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Objective: To analyze whether state-level social programs for older adults (OAs) in Mexico are associated with a reduction: (a) in the prevalence of severe food insecurity (SFI) and (b) in the magnitude of the effect of municipal marginalization on SFI. Method: Cross-sectional study based on urban OAs (65–100 years) from the 2010 census. Three-level logistic multilevel regression models were estimated to explain SFI. Results: Controlling for individual and municipal characteristics, states with social programs for OAs are generally associated with lower SFI prevalences (odds ratio [OR] = 0.68 [0.48, 0.95]) and mitigate the effect of marginalization on SFI when compared with states with no programs. Compared with in-kind food programs and voucher-based programs, monetary transfers are associated with a significant reduction in SFI prevalence (OR = 0.68 [0.46, 0.99]). Conclusion: States with programs for OAs, mainly monetary transfers, are associated with lower SFI prevalences.

Objectives To examine breastfeeding practices and to identify determinants of breastfeeding duration among Mexican women with high levels of education working in a university. We hypothesized that having a C-section delivery, giving birth at a private hospital, receiving free infant formula at the hospital and/or supplementing breastmilk with other liquids soon after giving birth would be negatively associated with breastfeeding duration. Methods Retrospective, cross-sectional study on mothers 18–50 years of age who worked at a private university in Mexico City (N = 150). We performed descriptive analyses and ran linear regression models to identify determinants of any and exclusive breastfeeding duration for the women's youngest offspring. Results Mean breastfeeding duration was 7.6 months and the mean exclusive breastfeeding duration was 1.81 months. Nearly 60% of the women in the sample had a C-section; almost 70% gave birth at private hospitals; 50% reported to have fed their baby with liquids other than breastmilk within the first three days of their baby´s life; and almost 25% of the women were offered free infant formula at the hospital where their child was born. Findings from the regression models that controlled for sociodemographic characteristics suggest that giving birth at a private vs. a public hospital was significantly associated with 1 month less of exclusive breastfeeding (95% CI: −2.11, 0.10, P < 0.1). Similarly, being offered free infant formula at the hospital was marginally associated with 1.59 months less of exclusive breastfeeding (95% CI: −3.2, 0.02, P < 0.1). Conclusions Breastfeeding outcomes among this group of women are suboptimal. Our findings underscore the need to improve breastfeeding protection, promotion and support in maternity hospitals through adherence to the Ten Steps promoted by the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. Funding Sources Universidad Iberoamericana.