The role played by specialists from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional is crucial in contributing to reducing the obesity figures that impact life expectancy.
Claudia Villalobos
Obesity is a multifactorial disease influenced by factors such as biology, genetic predisposition, mental health, the environment, and access to ultra-processed foods, among others. Therefore, the willpower of individuals is often insufficient to maintain a healthy weight; it often requires the guidance and comprehensive support of professionals to help them adopt healthy lifestyles.
To address this issue and contribute to reducing the prevalence of this chronic degenerative disease, the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) offers the Specialization in Nutritional Management of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome at the Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias de la Salud (CICS), Milpa Alta Unit. Through this program, professionals are trained with a solid understanding of the prevention, control, and treatment of these health conditions based on biochemical analysis and the physiological characteristics of patients.
The specialization aims to equip graduates with the necessary skills to design customized meal plans tailored to individuals' height, daily activities, medical history, and specific bodily needs.
Dr. Jocelyn Madrigal Acevedo, Ph.D., coordinator of this postgraduate program, pointed out that during the two semesters of specialization, students receive highly specific training in obesity and metabolic syndrome to provide comprehensive, timely care with a focus on improving people's quality of life.
A notable feature of all the programs offered at CICS Milpa Alta, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, is their focus on serving vulnerable populations. As a result, specialists-in-training participate in the development and implementation of community programs for nutritional management, emphasizing the timely identification of population risk factors for the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome.
"Through community care, it is possible to provide comprehensive approaches to populations near the center, located in the southern part of Mexico City, as well as in the states of Morelos and Mexico. It is a very meticulous task because each patient undergoes an analysis of their body composition to determine percentages of fat, muscle, and bone density. Additionally, clinical studies are conducted to assess their overall health and identify conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia," Dr. Madrigal Acevedo explained.
With all this data, along with the patient's medical history and information about their meal times, food preferences, physical activity, height, age, body weight, and any medical treatments they may be undergoing, a personalized plan is created to improve their quality of life and overall health.
Although these community practices last about three weeks, continuity of treatment and patient follow-up are ensured, even if not with the same specialists, to ensure adherence to lifestyle changes.
"As part of community care programs, CICS Milpa Alta recently signed an agreement with the municipality of Juchitepec, in the State of Mexico, to contribute to the comprehensive health care of the residents of that municipality," mentioned the nutritionist from the Politécnico."
To provide comprehensive care, well-prepared and specialized educators are needed to equip students with the competencies required. The relationship between obesity and mental health is extremely complex. Many people with this disease may develop depression, so psychological and nutritional care must go hand in hand.
Furthermore, for someone who has had inappropriate eating habits throughout their life, it is a significant effort to learn how to eat according to the food groups and based on any underlying health conditions they may have. That's why they need guidance from specialists, who are in turn trained by diabetes educators to teach them how to adjust their diet, meal times, and pharmacological treatment for patients.
Meanwhile, experts in psychonutrition provide students with the necessary knowledge to offer psychological support and design specific meal plans in line with patients' comorbidities and the type of physical activity they require. Psychonutrition also focuses on studying people's affinity for different types of foods and identifying emotions and product choices individuals make based on their moods.
According to the World Obesity Federation (WOF), Mexico ranked an unfortunate fifth in obesity worldwide in 2022. This condition, along with overweight, leads to chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes, fatty liver, and hypertension.
Therefore, this postgraduate program requires committed professionals because prescribing a meal plan to individuals is not enough; various variables must be considered to achieve the desired goal. Designing a balanced diet is of no use if it does not take into account the patients' medical conditions, emotions, and appropriate physical activity. "All variables are closely related, and that's why the role played by the specialists trained at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional is crucial," warned Dr. Madrigal Acevedo.
Debido a que la investigación es un factor muy importante que se refleja en el fortalecimiento de la preparación, el CICS Milpa Alta cuenta con proyectos enfocados al estudio de la diabetes y el síndrome metabólico.
Since research is a crucial factor that enhances education, CICS Milpa Alta has projects focused on the study of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Currently, the Research and Postgraduate Office supports three projects aimed at strengthening students' education: Identification of risk factors associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome; Innovation and development of clinical nutritional management plans for patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome, as well as the Development and implementation of measures and epidemiological control programs for obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Students apply their knowledge through internships at the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ) and the Municipal DIF of Juchitepec. Currently, CICS Milpa Alta maintains collaboration with specialists from the University of Guadalajara and the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav).
Additionally, efforts will be made to encourage students to undertake internships abroad to strengthen their education and simultaneously ensure that their contributions extend to other regions where this specialization either does not exist or is in its infancy.
Selección Gaceta Politécnica #165. (August 31st, 2023). IPN Imagen Institucional: Read the full magazine in Spanish here
INSTITUTO POLITÉCNICO NACIONAL
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