INTRODUCTION Iron deficiency is the main cause of anemia, but infections, inflammation and other factors also play a role. Anemia in women of childbearing age is a risk for pregnancy, childbirth and childhood development during the first two years of life. In Cuba, per WHO definition, anemia is a moderate public health problem in the third trimester of pregnancy and in preschoolers, with a prevalence of 21.6%, in both cases.

OBJECTIVE Estimate prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency in women of childbearing age and assess its relation to inflammation, overweight, central adiposity, H. pylori infection and ingestion of iron-rich foods and enhancers of iron absorption.

METHODS A cross-sectional, analytical study was performed in 391 women aged 18–40 years in four municipalities of Havana, Cuba, from February through June 2014. Variables (indicators in parentheses) were anemia (hemoglobin), iron deficiency (ferritin), nutritional status (body mass index and waist circumference), inflammation (C-reactive protein, acid alpha 1-glycoprotein and interleukin 6), H. pylori infection and ingestion of iron-rich foods. SPSS 20.0 and Epi Info 7.1.2.0 were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS Anemia prevalence was 24.6% (96/391); iron deficiency, 68% (266/391); H. pylori infection, 47.1% (184/391); inflammation detected by C-reactive protein, 8.4 % (33/391) and by alpha-1-glycoprotein, 19.9% (78/391). Limited results are included for interleukin 6, which was determined in fewer cases (96). Excess body weight was found in 38.7% (150/388) and increased central adiposity in 26.7% (101/378). Iron deficiency was the main cause of anemia (OR 2.68). Central adiposity, excess body weight, and iron deficiency were positively associated with inflammation (OR of 1.77, 1.23 and 1.72, respectively), whereas H. pylori infection was negatively associated with iron deficiency and anemia (OR 0.75 and 0.94, respectively). Low consumption of meat (OR 1.17) and vegetables (OR 1.36) showed discrete limited positive associations with iron deficiency, as well as low consumption of eggs (OR 1.69) and vegetables (OR 1.56) with anemia.

CONCLUSIONS Anemia is a moderate public health problem in the studied group, but with iron deficiency present in two thirds of the population and associated with anemia. Risk factors for anemia and iron deficiency, such as menorrhagia and bacterial or viral infections, should be assessed in women of childbearing age, to support interventions needed to reduce risks in pregnancy and childbirth.

KEYWORDS Anemia, iron deficiency, women, women of childbearing age, inflammation, Helicobacter pylori, obesity, adiposity, Cuba

Introduction Diet is a cornerstone of comprehensive treatment of diabetes mellitus. The macrobiotic diet is low in fat and rich in dietary fiber, vegetables and whole grains, and therefore may be a good therapeutic option.

Objective Assess the influence of the Ma-Pi 2 macrobiotic diet on physical, hematologic and biochemical variables, as well as on hypoglycemic medication, in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Materials and Methods A 6-month dietary intervention was carried out in 16 adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and poor glucide metabolism control (glycosylated hemoglobin, HbA1 >8.5%) receiving treatment at the Diabetic Care Center in Colón, Matanzas province, Cuba. The diet was prepared and served daily by macrobiotic specialists. Type and amount of food consumed and nutritional content were assessed using a weighted food-consumption survey. At onset and termination of the intervention, anthropometric and body composition variables were measured, as were biochemical (glucide and lipid metabolism) and other nutritional safety variables, and hypoglycemic drug use.

Results The diet provided sufficient energy and protein. It was low in fat, high in complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber, and provided adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals, except for vitamin B12. At 6 months, anthropometric variables were significantly lower, lean body mass was preserved, and glucide and lipid metabolism was controlled. All participants were able to eliminate insulin treatment, and 25% continued treatment with glibenclamide only. Mean total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride values dropped 16.4%, 22.7% and 37.0%, respectively, while mean HDL cholesterol rose 97.8%. Mean glycemia and HbA1 values also decreased 63.8% and 54.5%, respectively. According to lipid levels and ratios, cardiovascular risk was also considerably reduced. Hemoglobin, total protein, albumin and creatinin levels indicated that nutritional safety was maintained. There were no adverse events.

Conclusions In the 6-month intervention, the Ma-Pi 2 macrobiotic diet had a positive influence on weight control, body fat, and glucide and lipid metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Further research is needed to validate these encouraging results, particularly a clinical trial in which a control group receives the standard diet recommended for diabetic patients.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, adult, macrobiotic diet, diet therapy

Introduction Prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing worldwide in parallel with the growing burden of noncommunicable chronic diseases. According to the World Health Organization, in 2005 approximately 1.6 billion individuals aged ≥15 years were overweight and at least 400 million were obese; by 2015 these figures will almost double. Central distribution of adiposity has also been associated with higher rates of cardiovascular diseases and other conditions.

Objective Determine the prevalence of overweight, obesity and central adiposity, and their association with noncommunicable chronic diseases and related lifestyle risk factors in Cuban adults.

Methods The Second National Survey on Risk Factors and Chronic Diseases (ENFRENT II), conducted in 2000–2001, surveyed a representative sample of males and females aged ≥15 years using a stratified, multi-stage cluster sampling design. Data from a sub-sample of 19,519 individuals aged ≥20 years were analyzed and prevalence calculated for diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and for each of these variables in association with overweight, obesity and central distribution of adiposity, and with the presence of sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol consumption, eating regular daily meals and daily breakfast.

Results Estimated prevalence of overweight and obesity in the adult population was 30.8% (CI: 30.1–31.5) and 11.8% (CI: 11.2–12.4), respectively. Obesity prevalence was twice as high in women (15.4%; CI: 14.5–16.3) as in men (7.9%; CI: 7.3–8.6). Obesity was significantly more frequent in diabetics, hypertensives and people with heart disease, while central adiposity was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, hypertension, obesity and overweight. Smoking and alcohol consumption were low among overweight and obese subjects, who exhibited a higher prevalence of irregular and inadequate eating patterns.

Conclusions Prevalence of overweight, obesity and central adiposity, and comorbidity with diabetes mellitus, hypertension and heart disease, are growing public health problems in Cuba. A multi-sector strategy is needed to develop comprehensive food and nutrition policies and programs aimed at halting these trends, including interventions that encourage healthy eating patterns and regular physical activity in adults and children.

Keywords: Overweight, obesity, comorbidity, chronic disease, prevalence, nutrition disorders