Prevalence and distribution of type 2 Diabetes mellitus in Mexican adult population. A probabilistic survey.

Objetive. To describe the frequency of anemia and iron, zinc, copper and magnesium deficiencies among Mexican adolescents in the probabilistic survey ENSANUT 2006. Materials and methods. The sample included 2 447 adolescents aged 12 to 19 y. Capillary hemoglobin and venous blood samples were collected to measure the concentrations of ferritin, sTFR, CRP, zinc, iron, copper and magnesium. Logistic regression models were constructed to assess the risk for mineral deficiencies. Results. The overall prevalence of anemia was 11.8 and 4.6%, body iron deficiency 18.2 and 7.9% for females and males, respectively. Overall prevalence of tissue iron deficiency was 6.9%, low serum copper were14.4 and 12.25%; zinc 28.4 and 24.5%, magnesium 40 and 35.3%; for females and males, respectively. Conclusions. There is a high prevalence of mineral deficiency in Mexican adolescents; females were more prone to have more mineral deficiencies. Nutritional interventions are necessaries in order to reduce and control them.

ObjectiveTo describe the anemia and iron deficiency prevalence in Mexican adolescents.MethodsNational probabilistic sample. The data of 3000 adolescents (12–19 years of age) was analyzed. Hemoglobin concentration was measured by capillary blood. Commercial kits were used to measure the serum concentrations of ferritin. Iron deficiency was defined as ferritin concentration <12 mcg/L. Iron deficiency and anemia predictors were evaluated with logistic regression models.ResultsAnemia prevalence among adolescents was 11.5%, there was no differences by sex. The national iron deficiency prevalence was 13.6%, and it was higher among women (13.38%) than men (9.28%). When stratifying by age (younger or older than 15 years of age), the iron deficiency prevalence in men declined (11.32 vs 7%) and in women increased (14.8 vs 21.9%). The odds of being anemic increased by 3 folds in iron deficient adolescents compared to the non‐deficient (p<0.001).ConclusionsAnemia and iron deficiency are still being a health problem in Mexican adolescents. The women and the adolescents from the southern zone of the country have the largest prevalence of iron deficiency.

High prevalence of inactivity (40.4%) is found in Mexican youth. Overweight and obesity have increased substantially in Mexico, affecting 5.7 million of adolescents. This study identified Mexican high‐school students’ prevalence of physical activity (PA) and environmental/gender‐related barriers for exercising at school. A PA survey and 5‐day pedometer determinations (n=1324) were performed in 15–19 year‐old male and female students of 40 Mexico City public high schools. In‐depth interviews with school key informants (n=40) and 20 focus groups with students (n=180) were conducted. A third of the students were low‐active (30.6 %, 95% CI: 27.2–34.2) and 11.4% (8.9–14.4) were non‐active. Inactivity prevalence was significantly higher in women. Environmental barriers for exercising at school were organizational, instrumental, logistic, and financial. Gender‐related barriers were female segregation by PA school trainers, predominance of “masculine” sports, image and privacy issues, low self‐motivation, and weak organization/leadership, Students lack a supportive environment for performing PA at high school. Gender‐oriented interventions must be developed to overcome female sedentary lifestyle. Funding: Mexico's Ministry of Education.

School interventions should consider food sensory, availability, financial, and nutrition perceptions to successfully promote healthy food choices. This study identified Mexican high‐school students' food choices and perceptions about food healthiness. A 7‐day food‐frequency dietary survey (n=660) and 20 focus groups (n=180) were conducted with 15–19 year‐old male and female students of 20 Mexico City public high schools. Half of daily energy intake was provided by sweetened and natural beverages (17.3%, 95% CI: 15.5–18.2), salty and sweet snacks (13.6%, 12.8–14.3), whole‐milk dairy products (13.5%, 12.8–14.1), fruit (6.9%, 6.5–7.3), and vegetables (2.5%, 2.3–2.7). Unhealthy foods were perceived as high sugar/fat or low nutritious foods that contain “chemicals”, such as soda, fast food, snacks, fried food, and diet products. Reasons for consumption were good taste, low price, availability, readiness to eat, and filling capacity. Healthy foods were nutritious and hygienic foods such as home‐made food, natural fruit/vegetable, whole milk/yogurt, juice, plain water, and cereal bars. Reasons for consumption were high vitamin, fiber, and protein content; low fat content; weight control; and parental recommendation. Students consumed unhealthy foods despite considering other foods as healthy, and also misperceived nutritional properties of foods. Funding: Mexico's Ministry of Education.