Sodium and potassium excretion and its association with cardiovascular disorders in Mexican adults.

Worldwide, as well as in Mexico, the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hypertension is the main risk factor for CVD; about 50% of the adult population suffers from this condition. High sodium (Na) intake combined with low potassium (K) intake can trigger cardiovascular disorders such as high blood pressure (BP).

Self-reported decreases in the purchases of selected unhealthy foods resulting from the implementation of warning labels in Mexican youth and adult population.

Background: Front-of-package nutritional warning labels (WLs) are designed to facilitate identification and selection of healthier food choices. We assessed self-reported changes in purchasing different types of unhealthy foods due to WLs in Mexico and the association between the self-reported reductions in purchases of sugary beverages and intake of water and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Methods: Data came from 14 to 17 year old youth (n = 1,696) and adults ≥ 18 (n = 7,775) who participated in the Mexican arm of the 2020-2021 International Food Policy Study, an annual repeat cross-sectional online survey.

Self-reported decreases in the purchases of selected unhealthy foods resulting from the implementation of warning labels in Mexican youth and adult population.

Background: Front-of-package nutritional warning labels (WLs) are designed to facilitate identification and selection of healthier food choices. We assessed self-reported changes in purchasing different types of unhealthy foods due to WLs in Mexico and the association between the self-reported reductions in purchases of sugary beverages and intake of water and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Methods: Data came from 14-17 year old youth (n=1,696) and adults ≥18 (n=7,775) who participated in the Mexican arm of the 2020-2021 International Food Policy Study, an annual repeat cross-sectional online survey.

Modelling the impact of sodium intake on cardiovascular disease mortality in Mexico.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the main cause of death in Mexico, while high blood pressure is suffered by about half of the adult population. Sodium intake is one of the main risk factors for these diseases. The Mexican adult population consumes about 3.

Effective and Scalable Interventions to Reduce Sodium Intake: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose Of Review: High-sodium intake is a main risk factor for increased blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Reducing sodium intake at the population level is one of the most cost-effective strategies to address this. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis are to examine data from recent studies that measure the effectiveness and scalability of interventions aimed at reducing sodium intake at both the population and individual level.

Perception and Understanding of Guideline Daily Amount and Warning Labeling among Mexican Adults during the Law Modification Period.

Front-of-pack labeling (FOPL) is a tool that enables consumers to compare foods and select healthier options. Due to low understanding of the Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) labeling among Mexicans, a law was implemented in October 2020 that modified the FOPL to a warning labeling (WL) system. The purpose of this study was to compare the perception and understanding of GDA and WL during the law modification period.

Objective understanding of front of pack warning labels among Mexican children of public elementary schools. A randomized experiment.

Background: Warning Labels (WL) highlight excessive amounts of critical nutrients in order to discourage consumption of unhealthful packaged food products. This study aimed to evaluate among Mexican school children, the objective understanding of traditional and numeric WL (aimed at small products) considered by the Mexican regulation, and whether cartoon characters influenced the understanding of WL. We also tested some communication strategies to facilitate the correct use of the WL.

Evaluation of the Mexican warning label nutrient profile on food products marketed in Mexico in 2016 and 2017: A cross-sectional analysis.

Background: Different nutrient profiles (NPs) have been developed in Latin America to assess the nutritional quality of packaged food products. Recently, the Mexican NP was developed as part of the new warning label regulation implemented in 2020, considering 5 warning octagons (calories, sugar, sodium, saturated fats, and trans fats) and 2 warning rectangles (caffeine and non-nutritive sweeteners). The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the Mexican NP and other NPs proposed or used in Latin America against the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) model.

Reducing Sodium Consumption in Mexico: A Strategy to Decrease the Morbidity and Mortality of Cardiovascular Diseases.

Hypertension (HTN) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are important public health problems in Mexico. High sodium intake is linked to high blood pressure and increased risk of developing CVD. International organizations suggest consuming <2 g of sodium/day; however, the Mexican population consumes amounts above what is recommended: 3.

Comprehensive evaluation of Salud Escolar a health school program in Mexico: Rationale, design and methods.

The prevalence of obesity and overweight in Mexican children and adolescents is high (greater than 30%) and lifestyle behaviors are far from achieving health recommendations. Salud Escolar is a complex cross-sectoral multi-level policy-based program in Mexico aiming to support schoolchildren healthy behaviors. We describe the rationale, design and methods for the comprehensive evaluation of Salud Escolar during its first phase of implementation.

Dietary Sodium and Potassium Intake: Data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2016.

Population studies have demonstrated an association between sodium and potassium intake and blood pressure levels and lipids. The aim of this study was to describe the dietary intake and contribution of sodium and potassium to the Mexican diet, and to describe its association with nutrition status and clinical characteristics. We analyzed a national survey with 4219 participants.

The impact of a cartoon character on adults perceptions of Children's breakfast cereals: a randomized experiment.

Background: Cartoon characters on processed food packaging increase the perception of product preference among children, but their effect among adults has rarely been examined. We evaluated the effect of a cartoon character on breakfast cereals on beliefs about buying them for children, as well as whether demographic characteristics modified this effect.

Methods: An experimental study was conducted with adults from online consumer panels in Mexico (n = 3755).

Impact of front-of-pack nutrition labels on consumer purchasing intentions: a randomized experiment in low- and middle-income Mexican adults.

Background: Front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labeling is a cost-effective strategy to help consumers make informed and healthier food choices. We aimed to investigate the effect of the FOP labels used in the Latin American region on consumers' shopping intentions when prompted to make their choices with specific nutrients-to-limit in mind among low- and middle-income Mexican adults (> 18 y).

Methods: In this experimental study of an online simulated shopping situation participants (n = 2194) were randomly assigned to one of three labeling conditions: Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA), Multiple Traffic Lights (MTL), or red Warning Labels (WL).

Acceptability and understanding of front-of-pack nutritional labels: an experimental study in Mexican consumers.

Background: Front-of-package labelling is a cost-effective strategy to help consumers make healthier choices and informed food purchases. The effect of labels is mediated by consumer understanding and acceptability of the label. We compared the acceptability and understanding of labels used in Latin-America among low- and middle-income Mexican adults.

Front-of-pack nutritional labels: Understanding by low- and middle-income Mexican consumers.

Front-of-pack labeling is a cost-effective strategy to decrease population consumption of sodium, sugar, saturated fat, total fat, and trans-fatty acids, considered critical nutrients for chronic disease. Our main objective was to explore the subjective understanding of labels that are currently used internationally among low- and middle-income Mexican consumers. We performed two phases of 10 focus groups with adolescents (13-15 y), young adults (21-23 y), mothers of children 3-12 y, fathers of children 3-12 y and older adults (55-70 y).

Comparative Analysis of the Classification of Food Products in the Mexican Market According to Seven Different Nutrient Profiling Systems.

Nutrient profiling systems (NPS) are used around the world. In some countries, the food industry participates in the design of these systems. We aimed to compare the ability of various NPS to identify processed and ultra-processed Mexican products containing excessive amounts of critical nutrients.