ABSTRACT The objective was to determine the relationship between various factors and food insecurity, using a cross-sectional analytical study of 400 older adults living in rural and urban areas of the Azuay province in Southern Ecuador. Food security was measured using the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA). The data was analyzed using version 15 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program, and the odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to determine statistical association. The incidence of food insecurity was higher in older adults who live in households comprised only of members above the age of 18 (43.7%) and in rural zones (65%). Food insecurity is high in older adults, especially in individuals who live in rural areas and who have low levels of education and low socioeconomic levels. It is necessary to implement public policy and preventative strategies to mitigate the risk of food insecurity in older adults.

RESUMEN El objetivo fue determinar la relación entre diversos factores y la inseguridad alimentaria, con un estudio analítico transversal en 400 adultos mayores que viven en zonas rurales y urbanas de la provincia de Azuay en el sur de Ecuador. La seguridad alimentaria se midió utilizando la Escala de Seguridad Alimentaria de América Latina y el Caribe (ELCSA). Los datos fueron analizados en la versión 15 del programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), y se utilizó el Odds Ratio con IC 95% para determinar la asociación estadística. La incidencia de la inseguridad alimentaria fue mayor en los adultos mayores que viven en hogares compuestos únicamente por miembros mayores de 18 años (43,7%) y en las zonas rurales (65%). La inseguridad alimentaria es alta en los adultos mayores, especialmente en individuos que viven en zonas rurales y que tienen bajos niveles educativos y niveles socioeconómicos bajos. Es necesario implementar políticas públicas y estrategias preventivas para mitigar el riesgo de inseguridad alimentaria en los adultos mayores.

Abstract Introduction Dietary surveys include food consumption frequency questionnaire (CFCA) is an inexpensive method, relatively easy to apply, and necessary for the evaluation of the diet of individuals and populations. The objective of this study was to develop an FFQ for the Ecuadorian adult population. Material and Methods Cross-sectional study, in 255 adult individuals of both sexes between 18 and 68 years old residing in 10 provinces of Ecuador. A 24-hour reminder (R24h) was applied to obtain information on the dietary consumption of the population and the construction of the instrument. The preparation of the list of foods that make up the CFCA was made from the percentage contribution of each food for the total estimate of energy and nutrients of interest, using the Block method. Results An instrument composed of 91 items distributed in 7 categories were obtained. The instrument was reviewed by experts from 4 universities belonging to the region, coast, highlands, and Amazon of Ecuador. Conclusions This instrument makes an approximation of the dietary consumption of the three regions of continental Ecuador.

Resumen Introducción Las encuestas alimentarias, incluidas el cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos (CFCA) son un método económico, relativamente fácil de aplicar y necesario para la evaluación de la dieta de individuos y poblaciones. El objetivo de este estudio fue desarrollar un CFCA para población adulta ecuatoriana. Material y Métodos Estudio transversal, en 255 individuos adultos de ambos sexos, entre 18 y 68 años, residentes en 10 provincias del Ecuador. Se aplicó una encuesta recordatorio de 24 horas (R24h) para obtener información sobre el consumo dietético de la población y la construcción del instrumento. La elaboración de la lista de alimentos que compone el CFCA fue hecha a partir de la contribución porcentual de cada alimento para la estimación total de aporte de energía y nutrientes de interés, empleándose el método de Block. Resultados Se obtuvo un instrumento compuesto por 91 ítems alimentarios distribuidos en 7 categorías. El instrumento fue revisado por expertos de 4 universidades pertenecientes a la región, costa, sierra, y amazonia del Ecuador. Conclusiones Este instrumento realiza una aproximación del consumo dietético de las tres regiones del Ecuador continental.

ABSTRACT Malnutrition and its underlying factors are a worldwide concern; as many of them can be modified, which in turn would positively impact healthy aging. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and associated factors among the elderly of Gualaceo, Ecuador, using a cross-sectional design with 250 elderly participants. Sampling was probabilistic, stratified and randomized in Gualaceo, Ecuador. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment; depression with the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale; physical activity with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, socioeconomic level with the Survey Of Stratification of the Socioeconomic Level of the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses, and laboratory parameters. Descriptive statistics, prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated and multivariate analysis was conducted. The prevalence of malnutrition was 20.4%, the risk of malnutrition 47.2%, and 32.4% had a satisfactory nutritional status. The mean age was 76.3 (±8.2) years. One fifth of the sample of elderly residents of the Gualaceo town had malnutrition and is associated with depression, sedentary lifestyle, low socioeconomic status and anemia, ratifying malnutrition as a public health problem.

RESUMEN La malnutrición y los factores que la determinan preocupan a nivel mundial; pues muchos de ellos podrían modificarse e impactar en favor de un envejecimiento saludable. El objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia de malnutrición y factores asociados en adultos mayores del cantón Gualaceo, Ecuador, mediante un estudio transversal en 250 adultos mayores, con muestreo probabilístico, estratificado y aleatorizado. Se evaluó el estado nutricional con Mini Nutritional Assessment y factores asociados como: depresión con la Escala abreviada de Depresión Geriátrica de Yesavage, actividad física con el Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física, el nivel socioeconómico con la Encuesta de Estratificación del Nivel Socioeconómico del Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos, y parámetros de laboratorio. Se realizó estadística descriptiva y la asociación con razón de prevalencia y su intervalo de confianza al 95% y análisis multivariado. La prevalencia de malnutrición fue 20.4 %, el riesgo de malnutrición 47.2% y estado nutricional satisfactorio de 32.4%. La media de edad fue 76,3 (±8.2) años. Se evidenció que la quinta parte de la muestra tomada de adultos mayores del cantón Gualaceo tenía malnutrición y se asoció con: depresión, sedentarismo, bajo nivel socioeconómico y anemia, ratificando a la malnutrición como un problema de salud pública.

Resumo O desenvolvimento industrial gerou novos produtos para facilitar a vida das pessoas. Itens como alimentos, higiene, cuidados pessoais e produtos de saúde, entre outros, são processados, vendidos e consumidos diariamente por todas as faixas etárias. Esses produtos incluem em sua formulação produtos químicos orgânicos e inorgânicos com o objetivo de melhorar ou aumentar algumas de suas propriedades, tornando-os mais atraentes para o consumidor. Essas substâncias são rigorosamente controladas durante a produção para que o produto final possa ser consumido com segurança. Na maioria dos casos, os constituintes dos produtos comerciais acabam em águas residuais onde não são controlados. Esses poluentes não controlados, de diferentes naturezas químicas, são conhecidos como "Contaminantes Emergentes" (CEs). Pesquisas em todo o mundo encontraram CEs em várias matrizes ambientais, especialmente na água. Para entender esse problema quatro aspectos fundamentais devem ser abordados: 1) os métodos analíticos para sua determinação; 2) a ocorrência em matrizes ambientais; 3) os tratamentos para a remoção de CEs em estações de tratamento de águas residuais e de água potável; e 4) os riscos para a saúde e o meio ambiente. Este documento analisa esses quatro aspectos em relação aos 14 CEs comumente encontrados em estudos internacionais que abordam a situação desses CEs em águas transamericanas.

Abstract Industrial development has made new products available to people to make their lives easier. Items such as food, cleaning, personal care and health products, among others, are processed, sold and consumed daily by all age groups. These products include in their formulation inorganic and organic chemicals with the purpose of improving or increasing some of their properties, making them more attractive to the consumer. These substances are strictly controlled during production so that the final product may be safely consumed. In most cases, the constituents of commercial products end up in wastewater, where they are not controlled. These uncontrolled pollutants of differing chemical natures are known as “Emerging Contaminants” (ECs). Research worldwide has found ECs in various environmental matrices, especially water. To understand this problem, four fundamental aspects must be addressed: 1) the analytical methods for its determination; 2) the occurrence in environmental matrices; 3) the treatments for the removal of ECs in wastewater and drinking water plants; and 4) the risks to health and the environment. This document reviews these four aspects with regard to 14 ECs commonly found in the studies around the world and addresses the state of these ECs in trans-American waters.

Ecuador experimenta una transición nutricional donde el sobrepeso y la obesidad coexisten con la desnutrición. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar estado nutricional, actividad física, consumo de frutas y verduras en adolescentes del cantón Paute-Ecuador y explorar las diferencias entre residencia urbana y rural. Se realizó un estudio transversal, con una muestra aleatoria de estudiantes de 12 a 19 años de edad en los dos únicos colegios de Paute. Se determinó el estado nutricional con el criterio de Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se determinó lugar de residencia, actividad física y frecuencia de consumo de frutas y verduras mediante cuestionarios. De los 314 estudiantes, 44,9% vivían en área urbana y 55,1% en área rural. La prevalencia de sobrepeso/obesidad fue más alta entre estudiantes del área urbana vs los del área rural (28,4% vs 17,9%; p=0,03). La prevalencia de talla baja fue mayor en área rural comparado con área urbana (31,8% vs 16,3%; p=0,002). No se encontraron diferencias significativas en el consumo de frutas y verduras. Los estudiantes del área urbana tuvieron un mayor promedio de minutos de actividad física después del colegio (76,0 vs 57,1 minutos; p=0,02), mayor número de horas de actividad física a la semana (2,0 vs 1,6 horas; p=0,007), y mayor tiempo frente a la pantalla del televisor o computador (3,2 vs 2,5 horas; p<0,001). Las intervenciones para prevenir o reducir el sobrepeso/obesidad en Paute y otras áreas similares con estudiantes de áreas urbana y rural deben considerar el lugar de residencia en sus diseños.

Ecuador is undergoing a nutrition transition where overweight/obesity coexist with undernutrition. The objective of this study was to determine nutritional status, physical activity, fruit and vegetables consumption frequency among school-going adolescents in the canton of Paute and further explore if these variables were differential by urban vs. rural residence. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a random sample of students aged 12 to 19 years from the only two public secondary schools in the canton Paute. We determined nutritional status according to the World Health Organization criteria. Demographics, physical activity habits, fruit and vegetable consumption frequency were determined by questionnaires. Of the total of 314 students, 44.9% lived in urban area and 55.1% in rural area. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was significantly higher among students with urban vs. rural residence (28.4% vs. 17.9%; P=.03). The prevalence of stunting was significantly higher among students with rural vs. urban residence (31.8% vs. 16.3%; P=.002). There were no significant differences detected between groups in the frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables. Urban residence was associated with a greater mean number of minutes of outdoor recreation after school (76.0 minutes vs. 57.1 minutes; P=.02), greater weekly hours of planned physical activity (2.0 hours vs. 1.6 hours; P=.007), and greater daily screen time in front of a television or computer (3.2 hours vs. 2.5 hours; P<.001). Interventions to prevent or reduce overweight/obesity in Paute and other similar areas with students from both urban and rural areas should consider place of residence in their design.