Background: World population is living longer, demanding adjustments in public health policies. Body mass index (BMI) is widely known and used as a parameter and predictor of health status although an adapted criterion for older adults is usually overlooked. BMI has been extensively analysed in relation to mortality but fewer studies address its association with cognition, functioning and depression in older adults. The present study aimed at 1) comparing BMI distribution according to the ranges proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States National Research Council Committee on Diet and Health (CDH), 2) analysing their association with cognitive functioning, physical functioning and depression and 3) analysing a possible, interaction of BMI criteria with sex on the outcome measures. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 395 participants recruited by convenience sampling; 283 (71.6%) women and 112 (24.58%) men. Mean age was 74.68 (SD = 8.50, range: 60–98). Outcome measures included the Short Portable Mental State Questionnaire for cognitive status, the Barthel’s Index of Activities of Daily Living for physical functioning, and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Results: WHO criterion classified most cases (65.3%) as overweight, followed by normal weight (32.2%) and underweight (2.5%) whereas CDH criterion considered most (48.1%) as normal weight, and followed by overweight (31.4%) and underweight (20.5%). Analysing cognitive status, independent physical functioning and depression mean scores, significant differences (p ≤ .001) were found when comparing the three weight groups (underweight, normal weight and overweight) using either the WHO- or the CDH criterion. Post-hoc tests revealed that in all comparisons the underweight group scored the lowest in all three outcome measures. According to the CDH criterion, overweight was favourable for females but unfavourable for males regarding cognitive status (interaction F(2,389) = 4.52, p ≤ .01) and independent functioning (interaction F(2,389) = 3.86, p ≤ .05). Conclusions: BMI and its associations to relevant outcome measures in the older adults must rely on criteria that take into account the particular features of this population, such as the CDH criterion. Underweight was associated with decremented cognition, less independent physical functioning and more depression. Overweight seemed favourable for women but unfavourable for men.

This study is aimed at identifying the relationship between oral motor treatment and the improvement of abilities for feeding and swallowing in boys and girls with CP residing in the state of Yucatán. The sample consisted of 30 patients with a diagnosis of CP and the presence of ADT, with gross motor function levels from II to V, between 3 and 14 years old, of which 50% received oral motor treatment. The predominant diagnosis was spastic CP and tetraplegia. An interview was carried out with the tutor, the application of the gross motor skills scale, and an assessment of feeding skills. The feeding and swallowing skills that improved significantly with the oral motor treatment were mandibular mobility, tongue activity, abnormal reflexes, control of breathing, and general oral motor skills ( ). Within the sample that did not receive oral motor treatment, 46% presented low or very low weight and 40% referred recurrent respiratory diseases. In the end, it was concluded that feeding skills improve significantly with oral motor treatment, regardless of the severity of gross motor involvement. Likewise, oral motor treatment was associated with a lower presence of respiratory diseases and nutritional compromise.

Indigenous populations frequently have their oral and general health affected due to cultural conditions, social marginalization, and geographic separation from urbanized areas. The degree of health achieved by a population is the result of multiple environmental, social, behavioral, genetic and health service determinants. The determinants depend, in turn, on economic and social policies and, above all, on the organized social response to health and disease phenomena. Health determinants such as: educational level, economic income, accessibility to health services, have a negative or positive influence on population health status. Likewise, characteristics such as the distribution of health professionals in the territory, cultural conditions such as linguistic, cultural and worldview barriers of indigenous peoples, hinder the health care received by this population group considered as vulnerable. It is concluded that the influence of health determinants on oral health in indigenous populations should be considered for inclusion in the design of preventive dental models, according to their reality. Cultural differences in terms of language and communication, values, beliefs, ways of life, organization of time, as well as considerations of the social determinants of health and health behaviors, contribute significantly to oral health conditions and to the design of primary health care models or preventive models for vulnerable population groups, thus contributing to the inclusion and promotion of health.

Chicán es una pequeña comunidad rural de origen maya ubicada en la península de Yucatán, conocida como “el pueblo de los sordos” por la alta prevalencia de sordera profunda. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el coeficiente de consanguinidad en la comunidad de Chicán utilizando el método de isonimia marital como estrategia para explicar la estructura poblacional y la alta prevalencia de sordera congénita profunda. El registro de los datos se realizó mediante encuestas a 219 individuos residentes de Chicán. Se registraron 40 apellidos diferentes, de ellos 30 son de origen maya. El 23,3% de la muestra presentó apellidos isonímicos, siendo Collí (94,1%) el más frecuente. La consanguinidad total observada fue de 0,0585, mientras que el componente aleatorio (Fr = 0,0571) fue 38 veces mayor que el componente no aleatorio (Fn = 0,0015). Se registraron 18 personas con sordera congénita profunda, de las cuales 11 fueron isonímicas para el apellido Collí. Los resultados indican que las uniones consanguíneas en Chicán se deben principalmente al pequeño tamaño de la población y a su relativo aislamiento. La alta prevalencia de sordera profunda en Chicán puede ser consecuencia de la consanguinidad, la cual predispone a la aparición de trastornos hereditarios recesivos.

Patients at tertiary hospitals may find themselves in need of mental health support due to the distress associated with the illness that may or not lead to a psychiatric condition. Here is an overview of the clinical cases treated by the liaison psychiatry service of a public tertiary hospital from Southeast Mexico during its first years of operation (2008–2018), with the purpose of gathering information about the status and needs of this population. A sample of 304 clinical records of patients treated for the first time by the psychiatry service was reviewed, and the distribution by demographic characteristics, diagnosis of mental illness and medical area of reference was analyzed. Anxiety and depression symptoms were the most frequent. Most patients were women, lived in Merida and returned after the first appointment. The neurology service referred most patients, yet most attended directly. General tertiary hospitals should prioritize integrating ad hoc mental and physical health care. Adult women with a profile of anxiety and/or depression would be the first target group. Some areas of opportunity for further research and improvement of mental health services are: preventive services for anxiety and depression, follow-up of patients, attention to relatives of patients at intensive care units, implementation of telehealth alternatives, training on mental health screening and inter- and intra-institutional collaboration.

Eating and swallowing disorders are prevalent among children with neuromotor disabilities, significantly impacting their overall quality of life. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the challenges by restricting access to health care, underscoring the necessity for innovative solutions with caregiver involvement. This study investigated the effectiveness of a distance learning educational model in oral-motor therapy for primary caregivers of children with neuromotor impairments in Mérida, Mexico. The quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design included thirty primary caregivers of children aged 2 to 12 with feeding and swallowing disorders from seven institutions. Twenty-three participants completed the program. The program encompassed theoretical sessions on various aspects of oral motor therapy and practical sessions focusing on hands-on training. Results revealed substantial enhancements in theoretical knowledge and practical competencies among caregivers, with competence levels exceeding 80% in all evaluated activities. Despite these positive outcomes, the study acknowledges limitations such as a small sample size and the absence of a control group. Addressing these constraints through future research endeavors will bolster the evidence supporting the effectiveness of this innovative caregiver-centric approach. Ultimately, integrating caregivers into the care team is imperative for improving the quality of life for children with neuromotor disabilities and effectively managing eating and swallowing disorders.