In studies of function transformation, participants initially are taught to match stimuli in the presence of a contextual cue, X; the stimuli to be matched bear some formal relation to each other, for example, a relation of opposition or difference. In a second phase, the participants are taught to match arbitrary stimuli (say, A and B) in the presence of X. In a final test, A often displays behavioral functions that differ from those of B, and can be predicted from the nature of the relation associated with X in the initial training phase. Here we report function-transformation effects in the absence of selection responses and of their reinforcers. In three experiments with college students, exposure to relations of difference or identity modified the responses given to later stimuli. In Experiment 1, responses to a test stimulus A varied depending on preexposure to pairs of colors that were distinct from A but exemplified relations of difference or identity. In Experiment 2, a stimulus A acquired distinct functions, depending on its previous pairing with a contextual cue X that had itself been paired with identity or difference among colors. Experiment 3 confirmed the results of Experiment 2 with a modified design. Our data are consistent with the notion that relations of identity or difference can serve as stimuli for Pavlovian processes, and, in compound with other cues, produce apparent function-transformation effects.

Ischemic heart disease and stroke are two main causes of death that have prevailed for more than 15 years. Dyslipidemia and its parameters like hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, increase in low-density cholesterol, and a reduction of high-density cholesterol have been related with heart disease and risk of stroke. Approaches to improve the health and specifically reduce the risk of heart disease, such as medications and dietary interventions have been effective, but there are other potential sources of biological compounds that could have an effect due to their antioxidant properties. Avocado is a commonly consumed fruit especially its pulp, while the peel, seed, and leaf are usually discarded as waste. Some researchers have reported antioxidant, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, lipid-lowering, and hypoglycemic effects in these wastes. In this review article, we have summarized the current evidence on the effect of biological compounds from avocado waste on dyslipidemia parameters in preclinical models. Also, we have included the compound extracted and the extraction method from the selected articles.

The present work provides a review of the basis and development of the study and research on feeding behavior (FB). Initial contributions and those that gave identity to this field are highlighted. Among them, the behavior is approached as an essential mean to maintain the state of balance in the organisms, as well as the role of learning as a determinant of food preference, selection and consumption. Subsequently, are presented the arguments that establish FB as an element that integrate the knowledge related to feeding generated by other areas of science. Finally, are stated the main challenges for academics dedicated to the study and research of FB and the role of education on food and nutrition as an optimal solution for food problems. Resumen El presente trabajo expone una revisión de las raíces y el desarrollo del estudio e investigación sobre comportamiento alimentario (CA). Se destacan las aportaciones iniciales y algunas otras que le han venido dotando de identidad a esta área de estudio. Entre ellas, el señalamiento de la conducta como medio indispensable para mantener el estado de equilibrio en los organismos, y el papel del aprendizaje como determinante de la preferencia, la selección y el consumo de alimento. Posteriormente se presentan los argumentos que establecen al CA como elemento integrador del conocimiento que sobre alimentación han generado otras áreas de la ciencia. Finalmente se puntualizan los principales retos a enfrentar por parte de los académicos dedicados al estudio e investigación sobre CA, y se pondera el papel de la educación en alimentación y nutrición como la solución óptima a las problemáticas alimentarias.

Appetitive traits are important behavioural characteristics affecting eating and body composition. Ghrelin and leptin are two key hormones regulating appetite and metabolism. Recent studies have reported the presence of autoantibodies (autoAbs) directed to ghrelin and leptin in healthy individuals as well as affinity alterations in eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and hyperphagic obesity. Nevertheless, the relationship of these autoAbs with appetitive traits is unknown. The goals of this exploratory study were to analyze circulating IgG autoAbs reacting to ghrelin and leptin and evaluate their relationship with body composition parameters and appetitive traits. This cross-sectional study included 180 young subjects (20 ± 2 years) that underwent body composition evaluation. Seven appetitive traits were assessed with AEBQ-Esp and were classified as low-score or high-score. A validated in-house ELISA test was performed to measure IgG ghrelin and leptin-reactive autoAbs in its free, total, and immune complexes fractions. Free IgG ghrelin-reactive were significantly higher in women than in men. Immune complexes of IgG-ghrelin were positively correlated with waist-hip ratio in the total cohort. In women, free IgG leptin-reactive were positively correlated with body fat percentage and waist-hip ratio, whereas in men, immune complexes of IgG-leptin were positively correlated with body fat percentage. Women with a low-score for 'enjoyment of food', exhibited higher levels of IgG ghrelin-reactive autoAbs on its free form than the high-score group. Men with a high-score for 'emotional undereating' had higher levels of free IgG leptin-reactive autoAbs than the low-score group. The correlation of these autoAbs with anthropometric parameters and appetitive traits in young subjects support its role as carriers and modulators of the biologic functions of ghrelin and leptin and suggest a novel role in eating behaviour through appetitive traits.

El aumento del consumo de bebidas endulzadas como los refrescos o gaseosas, jugos, leches saborizadas y bebidas energéticas, han sido relacionadas con la prevalencia de sobrepeso, obesidad y enfermedades metabólicas a nivel mundial. Por lo cual, se han establecido diversas estrategias con el objetivo de disminuir su consumo. El objetivo de la presente revisión fue analizar las estrategias aplicadas para la disminución del consumo de bebidas endulzadas. Se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos PubMed y Science Direct, identificando 192 artículos potenciales, de los cuales se excluyeron 184, analizando 8 investigaciones en esta revisión. Se identificaron diversas técnicas utilizadas para la disminución del consumo de bebidas endulzadas, enfocadas en la modificación del comportamiento alimentario, en las cuales se propone considerar los múltiples factores que influyen en el consumo alimentario, para establecer estrategias multidisciplinarias que tengan como eje central trabajar en la promoción de la educación nutricional, para garantizar una mejor selección y consumo alimentario en la población.

El gasto energético total (GET) tiene tres componentes: el gasto basal, el gasto por actividad física (GAF) y la termogénesis inducida por la dieta (TID). Este último, aunque representa alrededor del 10% del GET, al ser alterado, podría tener efectos a largo plazo sobre el peso corporal. Diferentes factores han mostrado influir sobre la TID, entre ellos la composición de la dieta. Sin embargo, otros factores como la frecuencia y los horarios de alimentación han sido investigados por su papel en la alteración de la TID. Esta revisión sistemática analiza las investigaciones respecto a la frecuencia y los horarios de alimentación y su efecto sobre la TID en humanos. Se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos PubMed y Web of Science, que dio como resultado un total de 542 artículos potenciales. De ellos, se excluyeron 528 en concordancia con los criterios de inclusión, utilizando 14 artículos para esta revisión sistemática. Aunque los resultados son aún incipientes, destacan el efecto de los ritmos circadianos con un incremento de la TID en respuesta a las ingestas matutinas en comparación con las nocturnas, un incremento en la TID posterior a la implementación de frecuencias regulares de alimentación y disminución de la TID posterior a las frecuencias variables. Por último, se observó una tendencia a incremento en la TID cuando los periodos interprandiales son iguales o mayores a dos horas y a disminución cuando son menores. Estos resultados señalan un área de investigación con potencial terapéutico en la prevención y el control del sobrepeso y la obesidad.