Person:
Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria

Birth Date

1976-09-17

ORCID

0000-0002-4083-8401

Scopus Author ID

57243393500

Afiliación

Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador
Universidad de Cuenca, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Cuenca, Ecuador

País

Ecuador

Organizational Units

Organizational Unit

Facultad de Ciencias Médicas

La Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad de Cuenca fue creada en el año 1867, convirtiéndose en una de las facultades más antiguas. La Facultad de Ciencias Médicas es un lugar donde la pasión por la salud y el compromiso con el bienestar se fusionan para formar profesionales altamente capacitados en diversas disciplinas del área de la salud. Nos enorgullece ofrecer un amplio programa académico de calidad que abarca varias áreas importantes para el bienestar de nuestra comunidad. Ofrecemos un entorno de aprendizaje enriquecedor y vanguardista, con docentes altamente capacitados y recursos actualizados. Valoramos la vinculación con lo colectivo y la investigación científica, con compromiso social al igual que ética. Nuestros graduados son reconocidos por su excelencia y están preparados para afrontar los desafíos de un mundo en constante evolución.

Job Title

Profesor (T)

Last Name

Abril Ulloa

First Name

Sandra Victoria

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 31

Preventing overweight and obesity among preschool children: lessons learned in Cuenca, Ecuador
(2022) Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria; Romo, Matthew L; Morales Avilez, Diana Elizabeth
Introduction: Childhood overweight and obesity are major public health problems globally, including in Ecuador, and there is increasing interest in intervening as early as possible. We previously developed and evaluated a behavioural and educational intervention aiming to improve diet and physical activity habits among children at municipal preschools in Cuenca, Ecuador, after which it was implemented. Objective: To describe some of the key lessons learned in the process of intervention development, evaluation, and implementation. Methods: We conducted program evaluation using a survey questionnaire with open-ended questions with the coordinators, teachers, and kitchen staff of the preschools that participated in the intervention. Results: Human resource changes were a threat to the continued success of the intervention; therefore, these changes need to be anticipated and peer training emphasized. Careful consideration also needs to be given to impact on preschool staff workload. Teachers and other stakeholders like administrators should take ownership of the intervention and play a leadership role, distinct from that of researchers. Regarding the intervention itself, we identified that both fidelity and adaptability were critical for continued success. Conclusion: Lessons learned from our setting may be useful to inform the design, evaluation, and implementation of sustainable preschool-based interventions aiming to improve diet and physical activity habits elsewhere.
Child development and nutritional status in Ecuador
(2019) Huiracocha Tutivén, María de Lourdes; Orellana Paucar, Adriana Monserrath; Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria; Huiracocha Tutivén, Mirian Sofía; Palacios Santana, Gicela; Blume, Stuart
We assessed the development, nutritional status, and complementary feeding of 12- to 23-month-old children from Cuenca, Ecuador in 2013. Ecuador, an upper-middle-income country, developed a child policy in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. We collected cross-sectional survey data. Child development was assessed using the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness Guide–2011. The nutritional status was defined with WHO Child Growth Standards−2006. We investigated nutrient density, WHO Infant and Young Child Feeding Indicators, and nutrient supplementation intake of the complementary feeding. In all, 11.7% of children had “possible developmental delay,” stunting was identified in 29.4% of the children, and 25.3% faced overnutrition (overweight risk/overweight/obesity). The complementary feeding composition can be summarized as having adequate fat, high energy (MJ/day) and protein, and low iron and zinc. Children with “possible developmental delay” received less iron (P <.05) than children with normal development. Overall, 30.4% of children had minimum dietary diversity. A total of 47.7% of children received nutrient supplementation. This epidemiological profile of infants remains a challenge for Ecuador’s health programs.
Prevalence of overweight and obesity among 6- to 9-year-old schoolchildren in Cuenca, Ecuador: relationship with physical activity, poverty, and eating habits
(2013) Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria; Manuel-y-Keenoy, Begoña; Solà, Rosa; García, Jorge Luis; Nessier, Celeste; Rojas, Rosendo; Donoso, Silvana; Arija, Victoria
Background. The high prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is a health problem worldwide. In developing countries, we lack information on the extent of the problem and the risk factors involved. Objective. To determine the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity and of abdominal obesity, and their relationship with physical activity, poverty, and eating habits in schoolchildren in Cuenca, Ecuador. Methods. A cross-sectional survey in a representative sample (n = 743) schoolchildren aged 6 to 9 years was conducted. Overweight and obesity were detected using the International Obesity Task Force cutoffs according to body mass index (BMI), and abdominal obesity was detected according to waist circumference. Poverty, physical activity, and eating habits were assessed with validated questionnaires. Results. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity and of abdominal obesity were 26.0% and 10.6%, respectively. There were no differences between the sexes, but the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 1.5- to 2-fold higher in 9-year-old than in 6-year-old children (p < .05). Multivariate models demonstrated that higher BMI and waist circumference were significantly related to low physical activity and nonpoverty. Insufficient physical activity (in 75% of children) was associated with a 13% to 18% increased risk of overweight and obesity and abdominal obesity. Eating breakfast and eating more than three meals per day (in 96.7% and 85.9% of children, respectively) were not related to the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Eating fruits during school break was associated with a lower BMI. Conclusions. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity observed in schoolchildren increased from the ages of 6 to 9 years and was associated with insufficient physical activity and nonpoverty. Promoting physical activity and fruit consumption in school snacks should be explored as intervention measures to prevent and reduce overweight and obesity in Cuenca schoolchildren.
Prevalence of overweight and obesity among 6- to 9-year-old schoolchildren in Cuenca, Ecuador: Relationship with physical activity, poverty, and eating habits
(2013-12-01) Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria; Donoso Moscoso, Silvana Patricia; García, J.L; Rojas Reyes, Rosendo Iván
Background. The high prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is a health problem worldwide. In developing countries, we lack information on the extent of the problem and the risk factors involved. Objective. To determine the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity and of abdominal obesity, and their relationship with physical activity, poverty, and eating habits in schoolchildren in Cuenca, Ecuador. Methods. A cross-sectional survey in a representative sample (n = 743) schoolchildren aged 6 to 9 years was conducted. Overweight and obesity were detected using the International Obesity Task Force cutoffs according to body mass index (BMI), and abdominal obesity was detected according to waist circumference. Poverty, physical activity, and eating habits were assessed with validated questionnaires. Results. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity and of abdominal obesity were 26.0% and 10.6%, respectively. There were no differences between the sexes, but the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 1.5- to2-fold higher in 9-year-old than in 6-year-old children (p<.05). Multivariate models demonstrated that higher BMI and waist circumference were significantly related to low physical activity and nonpoverty. Insufficient physical activity (in 75% of children) was associated with a 13% to 18% increased risk of overweight and obesity and abdominal obesity. Eating breakfast and eating more than three meals per day (in 96.7% and 85.9% of children, respectively) were not related to the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Eating fruits during school break was associated with a lower BMI. Conclusions. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity observed in schoolchildren increased from the ages of 6 to 9 years and was associated with insufficient physical activity and nonpoverty. Promoting physical activity and fruit consumption in school snacks should be explored as intervention measures to prevent and reduce overweight and obesity in Cuenca schoolchildren. © 2013 Nevin Scrimshaw International Nutrition Foundation.
Qualitative Study of the Perceptions of Regulatory Authorities, Parents, and School Canteen Owners in the South of Ecuador about the Challenges and Facilities Related to Compliance with the National Regulation for School Canteens
(2023) Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria; Pinos Vélez, Verónica Patricia; Cabrera Ledesma, María Belén
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Ecuadorian school population continues to increase. An important factor in children's nutrition is the food offered in school canteens. The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of the challenges faced by and facilities of school canteens in the provinces of southern Ecuador in terms of complying with national regulations. For this qualitative descriptive study, semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2021 with six school canteen owners, six school directors, five health experts, and seven parents of children attending school from three provinces, Cañar, Azuay, and Morona Santiago, in Ecuador. The data were transcribed and subsequently analyzed in ATLAS ti. The participants indicated several challenges to comply with the regulations of school canteens, such as the expenses generated by them, the lack of control of street food vendors in the surroundings of the schools, and the lack of trained personnel. Regarding the facilities, they highlighted that the regulation for cleaning and hygiene are more easily fulfilled. Standards and control of the food stipend in school canteens are required to ensure a supply of healthy food for the children. Multiple challenges and strategies are proposed to improve the eating habits of the school population and to improve the nutrition of schoolchildren.
Metabolic syndrome may be associated with a lower prevalence of irondeficiency in ecuadorian women of reproductive age
(2021) Muñoz Ruiz, Melisa A.; González Zapata, Laura I.; Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria; Gaitán Charry, Diego A.
The present study aimed to assess the associations of the stages of Fe deficiency (Fe deficiency without anaemia (ID) and Fe-deficiency anaemia (IDA)) and anaemia with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Ecuadorian women. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 5894 women aged 20–59 years, based on data from the 2012 Ecuadorian National Health and Nutrition Survey. The sample was stratified by age. A χ2 test was used to assess the possible associations of ID, IDA and anaemia with MetS. The prevalence ratio (PR) for each stage of Fe deficiency and anaemia was estimated considering women without MetS as a reference. The total prevalence of MetS, ID, IDA and anaemia was 32⋅3%(SE 0⋅6), 6⋅2%(SE 0⋅3), 7⋅1%(SE 0⋅3) and 5⋅0%(SE 0⋅3), respectively. In women aged 20–29, 30–39 and 40–49 years, MetS was associated with a lower prevalence of ID (PR (95 % CI; P-value)): 0⋅17 (0⋅06, 0⋅46; P < 0⋅001), 0⋅69 (0⋅48, 0⋅99; P = 0⋅044) and 0⋅44 (0⋅29, 0⋅67; P < 0⋅001), respectively. In women aged 50–59 years, MetS was associated with IDA and anaemia (PR (95 % CI; P-value)): 0⋅12 (0⋅02, 0⋅96; P = 0⋅026) and 0⋅22 (0⋅07, 0⋅64; P = 0⋅002), respectively. In conclusion, Ecuadorian women of reproductive age with MetS have a lower prevalence of ID compared with those without MetS. Furthermore, the MetS and IDA coexist at the population level. These findings require an analysis from a dietary pattern approach, which could provide key elements for developing public policies that simultaneously address all forms of malnutrition
Mejorando la visibilidad de la publicación del sistema de educación superior de Ecuador.
(2016) Feyen, Jan; Milia Null, Matias Null; Van Hoof, Hubert B; Quinde Herrera , Karina Sandra; Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria; Bojorque Iñeguez, Jaime Asdrúbal
This article reports on a comparative study between the publication productivity of Ecuador’s leading Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) (as reported in the SCOPUS journal/proceedings database; https://www.elsevier.com/solutions/scopus) and the publication efforts of similar universities in SouthAmerica and Western Europe when those universities converted from a “teaching-only” to a “teaching and research” focus. The authors highlight the causes of Ecuador’s research and publication paucity and suggest remedial strategies which focus on adjusting the profile and activities of Ecuador’s HEIs to better meet the skills gap in the 21st century economy; economy driven by innovation and knowledge. The article proposes that Ecuador’s HEIs make teaching collaborative and more affordable, stimulate faculty to examine society-relevant problems in teams, educate and encourage faculty to publish in peer-reviewed journals and enhance effectiveness and efficiency so that a stronger teaching-researchservice nexus emerges; all even though Ecuador has entered a period of economic hardship with dwindling funds for higher education.
Ensuring traceability and Orchestration in the food supply chain
(Springer, 2020) Espinoza Mejía, Jorge Mauricio; Saquicela Galarza, Víctor Hugo; Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria
Ensure traceability and orchestration of the participants in the food supply chain can help improve the food production and reduce the distribution of unsafe or low-quality products. This article provides some insights about the design of a high-level architecture to support a semantic blockchain platform that ensures traceability and orchestration of the food systems. The design involves two layers that cover: (a) the decentralized orchestration of the participants, (b) the semantic modeling of the data and processes involved, and (c) the storage and integrity of the data. To deal with the platform design, it is analyzed the operation and attributes of the food supply chain management and it is discussed how the combination of Semantic and Blockchain technologies can address the platform features.
Compra y consumo de alimentos después del confinamiento por la pandemia de COVID-19: percepciones de adultos en Cuenca, Ecuador
(2022) Morocho Pillco, Gladys Carolina; Mendez Criollo, Maria Estefani; Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria; Espinoza Mejía, Jorge Mauricio
lntroduction: The COVID-19 pandemic shocked the world population causing changes in eating habits, food purchase and consumption, physical activity, emotional state, among others, due to the economic impact and the measures applied to prevent the virus's spread. Objective: To analyze the adult's perception about the food purchase, consumption, and preparation, practiced after the confinement by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was carried out. Twenty adults from the urban and rural areas of Cuenca participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until saturation. They were transcribed verbatim and analyzed manually. Results: Food purchase and consumption have changed from the confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. AII participants indicated that they had difficulty accessing food due to their low purchasing power. Participants from rural areas had access to natural foods of their own crops. Conclusions: The participants in general had difficulties accessing food with good nutritional quality, which could worsen the situation of food insecurity that existed in Ecuador befare the Pandemic. More studies are necessary to generate strategies focused on improving the food situation of the population at the local and national levels.
Corrigendum to “Eating healthy”: distrust of expert nutritional knowledge among elderly adults [Appetite 165 (1 October 2021) 105289] (Appetite (2021) 165, (S0195666321001963), (10.1016/j.appet.2021.105289))
(2022) Suarez Ontaneda, Maka; Abril Ulloa, Sandra Victoria; Torres Carrasco, Maria Elissa; Encalada Torres, Lorena Esperanza; Kuritzky, Amy; Morales Avilez, Diana Elizabeth
The authors regret to inform that the affiliation of the author María Elissa Torres is wrong, she made this research and writing as part of Universidad de Cuenca, in Cuenca, Ecuador not in UDLA, Quito, Ecuador as it is published. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.