XX Latin American Nutrition Congress, October 21-26, 2023 – Cuenca, Ecuador

IBERO

26 de June de 2024

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During the XX Latin American Congress on Nutrition, held from October 21 to 26, 2023, in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador, the Maternal and Child Observatory (OMI) organized two fundamental symposia under the leadership of Dr. Mónica Ancira Moreno.

The first symposium,

Titled ‘Quality of Maternal and Child Nutritional Care at the Primary Level: Methodological Implications and Results in Mexico,’ the first symposium was a space where various crucial aspects were addressed. Mtra. Elizabeth Hoyos Loya shared her experience in the methodology used for developing quality indicators in primary maternal and child care. Meanwhile, Mtra. Soraya Burrola Méndez,

researcher, presented the challenges in the prevention and management of malnutrition during pregnancy. Additionally, there were valuable contributions, such as that of Mtro. Matthias Sasche from UNICEF Mexico, who discussed the quality levels in nutritional care to promote breastfeeding at the primary level.

Likewise, Dr. Mónica Mazariegos from the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) emphasized the urgent need to monitor, evaluate, and promote the growth and development of children under 5 years of age at this level of care.

As a result of this symposium, fundamental recommendations were issued, emphasizing the need to intervene at the units to improve and strengthen the capacities of health personnel, with the aim of preventing, diagnosing, and treating any form of malnutrition in pregnant women and children under five years of age.

On the other hand, in the symposium titled ‘Public Policy Recommendations to Combat Maternal-Child Malnutrition from a Perspective of Equity, Sustainability, and Life Course: Analysis and Proposals from the Maternal-Infant Observatory,’ the collaboration of researchers from the Institute for Research and Development with Equity at the Universidad Iberoamericana and the National Institute of Public Health was highlighted. Dr. Sonia Hernández Cordero, a researcher from EQUIDE, began the discussions by presenting the topic of regulating the marketing of commercial infant formulas in digital media. Subsequently, Dr. Mauricio Hernández Fernández, a researcher from EQUIDE, delved into the influence of the food environment on the rising prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity. Meanwhile, Dr. Pablo Gaitán Rossi, director of EQUIDE, addressed concerns related to water insecurity in households with children and its impact on maternal-child malnutrition.

Additionally, Dr. Eric Alejandro Monterrubio Flores, a researcher from INSP, presented the topic of low birth weight and prematurity as persistent public health issues. Dr. Gustavo Cediel from the University of Antioquia participated as a commentator, providing valuable reflections and concluding remarks for the panel.

These symposiums served as a key platform for exchanging knowledge, ideas, and proposals to address the challenges of maternal-child malnutrition from a comprehensive and multidisciplinary perspective.