We assessed the acceptability of 3 micronutrient supplements for pregnant and lactating women: micronutrient powder (Sprinkles), a fortified food (Nutrivida), and tablets. Pregnant or lactating beneficiaries of the Oportunidades program participating in a cluster randomized supplementation trial in urban Mexico were surveyed about the acceptability of 1 of 3 supplements (n = 268). Semistructured interviews (n = 40) were also conducted with a subset of women in the trial and from adjacent rural areas. Acceptability of the supplements was evaluated based on women's perceptions and experiences with organoleptic qualities, ease of use, and perceived health effects (positive and negative). The median Likert scale ranking of organoleptic and use qualities for all 3 supplements was "I liked it" (2 on a scale of 1-5). However, responses to open-ended survey questions and semistructured interviews indicated decided preferences. Tablets and Sprinkles were strongly preferred over Nutrivida. In interviews, women expressed dislike of the smell, taste, and texture of Nutrivida; they found it cumbersome to store and prepare and reported the most negative effects with it. Between tablets and Sprinkles, tablets were preferred because of the absence of perceptible taste or smell and the simplicity of use. This study provides valuable insights into our currently limited understanding of women's perceptions and preferences among supplements by broadening the concept of acceptability beyond organoleptic properties. Such an analytical approach is useful for identifying both appropriate nutritional supplements within a given sociocultural context as well as the information that should be included in nutrition education to improve adherence.

Background Worksite-based nutrition interventions can serve as access points to facilitate healthy eating and translate existing knowledge of cardiometabolic disease prevention. We explored perceptions, facilitators, and barriers for healthy eating in a cafeteria at a large worksite in Mexico City. Methods We conducted an exploratory qualitative study in a large department store in Mexico City with ~ 1500 employees. We conducted eight focus group discussions (FGD) with 63 employees stratified by job category (sales, maintenance, shipping, restaurant, cafeteria, administrative staff, and sales managers). Employees were invited to participate in the FGD if they were at the store at the day and time of the FGD for their job type. FGDs were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the thematic method. This process involved the researches´ familiarizing themselves with the data, generating initial codes, searching for themes, reviewing the themes, defining and naming themes, and then interpreting the data. Results Employees defined healthy eating as eating foods that are fresh, diverse, and prepared hygienically. The most commonly reported facilitators of healthy eating at the worksite were availability of affordable healthy food options and employees’ high health awareness. Major barriers to healthy eating included unavailability of healthy foods, unpleasant taste of food, and preference for fatty foods and meat. For lower-wage workers, affordability was a major concern. Other barriers included lack of time to eat work and long working hours. Conclusion A broad range of factors affect healthy eating at the cafeteria, some related to nutrition and some related to the employees type of job. Availability of healthy, hygienic, and tasty food at an affordable price could lead to healthier food choices in the worksite cafeteria. These strategies, along with work schedules that allow sufficient time for healthy eating, may help improve dietary behaviors and health of employees.

opportunities for the regulation of food and beverage advertising to children in Mexico. Salud Publica Mex 2014;56 suppl 2:S123-S129. AbstractObjective. To identify barriers and opportunities for the regulation of food and beverage advertising to children. Materials and methods. A qualitative study. Fourteen key informants from the congress, private sector, officials from the ministry of health and academics involved in the issue of regulation of advertising were interviewed. Results. Barriers identified: conception of obesity as an individual problem, minimization of the negative effects on health, definition of the vulnerability of children bounded to their cognitive development. Facilitators support from various sectors of society regulation, extensive scientific discussion on the subject, successful experience and its lessons on tabacco industry. Conclusion. Mexico has key elements for achieving effective regulation on advertising.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of three nutritional supplements consumed by children 6–24 m of age in a randomized trial. A fortified food (FF, distributed by the Oportunidades program), syrup (SY) or Sprinkles (SK) were randomly assigned at the community level. Mothers of participating children were interviewed twice, after 6 and 12 m. Interviewers were transcribed, coded and analyzed using discourse analysis. Themes explored related to perceived benefits and risks of consumption, barriers to use and overall acceptability. All three supplements were perceived to have health benefits for the children. The FF was perceived as food, while SY and SK as vitamins of a more medicinal nature. Some mothers reported that SK modified the taste of foods, limiting the range of foods with which it can be served, with a preference for more liquid foods. SY presented difficulties due to objection from the children. All 3 supplements had high acceptance, mainly because of perceived health benefits. A number of barriers for use of each were identified, and related more to practical use than to any perceived potential risk. The perceived medicinal nature of SY and SK may limit sharing; a mayor difficulty documented previously with the FF. The results of this analysis clearly highlight the importance of a strong education campaign for ANY type of supplement distributed in the context of public health programs.

Introduction: Mexico, as most developing countries, is facing a nutrition transition. Programs that simultaneously address under nutrition and obesity through a lifecycle approach are needed; however, most programs focus only on under nutrition. A critical period for prevention is pregnancy through the first two years of life. Primary healthcare providers play a key role in promoting healthy growth during this period through promotion of breastfeeding, appropriate complementary feeding, monitoring of linear growth and accelerated weight gain. Objective: To develop an intervention model for the promotion of healthy growth in contexts of nutrition transition, specifically in Mexico’s primary healthcare system. Methods: A mixed‐method, formative study was conducted. To develop the model, we followed the stages of the social marketing process. We identified main barriers to the promotion of healthy growth faced by mothers and healthcare providers using the social‐ecological model. We also analyzed the data from the perspective of the “4 P’s” of social marketing. Results: Though the model we consider ways to ameliorate the identified barriers and propose the organization of services for the promotion of healthy growth as part of Mexico’s health and nutrition promotion program to reduce health disparities. The model was pilot tested in four states of Mexico and will be scaled up nationwide. Conclusion: This model can be used within primary healthcare services of other countries to address the nutrition transition.