Background: Vitamin D [25(OH)D] is essential for normal bone development and maintenance. Furthermore, its deficiency has been associated with obesity, cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance, autoimmune diseases, and certain cancers. Objective: To determine the incidence of serum 25(OH)D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) among apparently healthy Chilean children (4–14 years old) from three Chilean geographic areas during May–September 2018. Materials and methods: Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured by a competitive protein-binding ELISA assay in 1134 children, and correlations between serum 25(OH)D levels, BMI, and geographic area were calculated. Individuals were grouped according to their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (ng/ml): severe deficiency: <5; moderate deficiency: 5–10.9; mild deficiency: 11–20.9; insufficiency: 21–29.9 and sufficiency: 30–100. Results: We found 80.4% of children had serum 25(OH)D deficiency, with 1.7% severe, 24.6% moderate, and 54.1% mild. In the three cities, the percentage of serum 25(OH)D deficit was increased when comparing overweight or obesity with a healthy weight. Additionally, an interaction effect was observed between geographic area, nutritional status, and serum 25(OH)D levels using the factorial ANOVA test (p = 0.038). In Antofagasta, there were more overweight children and also a higher percentage of children with VitD deficiency (<30 ng/ml) compared to Santiago or Concepción. Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of serum 25(OH)D deficiency in children between 4 and 14 years old in Chile (80.4%) during May–September 2018. Obese and overweight children had the highest prevalence of serum 25(OH)D deficiency.

Most worldwide causes of disease and death are strongly associated with dietary factors and the application of eating indexes has proved to be a useful tool to determine diet quality in populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diet quality in Chile through the application of the Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010). A representative sample (n = 879) of Chilean urban population aged 15–65 years old from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (Estudio Latinoamericano de Nutrición y Salud; ELANS) was used. Dietary intake data were obtained through two 24-hour food recalls and one beverage frequency questionnaire, which were used to calculate AHEI-2010 and its association with sociodemographic and anthropometric variables. In this Chilean sample, the AHEI-2010 score was 43.7 ± 7.8 points (mean ± SD). Trans fats and sodium intake were the highest scoring AHEI-2010 components whereas sugar-sweetened beverages and whole grains had the lowest score. Women, older subjects, and individuals in medium-high socioeconomic levels had significantly higher mean AHEI-2010 scores. No association was found between AHEI-2010 and body mass index (BMI), or nutritional status. Conclusions: Diet quality in the Chilean urban population aged 15–65 years old is far from optimal. Thus, there is room for significant improvement of diet quality in Chile through design and implementation of public health policies, particularly in high-risk groups for chronic diseases.

Objective: To analyze the nutritional status and plasma levels of vitamins and minerals in a cohort of Chilean children between 4 and 14 years old from three cities in Chile (Santiago, Antofagasta, and Concepcion). Design: This is a descriptive analysis of micronutrient levels in Chilean children as it relates to obesity and food consumption. Setting: This study included 1235 children from schools in Santiago (central area), Antofagasta (northern area), and Concepcion (southern area) in Chile. Results: Plasma levels of micronutrients revealed deficiencies in children from all these cities. Copper (26.4%) and calcium (33.0%) deficiencies were found in the children from Antofagasta, whereas iron (26.7%) and zinc (20.8%) deficiencies were found in the children from Concepcion and Santiago, respectively. The percentage of children with vitamin D deficiencies was exceptionally high in all cities (over 78%). The analysis of micronutrients and nutritional status revealed that vitamin D deficiencies were significantly higher (p = 0.02) in overweight children, particularly in Antofagasta. In the analysis of the nutritional status of children and their food consumption habits, the proportion of overweight and obesity was significantly higher (p = 0.001) in children that skipped breakfast compared to children that did not. Finally, children from low socioeconomic levels were significantly more overweight and obese compared to children from high socioeconomic levels (p < 0.05). Conclusions: this is the first study to describe plasma levels of micronutrients in Chilean children and adolescents. High percentages of obesity, overweight, and vitamin D deficiency were detected in children. These results are of significant relevance to future public health policies in Chile.

Lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced feeding behaviour and lifestyle in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to analyse feeding behaviour and lifestyle in children and adolescents one year after lockdown by the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile. In this cross-sectional study an online survey was implemented in 1083 parents and caregivers regarding their children’s feeding behaviour and lifestyle and sociodemographic background. The results showed that “eat breakfast daily” (89.2%), “not overnight food intake” (69.9%) and “not fast-food intake” (66.0%) were the most frequent reported feeding behaviours, particularly in pre-school children. Respondents declaring healthy feeding behaviours and lifestyle were 23.4 and 23.7%, respectively, with no significant differences by sex. In pre-school children, families with three or fewer members and parents or caregivers with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree reported a significantly better feeding behaviour and lifestyle compared to families with more than three members and parents or caregivers without an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. In conclusion, the pandemic lockdown had a negative impact in lifestyle in children and particularly in adolescents. Healthier feeding behaviour was associated with fewer family members and parents or caregivers with at least an undergraduate degree.

The increase in the Chilean elderly population has promoted public policies to favor an adequate nutrition in later life. This study evaluated the nutritional status, micronutrients intake and serum micronutrients levels of an elderly group beneficiary of the PACAM from the Metropolitan Region, Santiago de Chile. Anthropometric and dietary survey (24 h food recalls) were assessed in 182 elderly individuals (60 and 80 years old). Blood serum collection was used to measure the micronutrient status. The sample was comprised by 12.6%, 46.1%, 28.0% and 13.2% of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese subjects, respectively. Women presented 11% of underweight, 45% of normal weight and 44% of overweight and obese, while men—18%, 50% and 32%, respectively. Only the 63% of the elderlies consumed PACAM foods, reaching average daily intakes below (50%) the recommended daily serving. Serum deficiencies of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (88%), vitamin B₁₂ (33%) and calcium (36%) were observed, being the highest ones in the PACAM foods women (60–75 years old). Chilean elderlies presented mainly a normal weight; however, an important proportion of overweight/obese subjects was observed. Although PACAM foods consumption significantly increased the micronutrient intake, it was not enough to ensure an adequate serum micronutrient levels in the elderly.

Background and objective: The global aging population has led to increased noncommunicable diseases, often linked to poor diet and declining muscle strength and mass. This study assessed leucine intake and sarcopenia indicators among 181 adults aged 60–80 in Santiago, Chile, participating in the Program for Complementary Food in Older People (PACAM), with 80% being women. Methods: Sarcopenia was evaluated through muscle strength and mass using the EWGSOP2 criteria for its identification. Results: 78.45% of participants did not meet the recommended leucine intake of 3 g per day and sarcopenia was identified in 17.13% of them. The skeletal muscle index was 48.07%, and hand grip strength was 26.52%, with men showing significantly higher grip strength (48.60% vs. 28.80%, p = 0.00). Inadequate leucine intake was more common in those aged 60–75 (85.9%) than those over 75 (p = 0.03). No significant differences in BMI, grip strength, or muscle mass were found between those with adequate and inadequate leucine intake, and PACAM food consumption did not significantly affect these parameters. A sub-analysis showed significant differences in grip strength among powdered dairy drink consumers (35.20% vs. 17.80%, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Chilean elderly participating in PACAM present a high prevalence of sarcopenia and leucine deficiency among with no notable benefits from PACAM foods intake. Despite the limitations of the local body composition assessment method, this research addresses a critical public health issue in Chile. Future studies should evaluate physical performance and focus on leucine supplementation to clarify its effects on sarcopenia.