BackgroundOverweight and obesity in children in Mexico was among the countries with the highest prevalence's in the world. Mexico currently has few innovative and comprehensive experiences to help curb the growth of this serious public health problem. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a nutrition and physical activity strategy, called "Nutrition on the Go" ("nutrición en movimiento") in maintaining the BMI values of school children in the State of Mexico.MethodsA two-stage cluster trial was carried out. Sixty schools were selected in the State of Mexico, of which 30 were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG) and 30 to the control group (CG). A total of 1020 fifth grade school children participated. The intervention strategy aimed to decrease the energy content of school breakfasts and include fruits and vegetables, as well as increase physical activity and the consumption of water during the time spent at school. The strategy was implemented over a 6-month period.ResultsThe estimated probability (EP) of obesity between baseline and the final stage for the IG decreased 1% (Initial EP = 11.8%, 95%CI 9.0, 15.2, final EP = 10.8, 95%CI 8.4, 13.) For the CG, the probability increased 0.9% (baseline EP = 10.6%; 95%CI 8.1, 13.7; final EP = 11.5, 95%CI 9.0, 14.6). The interaction between the intervention and the stage is the average odd time corrected treatment effect, which is statistically significant (p = 0.01) (OR = 0.68, 95%CI 0.52, 091).This represents the interaction between intervention and stage, which is highly significant (p = 0.01) (OR = 0.68; 95%CI 0.52, 091). In addition, girls had a protective effect on obesity (OR = 0.56; 95%CI 0.39, 0.80).ConclusionsThe intervention strategy is effective in maintaining the BMI of school children.

the FI in the household and the low dietary diversity seem to be strongly associated in women of childbearing age and this relationship is higher in those beneficiaries of the PAL SIN-HAMBRE scheme.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of overweight and obesity (OW +O) and to assess its association with some risk factor in a probabilistic sample of Mexican scholars.MethodsInformation from 34,045 children (>6 y) extracted from the Mexican National Health in Publics Schools Survey in Mexico (ENSE‐2008) was included in the analysis. We examined body mass index (BMI) in relation to demographic variables, sweet beverages consumption, and physical activity.ResultsOur results revealed that 1 of every 3 Mexican school children had OW+O (32.3%).The prevalence of overweight and obesity was adjusted by sex, age, region of dwelling (North, Center, South and Mexico City), and consumption of sweet beverages. The prevalence of OW +O was associated with aged children (>10y OR 1.15, p< 0.001); Sex (boys: OR 1.2 p=0.025; consumption of sweet beverages (1.1, p=0.008).ConclusionsOverweight and obesity is becoming a public health problem in Mexico. It should be approached through aggressive interventions targeted to school age children at risk, in order to reduce rapidly the prevalence of overweight and obesity, thus limiting its negative short‐ and long‐term effects on other health outcomes. Supported by the Rio Aronte Foundation, and Fondo de Apoyo al Programa Intersectorial de Educación Saludable.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of household food insecurity in children with anemia beneficiaries of food assistance programs.Methods: Within the Study of Impact evaluation of Food assistance Programs (FAP) in San Luis Potosi, México we obtained information from 1366 households with children (<5y) beneficiaries of one out of the three FAP: Prospera (before Oportunidades); School Breakfast Program (DIF); Rescue to Malnutrition with amaranth; and Control group. We used the Latin American and Caribbean Household Food Security measurement scale (ELCSA). Anemia in children was determined with the cut‐off values <110 g/L.The effect of FAP and the food insecurity (FI) level on the prevalence of anemia in children, a logistic regression model was constructed. Stunting, socioeconomic level, age, and sex were included in the model as corrective variables.Results: The prevalence of anemia increased when children were stunted (p=0.001) A higher socioeconomic index and major age were protective for the probability of anemia. Significant interactions were observed between Prospera and mild food insecurity level (p=0.095) and between anemia and DIF and mild insecurity (p=0.009) in children.Conclusions29.3% of the children from households with FI suffered anemia and the probability of being anemic increased if the children were stunted. Households with anemic children that did not receive assistance were more food secure than those that did.Supported by FOMIX, SLP‐COPOCYT.Project: FMSLP‐213‐CO2‐208475

ObjectiveTo examine the role of individual‐level, school student composition, and school built environment on the overweight and obesity in schools, involved in the strategy “nutrition on the go”.MethodsWe built school environment classifications based on food availability representing six groups (milk; dairy products, juices and nectars, pastries and fried foods, oilseeds and pulses). We used averages per school from individual information: socioeconomic index, physical activity, television viewing time, and the ratings of knowledge and self‐efficacy of feeding and physical activity. The classification of school environment was made using Wardˈs cluster method; we choose 3 clusters. A logistic regression model was used to study the association between overweight and obesity with the school environment.ResultsThe 3 school environments are: 1) Class 1: medium consumption and high in the rest. 2) Class 2: average consumption and low the rest; and 3) Class3: low consumption, knowledge and self efficacy of feeding and physical activity, intermediate the rest. The effect of school environment on the probability of overweight and obesity in children is protective when it was in class 2 and 3,and when the children are involved in the intervention group (p=0.01).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that school composition highly influences obesity rates beyond individual‐level factors.