Triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses percentiles and cut-offs for overweight and obesity in a population-based sample of schoolchildren in Bogota, Colombia

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to establish a Colombian smoothed centile charts and LMS tables for tríceps, subscapular and sum tríceps+subscapular skinfolds; appropriate cut-offs were selected using receiver operating characteristic analysis based in a populationbased sample of schoolchildren in Bogota, Colombia and to compare them with international studies. METHODS: A total of 9 618 children and adolescents attending public schools in Bogota, Colombia (55.7% girls; age range of 9–17.9 years). Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, triceps and subscapular skinfold measurements were obtained using standardized methods. We have calculated tríceps+subscapular skinfold (T+SS) sum. Smoothed percentile curves for triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness were derived by the LMS method. Receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) analyses were used to evaluate the optimal cut-off point of tríceps, subscapular and sum tríceps+subscapular skinfolds for overweight and obesity based on the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) definitions. Data were compared with international studies. RESULTS: Subscapular, triceps skinfolds and T+SS were significantly higher in girls than in boys (P <0.001). The median values for triceps, subscapular as well as T+SS skinfold thickness increased in a sex-specific pattern with age. The ROC analysis showed that subscapular, triceps skinfolds and T+SS have a high discrimination power in the identification of overweight and obesity in the sample population in this study. Based on the raw non-adjusted data, we found that Colombian boys and girls had high triceps and subscapular skinfolds values than their counterparts from Spain, UK, German and US. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide sex- and age-specific normative reference standards for the triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness values in a large, population-based sample of 3 schoolchildren and adolescents from an Latin-American population. By providing LMS tables for Latin-American people based on Colombian reference data, we hope to provide quantitative tools for the study of obesity and its complications.

Análisis de la respuesta de los gobiernos locales a la complejización del sistema internacional. caso :creación del Ministerio de Relaciones Internacionales de Quebec (1967-1985)

Las relaciones internacionales se han intensificado y expandido con los avances tecnológicos derivados de las dos Guerras Mundiales en el siglo XX. Esto se ha manifestado a través de la globalización, que complejiza las dinámicas de los actores internacionales. Los gobiernos locales hacen parte de estos actores que comienzan a internacionalizarse para responder a los retos y oportunidades que ofrecen estas nuevas dinámicas internacionales. Este análisis pretende explicar por qué los gobiernos locales responden a la complejización del Sistema Internacional desarrollando una política exterior local o "paradiplomacia". Para ilustrar esta explicación, se plantea el ejemplo de la creación del Ministerio de Relaciones Internacionales de Quebec, a partir de un proceso iniciado en el Ministerio de Asuntos Intergubernamentales, en el periodo entre 1967 y 1985.

The construction of plurinational territory. Bolivia from 1960 to 2010

As a result of a set of public policies and of the emergence of various social movements as of 1952 and especially in the years 1994 to 2006, Bolivia has known one of the most important processes of territorial restructuring and re organization of all its state structures. This article tackles the specific characteristics of the major transformations of the country in a period of more than 50 years; a period that led to the rise of what is now called the "Plurinational State of Bolivia". This is done by analyzing the most important effects of certain public policies implemented between 1950 and 2010.

La influencia de la explotación petrolera en la (re)configuración territorial de Tauramena. 1990-2000

El objetivo de este estudio de caso es indagar sobre la influencia de la explotación petrolera en la (re)configuración territorial del municipio de Tauramena, desde el concepto de (re)configuración territorial que fue construido desde la conceptualización del espacio de Doreen Massey y Milton Santos. Para la realización de esta investigación se apela a fuentes primarias, constituidas principalmente por entrevistas a habitantes de Tauramena y visitas de campo. Como fuentes secundarias, se acudió a la revisión bibliográfica y cartográfica del municipio. Esta metodología permitirá diagnosticar y profundizar en dos de las variables que modificaron la configuración territorial del municipio: la migración y las regalías.

Small-area variation in health care affecting the choice of cesarean delivery: the case of a Colombian health insurer

In the midst of health care reform, Colombia has succeeded in increasing health insurance coverage and the quality of health care. In spite of this, efficiency continues to be a matter of concern, and small-area variations in health care are one of the plausible causes of such inefficiencies. In order to understand this issue, we use individual data of all births from a Contributory-Regimen insurer in Colombia. We perform two different specifications of a multilevel logistic regression model. Our results reveal that hospitals account for 20% of variation on the probability of performing cesarean sections. Geographic area only explains 1/3 of the variance attributable to the hospital. Furthermore, some variables from both demand and supply sides are found to be also relevant on the probability of undergoing cesarean sections. This paper contributes to previous research by using a hierarchical model and by defining hospitals as cluster. Moreover, we also include clinical and supply induced demand variables.

Does uncertainty cause inertia in decision making? An experimental study of the role of regret aversion and indecisiveness

Previous research has shown that often there is clear inertia in individual decision making---that is, a tendency for decision makers to choose a status quo option. I conduct a laboratory experiment to investigate two potential determinants of inertia in uncertain environments: (i) regret aversion and (ii) ambiguity-driven indecisiveness. I use a between-subjects design with varying conditions to identify the effects of these two mechanisms on choice behavior. In each condition, participants choose between two simple real gambles, one of which is the status quo option. I find that inertia is quite large and that both mechanisms are equally important.