Browsing by Author "Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria"

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Comportamiento alimentario y actividad física en niños de 3-4 años del municipio.
(2018) Espinoza Coello, Pamela Monserrath; Velásquez Ortíz, María del Carmen; Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria; Orellana Paucar, Adriana Monserrath
Background: The preschool stage is the starting point in the creation of habits that will be present in the future, so we must observe the places where the behavior of children develops. General Aim: Observe the eating behavior and physical activity in 3-4 year old children of the Municipal Child Development Centers of the city of Cuenca (CDIs). Methodology: A mixed study was carried out, the qualitative inductive part was developed through non-participatory observations to preschoolers and their educators, analyzing their eating behavior and physical activity. 9 interviews were carried out with the kitchen staff of the CDIs to explore the practices that influence the eating behavior and quality of the menu. The descriptive quantitative study was carried out using a validated dietary quality questionnaire. Results: It was observed that children at the table behave according to the interaction of educators who use strategies to consume the preparations. It was observed that preschoolers do not comply with the recommendation of physical activity and have a prolonged sleep time after lunch. In the interviews, it was found that each CDI carries their organization, and they modify the menu according to several reasons, some of which provide benefits and other disadvantages. The quality of the menus according to the COMES questionnaire was acceptable to improvable. Conclutions: Preschoolers consume three meal times in the CDIs. For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the factors that influence the eating behavior and physical activity.
Consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados y su relación con la inseguridad alimentaria, estrés percibido y calidad de la dieta en mujeres gestantes de 19 a 45 años que acuden a Centros de Salud Tipo B y C de la ciudad de Cuenca - Ecuador, 2025
(Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, 2026-02-27) Cabrera Tapia, Jessenia Anabel; Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria
Background: The increased consumption of ultra-processed foods in recent years has contributed to overweight, obesity, and different chronic diseases, especially during pregnancy. In Ecuador, many pregnant women experience malnutrition due to both low and excessive calorie intake, which increases the risk of complications for the mother and the fetus and can affect diet quality during pregnancy. Objective: To determine the relationship between the consumption of ultra-processed foods, food insecurity, perceived stress, and diet quality in pregnant women aged 19 to 45 years in the city of Cuenca. Methods: This was a crosssectional and analytical study conducted in Type B and C Health Centers in Cuenca. The sample included 305 pregnant women. Surveys and questionnaires were used to assess the consumption of ultra-processed foods, food insecurity, perceived stress, and diet quality. Results: The population was mainly composed of single, unemployed women with basic educational levels. Pre-pregnancy nutritional status showed malnutrition due to excess, with a predominance of overweight and obesity. In addition, 48.9% presented food insecurity, 99% reported high perceived stress, and 55.4% required changes in diet quality. A significant association was found between the consumption of ultra-processed foods, food insecurity, perceived stress, and diet quality. Conclusion: The consumption of ultra-processed foods in pregnant women is related to food insecurity, perceived stress, and lower diet quality.
Descripción del estado nutricional, hábitos alimentarios, actividad física y ambientes alimentarios en niños que asisten a 7 escuelas fiscales del cantón Cuenca 2025
(Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, 2026-03-02) Ramón Pizarro, Steven Josué; Alarcón Duy, Ronny Damian; Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria
Background: Rates of childhood malnutrition continue to increase; these alterations in nutritional status represent a multidimensional and multifactorial problem determined by dietary habits, physical activity, and the little-studied school food environment. Objective: To describe nutritional status, dietary habits, physical activity, and food environments in children attending seven public schools in the canton of Cuenca in 2025. Methods: Nutritional status was assessed through anthropometric measurements including weight, height, and waist circumference; body composition was evaluated using the bioelectrical impedance device InBody 120; dietary habits were described using a school-based questionnaire; physical activity was assessed using the APALQ questionnaire; and food environments were evaluated with a validated instrument. Results: Overweight and obesity were observed in 40.5% of the child population, with differences in body composition according to sex and age. Females showed a greater but non-progressive increase in fat mass, whereas males exhibited a greater and progressive increase in musculoskeletal mass. Dietary habits revealed a high consumption of sweets and carbonated beverages. Differences were observed in the origin of snacks: children who purchased food selected mainly processed products, while those who brought food from home consumed fruits, water, and dairy products. A total of 27.5% of the population was sedentary. Food environments differed by area: street food stalls were more common around rural schools, while restaurants predominated in urban areas, with unhealthy foods prevailing. Conclusions: The population showed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, frequent consumption of processed foods, sedentary behavior, and school environments characterized by a predominance of unhealthy food options.