Publications by authors named "Carlos Fernandez-Escobar"

Article Synopsis
  • - The study analyzed trends in urinary tract infection (UTI) hospitalizations in Spain from 2000 to 2015, focusing on adults aged 18-65, using data from the Spanish Hospitalization Minimum Data Set with ICD-9 codes.
  • - Results showed 259,804 UTI hospitalizations, with pyelonephritis being the most common type among women, while non-specific UTIs were more prevalent in men. Hospital stays and costs were higher for men, with overall mortality being slightly higher for non-specific UTIs.
  • - The findings indicate an overall increase in hospitalizations related to UTIs, especially in men aged 50-64, with notable trends such as increasing rates of non-specific UT
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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the relationship between light smoking (consuming a few cigarettes daily) and overall mortality in Spain, using data from over 42,000 individuals.
  • Findings indicate that light smokers (1-2 or 3-5 cigarettes a day) have a significantly higher risk of mortality compared to never smokers, with hazard ratios reflecting increased risk as cigarette consumption rises.
  • The researchers emphasize the need for public awareness initiatives to inform people about the serious health risks associated with even minimal tobacco use, challenging the perception that light smoking is safe.
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Objective: Although food environments have been highlighted as potentially effective targets to improve population diets, evidence on Mediterranean food environments is lacking. We examined differences in food availability and affordability in Madrid (Spain) by store type and area-level socio-economic status (SES).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

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Objective: Unhealthy diet is the main contributor to childhood obesity. The aim of this study was to assess adherence to the mediterranean diet in a sample of adolescents and analyse adherence-related factors.

Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study (June-October 2020), in a non-probabilistic sample of 473 patients with Substance Use Disorder, from the 8 Addiction Care Centers (CAD) of the Madrid City Council.

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(1) Background: Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages are an effective public health intervention, but can be difficult to implement in the absence of public support. This is the first study to analyze the Spanish population’s support for a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. (2) Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of the Spanish adult population (n = 1002), using a computer-aided telephone interview with a questionnaire on nutritional policies.

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Background: The World Health Organisation urges countries to levy specific excise taxes on SSBs. Currently, more than 50 countries have introduced some type of tax on SSBs. In March 2017, the Autonomous Region of Catalonia approved the introduction of a tiered excise tax on SSBs for public health reasons.

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Introduction: The HAVISA plan is a Spanish government's policy for the promotion of healthy lifestyles via health messages in television food advertisements. This study evaluated the positive or negative impact (health halo effect) of health messages on food choices and predisposition towards healthy habits of Spanish adolescents.

Methods: Randomized controlled study in 11-14 years old adolescents.

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The Nutrition Environment Measures Surveys are valid and reliable measures of community and consumer food environments. This article describes the adaptation and evaluation of the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey in Stores (NEMS-S) for Mediterranean urban contexts (NEMS-S-MED). Trained raters used the adapted NEMS-S-MED tool to observe and rate food outlets in 21 census tracts and 43 food stores across the city of Madrid, Spain.

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Background: Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is contributing to the obesity epidemic. On 28 March 2017, Catalonia enacted a law levying an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages for public health reasons. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the tax on the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in Catalonia (Spain).

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Introduction: In Spain, one third of all children and two-thirds of adults suffer from excess weight, a condition that generates a direct excess medical cost of 2000 million Euros. Obesogenic food environments cause obesity by promoting the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed foods. Accordingly, we propose five priority policies capable of reversing the epidemic of obesity and related non-communicable diseases through the creation of healthy food environments.

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Restricting children's exposures to marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages is a global obesity prevention priority. Monitoring marketing exposures supports informed policymaking. This study presents a global overview of children's television advertising exposure to healthy and unhealthy products.

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