Household food insecurity (FI) remains a major public health challenge worldwide. Data about perceived FI and its risk factors in Mexican university students are lacking. We aimed to assess FI’s prevalence and factors affecting it among university students’ households in Mexico. This cross-sectional analysis involved 7671 university students’ households using the 2018 Mexican National of Household Income and Expenditure Survey data. Variables analyzed included sociodemographic characteristics, and the 12-item validated Mexican Scale for Food Security (EMSA). Multivariable logistic regression modelling was performed to identify FI risk factors. The overall household FI prevalence was 30.8%. According to FI severity, prevalence rates were 16.3% for mild-FI, 8.8% for moderate-FI, and 5.7% for severe-FI. Low socioeconomic status (OR = 2.72; 95%CI: 2.09–3.54), low education level of household’s head (OR = 2.36; 95%CI: 1.90–2.94), self-ascription to an indigenous group (OR = 1.59; 95%CI: 1.41–1.79), attending public university (OR = 1.27; 95%CI: 1.13–1.43), female-headed household (OR = 1.26; 95%CI: 1.13–1.40), having worked recently (OR = 1.19; 95%CI: 1.07–1.33), and being in second year of studies (OR = 1.17; 95%CI: 1.03–1.33), were significantly related to FI. Our results confirm that FI is highly prevalent among Mexican university students’ households and that sociodemographic factors are essential in addressing this concern. Findings highlight the need for preventive programs and policies to alleviate FI.

Several studies have explored food choice motives (FCMs), but their association with sociodemographic characteristics remains under-researched. This study aimed to examine the cross-sectional associations between sociodemographic factors and FCMs in a sample of Mexican adults. Sociodemographic data and eight FCMs’ importance (health and natural content, mood, convenience, sensory appeal, price, food identity, image, and environmental concern) measured with a 75-item Updated Food Choice Questionnaire were studied in 786 participants (70% women, mean age: 24.7 years). The adjusted estimates from multivariable linear regressions are reported. Higher relative importance of convenience, price, and image management (all, p < 0.05) were associated with men. Older participants (≥41 years) showed greater concern for environmental and wildlife awareness (EWA) (p = 0.04). Higher education was associated with higher appreciation of health and natural content and EWA (both, p < 0.05), and less of sensory appeal and mood (both, p < 0.05). Individuals in a relationship placed less importance on sensory appeal compared to singles (p = 0.008). Middle–low socioeconomic status was linked to higher importance of food identity (p = 0.039), while food insecurity was associated with higher concern for price and food identity (both, p < 0.05). Our findings highlight the influence of sociodemographic factors on FCMs that might act as barriers or drivers for adopting healthy diets.

Background: Determinants and motives related to food selection have evolved in a globalized and changing world. The traditional and useful Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ), created in 1995, needs to be updated, adapted to new scenarios, and validated. Objectives: This study aimed to: (1) assess face validity (FV) of the original 36-item FCQ, (2) generate an Updated-FCQ (U-FCQ) and assess its content validity (CV) (instrument suitability), and (3) evaluate its construct validity and reliability in a Spanish-speaking population from Mexico. Methods: FV involved a panel of nutrition professionals (NPs) rating the original items’ clarity, relevance, specificity, and representativeness. A literature review process updated the FCQ by adding new items. CV with a second NP panel allowed calculating content validity ratio (CVR). Construct validation was performed via exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA-CFA). Internal consistency through Cronbach’s alpha (CA) and test–retest reliability via intra-class correlation (ICC) were assessed. Results: The FV (n = 8) resulted in the modification of 11 original items. The literature review added 36 new items (15 from previous adaptations and 21 original items). The CV (n = 13) identified nine items (non-acceptable CVR), prompting reformulation of seven and removal of two. The NPs’ feedback added six new items. The EFA-CFA (n = 788) developed a 75-item U-FCQ with eight dimensions: sensory appeal, mood, health and nutritional content, price, food identity, environmental and wildlife awareness, convenience, and image management. CA ranged from 0.74–0.97 (good–excellent) and ICC from 0.51–0.78 (moderate–good). Conclusions: This study provides a useful instrument for the assessment of food choices and lays the groundwork for future cross-cultural comparisons, expanding its applicability in wider settings.

Introducción: En el ámbito sanitario, la inteligencia artificial (IA) ha surgido como una fuerza transformadora, capaz de mejorar la precisión diagnóstica, optimizar los tratamientos y agilizar los procesos administrativos. Sin embargo, a pesar de sus beneficios la implementación de la IA en la atención sanitaria enfrenta controversias y desafíos. Objetivo: Determinar las actitudes y percepciones sobre el uso de IA en la atención sanitaria entre estudiantes universitarios (EU) de ciencias de la salud en Guadalajara, Jalisco. Método: Se aplicó un formulario en línea entre EU para recabar datos sociodemográficos y un cuestionario de 28 ítems para determinar actitudes y percepciones sobre la IA. Resultados: Participaron 83 EU, mayoritariamente mujeres y pertenecientes a programas de enfermería, nutrición y psicología. Los sujetos reportaron un uso elevado de la tecnología, así como conocimiento moderado respecto a la IA. Respecto a las actitudes del uso de esta en la atención sanitaria, predominó una posición neutral. Aunque reconocieron los posibles beneficios de la IA, mostraron cautela cuando se trataba de su propio diagnóstico o tratamiento. Adicionalmente, surgieron preocupaciones como el desplazamiento y pérdida de empleo del profesional de la salud (PS), la seguridad de los datos y el deterioro de la relación PS-paciente. Conclusiones: Las actitudes de los EU hacia la IA en la atención sanitaria reflejan una mezcla de sentimientos positivos y negativos, derivados de inquietudes sociales más amplias sobre la rápida integración de la IA en el sector. Tomar en cuenta estas preocupaciones permitirá reducir la brecha existente entre las percepciones de la IA por parte de los EU y favorecer el uso de esta tecnología para mejorar los resultados de los pacientes.

El concepto de crononutrición explora la relación entre los ritmos circadianos y la alimentación, lo que apoyado con horarios de entrenamiento permite optimizar elecciones alimenticias y mejorar los programas de ejercicio. Los ritmos circadianos, controlados por el sistema nervioso central y sincronizados con la luz y oscuridad del día, intervienen en funciones clave del organismo, como la digestión, el metabolismo y la ingesta de alimentos. El cronotipo de una persona (matutino, vespertino o intermedio) influye en las preferencias de horarios y rendimiento deportivo, por lo que se pueden ajustar los tiempos de entrenamiento y alimentación para beneficiar la salud y el rendimiento físico, además de modular el riesgo de enfermedades como la obesidad y diabetes.

Food choice motives (FCM) determine young people’s dietary intake and, consequently, their risk of cardiometabolic disturbances, particularly throughout university life. This cross-sectional study explored associations between FCM’s relative importance and cardiometabolic risk among Mexican university students. A total of 395 students (mean age 21·2 years; 71·4 % women) provided sociodemographic data, importance to FCM (‘Price’, ‘Convenience’, ‘Mood’, ‘Food Identity’ (FI), ‘Sensory Appeal’ (SA), ‘Environmental and Wildlife Awareness’ (E&WA), ‘Image Management’ (IM), and ‘Health and Natural Content’). Cardiometabolic outcomes comprised BMI, fasting serum glucose (FSG), total cholesterol, TAG, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, TAG/FSG index, TAG:HDL-cholesterol ratio, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP) and a cardiometabolic risk score (CMRS) derived from standardised ( z -scores) WC, FSG, TAG/FSG index, TAG:HDL-cholesterol ratio and BP. Adjusted estimates from multivariable linear regressions are reported. In the overall sample, ‘Price’ and ‘Convenience’ were associated with higher BMI ( β = 2·05, P = 0·013 for ‘Price’) and WC ( β = 7·09, P < 0·001; β = 5·91, P = 0·004, respectively), where ‘Mood’, ‘FI’ and ‘SA’ were related with FSG ( β = 5·21, p = 0·004; β = −4·42, P = 0·037) and TAG/FSG index ( β = 0·23, P = 0·026), respectively. Sex stratified analyses suggested stronger associations among women for ‘Convenience’, ‘Price’ and ‘SA’ with higher adiposity indicators (BMI and WC) and glycaemic markers (FSG and TAG/FSG index). Among men, ‘IM’ was inversely associated with the TAG and TAG:HDL-cholesterol ratio, while ‘Mood’ was positively associated with the TAG/FSG index. Overall, ‘SA’ was positively ( β = 1·60, P = 0·029) and ‘IM’ inversely ( β = −2·62, P = 0·044) associated with CMRS. Our findings highlight FCM’s role on cardiometabolic health in Mexican university students, emphasising the importance of addressing them through nutrition strategies.