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Volume 2, Issue 2 (2025)Read More

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Editorial
1 December 2025

Advancing Knowledge, Collaboration, and Impact—Highlights from the FIU 2025 Diabetes Awareness Day

Noel Barengo
The FIU 2025 Diabetes Awareness Day brought together students, researchers, clinicians, and community partners for a dynamic celebration of scientific inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and shared commitment to reducing the burden of diabetes. This supplement presents the 28 research abstracts showcased during the event—an impressive reflection of the emerging scholarship at Florida International University and the collective drive to advance diabetes prevention, management, and population health. The event opened with student exhibits, setting the tone for a day grounded in innovation and curiosity. These exhibits highlighted the diverse ways in which future researchers and health professionals are addressing metabolic diseases—from novel dietary and behavioral interventions to community-engaged approaches and technology-enabled solutions. Their contributions underscore the growing role of student-led research in shaping the next frontier of diabetes science. In his welcome remarks, Dr. Andrés Gil emphasized the university’s expanding research infrastructure and its commitment to supporting work at the intersection of biomedical discovery, public health, and translational science. His message resonated throughout the event: that diabetes is not only a biological condition, but a societal challenge requiring evidence-based, cross-sector solutions. This idea was further developed in the keynote lecture delivered by Dr. Elisabetta Patorno, whose presentation on real-world evidence for decision-making in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic treatment offered a compelling look at how large-scale data can inform clinical practice and policy. Her insights highlighted the essential role of pharmacoepidemiology and real-world data in understanding treatment effectiveness, improving care pathways, and tailoring interventions for populations at highest risk. The panel discussion—“Beyond the Scale: How GLP-1s and Whole-Person Strategies Transform Obesity Treatment and Diabetes Prevention”—brought together an interdisciplinary group of experts including Dr. Amalia Landa-Galindez, Dr. Cristina Palacios, and Dr. Pia Henfridsson, moderated by Dr. Noël C. Barengo. Their dialogue illuminated the rapidly evolving landscape of obesity and diabetes care, particularly the integration of GLP-1 receptor agonists with lifestyle modification, nutrition, behavioral health, and equity-focused approaches. The conversation highlighted a crucial theme reflected across many of the abstracts in this supplement: that effective diabetes prevention must embrace a whole-person, culturally informed perspective. At the heart of the event were the student poster presentations, moderated by Dr. Anuradha Godavarty. The abstracts published here represent a rich spectrum of methodological approaches and thematic areas, including health disparities, dietary patterns, physical activity, metabolic risk factors, digital health, health education, and clinical outcomes research. Together, these works demonstrate the strength of FIU’s research training environment and the motivation of its students to confront one of the world’s most pressing public health challenges. This supplement not only documents the scientific contributions presented at the FIU 2025 Diabetes Awareness Day but also celebrates the collaborative spirit that defines our academic community. As we look toward the future, the insights generated at this event—and captured within these pages—will continue to inspire innovation, partnership, and progress in the fight against diabetes.
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Conference Proceedings
1 December 2025

Cross Sectional Study investigating the association between BMI and meeting the recommended amount of aerobic physical activity in older adults with diabetes in Brazil

Maria Carolina Neri Martins, Jazmine Arocha, Emery Perrin, Noel Barengo
Objective: To investigate whether an individual’s BMI was associated with meeting the recommended amount of PA in older adults with diabetes in Brazil. Methods: This analytical, cross-sectional study used data from the 2023 VIGITEL. Utilizing a survey design, where the data was collected by phone calls to Brazilians, getting self-reported information in randomly selected households. The final number of participants was 650. The main outcome variable was whether the participants met the recommended physical activity guidelines. The main exposure variable in this abstract was BMI. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analysis were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: BMI in individuals with diabetes in Brazil was not associated with meeting physical activity guidelines. Compared to the reference group of normal BMI individuals, overweight individuals (BMI = BMI 25-30kg/m2) were not more or less likely to achieve the recommended physical activity guidelines (AOR 0.77 (95% Cl: 0.49-1.22)). Obese individuals (>30 kg/m2) were also not more or less likely to achieve the recommended physical activity guidelines (AOR 1.05 (95% Cl: 0.62 -1.82)). Conclusion: Our study suggests that BMI is not a significant factor in meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines in individuals from Brazil with diabetes. This finding is contradictory to current literature that discusses the associations between behavioral factors and diabetes prevalence. More research is needed to investigate significant factors associated with type 2 diabetes in this population. Public health strategies should be reevaluated to target other modifiable behaviors, such as dietary habits.
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Current Articles

Editorial1 December 2025

Advancing Knowledge, Collaboration, and Impact—Highlights from the FIU 2025 Diabetes Awareness Day

Noel Barengo
The FIU 2025 Diabetes Awareness Day brought together students, researchers, clinicians, and community partners for a dynamic celebration of scientific inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and shared commitment to reducing the burden of diabetes. This supplement presents the 28 research abstracts showcased during the event—an impressive reflection of the emerging scholarship at Florida International University and the collective drive to advance diabetes prevention, management, and population health. The event opened with student exhibits, setting the tone for a day grounded in innovation and curiosity. These exhibits highlighted the diverse ways in which future researchers and health professionals are addressing metabolic diseases—from novel dietary and behavioral interventions to community-engaged approaches and technology-enabled solutions. Their contributions underscore the growing role of student-led research in shaping the next frontier of diabetes science. In his welcome remarks, Dr. Andrés Gil emphasized the university’s expanding research infrastructure and its commitment to supporting work at the intersection of biomedical discovery, public health, and translational science. His message resonated throughout the event: that diabetes is not only a biological condition, but a societal challenge requiring evidence-based, cross-sector solutions. This idea was further developed in the keynote lecture delivered by Dr. Elisabetta Patorno, whose presentation on real-world evidence for decision-making in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic treatment offered a compelling look at how large-scale data can inform clinical practice and policy. Her insights highlighted the essential role of pharmacoepidemiology and real-world data in understanding treatment effectiveness, improving care pathways, and tailoring interventions for populations at highest risk. The panel discussion—“Beyond the Scale: How GLP-1s and Whole-Person Strategies Transform Obesity Treatment and Diabetes Prevention”—brought together an interdisciplinary group of experts including Dr. Amalia Landa-Galindez, Dr. Cristina Palacios, and Dr. Pia Henfridsson, moderated by Dr. Noël C. Barengo. Their dialogue illuminated the rapidly evolving landscape of obesity and diabetes care, particularly the integration of GLP-1 receptor agonists with lifestyle modification, nutrition, behavioral health, and equity-focused approaches. The conversation highlighted a crucial theme reflected across many of the abstracts in this supplement: that effective diabetes prevention must embrace a whole-person, culturally informed perspective. At the heart of the event were the student poster presentations, moderated by Dr. Anuradha Godavarty. The abstracts published here represent a rich spectrum of methodological approaches and thematic areas, including health disparities, dietary patterns, physical activity, metabolic risk factors, digital health, health education, and clinical outcomes research. Together, these works demonstrate the strength of FIU’s research training environment and the motivation of its students to confront one of the world’s most pressing public health challenges. This supplement not only documents the scientific contributions presented at the FIU 2025 Diabetes Awareness Day but also celebrates the collaborative spirit that defines our academic community. As we look toward the future, the insights generated at this event—and captured within these pages—will continue to inspire innovation, partnership, and progress in the fight against diabetes.

Most Popular Articles

Original Research Article
4 November 2022

Snack Intake Among College Students with Overweight/Obesity and its Association with Gender, Income, Stress, and Availability of Snacks During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mohammed Baghdadi, Lukkamol Prapkree, Rianna Uddin, Jafar Ajaj Jaafar, Niliarys Sifre, Gabriel Corea, Jordan Faith, Jacqueline Hernandez, Cristina Palacios
Abstract: Objective. To assess the determinants of snack intake among college students with overweight/obesity during COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that younger and male students, those from minority background, those experiencing higher stress levels, and those with higher accessibility/availability of unhealthy snacks would snack more frequently or consume more unhealthy snack choices. Methods. This was a secondary analysis of the baseline data obtained from the Snackability trial, a trial testing the efficacy of a smartphone application for improving the quality of snack intake in US college students with overweight/obesity. Participants completed a survey on socio-demographics, stress levels, and snack patterns at the baseline visit (n=298). Analyses included correlation, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis, and logistic regressions. Results. Most students were females 81.9%, 40.9% were whites, and 55.7% had a household income
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Original Research Article
19 March 2024

Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Healthcare Disparities in Florida

Kayla Haydon, Catarina Jim, Joel Mantilla, Noel Barengo
Objective Healthcare disparities disproportionately affect underserved and marginalized communities due to social determinants of health (SDoH), contributing to significant differences in health outcomes and life expectancy within different communities in Florida. This observational study aimed to understand the impact of SDoH, such as race/ethnicity, income level, and education attainment on healthcare access in Florida. Methods Self-reported data from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were pooled to evaluate disparities in healthcare access by race/ethnicity, income, and education level in Florida. Results Health status and healthcare access vary based on characteristics related to SDoH, including race/ethnicity, income level, and educational attainment. Health status and healthcare access increased with income and education attainment. There were no significant disparities in health status and healthcare access among racial and ethnic groups. Conclusion While race and ethnicity were not significant predictors of health status nor healthcare access, income level and education were positively correlated which may be related to policy including Florida's lack of Medicaid expansion or population characteristics such as health-seeking behaviors. Understanding the prevalence of healthcare disparities based on SDoH can inform and support the implementation of evidence-based strategies for improving the accessibility and affordability of culturally competent care for underserved populations.
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Conference Proceedings
9 November 2024

Caracterización del consumo de suplementos nutricionales, actividad física y frecuencia de dismorfia muscular en usuarios de un gimnasio de la ciudad de Asunción de diciembre del 2022 a febrero del 2023.

Rodrigo Burgos, Esteban Martinez, Jimena Vache, Rossmary Acuña
Objetivo: identificar las características del consumo de suplementos nutricionales, actividad física y la frecuencia de Dismorfia Muscular en usuarios de un gimnasio de la ciudad de Asunción. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal. La muestra estuvo conformada por 72 participantes, tanto hombres como mujeres, a los cuales se les aplicó una encuesta virtual con preguntas abiertas y cerradas para obtener información sobre datos sociodemográficos, actividad física y consumo de suplementos, además se aplicó el cuestionario Escala de Satisfacción Muscular para determinar la frecuencia de Dismorfia Muscular en la población. Trabajo aprobado por el Comité de ética de la Facultad (Código: 922/2022). Resultados: El 40,28% de los encuestados consume algún suplemento y de ellos los más consumidos fueron las proteínas (23,38%). Se encontró que además del entrenamiento con pesas, el 33,67% realizaba actividades en la sala de cardio (Cinta, bicicleta, escaladora, elíptica). La frecuencia de Dismorfia Muscular en la población estudiada fue de 19,44%. Conclusiones: Alrededor de la mitad de la muestra estudiada consume suplementos nutricionales, mientras que 2 de cada 10 presenta Dismorfia Muscular. No se encontró asociación entre el consumo de suplementos nutricionales y la frecuencia de Dismorfia muscular en usuarios de gimnasios.
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Editorial
5 November 2024

XXI Conferencia Internacional AMNET: Nutrición y Salud Planetaria

Paula Diaz
Este suplemento presenta los resúmenes presentados en la XXI Conferencia Internacional de AMNET "Nutrición y Salud Planetaria: Enfoques Integrados para la Prevención de las Enfermedades Crónicas", cual se llevó a cabo en Lima, Perú, los días 11 y 12 de octubre, con el apoyo de la Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL).
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Original Research Article
18 November 2024

Efecto del Ejercicio Físico en la Asociación entre las Horas de Sueño y el Infarto de Miocardio

Patricio Miranda, Ana Murillo
Introducción: El dormir menos se asocia con el desarrollo de infarto de miocardio (IM). Aunque existe investigación sobre la asociación entre horas de sueño e IM, aún se desconoce si la actividad física tendrá un efecto sobre la asociación entre estas variables. Objetivos: Valorar el efecto de la actividad física en la asociación entre horas de sueño e infarto de miocardio en adultos de EE. UU del 2018. Métodos: Estudio transversal, usando datos del BRFSS 2018 (N=437,436). Se incluyeron estadounidenses ≥18 años. La variable independiente fue horas de sueño y la variable dependiente IM. El modificador del efecto fue actividad física. Las covariables fueron edad, sexo, raza, fumar tabaco, índice de masa corporal y salud mental. Se aplicó un modelo de regresión logística ajustado y no ajustado, calculando los odds ratio (OR) e intervalos de confianza (IC) 95%. Resultados: El análisis se estratificó según actividad física. Comparado con un valor de referencia de duración del sueño de 7-8h, los OR (IC 95%) en individuos que si realizan ejercicio fueron 1.62 (1.52-1.72), 1.07 (1.02-1.13) y 1.46 (1.37-1.56) para duraciones de sueño de ≤5h, 6h y ≥9h. Mientras que, si no la realizan fueron 1.62 (1.51-1.74), 1.17 (1.10-1.25) y 1.27 (1.18-1.37) para duraciones de sueño de ≤5h, 6h y ≥9h. Conclusiones: La actividad física tiene efecto modificador en duraciones de sueño de 6h y ≥9h. Los resultados dan apertura a estudios que muestren causalidad entre sueño e IM y sobre la fisiopatología del sueño prolongado (≥9 h) como causante de ECV.
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Conference Proceedings
6 November 2024

Un Puente Digital: Comparación de la Comprensibilidad y Accesibilidad de Sitios Web sobre Apoplejía en Español e Inglés

Karla Santoyo, Raghuram Reddy, Brendar Lohmar, Christian Rivera, Amalia Landa-Galindez
Objetivo: El estudio va a evaluar legibilidad y disponibilidad de artículos académicos en el sitio web en ingles comparado con español sobre accidentes cerebrovasculares. Métodos: En el estudio descriptivo se generaron los 25 primeros resultados de búsqueda de Google sobre “stroke” y “apoplejía”, respectivamente. La legibilidad de los sitios web en inglés y español se analizó utilizando Readable.com y SpanishReadability.com, respectivamente. Las fuentes en línea se clasificaron como agencia gubernamental, institución, clínica/hospital privado y otros. Las puntuaciones medias de legibilidad se compararon utilizando una prueba t independiente. La disponibilidad de artículos accesibles fue mediante Google Académico. Resultados: Las fuentes de información sobre accidentes cerebrovasculares difirieron por idioma: inglés (gobierno, 32%) y español (otros, 36% incluyendo Wikipedia). La puntuación media de legibilidad basada en el nivel de grado de FORCAST fue ligeramente superior para los artículos en inglés (10,24) que los de español (10,14), pero la diferencia no fue estadísticamente significativa (p = 0,74). En cuanto a los artículos académicos accesibles, hubo 3,760,000 que usaban la palabra clave "stroke" y 6,390 con "apoplejía". Conclusiones: Los materiales educativos en línea sobre accidentes cerebrovasculares son demasiado complicada. Simplificarla y usar gráficos mejora la comprensión. Las diferencias en la información sobre accidentes cerebrovasculares entre inglés y español muestran la falta de recursos en español.
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