Obesity is considered a global pandemic. Different countries have worked to implement front-of-package (FOP) labeling systems that define thresholds for critical nutrients (CN) as part of their public health policies. The objective of this study is to identify the proportion of Processed (PF) and Ultra-Processed (UPF) Foods marketed in Honduras, which meet or fall short of the criteria of three Nutrient Profile Models (NPM): PAHO (2016), Chile (2017) and the Central American Technical Regulation Proposal-Nutritional Warning Front Labeling (CATRP-NWFL 2017). This study is descriptive; 1009 products from 206 brands were collected nationwide. Descriptive statistics were performed. The mean CN compliance with the three models was 49.3% for sodium, 30.6% for sugars, 63.1% and 96% for saturated and trans fats. The PAHO and Chilean (NPM) similarly concentrated on the lower compliance with the established criteria, unlike the CATRP, which has less stringent criteria. This is the first assessment of CN content in PF and UPF in Honduras under three different NPMs. We highlight the importance of defining or adopting criteria for the implementation of NWFL as information for the consumer and thereby contribute to reducing the risks of obesity and related diseases.

Introducción: Los alimentos ultraprocesados tienen formulaciones industriales altas en azúcar, grasas saturadas, sodio, estabilizadores y preservantes con mercadeo agresivo. El objetivo del estudio fue identificar los alimentos con contenido excesivo de nutrientes según el modelo de perfil de nutrientes de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS 2016). Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo realizado de julio a noviembre 2016 en el laboratorio de nutrición (Universidad Zamorano, Honduras). Una muestra exhaustiva fue elaborada de los diferentes alimentos ultraprocesados ofertados en los principales centros de venta de representatividad nacional. Se agruparon 520 alimentos en once categorías, según el modelo de perfil de nutrientes OPS 2016. Las etiquetas nutricionales fueron fotografiadas, revisadas y una base de datos fue creada en Excel© (Microsoft, 2010) con 28 variables (categoría, tipo, nombre, empresa, país de origen, tamaño de porción, aporte calórico, nutrientes reportados). Resultados: Los productos procedieron de 21 países y 138 empresas. El 75% de los productos totales examinados por porción presentaron exceso de azúcares, 37% sodio, 33% grasas totales y 30% contenían edulcorantes (diferentes al azúcar). El 96% de las bebidas azucaradas, chocolates, caramelos y lácteos con azúcar presentaron exceso de azúcares. El 92%, 88% y 95% de los quesos con sal añadida, embutidos y snacks contenían exceso de sodio respectivamente. El 82% de las galletas contenían exceso de azúcares y 71% de grasas. El 91% de los cereales con azúcares añadidos presentaron exceso de azúcares y 64% de sodio. Conclusiones: Regular y/o disminuir la publicidad de los alimentos ultraprocesados; implementar obligatoriamente el contenido de azúcares añadidos y adoptar el etiquetado frontal.

Sweeteners are found in all types of foods, and their high consumption is associated with chronic degenerative diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, among others. A characterization was carried out of food products with sweeteners from the three biggest supermarkets at a national level; they were identified by the list of ingredients and classified according to caloric or non-caloric intake, and pursuant to their country of origin. A statistical interpretation of results was made using descriptive measures such as the number of times the sweeteners were found in the formulation of the products and how many of them were found in a product at the same time. In total, 341 products were evaluated and classified according to the processed food categories of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) nutrient profile. The category of beverages had the highest quantity of products with sweeteners, and their consumption by the inhabitants represents a high exposure. Overall, 60.1% of the products evaluated were of US origin; these US exports have a significant impact on the Honduran market. A high-fructose corn syrup caloric sweetener was the one most frequently found in these products; at least 51% are combined with additional sweeteners to increase the sweetening effect.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the consumption of 70% cocoa dark chocolate, enriched with dehydrated blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius) and β-glucan, administered together with regular and low-fat diets, on anthropometric and biochemical parameters and dietary intake in overweight or obese individuals. Methods: A Randomized Complete Block design with 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was used, comparing four treatments during nine weeks, a Phase III case-control observational clinical study, with a population of 16 students of both sexes aged 19-23 years. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist-hip index, BMI, blood pressure, percentage of total and visceral fat), biochemical parameters (capillary glucose and fat profile: total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides), and intake record by 24-hour recall were evaluated. Results: No significant changes were observed in BMI or blood pressure. Women's waist-to-hip ratio decreased significantly in treatment 2 (P < 0.05). Triglycerides were reduced considerably in treatment 3 (P < 0.02). In the low-fat diet, calorie (P < 0.022), carbohydrate (P < 0.018), protein (P < 0.049), and sodium (P < 0.03) intakes showed significant reductions. Conclusions: Consumption of dark chocolate enriched with blackberry and β-glucans, in the context of a low-fat diet, improved cardiometabolic markers and reduced triglyceride levels and calorie, carbohydrate, protein, and sodium intake. There were no statistically significant differences in body mass index or blood pressure.