Perumytilus purpuratus is an abundant bivalve located in the intertidal rocky zone of South America that has been considered as a key species of the ecosystem. There are few studies of the host-parasite relationship of this bivalve; thus, this research aims to analyse the spatial and temporal variation in the prevalence of trematodes in P. purpuratus. Bivalves were collected from three localities (El Tabo, Las Cruces and Montemar) of central Chile (33°S, 71°W) during different seasons of 2010. The bivalves were also collected every metre, from the lowest to the highest level of the intertidal rocky zone, to determine the parasite distribution within the localities. Three species of trematodes as sporocyst stages were found: Prosorhynchoides carvajali, Proctoeces sp. and an undetermined fellodistomid species. Of the 37,692 bivalve specimens collected, 2.68% were parasitised. The undetermined fellodistomid species was the most prevalent parasite observed (1.69%). There were little detected differences in the prevalence of some trematode species between seasons. The prevalence of P. carvajali varied between localities, being most prevalent at Montemar. The distribution of trematodes along the rocky zone within the localities was variable, with P. carvajali being more prevalent in the mid-lowest level of the intertidal zone and the undetermined fellodistomid species being more prevalent in the mid-highest level. Both the abundance of definitive hosts and the environmental conditions likely result in different levels of infection by trematodes in P. purpuratus between and within the localities.

Background/Aims: Assessing secular trends of diet quality at the population scale is an important tool for health policymakers. The aim of this study was to describe secular trends in energy intake and diet quality in a representative Mediterranean population, accounting for energy underreporting. Methods: We analyzed the dietary data from 4,061 men and 4,409 women who were included in 2 population-based cross-sectional studies conducted in northeast Spain in 2000 and 2005. The surveys included randomly selected free-living men and women between 35 to 74 years of age. Results: No significant differences in reported energy intake between 2000 and 2005 were observed. Protein (p = 0.014) and carbohydrate (p = 0.02) consumption (expressed as percent of total energy intake) decreased in men and women, respectively. Energy density and intake of total, saturated and monounsaturated fat were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in 2005 than in 2000 in both genders. In contrast, lower consumption of fibre, fruit and meat (p < 0.001) was observed for both genders in 2005 compared to 2000. A significantly lower proportion of men and women met the recommended intake for carbohydrates, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and fruits in 2005 when compared to 2000. When energy underreporters were excluded from the analysis, a decline in energy intake (p < 0.001) and an increase in fish consumption (p < 0.001) between 2000 and 2005 was observed in men; no other significant differences were found in diet quality and food consumption trends among non-underreporters. Conclusions: Whereas energy intake remained stable from 2000 to 2005, overall diet quality showed an unfavourable trend during this timeframe. Secular dietary trends did not change their magnitude or direction, with the exception of energy and fish consumption in men, after excluding energy underreporters from the analysis.

Objective: To identify a body fat percentage (%BF) threshold related to an adverse cardiometabolic profile and its surrogate BMI cut-off point. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Two public schools in poor urban areas on the outskirts of Guatemala City. Subjects: A convenience sample of ninety-three healthy, prepubertal, Ladino children (aged 7-12 years). Results: Spearman correlations of cardiometabolic parameters were higher with %BF than with BMI-for-age Z-score. BMI-for-age Z-score and %BF were highly correlated (r = 0·84). The %BF threshold that maximized sensitivity and specificity for predicting an adverse cardiometabolic profile (elevated homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index and/or total cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratio) according to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was 36 %. The BMI-for-age Z-score cut-off point that maximized the prediction of BF ≥ 36 % by the same procedure was 1·5. The area under the curve (AUC) for %BF and for BMI data showed excellent accuracy to predict an adverse cardiometabolic profile (AUC 0·93 (SD 0·04)) and excess adiposity (AUC 0·95 (SD 0·02)). Conclusions: Since BMI standards have limitations in screening for adiposity, specific cut-off points based on ethnic-/sex-and age-specific %BF thresholds are needed to better predict an adverse cardiometabolic profile.

ObjectiveTo examine correlations of body mass index (BMI) or % total body fat (%TF) with metabolic biomarkers of chronic disease risk and to explore differences in prevalence of overweight according to BMI‐based definitions by WHO, CDC, and IOTF criteria.MethodsWe measured anthropometry, %TF (DXA), lipid profile, and insulin resistance in a convenience sample of 95 Guatemalan Ladino children 7–12 y‐old. We compared Spearman correlation coefficients of BMI vs. %TF with metabolic biomarkers. Next, we compared the prevalence of overweight as estimated using WHO, CDC, or IOTF criteria.ResultsCorrelations of %TF with HOMA‐IR (r=0.64), total cholesterol‐to‐HDL ratio (r=0.60), and triglycerides (r=0.55) were higher than those of BMI (r=0.60, 0.54, and 0.50, respectively). The correlation of %TF with BMI was 0.84. Prevalence of overweight according to WHO, CDC, and IOTF criteria was 44%, 38% and 40%, respectively (p < 0.001).ConclusionsPrevalence of overweight varies according to BMI‐based criteria. Since %TF is more strongly related to metabolic parameters than BMI, a formal evaluation of BMI‐based definitions of childhood overweight is warranted in this population.Source of Research Support: Global Health Initiative, Collaborating Centers of Excellence, NHLBI