The education sector is a cornerstone in the battle against malnutrition in children. However, there are still no consolidated protocols that outline strategies for how nutrition programs in low- and middle-income countries can be delivered through the education sector. Establishing the correct community diagnosis is essential prior to the elaboration of an intervention plan for a school population that takes into account more than just traditional variables related to the nutritional status. A total of 574 boys and girls aged 3–11 years from three educational institutions in different municipalities in Ecuador participated in the study. Sociodemographic, anthropometric (weight and height) and coproparasitological data were obtained. Nutrimetry, which is a combination of two classical anthropometrics indicators, was used for the analysis of the nutritional status, and the indicators’ frequencies varied among the schools. In order to improve the nutritional status of children, we proposed a framework mainly focusing on establishing alliances with the education sector and taking into account gender equality; respect for the environment; and the customs, beliefs and traditions of each population. The results obtained from the analyses of other variables demonstrated the importance of an adequate diagnosis prior to any type of intervention at the nutritional level, since characteristics could vary by local area and have an impact on the successfulness of the intervention.

The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of the polymorphisms G-6A of the angiotensinogen gene, insertion/deletion (I/D) of the angiotensin-converting enzyme, and C573T of the angiotensin II AT1 receptor gene on a healthy, middle-age population. A total of 370 (194 women) healthy normotensive Caucasian subjects, aged 25–50 yr old, were selected from the general population. A significant association was found between height and the C573T polymorphism in women (P < 0.001). After adjustment for age, this association remained significant (P < 0.002). Thus, the lowest height values were from subjects carrying TT genotype (CC, 1.627 ± 0.008 m; CT, 1.595 ± 0.006 m; TT, 1.586 ± 0.010 m; P = 0.002). Likewise, the I/D polymorphism was associated with height (P = 0.002) in women. It remained significant after adjustment for age and the lowest height for the DD genotype (II, 1.629 ± 0.011 m; ID, 1.603 ± 0.006 m; DD, 1.591 ± 0.007 m; P = 0.016). For both C573T and I/D polymorphisms, there was an allele dosage effect. Moreover, an additive and independent effect of the C573T polymorphism (P = 0.006) and the I/D polymorphism (P = 0.045) on height was observed. In contrast, no association with height was observed for the G-6A polymorphism. In conclusion, additive effects between polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system genes and height were observed in healthy women. These results should be studied by other groups in other populations and ethnic groups. Whether or not these associations need to be considered in the epidemiological studies analyzing the relationship between polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system genes and such height-influenced parameters as blood pressure merits further study.

Since the early 1990s, Spanish humanitarian associations have welcomed Saharawi children from the refugee camps in Tindouf (Argelia). These children are the most affected by the lack of food, water, hygienic measures and health care. The main objective of this study was to analyze the anthropometric, nutritional and parasitological data of 38 Saharawi boys and girls (from 10 to 13 years old) under a holiday host program in the city of Valencia. Our results confirm that malnutrition and multiparasitism are highly frequent, so it is understood that living conditions in refugee camps continue to be precarious with a lack of proper hygiene and nutrition. Furthermore, biochemical alterations, lactose malabsorption and the risk of celiac disease, also detected in our study as a secondary objective, will complicate nutritional management and restoration of health. For this reason, sustainable feeding alternatives and interventions from a hygienic and nutritional point of view are proposed, emphasizing in an improvement in the education of parents and children.

High saturated fat consumption, mostly from red meat and sausage meat has been associated with an increase in cardiovascular risk (CVR) in contrast to the effect of high fish consumption. To get to know the frequency of meat and fish consumption in an elderly high Mediterranean population, their correlations with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and their association with intermediate CVR phenotypes. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 945 people (67.4±6.2 years old) with high CVR recruited in primary care centres of Valencia, and participating in the PREDIMED study. The frequency of meat and fish consumption was determined through a validated questionnaire. We analyzed clinical, biochemical and anthropometric variables using standard methods. Mean red meat consumption was high (7.4±4.7 times/week), being higher in men than in women (P=0.031) and was associated with greater weight (P=0.001) and prevalence of obesity (P=0.025). Fish consumption was also high (4.5±2.6 time/week) and was associated with lower concentrations of fasting plasma glucose (P=0.016) as well as with lower prevalence of diabetes (P=0.017). Red meat consumption in this high CVR population is very high and far from the recommendations of MD, needing, therefore, to be reduced. Fish consumption is closer to the recommendations and should be maintained.

Malnutrition in Spanish schoolchildren, and its relationship with lifestyles, has been studied, but Nutrimetry (a nutritional status indicator), and data on intestinal parasitism and its risk factors, have never before been taken into account. A total of 206 children aged 3–11 years, from two schools in the Valencian Community, participated. Demographic characteristics, diet, lifestyles, behavioural habits and anthropometric (weight, height) and coproparasitological data were collected. Nutrimetry was used to analyse nutritional status. Statistical analyses were performed to ascertain associations between lifestyle, selected parasite species and nutritional status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the strength of the association of the suspected risk factors with the presence of intestinal parasitism. The prevalence of overweight was 32.6%. A total of 43.9% had a high adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, for which mean daily intake was 2428.7 kcal. Intestinal parasitism was identified in 49.5% of the children (Giardia duodenalis: 28.6%). The source of drinking water was found to be a risk factor for intestinal parasitism. No positive association between the variables analysed and nutritional status could be confirmed. Nutrimetry is a good indicator for a complete analysis of nutritional status. It highlights the prevalence of overweight. Intestinal parasitism was identified in almost half of the participants and is a variable that should not be underestimated.