Lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced feeding behaviour and lifestyle in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to analyse feeding behaviour and lifestyle in children and adolescents one year after lockdown by the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile. In this cross-sectional study an online survey was implemented in 1083 parents and caregivers regarding their children’s feeding behaviour and lifestyle and sociodemographic background. The results showed that “eat breakfast daily” (89.2%), “not overnight food intake” (69.9%) and “not fast-food intake” (66.0%) were the most frequent reported feeding behaviours, particularly in pre-school children. Respondents declaring healthy feeding behaviours and lifestyle were 23.4 and 23.7%, respectively, with no significant differences by sex. In pre-school children, families with three or fewer members and parents or caregivers with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree reported a significantly better feeding behaviour and lifestyle compared to families with more than three members and parents or caregivers without an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. In conclusion, the pandemic lockdown had a negative impact in lifestyle in children and particularly in adolescents. Healthier feeding behaviour was associated with fewer family members and parents or caregivers with at least an undergraduate degree.

The increase in the Chilean elderly population has promoted public policies to favor an adequate nutrition in later life. This study evaluated the nutritional status, micronutrients intake and serum micronutrients levels of an elderly group beneficiary of the PACAM from the Metropolitan Region, Santiago de Chile. Anthropometric and dietary survey (24 h food recalls) were assessed in 182 elderly individuals (60 and 80 years old). Blood serum collection was used to measure the micronutrient status. The sample was comprised by 12.6, 46.1, 28.0 and 13.2% of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese subjects, respectively. Women presented 11% of underweight, 45% of normal weight and 44% of overweight and obese, while men—18, 50 and 32%, respectively. Only the 63% of the elderlies consumed PACAM foods, reaching average daily intakes below (50%) the recommended daily serving. Serum deficiencies of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (88%), vitamin B12 (33%) and calcium (36%) were observed, being the highest ones in the PACAM foods women (60–75 years old). Chilean elderlies presented mainly a normal weight; however, an important proportion of overweight/obese subjects was observed. Although PACAM foods consumption significantly increased the micronutrient intake, it was not enough to ensure an adequate serum micronutrient levels in the elderly.

Objective: To analyze the nutritional status and plasma levels of vitamins and minerals in a cohort of Chilean children between 4 and 14 years old from three cities in Chile (Santiago, Antofagasta, and Concepcion). Design: This is a descriptive analysis of micronutrient levels in Chilean children as it relates to obesity and food consumption. Setting: This study included 1235 children from schools in Santiago (central area), Antofagasta (northern area), and Concepcion (southern area) in Chile. Results: Plasma levels of micronutrients revealed deficiencies in children from all these cities. Copper (26.4%) and calcium (33.0%) deficiencies were found in the children from Antofagasta, whereas iron (26.7%) and zinc (20.8%) deficiencies were found in the children from Concepcion and Santiago, respectively. The percentage of children with vitamin D deficiencies was exceptionally high in all cities (over 78%). The analysis of micronutrients and nutritional status revealed that vitamin D deficiencies were significantly higher (p = 0.02) in overweight children, particularly in Antofagasta. In the analysis of the nutritional status of children and their food consumption habits, the proportion of overweight and obesity was significantly higher (p = 0.001) in children that skipped breakfast compared to children that did not. Finally, children from low socioeconomic levels were significantly more overweight and obese compared to children from high socioeconomic levels (p < 0.05). Conclusions: this is the first study to describe plasma levels of micronutrients in Chilean children and adolescents. High percentages of obesity, overweight, and vitamin D deficiency were detected in children. These results are of significant relevance to future public health policies in Chile.

Background Vitamin D [25(OH)D] is essential for normal bone development and maintenance. Furthermore, its deficiency has been associated with obesity, cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance, autoimmune diseases, and certain cancers. Objective To determine the incidence of serum 25(OH)D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) among apparently healthy Chilean children (4–14 years old) from three Chilean geographic areas during May–September 2018. Materials and methods Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured by a competitive protein-binding ELISA assay in 1134 children, and correlations between serum 25(OH)D levels, BMI, and geographic area were calculated. Individuals were grouped according to their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (ng/ml): severe deficiency: <5; moderate deficiency: 5–10.9; mild deficiency: 11–20.9; insufficiency: 21–29.9 and sufficiency: 30–100. Results We found 80.4% of children had serum 25(OH)D deficiency, with 1.7% severe, 24.6% moderate, and 54.1% mild. In the three cities, the percentage of serum 25(OH)D deficit was increased when comparing overweight or obesity with a healthy weight. Additionally, an interaction effect was observed between geographic area, nutritional status, and serum 25(OH)D levels using the factorial ANOVA test (p = 0.038). In Antofagasta, there were more overweight children and also a higher percentage of children with VitD deficiency (<30 ng/ml) compared to Santiago or Concepción. Conclusion This study revealed a high prevalence of serum 25(OH)D deficiency in children between 4 and 14 years old in Chile (80.4%) during May–September 2018. Obese and overweight children had the highest prevalence of serum 25(OH)D deficiency.

La alimentación infantil presenta características cualitativas y cuantitativas específicas. La influencia de los padres sobre la ingesta de alimentos es crucial en el desarrollo de hábitos y un adecuado estado nutricional.Objetivo: Evaluar el comportamiento alimentario, las características dietarias y estado nutricional en niños entre 6 a 18 meses.Sujetos y Método: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en 199 niños. En una muestra por conveniencia se consignaron datos demográficos y antropométricos para estado nutricional, y antecedentes dietarios, mediante recordatorio de 24 h para el comportamiento dietario y la suficiencia alimentaria. Se aplicó t-student y ANOVA de una vía para variables continuas y test chi-cuadrado para categóricas.Resultados: 54,8% mujeres. Estado nutricional: 21,1% sobrepeso y 7,6% obesidad. Un 56,8% de los niños tenían números de comidas acorde su edad. La ingesta promedio de energía fue de 652,9 ± 224,2 calorías diarias. La ingesta de energía y macronutrientes fue significativamente mayor en los niños que no consumían leche materna y de 12 a 18 meses. La adecuación energética, lípidos y carbohidratos en las niñas fue significativamente mayor a la de niños. Un 83,1% del consumo de alimentos fueron habituales para este grupo etario.Conclusión: En el comportamiento alimentario se encontró que 4 de cada 10 niños presentan números de comidas mayor al sugerido a su edad. En cuanto a la suficiencia dietaría hay una mayor ingesta en los niños con estado nutricional normal, sin LM y entre 12 y 18 meses. A pesar de la alta prevalencia de obesidad, esta fue menor a la observada a nivel nacional.