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Duarte-Casar R, González-Jaramillo N, Bailon-Moscoso N, Rojas-Le-Fort M, Romero-Benavides JC. Five Underutilized Ecuadorian Fruits and Their Bioactive Potential as Functional Foods and in Metabolic Syndrome: A Review. Molecules 2024; 29:2904. [PMID: 38930969 PMCID: PMC11207112 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Ecuadorian Amazon harbors numerous wild and cultivated species used as food, many of which are underutilized. This review explores the bioactive potential of five such fruits-Borojó (Alibertia patinoi); Chonta (Bactris gasipaes); Arazá (Eugenia stipitata); Amazon grape (Pourouma cecropiifolia), a wild edible plant; and Cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum)-and their applications against metabolic syndrome. This study highlights their health-promoting ingredients and validates traditional medicinal properties, emphasizing their significance in improving health and mitigating the effects of the Western diet. These fruits, integral to Ecuadorian cuisine, are consumed fresh and processed. Chonta is widely cultivated but less prominent than in pre-Hispanic times, Borojó is known for its aphrodisiac properties, Cocona is traditional in northern provinces, Arazá is economically significant in food products, and Amazon grape is the least utilized and researched. The fruits are rich in phenolics (A. patinoi, E. stipitata) and carotenoids (B. gasipaes, E. stipitata), which are beneficial in controlling metabolic syndrome. This study advocates for more research and product development, especially for lesser-known species with high phenolic and anthocyanin content. This research underscores the economic, cultural, and nutritional value of these fruits, promoting their integration into modern diets and contributing to sustainable agriculture, cultural preservation, and public health through functional foods and nutraceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Duarte-Casar
- Tecnología Superior en Gestión Culinaria, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Manabí, Portoviejo 130103, Ecuador; (R.D.-C.); (M.R.-L.-F.)
| | - Nancy González-Jaramillo
- Maestría en Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110108, Ecuador;
| | - Natalia Bailon-Moscoso
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110108, Ecuador;
| | - Marlene Rojas-Le-Fort
- Tecnología Superior en Gestión Culinaria, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Manabí, Portoviejo 130103, Ecuador; (R.D.-C.); (M.R.-L.-F.)
| | - Juan Carlos Romero-Benavides
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110108, Ecuador
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Norov B, Cristobal-Maramag C, Van Minh H, Long KQ, Huse O, Nkoroi A, Luvsanjamba M, Phuong DH, Kupka R, Lobstein T, Jewell J, Castro MC, Oliver N, Watson F. Prevention of childhood overweight and obesity in Mongolia, the Philippines and Vietnam: identifying priority actions. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daad187. [PMID: 38156876 PMCID: PMC10756053 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Low- and middle-income countries are increasingly faced with a triple burden of malnutrition: endemic underweight, micronutrient deficiencies and rising prevalence of overweight. This study aimed to address existing knowledge gaps and to identify priority policy options in Mongolia, the Philippines and Vietnam. A landscape analysis approach was adopted using methods set out in a UNICEF global toolkit. Quantitative and qualitative data were compiled from a range of global and national sources on childhood overweight and obesity, risk factors and policy responses. Key informant interviews and validation workshops were undertaken with key food and nutrition stakeholders from government and non-government organizations to identify priority policy options for the prevention of overweight and obesity among children. Overweight and obesity among children are increasing in all three countries. Associated risk factors are related to maternal nutrition, birthweight, breastfeeding, as well as diets and physical activity shaped by increasingly obesogenic environments. Key informants identified undefined policy approaches, poor community understanding and food and beverage industry influence as barriers to addressing overweight and obesity. Key policy priorities include restricting the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages, unhealthy food and beverage taxation, introduction of front-of-pack nutrition labels and improving school nutrition environments. Mongolia, the Philippines and Vietnam are all facing an increasing burden of childhood overweight and obesity. Despite differing national contexts, similar environmental factors are driving this rise. A suite of evidence-based policies can effectively be introduced to address obesogenic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolormaa Norov
- Nutrition Department, National Center for Public Health, Peace Ave 46, Ulaanbaatar 13381, Mongolia
| | - Cherry Cristobal-Maramag
- Health and Nutrition Unit, Nutrition Center of the Philippines, Launchpad Coworking 214-215 Commercenter, East Asia Drive cor. Commerce Avenue, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang Muntinlupa City, The Philippines
| | - Hoang Van Minh
- Hanoi University of Public Health, 1A Đ. Đức Thắng, Đông Ngạc, Bắc Từ Liêm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
| | - Khương Quỳnh Long
- Hanoi University of Public Health, 1A Đ. Đức Thắng, Đông Ngạc, Bắc Từ Liêm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
| | - Oliver Huse
- Deakin University, Geelong Australia, Global Obesity Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, 1 Gheringhap St 3220
- East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, UNICEF, 19 Pra Athit Rd, Chana Songkhram, Pra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
| | - Alice Nkoroi
- Philippines Country Office, UNICEF, 14th Floor, North Tower, Rockwell Business Center Sheridan, Sheridan Street corner United Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City 1550, Philippines
| | - Munkhjargal Luvsanjamba
- Mongolia Country Office, UNICEF, UN House, United Nations street-14, Ulaanbaatar 14201, Mongolia
| | - Do Hong Phuong
- Vietnam Country Office, UNICEF, The Green One UN House, 304 Kim Ma, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Roland Kupka
- East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, UNICEF, 19 Pra Athit Rd, Chana Songkhram, Pra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
| | - Tim Lobstein
- Policy Section, World Obesity Federation, 5th Floor, 38 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1EN, UK
- The Boden Initiative, University of Sydney, John Hopkins Dr, Camperdown, Sydney, 2050, NSW, Australia
| | - Jo Jewell
- Nutrition Section, UNICEF, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA
| | - Mary Christine Castro
- Health and Nutrition Unit, Nutrition Center of the Philippines, Launchpad Coworking 214-215 Commercenter, East Asia Drive cor. Commerce Avenue, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang Muntinlupa City, The Philippines
| | - Nikka Oliver
- Health and Nutrition Unit, Nutrition Center of the Philippines, Launchpad Coworking 214-215 Commercenter, East Asia Drive cor. Commerce Avenue, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang Muntinlupa City, The Philippines
| | - Fiona Watson
- East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, UNICEF, 19 Pra Athit Rd, Chana Songkhram, Pra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
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Association between Food, Beverages and Overweight/Obesity in Children and Adolescents-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15030764. [PMID: 36771470 PMCID: PMC9920526 DOI: 10.3390/nu15030764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A healthy diet is essential to prevent childhood obesity, however, adherence to a healthy diet is challenging. The aim of this study was to give a comprehensive overview of the literature investigaating associations between food and beverages and overweight/obesity in children and adolescents in order to identify dietary risk factors. A systematic search was performed in four databases and observational studies were included. Meta-analysis was performed using the random effect model. Sixty records met inclusion criteria and 14 different food or beverage categories were identified. A higher intake of sugar-sweetened beverages increased the odds of overweight/obesity by 1.20 (p < 0.05) (n = 26) and higher intake of fast food increased the odds of overweight/obesity by 1.17 (p < 0.05) (n = 24). Furthermore, higher intake of meat (OR 1.02, p < 0.05 (n:7)) and refined grains (OR 1.28, p < 0.05 (n:3)) was associated with an increased risk of overweight/obesity. In contrast, higher intake of whole grain (OR 0.86, p = 0.04 (n:5)) and more surprisingly sweet bakery (OR 0.59, p < 0.05 (n:3)) was associated with a decreased risk of overweight/obesity. In conclusion, a higher intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and a higher intake of fast food was identified as the primary dietary risk factors for overweight/obesity. Future research is needed to strengthen the generalizability of these results.
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Van Minh H, Khuong DQL, Tran TA, Do HP, Watson F, Lobstein T. Childhood Overweight and Obesity in Vietnam: A Landscape Analysis of the Extent and Risk Factors. INQUIRY: THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION, PROVISION, AND FINANCING 2023. [PMCID: PMC9947684 DOI: 10.1177/00469580231154651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Tackling childhood overweight and obesity is critical not only to improve the health and well-being of children and adolescents, but also for entire populations and future generations. This paper provides the latest evidence on the extent of, and risk factors for, childhood overweight and obesity in Vietnam. The landscape analysis tool developed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO) was used. A search for peer-reviewed articles in English on online databases was undertaken. Peer-reviewed Vietnamese articles were also retrieved from a range of sources. The prevalence of overweight among children aged under 5 years increased from 5.6% in 2010 to 7.4% in 2019. For overweight and obesity among children aged 5 to 19 years, prevalence rose from 8.5% and 2.5% in 2010 to 19% and 8.1% in 2020, respectively. Maternal malnutrition, gestational diabetes during pregnancy, and inadequate infant and young child feeding practices are all risk factors for early childhood overweight. Unhealthy diets, insufficient physical activity, and lack of sleep are among the risk factors for overweight and obesity among school aged children and adolescents. The prevention of overweight and obesity among Vietnamese children requires a whole-of-government, cross-sectoral approach to addresses the obesogenic environment that is negatively influencing the nutrition of children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hong Phuong Do
- UNICEF, Nutrition Section, Vietnam Country Office, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Fiona Watson
- UNICEF, Nutrition Section, East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tim Lobstein
- World Obesity Federation, London, UK
- University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Horta BL, Rollins N, Dias MS, Garcez V, Pérez-Escamilla R. Systematic review and meta-analysis of breastfeeding and later overweight or obesity expands on previous study for World Health Organization. Acta Paediatr 2023; 112:34-41. [PMID: 35727183 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
AIM To update a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association of breastfeeding with overweight or obesity that had been commissioned by the World Health Organization. We also assessed the likelihood of residual confounding. METHODS Two independent reviewers searched MEDLINE, LILACS and Web of Science for manuscripts published between August 2014 and May 2021. Studies that only evaluated infants were excluded. Random-effects models were used to pool the estimates. RESULTS The review comprised 159 studies with 169 estimates on the association of breastfeeding with overweight or obesity, and most of the studies were carried out among individuals aged 1-9 years (n = 130). Breastfeeding protected against overweight or obesity (pooled odds ratio:0.73, 95% confidence interval:0.71; 0.76). And, even among the 19 studies that were less susceptible to publication bias, residual confounding and misclassification, a benefit was observed (pooled odds ratio:0.85, 95% confidence interval:0.77; 0.93). Among those studies that were clearly susceptible to positive confounding by socioeconomic status, a benefit of breastfeeding was observed even after adjusting for socioeconomic status (pooled odds ratio:0.76, 95% confidence interval: 0.69; 0.83). CONCLUSION Breastfeeding reduced the odds of overweight or obesity, and this association was unlikely to be due to publication bias and residual confounding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Lessa Horta
- Post-Graduate Programme in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Nigel Rollins
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (MCA), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mariane S Dias
- Post-Graduate Programme in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Valquiria Garcez
- Post-Graduate Programme in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Rafael Pérez-Escamilla
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
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Initial investigation of associations between feeding practices, eating behaviours, and weight status in Vietnamese children using modified questionnaires. Obes Res Clin Pract 2022; 16:301-306. [PMID: 35850918 DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This cross-sectional study aims to extend the preliminary validation of the Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire (FPSQ) and Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) in the Vietnamese context by examining associations between maternal feeding practices, child eating behaviours, and child weight status. METHODS Modified versions of the FPSQ and CEBQ were used to measure maternal feeding practices and child eating behaviours, respectively, in a sample of Vietnamese mothers of children within the age range of two to five years (n = 100). Children's weight-for-height z-scores (WHZs) were calculated using weight and height measurements obtained by clinicians. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to examine bivariate associations between maternal feeding practices, child eating behaviours, and child WHZs. Significant variables were then entered into a multivariable regression model. RESULTS Child WHZs were associated with maternal persuasive feeding, and child slowness in eating, enjoyment of food/food responsiveness, and emotional undereating, but in multivariable regression analysis, only persuasive feeding (β = -0.44, p = 0.027) and slowness in eating (β = -0.39, p = 0.036) contributed significantly to the model. CONCLUSIONS The findings provide some evidence of construct validity for the modified questionnaires. Potential implications of dietary-related behaviours on weight status in preschool-aged children in Viet Nam are evident. However, further validation and analysis in larger datasets must be undertaken in order to examine these associations with increased certainty.
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Le GB, Dinh DX. Prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity among primary school children: a cross-sectional study in Thanhhoa City, Vietnam. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e058504. [PMID: 35459674 PMCID: PMC9036463 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity among primary school children (6-11 years old) in Thanhhoa city in 2021. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Seven primary schools in Thanhhoa city, Vietnam. PARTICIPANTS 782 children (and their parents). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Two-stage cluster random sampling was used for selecting children and data were collected from January to February 2021. A self-administrated questionnaire was designed for children and their parents. Children's height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI)-for-age z-scores were computed using the WHO Anthro software V.1.0.4. Data were analysed using R software V.4.1.2. The associations between potential factors and childhood overweight/obesity were analysed through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Variables were selected using the Bayesian Model Averaging method. RESULTS The prevalence of overweight/obesity among primary school children in Thanhhoa city was 35.93% (overweight 21.61% and obesity 14.32%). The proportion of overweight girls was nearly equal to that of boys (20.78% and 22.52%, respectively, p=0.6152) while the proportion of boys with obesity was four times as many as that of girls (23.86% and 5.62%, respectively, p<0.0001). Child's sex was the factor significantly associated with childhood overweight/obesity. Boys had double the risk of being overweight/obese than girls (adjusted OR: aOR=2.48, p<0.0001). Other potential factors which may be associated with childhood overweight/obesity included mode of transport to school, the people living with the child, mother's occupation, father's education, eating confectionery, the total time of doing sports, and sedentary activities. CONCLUSION One in every three primary school children in Thanhhoa city were either overweight or obese. Parents, teachers and policy-makers can implement interventions in the aforementioned factors to reduce the rate of childhood obesity. In forthcoming years, longitudinal studies should be conducted to determine the causal relationships between potential factors and childhood overweight/obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giang Ba Le
- Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Dai Xuan Dinh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Management and Pharmacoeconomics, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi, Viet Nam
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