Introducción: La diabetes mellitus tipo 2 constituye un problema de salud pública creciente, cuyo control depende del conocimiento y autocuidado que poseen los pacientes sobre su enfermedad. No obstante, la relación entre conocimiento y prácticas de autocuidado puede variar según características individuales. Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre el nivel de conocimiento y prácticas de autocuidado en pacientes diabéticos adultos atendidos en un establecimiento del primer nivel de atención, considerando diferencias según sexo e índice de masa corporal. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional y transversal realizado en 116 pacientes diabéticos. El nivel de conocimiento y las prácticas de autocuidado se evaluaron mediante cuestionarios validados. Se efectuó análisis descriptivo y análisis inferencial (Kruskal–Wallis y rho de Spearman), considerando un nivel de significancia de p < 0.05. Resultados: Predominó el sexo femenino (59.5%) y el sobrepeso (62.9%). El nivel de conocimiento medio fue el más frecuente (43.1%). Las prácticas de autocuidado mostraron mejores desempeños en alimentación y uso de fármacos, y valores intermedios en actividad física. En varones con normopeso se observó una asociación positiva alta entre el nivel de conocimiento y la actividad física y descanso (rho = 0.70; p = 0.02), así como una asociación negativa moderada entre conocimiento y uso de fármacos en pacientes con sobrepeso (rho = −0.50; p = 0.01). No se identificaron asociaciones significativas en el grupo femenino. Conclusiones: El nivel de conocimiento se asocia con determinadas prácticas de autocuidado únicamente en varones, evidenciando la influencia del sexo y del estado nutricional.

Background: The food-based approach strategy is a nutritional intervention that is highly acceptable, effective, and affordable, making it suitable for addressing anemia. Aim: To assess the effect of sugar-free candy made from moringa leaves (Ironella Candy) on the hemoglobin levels of students with anemia. Materials and Methods: This study is a randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. 35 respondents with moderate and mild anemia were selected. The respondents were then randomized into two groups: the intervention group who received sugar-free candy made from moringa leaves accompanied by anemia education, and the control group who received placebo candy accompanied by anemia education. Hemoglobin levels were measured at three time points: before intervention (pre-intervention), immediately after intervention (post-intervention¹), and one month after intervention (post-intervention²). Data analysis used the Wilcoxon test and Mann Whitney test. Results: At the initial examination (pre-intervention), hemoglobin levels in both groups did not differ significantly (p=0.186). The Wilcoxon test showed an increase in hemoglobin levels in both groups after administration of sugar-free candy made from moringa leaves and anemia education (p<0.001). In contrast, in the control group that received placebo candy and anemia education, the increase in hemoglobin levels was not significant (p=0.092). Based on the Mann-Whitney test, there was no significant difference in hemoglobin levels between the two groups either at post intervention¹ (p=0.354) or post intervention² (p=0.853). However, the analysis showed a significant difference between post-intervention¹ and post-intervention² in the intervention group (p<0.001) and the control group (p=0.004). Conclusion: The effects of sugar-free candy made from moringa leaves, accompanied by anemia education, have been proven to increase hemoglobin levels in students with anemia. Further research with longer intervention durations and additional biomarker measurements is needed to strengthen the evidence of its effectiveness.

Introduction: Factors such as chronic non-communicable diseases and sarcopenia are frequently associated with reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and lower longevity in older adults. Objective: To evaluate the eGFR and its association with sarcopenia in community-dwelling elderly individuals. Methodology: This population-based cross-sectional study included 548 older adults (≥ 60 years) living in 11 municipalities in the State of Alagoas, Brazil. eGFR was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration 2021 equation and classified according to kidney disease: Improving Global Outcomes 2024. Sarcopenia was defined based on the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2019 criteria. Results: The mean age was 71.5 ± 28.6 years; 67.7% were women, 50.0% were overweight, 67.7% had hypertension, and 32.6% had diabetes. Reduced eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m²) was observed in 19.5% of the sample. Probable sarcopenia was identified in 21.7%, with confirmed sarcopenia in 7.6%, but no association with eGFR was found. Age, sex, hypertension, number of medications, and waist circumference were significantly associated with reduced eGFR (p < 0.005). Conclusion: Sarcopenia was not directly associated with eGFR, although shared factors such as advanced age, hypertension, abdominal fat accumulation, and reduced muscle strength were observed. The characteristics of community-dwelling older adults may have influenced the absence of sarcopenia diagnosis. Nevertheless, the findings highlight relevant risk factors for chronic kidney disease in this population. Preventive strategies should prioritize individuals with abdominal obesity, hypertension, and women.

Abstract Introduction: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with oxidative stress as the central pathogenic mechanism. The search for nutritional agents capable of modulating this response has focused on fruits such as carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.), which is rich in polyphenolic compounds with recognized antioxidant activity. Objectives: To determine the effect of carambola fruit juice (Averrhoa carambola L.) on ethanol-induced liver damage in mice. Materials and Methods: 35 albino mice were divided into five groups (n=7). The treatment groups received either A. carambola juice (5 and 15 mL/kg) or silymarin (100 mg/kg) for 5 days. All groups, except the negative control, received 5% ethanol ad libitum. The liver index, lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD and CAT), and the GSH/GSSG ratio were evaluated, complemented by histopathological analysis. Results: The ethanol control group showed a significant induction of LPO, hepatomegaly, and microvesicular steatosis. In contrast, carambola juice, especially at 15 mL/kg, significantly reduced LPO (p<0.01) and increased SOD and CAT activity. A substantial improvement in the GSH/GSSG ratio and an attenuation of cellular degeneration and steatosis were observed in the histological analysis, with an effect comparable to that of silymarin. Conclusions: Carambola fruit juice, from Averrhoa carambola L., exhibits a hepatoprotective effect against ethanol-induced liver damage in mice.

Background: Stunting remains a serious chronic nutritional problem, especially in Indonesia, despite a decrease in its prevalence from 27.7% (2021) to 19.8% (2024). Protein deficiency is the primary factor causing stunting due to its crucial role in regulating growth hormones and forming body tissues. This study aimed to identify the potential of protein-based indigenous functional foods as a sustainable strategy for stunting alleviation. Methods: The method used was a systematic review based on the PRISMA guidelines with a narrative synthesis approach. Article searches were conducted via PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Garuda using the keywords “stunting intervention,” “local functional food,” and “protein-based food” in publications from 2015 to 2025. Out of 496 articles, 11 articles met the inclusion criteria. Results: These findings conclude that using indigenous protein-rich functional foods is an effective and sustainable strategy for reducing the prevalence of stunting. Future intervention development needs to assess the sustainability aspects of local foods, micronutrient fortification, and integration into national child nutrition policies. Conclusions: These findings conclude that using indigenous protein-rich functional foods is an effective and sustainable strategy for reducing the prevalence of stunting. Future intervention development needs to assess the sustainability aspects of local foods, micronutrient fortification, and integration into national child nutrition policies.

Introduction. Diet type and sleep quality are determinants of health, related to metabolic, hormonal, cognitive, and emotional processes that affect student well-being and performance. Objective. To determine the association between diet type and sleep quality in students from private universities in Lima, 2024–2025.Materials and methods. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted with 693 students aged 18 to 25 years from private universities in Lima, selected through non-probability quota sampling. An online survey applied a questionnaire that included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), diet type, and coffee consumption, along with general data. Bivariate analysis was performed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests, while multivariate analysis was conducted with binary logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, and coffee consumption. Results. The median age was 22 years, with an even distribution between vegetarians (50.1%) and omnivores (49.9%). A total of 53.1% had good sleep quality. Vegetarians obtained better scores and reported longer sleep duration; being female and aged 21 were associated with a greater tendency toward this diet. Coffee consumption, more frequent among omnivores, was associated with poor sleep quality (p < 0.001). The vegetarian diet was associated with a higher proportion of good sleep quality (p < 0.001), while coffee consumption was linked to poor sleep (p < 0.001). Discussion: The findings suggest that plant-based dietary patterns may support physiological mechanisms related to sleep, possibly due to a higher intake of compounds that regulate circadian rhythms. The impact of coffee consumption and sex highlights the need to consider both behavioral and biological factors when examining sleep quality in university students. Conclusions. The vegetarian diet was associated with better quality and longer duration of sleep in university students. Female sex and age 21 were related to a greater tendency toward this dietary pattern, while coffee consumption was linked to poorer sleep quality.

Introduction: The configuration of the food environment directly influences the eating habits and nutritional health of the population. In Chile, although research on these environments has increased in the Metropolitan Region, gaps still exist in other urban areas such as Antofagasta, making it difficult to understand territorial inequalities in access to healthy food. Objective: Analyze the diversity of the food supply in the cities of Santiago and Antofagasta using georeferencing tools and ecological indices, characterizing territorial differences in food environments. Materials and Methods: A descriptive and comparative study was conducted in two cities in Chile. Nutrition and Dietetics students collected data by recording food establishments within a four-block radius of their homes. The establishments were classified as healthy (SAL), unhealthy (NOSAL), mixed (MIX), and supermarkets (SUPER). The data were compiled in Excel spreadsheets, and absolute and relative frequencies were calculated. Food diversity was assessed using the Shannon and Simpson indices. The results were presented in tables, graphs, and thematic maps. Results: A total of 323 establishments were identified: 165 in Santiago and 158 in Antofagasta. In both cities, unhealthy food options predominated, especially in districts like Lo Prado and Independencia. However, Antofagasta showed greater food diversity, with a more balanced distribution of establishment types, reflected in higher diversity indices (Shannon Index: 1.29 vs. 1.14; Simpson Index: 0.68 vs. 0.63). Conclusions: Both cities exhibit food environments characterized by a greater availability of unhealthy foods and intra-urban inequalities. Georeferencing and ecological indices allow for a precise characterization of the urban food structure. These findings reinforce the need for urban and public health policies aimed at improving access to healthy food and reducing territorial inequities in Chile.

Introduction: The abandonment of traditional eating patterns and the consumption of ultra-processed foods has permeated indigenous populations, affecting their nutritional and metabolic status. Objective: To identify the nutritional status, nutritional adequacy, and its association with biochemical parameters in Mexican indigenous adolescents. Material and methods: Cross-sectional and analytical study in 92 Zapotec adolescents. Sociodemographic variables, physical activity using the IPAQ-A, dietary variables (R-24hrs), biochemical variables, and anthropometric variables were collected. Percentages of dietary adequacy and energy contribution by food group were calculated. Quantitative variables were presented as medians and interquartile ranges, while qualitative variables were presented as frequencies and proportions. The Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used to identify differences between groups. Prevalence ratios were calculated by associating nutrient adequacy with biochemical data using Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 23.9% and 14.1%, respectively, with no differences by sex. Altered glycemia was present in over 50% of the patients, and hypertriglyceridemia occurred in almost 70% of the patients, with a higher incidence in women (p=0.044). A sedentary lifestyle and light physical activity were reported in 90% of the patients. Foods high in sugar, fat, and sodium accounted for over 45% of their energy intake. Men showed inadequate intake of total lipids (p=0.009) and proteins (p=0.048), and women had inadequate intake of vitamin D (p<0.001). Higher sugar consumption was associated with altered glycemia [PR=2.15; 95%CI (1.55-3.00)], cholesterol with hypertriglyceridemia [PR=1.92; 95%CI (1.06-3.45)], and saturated fats with elevated cholesterol [PR=3.70; 95%CI (5.14-28.04)]. Conclusions: Zapotec adolescents have high rates of overweight and obesity, are inactive, and maintain an inadequate diet, which increases their metabolic risk

Objective: To examine the association between multimorbidity and breastfeeding practices among Peruvian women of reproductive age who participated in a national survey. Materials and Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the 2024 Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey. The exposure variable was multimorbidity, constructed from three possible non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs): obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. This variable included three categories: no condition, one condition, and two or more conditions. The outcomes were two breastfeeding practices: exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and early initiation of breastfeeding (EIB), both categorized dichotomously. Potential confounders were also considered. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted using Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: A total of 8,163 women were eligible for the analysis. Overall, 65.3% did not practice EBF, and 45.3% had a delayed initiation of breastfeeding. Additionally, 42.1% had one NCD and 4.4% had two or more. A higher number of NCDs was associated with a lower prevalence of optimal breastfeeding practices, showing a dose–response pattern. In the multivariable model, women with two or more NCDs had a 33% lower prevalence of EIB (PR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.55–0.82). However, multimorbidity was not significantly associated with EBF. Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for targeted support strategies for women with multiple NCDs to promote optimal breastfeeding practices in the Latin American context.