Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur

Exercise is an essential pillar for the health of all individuals, as it contributes to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Various international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, advocate for the integration of exercise into healthy lifestyles, recognizing its im-portance in disease prevention and improving quality of life. However, despite the general consensus on its value, there is no universal agreement on specific prescriptions for vulnerable groups, highlighting the need for personalized approaches that consider the unique characteristics and needs of each individual. It has been proposed that a moderate aerobic exercise training program could promote positive outcomes in individuals living with overweight and obesity, particularly with an emphasis on reducing injury risk, ensuring high adherence, and achieving favorable health changes. In this regard, the present protocol establishes the basis for a randomized clinical trial based on exercise prescription at the maximal fat oxidation rate in young individuals with overweight and obesity, with a duration of 16 weeks. Throughout the study, biochemical changes (cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, and inflammatory markers), metabolic changes (de-termination of fat and carbohydrate utilization rates during rest and exercise), and epigenetic changes (focusing on microRNAs associated with adipogenesis, inflammation, and fat metabolism) will be monitored.

Depression and anxiety are conditions with a high prevalence in the world population and youth are no exception. In developing countries it is reported that given the conditions of social disadvantage, anxiety and depression are higher, resulting in compromised psychological well-being and mental health. Therefore, treatments that help in the care and prevention of these disorders from youth are important. In the case of contemporary psychology, Mindfulness treatments have emerged as an alternative treatment for some of the symptoms of depression, anxiety and emotional discomfort, showing evidence of increased improvement in the overall quality of life. The project responds to global mental health demands and will provide the institution, as well as external collaborating institutions and society in general, with guidelines to carry out brief and effective interventions for these problems and will develop clinical evidence and technological tools for their analysis. Objective: To compare the neurophysiological effects by means of EEG signals and machine learning or deep learning techniques and neuropsychological effects of a brief treatment based on mindfulness-based intervention techniques as an alternative intervention for the reduction of anxiety and depression symptoms against the effects of psychoeducation groups and placebo group in young adults. Methodology: Factorial design of cases and controls according to the guidelines for randomized controlled trials CONSORT. Participants (n=125) will be randomized triple-blinded with neuropsychological and neurophysiological assessments. The results of the project will generate basic evidence on the condition of brain functioning at the neurophysiological level, its performance to perform processes of utmost relevance to solve daily life problems and psychological well-being, as well as support the development of techniques for specialists in behavioral analysis and mental health and engineering sciences for the creation and implementation of programs and strategies for the prevention, identification, care and evaluation of mental health and social well-being, with a scientific and community health approach.

This study has the goal to increase physical activity and fitness among Latinos in San Diego, California and Mexicali, Baja California (U.S.-Mexico border) since these cities have similar diseases such as high rates of heart disease and obesity. Therefore there is a need to have physical activity programs for children and their families. We will collaborate with community centers to have this program available.