Background/Objectives: The global prevalence of overweight and obesity among young adults has doubled since 1975, primarily due to unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles. Understanding dietary patterns (DPs) in this population is essential for designing effective prevention strategies. This study aimed to characterize the dietary patterns and diet quality of university students and to examine their physical activity and associated health risks. Methods: A convenience sample of 136 participants (77.9% females, 22.1% males) was recruited. Data on clinical history, lifestyle behaviors, and physical activity were collected using a structured questionnaire. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and three 24-h dietary recalls. Intake was analyzed by food groups, total energy, and macronutrient and fiber composition. Principal component analysis was applied to identify DPs. Results: Three major DPs were identified: Ultra-Processed Foods, Variety Foods, and Traditional Mixed Mexican. Overall, participants showed low consumption of fiber, legumes, and nuts, coupled with high intake of animal-based foods. The mean daily energy intake was 2278 kcal for men and 2008 kcal for women. Although participants demonstrated higher adherence to the Traditional Mixed Mexican pattern, a strong tendency toward the Ultra-Processed Foods pattern was observed, which is linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases and poor nutritional outcomes. Conclusions: The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted dietary interventions among university students. Strategies should emphasize increased intake of fiber-rich plant foods, moderation of protein consumption, and reduction in refined carbohydrates and added sugars to promote healthier dietary habits and prevent chronic disease development.
Supplements based on protein hydrolysates have been used as an effective source to access amino acids with greater bioavailability, promoting absorption to improve body composition. Five groups of young women were randomly selected. They followed a personalized eating plan that included different protein supplements (meat, vegan, branched-chain amino acids [BCAAs], whey, and control group), combined with an exercise plan, for eight weeks, aiming to assess their consumption effects combined with resistance exercise on body composition. Bioelectrical impedance before and after the treatment was conducted. The results showed that the supplementation with BCAAs presented a significant decrease (p < 0.05) on the BMI in this group (initial BMI = 19.7 kg/m2; final BMI = 19.4 kg/m2). When comparing the final measures among the groups, the BCAAs and vegan supplements caused a significant decrease in body weight (50.24 kg and 51.34 kg, respectively). The BMI of the group supplemented with meat proteins was statistically higher (22.06 kg/m2) than that the group supplemented with BCAAs (19.4 kg/m2) (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the type of protein consumed to produce muscle mass in the participants after eight weeks of study under a controlled diet and anaerobic resistance exercise. Participants exhibited energy deficiencies, but their macronutrient distribution appeared normal. Following an 8-week intervention, meat and BCAAs reduced weight and BMI, although no statistical differences were observed. It is recommended to extend the treatment for a more comprehensive understanding.
Overweight and obesity are widespread in Mexico, often linked to dyslipidemia and higher cardiovascular risk. The search for safe and effective treatments has promoted interest in natural supplements such as Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), recognized for its adaptogenic and potential lipid-lowering properties. To assess the impact of Ashwagandha supplementation on serum lipid profiles and anthropometric parameters in Mexican adults with overweight and obesity. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial was carried out with 43 adults (n = 17 in the control group and n = 21 in the intervention group) over 40 days. Participants followed a monitored diet and received one daily capsule containing 500 mg of Ashwagandha or a placebo, in addition to a guided unrestricted dietary plan. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were taken at baseline and after the intervention. In silico analysis was also performed to examine the binding affinity of Ashwagandha bioactive compounds to key proteins involved in lipid metabolism. Ashwagandha supplementation did not produce statistically significant changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), or waist circumference (WC). However, significant reductions were observed in triglyceride and VLDL-c levels (p = 0.0082 and p = 0.0321, respectively). In silico results supported these findings, showing favorable interactions between compounds such as withanolide A and lipid metabolism targets, including AMPK, CETP, and LPL. Ashwagandha supplementation improved serum lipid profiles in adults with overweight and obesity, suggesting potential lipid-lowering effects when combined with a prescribed dietary plan. Also, it was possible to elucidate some metabolic pathways in which Ashwagandha composition has an influence on producing the reported effects. Further long-term studies with controlled dietary intake are needed to confirm these findings and clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms.
9 March 2026 in Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos
El rápido crecimiento de la población mundial, sumado al deterioro ambiental, presenta desafíos urgentes para la producción agrícola. Para el año 2040, se calcula que la población mundial superará los 9 mil millones, lo cual incrementará la demanda de alimentos. Dentro de este marco, la introducción de tecnologías innovadoras en la agricultura aparece como una solución clave para asegurar la seguridad alimentaria y la sostenibilidad del sistema productivo. En este artículo se analiza el impacto de herramientas como la inteligencia artificial, la robótica, los sensores inteligentes y la agricultura de precisión en la transformación del sector agrícola. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica para analizar los beneficios que estas tecnologías ofrecen en el mejoramiento de la productividad, la gestión de los riesgos climáticos, la predicción de plagas y los rendimientos. Los resultados muestran que el uso estratégico de nuevas tecnologías puede mejorar la resiliencia y eficiencia de los sistemas agrícolas, constituyendo una vía fundamental hacia una agricultura más inteligente y sostenible. Se realizó una búsqueda de información en bases de datos de Google Académico con documentos en español e inglés y se centró el análisis en las palabras clave “agricultura” y “tecnología”.