An Internet System to Self-monitoring and Assess Feeding in Young Mexicans

Abstract

Obesity and metabolic syndrome pave the way to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Obesity and metabolic syndrome prevalence are high (39% and 13%, respectively) in young Mexican population where feeding habits are one of the main factors leading to these maladies. So, a plausible strategy to address the problem is to suggest young to review and control their feeding habits. We present an internet system to register, self-monitoring, and assess feeding habits for young Mexican to review and control them. This system is organized in eight questionnaires, one of them about food frequencies. Also anthropometrics data such as weight, height, waist and hip circumference are registered to assess and follow-up weight condition, through body mass index, and waist/hip ratio. The user could generate a pdf report that automatically summarizes all the data captured in the questionnaires in two pages. A follow up charts of some parameters are also available for monthly data collection once the user fills the system. More than 2,000 young students have used this system since 2013 and is open universally (www.misalud.abacoac.org) to all young people wanting to self-monitoring her/his feeding habits, and obtaining general health recommendations.