment and physical activity in Latin American countries: a multicentre cross-sectional study

Abstract Objective: To assess the association between the physical activity level and the built environment by accessibility, microinfrastructure and security in Latin America (LA). Design: We conducted a multicentre cross-sectional study to collect physical activity and built environment data. The levels of physical activity were calculated through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire survey. Using the Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated, characteristics of the built environment were measured through three domains: accessibility, microinfrastructure and security. To estimate the association of the built environment and physical activity, we used mixed effects logistic regression analysis. In addition, likelihood ratio test to account for clustered effect within countries and/or cities was used. Setting: Eight countries in LA. Participants: Adults aged 15-65 years (n=9218) living in urban areas and consented to participate of the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health. Results: Most of the population in LA had access to a grocery store (97.2%), public transport stop (91.5%) and children's playground (81.6%). Metropolitan parks were more accessible in Ecuador (59.8%) and Colombia (59.2%) than in Venezuela (33.5%). Individuals located within 20 min of walking from sport facilities or children's playground areas were more likely to perform moderate-to-high physical activity OR 1.20 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.36) and OR 1.25 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.53), respectively. Only 14.5% of the population from the region considered that their neighbourhood had an adequate design for walking or cycling. Likewise, among adults living in LA, only 39.75% had the perception of living in a safe neighbourhood. Conclusions: This multicentre study shows that currently, LA built environment does not promote physical activity in the region. Our findings provide the rationale to push forward, at regional and national levels, policies and interventions that will help to achieve a safe, healthy and friendly built environment to encourage participation in active recreation and sports in leisure time.Coca Cola Company/[]//Estados UnidosHospital Infantil Sabará/[]//BrazilInternational Life Science Institute/[]/ILSI/ArgentinaUniversidad de Costa Rica/[]/UCR/Costa RicaPontificia Universidad Católica de Chile/[]//ChilePontificia Universidad Javeriana/[]//ColombiaUniversidad Central de Venezuela/[]/UCV/VenezuelaUniversidad San Francisco de Quito/[]//EcuadorInstituto de Investigación Nutricional de Perú/[]//PerúUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Salud::Facultad de Medicina::Escuela de Medicin

Energy imbalance gap, anthropometric measures, lifestyle, and sociodemographic correlates in Latin American adults. Results from the ELANS study

Overweight and obesity are often explained by an imbalance between energy intake and ex penditure. This, in addition to metabolic effects, makes it difficult to assess the real state of individual energy balance. This study aims to analyze the energy gaps between intake and expenditure in the adult population of Latin America, as well as its relationships with sociodemographic variables and nutrition status, to draw an epidemiological perspective based on the trends observed. The energy imbalance gap was used to this end. The difference between energy intake and expenditure can be applied as a reference to explain whether weight equilibrium can prevent weight gain. Moreover, the energy imbalance gap allows for a better understanding of the design of public health policies. Using data from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health, the energy imbalance gap in adult population from eight Latin-American countries was assessed in 5994 subjects aged from 19–65. Usual dietary intake was measured using two non-consecutive 24 h dietary recalls. The sociodemographic questionnaire was supplemented by anthropometric measurements. Physical activity was measured through the long International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Energy expenditure was obtained using the basal metabolic rate. For the overall sample, the mean energy intake was 1939.1 kcal (95% CI: 1926.9; 1951.3), the mean of energy expenditure was 1915.7 kcal (95% CI: 1906.4; 1924.9), and the mean of energy imbalance gap was 23.4 kcal (95% CI: 11.9; 35.0). Results show that energy intake and expenditure were higher in men. Moreover, subjects aged 19–34, of high socioeconomic level, who completed high school, were mestizos and were of normal weight consumed the highest number of calories. Overall, a positive energy imbalance gap was observed. Overweight and obese from Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela showed a significantly lower energy imbalance gap than underweight subjects. These findings confirm the high variability of energy imbalance gap and the accompanying correlates of energy intake and expenditure. Further research is needed to specifically address interventions in low and middle-income countries such as many in Latin America, to help reduce the prevalence of obesity and eradicate undernutritionCoca Cola Company///Instituto Pensi/Hospital Infantil Sabara///BrasilInternational Life Science Institute of Argentina///ArgentinaUniversidad de Costa Rica//UCR/Costa RicaPontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile///ChilePontificia Universidad Javeriana///ColombiaUniversidad Central de Venezuela///VenezuelaUniversidad San Francisco de Quito///EcuadorInstituto de Investigación Nutricional from Perú///PerúUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Salud::Facultad de Medicina::Escuela de Medicin

Innovar en la enseñanza universitaria

Se recogen experiencias docentes innovadoras desarrolladas en la Universidad de Alcalá con el objetivo de indagar en las posibilidades y obstáculos surgidos en los procesos de cambio e innovación. En dichas experiencias docentes se han implementado nuevas metodologías, experiencias piloto y Proyectos de Innovación, que han contribuido a clarificar el proceso y a indagar en propuestas de acción contextualizadas. Las experiencias de dividen en cuatro bloques: estrategias de aprendizaje activo; estrategias de integración curricular; innovación en la educación; y uso de las nuevas tecnologías.MadridBiblioteca de Educación del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte; Calle San Agustín 5 -3 Planta; 28014 Madrid; Tel. +34917748000; [email protected]