Early information on public health behaviors adopted to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) may be useful in controlling the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. The objective of this study was to assess the role of income level (IL) and the perception of older adults, regarding COVID-19 susceptibility and severity, on adopting stay-at-home preventive behavior during the first week of the outbreak in Mexico. Participants in this cross-sectional study were urban community dwellers, aged ≥ 65 years from Mexico City. A total of 380 interviews were conducted over the phone. The mean respondent age was 72.9 years, and 76.1% were women. Over half (54.2%) of the participants perceived their susceptibility to COVID-19 as very low or low. Similarly, 33.4% perceived COVID-19 severity as being very low or low, and 57.6% had decided to stay at home: this behavior was associated with IL (β = 1.05, p < 0.001), and its total effect was partially mediated (15.1%) by perceived severity. Educational attainment was also associated with staying at home (β = 0.10, p = 0.018) and its total effect was partially mediated (15.0%) by perceived susceptibility. Interventions aimed at low income and less educated older adults should be developed to improve preventive behaviors in this vulnerable group during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study evaluated the association between nutritional status, depressive symptoms, and the number of prescription drugs taken by older adults living in nursing homes in Mexico City. In a cross-sectional study, 262 participants were subjected to anthropometric and nutritional (Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)) evaluations; additionally, their depression (Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)) and functional status were assessed. Multiple logistic regression was used for identifying factors associated with the risk of malnutrition/malnourishment. The mean age of participants was 83.1 ± 8.6 years. A total of 59.9% and 21.1% were at risk of malnutrition and malnourished, respectively. With respect to depression, 27.9% of the participants had mild depression, while 11.4% showed severe depression. An inverse correlation between MNA evaluations and depression scores was found (Spearman’s ρ = −0.4624, p < 0.001); residents with a better nutritional status had lower depression scores. Individuals with depressive symptoms were approximately five times more likely to be at risk of malnutrition or malnourished (OR = 5.82, 95% CI = 2.27–14.89) than individuals without depression. Residents taking three or more prescription drugs daily (OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.27–2.63, p < 0.001) were more likely to be at risk of malnutrition or malnourished. In summary, poor nutritional status was associated with depression, while the intake of numerous prescription drugs was associated with being at risk of malnutrition or malnourished.

Depression and food consumption in Mexican college students

Antecedentes: En las últimas dos décadas, ha aumentado el interés por la promoción de la salud en el sector educativo superior, a través del programa “Universidades Saludables” promovido por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Es importante reconocer las necesidades relacionadas con la salud de los integrantes de la comunidad universitaria, así como reflexionar sobre las acciones dirigidas a cubrirlas. Uno de los problemas prioritarios respecto a la salud mental de los jóvenes universitarios es la violencia en el noviazgo. Considerando lo anterior, los objetivos del presente estudio fueron: evaluar la violencia en el noviazgo, la sintomatología depresiva y la autoestima en estudiantes universitarios; estudiar la relación entre la violencia, la depresión y la autoestima; y promover la implementación de programas preventivos entre la comunidad universitaria. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal y descriptivo con las respuestas de 729 estudiantes universitarios, aplicando el “Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationship Inventory,” el Inventario de Depresión de Beck y el Inventario de Coopersmith para evaluar la autoestima. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron una elevada prevalencia de violencia en los jóvenes universitarios, particularmente verbal-emocional (75%). Las agresiones fueron de carácter bidireccional, tanto hombres como mujeres cometieron y sufrieron la violencia. La conducta violenta se asoció con la baja autoestima en las mujeres y con síntomas depresivos en ambos sexos. Conclusiones: Desde el enfoque del programa “Universidades Saludables,” es importante que las instituciones de educación superior sean promotoras de la salud mediante la creación y difusión del conocimiento, la formación de recursos humanos y la promoción de la organización comunitaria. Los resultados del estudio indican la necesidad de desarrollar programas educativos orientados a la prevención de la violencia, al manejo de emociones y a la resolución de conflictos.

Mindful eating (ME) has gained recognition in multidisciplinary weight management intervention and prevention programs for dysfunctional eating behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of mindful eating with body mass index, fat percentage, unhealthy food consumption, and emotional distress in Mexican college students. A cross-sectional study was performed. Anthropometry and body composition were evaluated. A self-reported Mindful Eating Questionnaire developed for the Mexican population, Food Frequency Questionnaire (frequency and serving size), and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were applied. Two separate analyses were conducted: the first used the whole Mexican Mindful Eating Questionnaire with 11 questions (ME-11), and the second excluded the emotional eating items (ME-8). A total of 224 students were included in the analysis. Lower levels of mindful eating were associated with higher body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.001), and body fat percentage (p < 0.001), using ME-11 or ME-8. Significant associations were identified between lower levels of mindful eating (ME-11) and consumption of fried foods (p = 0.005), sweets and desserts (p = 0.003), and fast food (p = 0.003). Similar associations were observed using the ME-8 score. In both versions of the questionnaire, depression, anxiety, and stress scores were significantly associated with lower levels of mindful eating. Mindful eating was associated with BMI, body fat, eating habits, and emotional distress. Mindful eating could be used in multidisciplinary educational and intervention programs to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Dating violence represents an important health problem among adolescents and young adults, not only because of its high prevalence but also because of its negative consequences for individual and social development. Educational programs aimed at the prevention and reduction of aggression are indispensable; therefore, the aims of this study were to assess perception and attitudes toward dating violence, and to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational workshop among college students. A total of 212 students from a public university in Mexico City participated in the study. The participants were distributed into two groups: the intervention group (IG; which received a workshop on dating violence) and the control group (CG; which did not participate in the workshop). A self-reported questionnaire was applied to assess students’ perception and attitudes toward violence. Means and standard deviations were calculated. In both groups, the comparison between pre- and post-evaluation scores was carried out using the test for matched pairs. The MANOVA test was performed for repeated measurements. The participants of the workshop showed positive changes in perception and attitudes toward dating violence, p < .0001; these changes were not observed in the CG, p = .98. Women in the IG showed a higher improvement than men, p = .04. Findings highlight the importance of creating long-term health promotion programs to improve human relationships, particularly in such important areas as dating violence.