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BACKGROUND: Food environments are crucial for promoting healthy and sustainable eating and preventing obesity. However, existing food environment frameworks assume an already installed causality and do not explain how associations in food environments are established or articulated, especially from an integrative and transdisciplinary approach. This research attempts to bridge these gaps through the use of Actor-Network Theory, which traces the relationship network between human (and nonhuman) actors in order to describe how these interact and what agencies (direct or remote) are involved. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explain the practices and interactions of actors in food environments in order to approach the problem of unhealthy eating with a transdisciplinary approach. METHODS: This is a nonexperimental, cross-sectional study. Due to the complexity of the study phenomena, a mixed methods approach with 4 consecutive phases will be developed in Chile. Phase 1 involves a systematic literature review of food environment evidence since 2015, following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol; phase 2 involves the application of a shortened version of the Nutrition Environment Measure Scale-Perceptions adapted to Chile (NEMS-P-Ch) in 2 neighborhoods with different socioeconomic levels; in phase 3, six focus groups in each neighborhood will be conducted to address social determinants such as gender, employment status, and migration; and in phase 4, participant observation and in-depth interviews will be used to analyze the direct and empirical exploration of the actors in their daily interaction with food environments. The triangulation and complementarity of the data will allow us to create a practical model about the practices and interactions of actors in their food environments, which reflects the complexity and transdisciplinary nature of the study. RESULTS: We have advanced in phases 1-3 of the study. In phase 1, a total of 109 manuscripts are being revised for data extraction. In phase 2, we applied the NEMS-P-Ch to 785 people, 49.4% (388/785) of whom belong to a low socioeconomic neighborhood. Participants from phase 2 are being contacted to participate in the focus groups (phase 3). By the end of July, we have conducted 6 focus groups with 5-11 participants. CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide a comprehensive understanding of how individuals interact with their food environments, offering deep insights into the factors influencing their food-related decisions. In addition, the study aims to develop a model that more accurately reflects reality by examining not only the food environments themselves but also the interactions among various stakeholders within these environments and their daily practices. The findings of this study will offer evidence-based insights to inform public policies tailored to the specific territories and communities under investigation or those with similar characteristics. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/62765.

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BACKGROUND: Obesity is a global health problem, and its connection with social and environmental factors is well-established. Social factors, such as urban segregation, may impact obesity through various mechanisms, including food and physical activity environments, as well as social norms and networks. This multilevel study aims to examine the effect of socio-economic residential segregation of Latin American cities on the obesity of individuals within those cities. METHODS: We analyzed data from national surveys for a total of 59,340 individuals of 18-70 years of age, conducted in 156 cities across Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico between 2007 and 2013. We adjusted two-level linear mixed models for body mass index (BMI) stratified by sex and country, controlling for age, educational level and poverty. Separate models were built for dissimilarity and isolation segregation indices. RESULTS: The relationships between segregation indices and BMI were mostly not statistically significant, and in some cases, they were opposite to what was expected. The only significant relationships were observed in Colombian men, using the dissimilarity index (-7.5 [95% CI: -14.4, -0.5]) and in Colombian women, using the isolation index (-7.9 [95% CI: -14.1, -1.7]). CONCLUSIONS: While individual-level factors cannot fully explain differences among people in the same city, segregation indices may help. However, we found that in some cases, the relationship between BMI and segregation indices is opposite to what is expected based on prior literature. This should be considered in examining the phenomenon. Further research on obesogenic environments in segregated neighborhoods could provide valuable evidence.

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Introduction: Introduction: this project studied the roles played in the food cycle within the domestic environment, revisiting the concept of the "food gatekeeper". Methods: information was obtained from 10 ethnographies and 24 in-depth interviews with people responsible for food tasks in low-income households in Santiago, Chile, during the pandemic. A thematic analysis was conducted from the framework of food environments and gender. Results: the results showed that the time allocated to the food cycle is highly unequal between genders and women are held responsible for the nutritional well-being of families. This role entails putting the feeding of others before their own. Conclusions: in conclusion, the need to consider the distribution of roles in nutritional health interventions is emphasized, avoiding reproducing risky practices for health and quality of life of food gatekeepers, by overexerting them under the justification of effectiveness in the transmission of healthy habits to families.

Introducción: Introducción: se estudiaron los roles en el ciclo alimentario dentro del entorno doméstico, revisitando el concepto de "portera alimentaria". Métodos: la información se obtuvo de 10 etnografías y 24 entrevistas en profundidad a personas responsables de las tareas alimentarias en hogares de ingresos bajos en Santiago, Chile, durante la pandemia. Se realizó un análisis temático desde el marco de entornos alimentarios y género. Resultados: los resultados mostraron que el tiempo destinado al ciclo alimentario es altamente desigual entre los géneros y se responsabiliza a las mujeres del bienestar nutricional de las familias. Este rol conlleva anteponer la alimentación de los/as otros/as a la propia. Conclusión: la discusión subraya la necesidad de considerar la distribución de roles en las intervenciones de salud nutricional, evitando reproducir prácticas riesgosas para la salud y calidad de vida las porteras alimentarias, al sobreexigirlas bajo la justificación de la eficacia en la transmisión de hábitos saludables a las familias.

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La literatura ha hecho hincapié en la centralidad que cumplen los entornos alimentarios en las elecciones alimentarias y en el estado nutricional de la población. Objetivo: identificar las percepciones de padres, madres y apoderados, profesionales de establecimientos educacionales, funcionarios municipales, y feriantes pertenecientes a la zona sur de Santiago de Chile, respecto a las barreras y limitaciones de la puesta en práctica de una alimentación saludable en el ambiente alimentario escolar. Método: se realizaron seis grupos focales agrupando a 50 actores claves vinculados a los establecimientos educacionales de Ciudad Sur utilizando una muestra no probabilística. Se aplicó un análisis de contenido mediante la técnica de codificación temática buscando relevar los universos semánticos emergentes. Resultados: se identificaron nueve barreras, o semánticas, que caracterizan limitantes a la realización de la alimentación saludable en los entornos escolares desde la perspectiva de los participantes: la familia, kioscos escolares, la salida de los establecimientos escolares, gusto, determinantes socioeconómicos, política pública, falta de conocimiento, publicidad y disponibilidad de productos sin sellos. Conclusiones: las limitaciones asociadas al ambiente alimentario doméstico tienen una representación significativamente alta (47,9%) y contienen un carácter de responsabilización individual en su enunciación. Esta cultura explicativa es opuesta a la evidencia científica y académica respecto al funcionamiento de la conducta alimentaria, y a la centralidad de los ambientes alimentarios respecto a la facilitación u obstaculización del consumo de alimentos saludables o adecuados.

Literature has emphasized on food environments centrality in food choices and nutritional status. Objective: identify social perceptions of fathers, mothers and guardians, professionals from educational establishments, municipal officials, and stallholders belonging to the southern area of Santiago de Chile, regarding limitations of healthy diet implementation on school environments. Method: six focus groups were carried out grouping 50 key actors linked to educational establishments using a non-probabilistic sample. A content analysis was applied through thematic coding technique seeking to reveal emerging semantic universes. Results: Nine barriers, or semantics, were identified characterizing limitations to healthy eating habits in school environments: family, school kiosks, leaving school establishments, taste, socioeconomic determinants, public policy, lack of knowledge, publicity, and availability of products without seals. Conclusions: limitations associated with domestic food environment have a significantly high representation (47,9%) and contain an individualized responsibility feature. This explanatory culture is opposed to scientific and academic evidence regarding the functioning of eating behavior, and the centrality of food environments facilitating or hindering healthy food consumption.

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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000763.].

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BACKGROUND: Intersectoral health promotion initiatives in Chile to address obesity and non- communicable diseases have had a long history in Chile, but also a high degree of changes in their design, implementation, and financing. AIM: To analyze the "Choose a Healthy Lifestyle" enacted by Law 20,670 under Sabatier's "Advocacy Coalition Framework" (ACF), addressing the political discussion and its execution in the subsequent governing coalitions (2011-2022). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The ACF components are the following: external events, coalitions, policy subsystem (health promotion), and policy brokers. Policy change and learning occurs when a certain level of conflict exists between coalitions. We carried out a bibliographic and literature review, including history of the Law and notes in the media. RESULTS: We identified two coalitions. The first is pro-individual freedom and aims to solve the problem with education and health promotion. The second one defines the problem as structural and related to social determinants and health inequity. The first coalition launched the "Choose Healthy Liferstyle" program in 2011 when they were in executive power. After criticism from the opposition and the participation of policy brokers, the Program was institutionalized with an intersectoral vision. The lack of permanent financing affected the continuity of the policy, especially after a change in the governing coalition. CONCLUSIONS: Law 20,670 falls within the ACF. However, policy learning slowed down because the problem involved social aspects, conflict between deep beliefs of both coalitions, and lack of permanent funding, thus affecting the continuity of the policy.

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There is an increasing interest in having validated instruments that can classify food environments due to their influence on eating behavior and nutritional status. In Chile, it is not known how people perceive food environments and only a few studies have adapted instruments to the Chilean context, all of which use objective measures. The aim of this study is to present the adaptation and validation of the Perceived Nutrition Environment Measures Survey (NEMS-P-Ch) for Chile using a cross-sectional, non-probability study. First, the NEMS-P was adapted in 3 stages: cultural translation and adaptation, expert judgment (focus groups), and cognitive interviews with a population similar to the target audience. Then, the adapted questionnaire (NEMS-P for Chile, NEMS-P-Ch) was tested on people responsible for buying food in their homes in the Metropolitan Region, Chile, for statistical validation. After 200 people completed the questionnaire a final version of the NEMS-P-Ch was generated with 48 questions and seven sections that measure food environments: home, food supply, restaurants and street. NEMS-P-Ch had acceptable reliability in more than half of the questions analyzed, with Cronbach's alpha values between 0.44 and 0.82. Acceptable values were also obtained for most of the questions when the consistency of the instrument was evaluated after applying it for the second time (n= 167). The NEMS-P-Ch adapted to the Chilean context showed acceptable validity and reliability. Having instruments adapted and validated to the national reality will promote their use and adaptation in other countries of the region and thus deepen the study of food environments in various territories and populations.

El creciente interés por contar con instrumentos validados que clasifiquen los ambientes alimentarios se debe a la influencia que estos tienen en la conducta alimentaria y el estado nutricional. En Chile, se desconoce cómo las personas perciben los ambientes alimentarios y son pocos los estudios que han adaptado instrumentos al contexto chileno, todos utilizando medidas objetivas. En este estudio se presenta la adaptación y validación para Chile de la Encuesta de Medición del Entorno Nutricional Percibido (NEMS-P-Ch). Estudio transversal, no probabilístico. Inicialmente, NEMS-P fue adaptado siguiendo 3 etapas: traducción y adaptación cultural, juicio de expertos (grupos focales) y entrevistas cognitivas con población similar a la audiencia objetivo. Luego, el cuestionario adaptado (NEMS-P-Ch) fue testeado en personas responsables de la compra de alimentos del hogar, Región Metropolitana, Chile, para finalmente validarlo estadísticamente. Tras su aplicación a 200 personas, se generó la última versión de NEMS-PCh, instrumento con 48 preguntas y 7 secciones que mide los ambientes alimentarios: doméstico, de abastecimiento, restauración y vía pública. NEMS-P-Ch mostró una confiabilidad aceptable en más de la mitad de las preguntas analizadas, con valores alfa de Cronbach entre 0,44 y 0,82. También se obtuvieron valores aceptables en la mayoría de las preguntas cuando se evaluó su consistencia al aplicarlo por segunda vez (n= 167). NEMS-P-Ch adaptado al contexto chileno mostró una validez y confiabilidad aceptables. Contar con instrumentos validados a la realidad nacional promoverá su uso, su adaptación en otros países de la región y la profundización del estudio de los ambientes alimentarios en diversos territorios y poblaciones.

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In 2011, Chile added 12 mandatory extra weeks of maternity leave (ML). In January 2015, a pay-for-performance (P4P) strategy was included in the primary healthcare system, incorporating exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) promotion actions. The COVID-19 pandemic led to healthcare access difficulties and augmented household workloads. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of a 24-week ML, the P4P strategy, and COVID-19 on EBF prevalence, at 3 and 6 months in Chile. Aggregated EBF prevalence data from public healthcare users nationwide (80% of the Chilean population) was collected by month. Interrupted time series analyses were used to quantify changes in EBF trends from 2009 to 2020. The heterogeneity of EBF changes was assessed by urban/setting and across geographic settings. We found no effect of ML on EBF; the P4P strategy increased EBF at 3 months by 3.1% and 5.7% at 6 months. COVID-19 reduced EBF at 3 months by - 4.5%. Geographical heterogeneity in the impact of the two policies and COVID-19 on EBF was identified. The null effect of ML on EBF in the public healthcare system could be explained by low access from public healthcare users to ML (20% had access to ML) and by an insufficient ML duration (five and a half months). The negative impact of COVID-19 on EBF should alert policy makers about the crisis's effect on health promotion activities.

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El país se ha visto enfrentado a la pandemia por Sars-Cov-2, que coexiste con problemas alimentario-nutricionales relacionados con enfermedades no trasmisibles (ENT). En esta situación, las personas con ENT han tenido menos probabilidades de recibir atención de salud debido a la reestructuración del sistema de salud. En este contexto se desarrolló un proyecto que tuvo como objetivo general evaluar la autogestión del cuidado y acceso a prestaciones de salud en personas con factores de riesgo cardiovascular pertenecientes al Programa de Salud Cardiovascular (PSCV) de la Atención Primaria de Salud (APS) de la Región Metropolitana, en condiciones de pandemia por COVID-19. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue describir estrategias que integren aspectos individuales, comunitarios y estructurales para mejorar el automanejo en personas con ENT con el fin de afrontar interrupciones de las prestaciones en salud y para mejorar el control en condiciones normales y en futuras crisis. Las estrategias propuestas se originaron a partir del análisis de convergencia y complementariedad de los resultados cuantitativos y cualitativos del estudio y de un seminario con actores clave de la APS. Las propuestas fueron organizadas en tres niveles 1) rediseño del programa de salud cardiovascular; 2) respuesta a la discontinuidad de la atención en salud y 3) medidas estructurales. Conclusión: Es necesario reevaluar las políticas de atención primaria a la luz de estas estrategias propuestas, con el fin de que la salud sea una responsabilidad compartida y a la vez empoderar a los usuarios-as sobre sus propias habilidades.

BACKGROUND: Chile faced the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic, which coexisted with food-nutritional problems related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Due to this context, individuals with chronic conditions had less chance to receive medical attention due to the restructuring of the public health system. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to identify strategies that integrate the individual, community, and structural levels to improve health control in habitual and critical situations. METHODS: The study included individuals attending the Cardiovascular Health Program (Programa de Salud Cardiovascular) at the primary care level in the capital city of Santiago during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nine hundred forty individuals attending the Cardiovascular Health Program answered a 40-question telephonic interview. With the results of the analysis (convergence analyses, the complement of quantitative and qualitative results), we performed a seminar with key stakeholders from the Ministry of Health and the primary care level. RESULTS: Our study describes integrative strategies that include the individual level, the community level, and structural aspects. These strategies may improve healthcare management among people with NCDs and could be helpful to face interruptions of health benefits and improve health control in everyday and critical situations. The strategies include three levels: 1) Cardiovascular Health Program redesign; 2) facing health attendance discontinuities, and 3) structural measures. Conclusion: It is necessary to re-evaluate primary care policies in light of these proposed strategies for sharing responsibility and empowering users about their abilities.

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Background: Childhood obesity is a rising global health problem. The rapid urbanization experienced in Latin America might impact childhood obesity through different pathways involving urban built and social features of cities. We aimed to evaluate the association between built and social environment features of cities and childhood obesity across countries and cities in Latin America. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of data from 20,040 children aged 1-5 years living in 159 large cities in six Latin American countries. We used individual-level anthropometric data for excess weight (overweight or obesity) from health surveys that could be linked to city-level data. City and sub-city level exposures included the social environment (living conditions, service provision and educational attainment) and the built environment (fragmentation, isolation, presence of mass transit, population density, intersection density and percent greenness). Multi-level logistic models were used to explore associations between city features and excess weight, adjusting for age, sex, and head of household education. Findings: The overall prevalence of excess weight among preschool children was 8% but varied substantially between and within countries, ranging from 4% to 25%. Our analysis showed that 97% of the variability was between individuals within sub-city units and around 3% of the variance in z-scores of weight for height was explained by the city and sub-city levels. At the city-level, a higher distance between urban patches (isolation, per 1 SD increase) was associated with lower odds of excess weight (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82-0.99). Higher sub-city education was also associated with lower odds of excess weight, but better sub-city living conditions were associated with higher odds of excess weight. Interpretation: Built and social environment features are related to excess weight in preschool children. Our evidence from a wide range of large Latin American cities suggests that urban health interventions may be suitable alternatives towards attaining the goal of reducing excess weight early in the life course. Funding: The SALURBAL project (Salud Urbana en América Latina, Urban Health in Latin America) is funded by Wellcome [205177/Z/16/Z].

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BACKGROUND: Food and nutrition were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing levels of food insecurity. University students were a risk group for food insecurity due to the closure of educational establishments where they received their main meals. AIM: To assess food insecurity among Chilean public university students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study had a non-probabilistic before-and-after design. Undergraduate students from all colleges at the university were invited to answer an online survey about food insecurity, devised based on FAO Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Results: Nine hundred and one students answered the survey. The prevalence of moderate/severe food insecurity increased from 9.5% to 14.3% before and during the pandemic, respectively. Forty two percent (n = 196) of student households became food insecure during the sanitary crisis. Students commented on the positive and negative aspects of the pandemic in their eating behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Undergraduate students are vulnerable to food insecurity. Mitigation actions should be carried out when educational establishments are closed.

ANTECEDENTES: La alimentación y la nutrición se están viendo afectadas por la pandemia por COVID-19, aumentando los niveles de inseguridad alimentaria. Un grupo susceptible a la inseguridad alimentaria son los estudiantes universitarios debido al cierre de los establecimientos educativos donde ellos pueden recibir sus alimentos principales. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la inseguridad alimentaria de los estudiantes de una universidad pública de Chile, antes y durante la pandemia por COVID-19. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: El estudio tuvo un diseño de antes y después, no probabilístico. Se invitó a participar a estudiantes universitarios de todas las facultades de la universidad a contestar un cuestionario en línea, desarrollado basado en la escala de experiencia de inseguridad alimentaria de la FAO. RESULTADOS: Novecientos y un estudiantes respondieron la encuesta. En estos estudiantes, la prevalencia de inseguridad alimentaria moderada/grave aumentó de 9,5% a 14,3% antes y durante la pandemia, respectivamente. El 42,3% (n = 196) de los hogares estudiantiles pasó a tener inseguridad alimentaria durante la crisis sanitaria. Los estudiantes comentaron aspectos positivos y negativos de la pandemia en sus conductas alimentarias. CONCLUSIONES: Estos resultados reflejan que estos estudiantes son vulnerables para inseguridad y amerita acciones de mitigación cuando los establecimientos educativos están cerrados.

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BACKGROUND: Intersectoral health promotion initiatives in Chile to address obesity and non- communicable diseases have had a long history in Chile, but also a high degree of changes in their design, implementation, and financing. AIM: To analyze the "Choose a Healthy Lifestyle" enacted by Law 20,670 under Sabatier's "Advocacy Coalition Framework" (ACF), addressing the political discussion and its execution in the subsequent governing coalitions (2011-2022). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The ACF components are the following: external events, coalitions, policy subsystem (health promotion), and policy brokers. Policy change and learning occurs when a certain level of conflict exists between coalitions. We carried out a bibliographic and literature review, including history of the Law and notes in the media. RESULTS: We identified two coalitions. The first is pro-individual freedom and aims to solve the problem with education and health promotion. The second one defines the problem as structural and related to social determinants and health inequity. The first coalition launched the "Choose Healthy Liferstyle" program in 2011 when they were in executive power. After criticism from the opposition and the participation of policy brokers, the Program was institutionalized with an intersectoral vision. The lack of permanent financing affected the continuity of the policy, especially after a change in the governing coalition. CONCLUSIONS: Law 20,670 falls within the ACF. However, policy learning slowed down because the problem involved social aspects, conflict between deep beliefs of both coalitions, and lack of permanent funding, thus affecting the continuity of the policy.

ANECEDENTES: Las iniciativas intersectoriales de promoción de salud en Chile han tenido una larga historia en el país, pero también un alto grado de cambios en su diseño, implementación y financiamiento. OBJETIVOS: Analizar el "Sistema Elige Vivir Sano" (Ley 20.670) bajo el marco de "Coaliciones de Causa" (ACF), abordando la discusión política y su ejecución durante cambios de coaliciones gobernantes (2011-2022). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Los componentes de ACF incluyen eventos externos, coaliciones, subsistema de políticas (promoción de salud) e intermediarios de políticas. El cambio y aprendizaje de políticas ocurre cuando existe cierto nivel de conflicto entre coaliciones. Realizamos una revisión de literatura, incluyendo historia de la Ley y notas en los medios de comunicación. RESULTADOS: Identificamos dos coaliciones. La primera es pro-libertad individual y pretende resolver el problema con educación y promoción de la salud. La segunda es pro-determinantes sociales y define el problema como estructural. La primera coalición lanzó el programa "Elige Vivir Sano" en 2011 cuando estaban en el poder ejecutivo. Luego de las críticas de la oposición y la participación de intermediarios de políticas, el Programa se institucionalizó con una visión intersectorial. La falta de financiamiento permanente afecta la continuidad de la política, especialmente luego de un cambio en la coalición gobernante. CONCLUSIONES: La Ley 20.670 se enmarca dentro de la ACF. Sin embargo, el aprendizaje de políticas se ralentizó porque el problema involucra aspectos sociales, conflicto entre creencias profundas de ambas coaliciones y falta de financiamiento permanente, afectando la continuidad de la política.

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BACKGROUND: Chile faced the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic, which coexisted with food-nutritional problems related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Due to this context, individuals with chronic conditions had less chance to receive medical attention due to the restructuring of the public health system. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to identify strategies that integrate the individual, community, and structural levels to improve health control in habitual and critical situations. METHODS: The study included individuals attending the Cardiovascular Health Program (Programa de Salud Cardiovascular) at the primary care level in the capital city of Santiago during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nine hundred forty individuals attending the Cardiovascular Health Program answered a 40-question telephonic interview. With the results of the analysis (convergence analyses, the complement of quantitative and qualitative results), we performed a seminar with key stakeholders from the Ministry of Health and the primary care level. RESULTS: Our study describes integrative strategies that include the individual level, the community level, and structural aspects. These strategies may improve healthcare management among people with NCDs and could be helpful to face interruptions of health benefits and improve health control in everyday and critical situations. The strategies include three levels: 1) Cardiovascular Health Program redesign; 2) facing health attendance discontinuities, and 3) structural measures. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to re-evaluate primary care policies in light of these proposed strategies for sharing responsibility and empowering users about their abilities.

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BACKGROUND: Food and nutrition were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing levels of food insecurity. University students were a risk group for food insecurity due to the closure of educational establishments where they received their main meals. AIM: To assess food insecurity among Chilean public university students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study had a non-probabilistic before-and-after design. Undergraduate students from all colleges at the university were invited to answer an online survey about food insecurity, devised based on FAO Food Insecurity Experience Scale. RESULTS: Nine hundred and one students answered the survey. The prevalence of moderate/severe food insecurity increased from 9.5% to 14.3% before and during the pandemic, respectively. Forty two percent (n = 196) of student households became food insecure during the sanitary crisis. Students commented on the positive and negative aspects of the pandemic in their eating behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Undergraduate students are vulnerable to food insecurity. Mitigation actions should be carried out when educational establishments are closed.

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Objectives: We examined the short-term impact of the Smoking Ban Law (SBL) enacted in Chile in 2013 on low birth weight (LBW) rates in cities and its differential effects by different maternal age groups and city density. Methods: We included 885,880 live births from 21 Chilean cities of ≥100,000 inhabitants. We examined the smoking and LBW prevalence distribution before and after the SBL. Through Poisson mixed effect models, we determined whether a meaningful change in LBW rate occurred after SBL implementation in the whole sample and stratified by city population density and maternal age group. Results: LBW prevalence remained stable before and after the SBL implementation (6.1% and 6.3%, respectively), while women's smoking prevalence had a relative reduction of 25.9% (p < 0.00001). No significant changes in LBW rate occurred after the implementation of SBL in the total sample or stratified by city density tertiles or maternal age groups. Conclusion: SBL implementation did not show short-term impact on LBW rate in Chile. Further studies need to examine long-term impact of SBL on low birthweight.

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BACKGROUND: The Human Right to Food is not incorporated in the Chilean Constitution. Aim: To identify the legal, social, and nutritional elements for its incorporation into the new Constitution, and to draft a text proposal for the constituent discussion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive and qualitative study on the perceptions of experts and key actors of the food chain in Chile. The sample was for convenience and included civil society, academia, international organizations, parliamentarians, food traders and producers, and national and local authorities (n = 26). The research team, previously trained and standardized, applied semi-structured online surveys, which were recorded and transcribed. Through an inductive approach, a thematic analysis was carried out using the Atlas.ti 9.0 software. RESULTS: Eighty-one percent of the interviewees were in favor of the Constitutional incorporation of the Right to Food. According to interviews, a constitutional text was proposed considering the characteristics of adequate, healthy, safe, and nutritious foods. Also, the food items must be available, physically and economically accessible, and culturally relevant. A guaranteed citizen participation, food sovereignty, food security, and environmental sustainability must be considered. Conclusions: The high prevalence of malnutrition due to excess, poor diet, and food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a current Constitution that does not explicitly guarantee physical and economic access to food, establish a factual and normative background that justifies the incorporation of this right in a new Constitution.

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