Las prácticas alimentarias de diversos grupos de población, asociadas a la transición nutricional, y a los rápidos cambios demográficos que se producen a nivel mundial, exigen más atención a las preferencias alimentarias de grupos migrantes, como por ejemplo Latinos en los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica (EU). Este trabajo documenta los resultados de aplicar un instrumento para medir disponibilidad de alimentos saludables en tres tiendas latinas ubicadas en la ciudad de Somerville, estado de Massachusetts. La metodología utilizada incluyó la aplicación de dos versiones: guatemalteca y EU de la Encuesta para Medir Ambiente Nutricional en Tiendas (NEMS S, siglas en inglés), para evaluar la disponibilidad de alimentos saludables. Los datos se analizaron con estadísticas descriptivas. Los resultados indicaron que los alimentos vendidos en las tiendas latinas fueron identificados con más acierto con el NEMS S guatemalteco que con el NEMS S de EU. Con este último instrumento, se obtuvo un número menor de opciones saludables y una selección limitada de frutas y de vegetales. Como conclusión, se encontró que el NEMS S de EU identificaba un menor número de opciones de alimentos saludables, en comparación con el instrumento culturalmente apropiado. Estos hallazgos ilustran la importancia de utilizar instrumentos específicos para determinar disponibilidad de alimentos saludables, especialmente cuando los resultados se utilicen para apoyar el desarrollo de políticas alimentarias.

The dietary practices of diverse population groups, associated with the nutritional transition and the rapid demographic changes occurring globally require more attention to the food preferences of migrant groups such as Latinos living in the United States United States of America (US). This work aimed at the performance of an instrument utilized to measure availability of healthy food options in Latino stores located in the town of Somerville, state of Massachusetts. The methodology included the application of two versions: Guatemalan and US of the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey for Stores (NEMS S), for the assessment of the availability of healthy food options in three Latino stores. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results indicated that foods sold in Latino stores were identified more success fully with the Guatemalan NEMS S than with the US NEMS S. There was a general lack of healthy food options found when using the US survey, as well as a relatively narrow selection of fruits and vegetables. As conclusion, it was found that the US NEMS S tended to identify a lower number of healthy food options, as compared to a larger number of similar options when a culturally appropriate survey was used. These findings illustrate a manner in which a culture specific instrument perform more appropriately than similar instruments adapted for other population groups, especially when the results are to be applied to support development of healthy food policies.

Background: It has been demonstrated that human milk osmolality (Mosm) is regulated within an established range, typically 290 to 300 mOsm/kg, and appears to be resistant to effects of maternal dehydration, as reflected by high urinary osmolality (Uosm). Objective: To determine the degree of association between Mosm and Uosm at a common point in time, as well as the reproducibility of both measures over a one-week interval of sampling. Methods: Mosm and Uosm were measured with a Vogel Löser 450 osmometer on samples of the respective biological fluids collected concurrently in 31 lactating women, with infants aged between 30 and 340 days. In the first 15 women recruited, collections were repeated 7 days after the initial ones. Results: The median Mosm for the 46 samples collected was 308 mOsm/kg with a range from 288 to 448 mOsm/kg. The corresponding values for Uosm were 598 mOsm/kg with a range from 93 to 1,678 mOsm/kg. The Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient for within-individual association of Mosm and Uosm was r = 0.214 (p = 0.153). The median Mosm for the 15 repeat-subjects was 309 mOsm/kg on both occasions, with a within-individual Spearman coefficient of r = 0.326 (p = 0.118). By contrast, for the Uosm, the within-subject association was much stronger, with r = 0.699 (p = 0.002). Conclusions: The osmometry technique proved to be a highly stable and reproducible measurement technique. Mosm and Uosm are not significantly associated at a point in time. Intra-subject Mosm varies more across time than intra-subject Uosm.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain background information about maternal health and health-seeking behaviors among indigenous mothers living in rural Mam-Mayan communities of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of 100 pregnant and breastfeeding women in four communities was performed to determine prevalence and determinants of service utilization. RESULTS: Extreme poverty, poor education, and poor access to basic resources were prevalent. Out of 100 women 14-41 years old, 33% did not use the formal health care sector for antenatal care; the majority consulted a traditional birth attendant. Only 13% delivered in a hospital. Lower socioeconomic status, lack of fluency in Spanish, and no ownership of a motorized vehicle were associated with the highest likelihood of poor utilization of services. CONCLUSIONS: A variety of factors affect utilization of maternal health services by indigenous women in rural Quetzaltenango. These include socioeconomic disparities, ethnic and linguistic differences, and poor access to basic resources. The current reproductive needs of women should be addressed to improve their health and increase their chance of having healthy children.

OBJETIVO: Obtener información básica acerca de la salud materna y los comportamientos relacionados con la búsqueda de asistencia sanitaria en madres indígenas residentes en comunidades rurales de la etnia maya mam en Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un análisis transversal de 100 mujeres pertenecientes a cuatro comunidades, embarazadas o en período de lactancia, con objeto de determinar la prevalencia y los determinantes de la utilización de servicios. RESULTADOS: La pobreza extrema, la escasa formación y el acceso limitado a los recursos básicos fueron prevalentes. De las 100 mujeres, de 14 a 41 años de edad, 33% no acudieron al sector formal de atención de salud en busca de asistencia prenatal; la mayor parte de ellas consultaron a una partera tradicional. Solo 12% dieron a luz en un hospital. El nivel socioeconómico inferior, la falta de fluidez en español y la carencia de un vehículo motorizado se asociaron con la mayor probabilidad de escasa utilización de los servicios. CONCLUSIONES: Diversos factores afectan a la utilización de los servicios de salud materna por parte de las mujeres indígenas del Quetzaltenango rural. Entre estos factores figuran las desigualdades socioeconómicas, las diferencias lingüísticas y étnicas, y el acceso limitado a los recursos básicos. Es preciso atender a las necesidades reproductivas actuales de las mujeres para mejorar su salud y aumentar sus probabilidades de tener hijos sanos.

Fecal egg count scores were used to investigate the distribution and abundance of intestinal helminths in the population of a rural village. Prevalences of the major helminths were 41% with Ascaris lumbricoides 60% with Trichuris trichiura and 50% with Necator americanus. All three parasites showed a highly aggregated distribution among hosts. Age/prevalence and age/intensity profiles were typical for both A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura with the highest worm burdens in the 50-10 year old children. For hookworm both prevalence and intensity curves were convex in shape with maximum infection levels in the 30-40 year old age class. Infected females had higher burdens of T. trichiura than infected males in all age classes of the population; there were no other effects of host gender. Analysis of associations between parasites within hosts revealed strong correlations between A. lumbricoides and T. lumbricoides and T. trichiura. Individuals with heavy infections of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura showed highly significant aggregation within households. Associations between a variety of household features and heavy infections with A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura are described.