Globalization is, in part, an economic force to bring about a closer integration of national economies. Globalization is also a biological, social and ideological process of change. Globalization results in powerful multinational corporations imposing their products on new markets. Food globalization brings about nutritional transitions, the most common being a shift from a locally-grown diet with minimally refined foods, to the modern diet of highly processed foods, high in saturated fat, animal products and sugar, and low in fiber. This paper will examine the influences of food globalization using the Maya of Mexico as a case study. The Maya people of Mexico are a poignant case. Maya health and culture has deteriorated as a result, with highly processed foods affecting physical growth and health of Maya children and their families. The case of the Maya is not isolated and we must come to terms with food globalization if we are to translate research into better child health and well-being.

Oxidative stress is associated with several chronic diseases. It is acknowledged that molecules damaged by reactive oxygen species activate the inflammatory process and that this response increases the production of free radicals. Modifications in a diet can improve or decrease redox state markers. The aim of this revision was to provide an update of clinical controlled trials, to assess changes in diet and markers of oxidative stress in subjects with metabolic diseases. They were investigated randomized controlled intervention studies (RCTs) published in MEDLINE (U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health) that were conducted in subjects with obesity, hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia; with dietary intervention; where markers of oxidative stress have been evaluated and published in the last 5 years. Food antioxidants, hypocaloric diets with loss of adipose tissue, substitution of animal protein by vegetable, and changes in the microbiota improve antioxidant status in people with chronic disease. Practical applications Hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus and adipose tissue in obesity are known to trigger oxidative stress. Oxidative stress, in turn, decreases insulin sensitivity and favors an inflammatory state producing adhesion molecules. Oxidative stress and adhesion molecules, can increase blood pressure and oxidation of lipoproteins, that ultimately could lead to a cerebrovascular event. Consumption of high‐antioxidant and polyphenol foods increases plasma antioxidant capacity and decreases oxidative stress markers in people with diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia. In addition, weight loss caused by caloric restriction with or without exercise increases the endogenous antioxidant capacity. Therefore, it is likely that the combination of a hypocaloric diet with a high content of antioxidants and polyphenols will have a greater effect. Other dietary changes with antioxidant effect, such as the substitution of animal for vegetable protein or the addition of fiber, might be mediated by changes in the microbiota. However, this aspect requires further study.

No abstract

No abstract

Body image is formed in childhood and adolescence and is influenced by socio-cultural situations and interpersonal relationships during life. When the characteristics of a subject's body do not correspond with the social models of beauty promoted by the media, body dissatisfaction (BD) appears, which is the set of negative emotions, thoughts, and attitudes towards the size and shape of one's body. The objective of the present study is to know the body image perception (BIP) of Mayan adolescents and their relationship with body dissatisfaction and its nutritional status through the Body Mass Index (BMI) indicator. The population was of 292 students of the three grades of four secondary schools of the Municipality of Abalá, Yucatán, between the ages of 12 and 17, from which 50.7% were men. The Body Image Perception analysis, the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and the BMI were used. It was found that 38.9% of the population had BIP in disagreement with their BMI, with a higher prevalence in underestimation in the overweight and obese population, even though 16.7% of the population had body mass index in obesity. Only 18.2% had BD being higher in women (11.7%) between the ages 13 and 14, with a higher prevalence in those with normal BMI and BIP, which shows that the influence of social pressure towards body figure does not necessarily affect people who are overweight.