Guanajuato, Gto., March 27, 2016. Researchers from the University of Guanajuato (UG) made a study between workers in the leather & shoes' sector, who received nutritional advice and participated in a series of proofs to determine their state of health.

The student of the Nutrition degree, Karina Hernández Cortés, explained that as part of her thesis, they evaluated 165 people, who were measured, weighed, submitted to laboratory tests and agreed to have a record of their nourishment.

Out of those 165 people, they found 54 with metabolic syndrome, meaning, is a conjunction of illnesses –high blood pressure, high levels of glucose and triglycerides, etc.—that increase the risk of having cardiac affections and diabetes.

In addition, and even when it was not the original objective of the project, such study allowed to diagnose many people that didn't know, they were sick and channel them with the medic to begin the appropriate treatment. "I believe that was one of the benefits of our job," affirms Karina Hernández, from UG's Campus Leon.

In the opinion of the Nutrition student, although the study was made between workers of the leather & shoe sector, this research reveals a problem in society altogether: the lack of prevention. People do not go to medical examinations, and sometimes they do not even know they have a right to them; she expresses.

Talking about how she got involved in this project, Karina Hernández pointed out that in her beginnings as a student did not have interest in research, she began getting involved as part of her social service. "Now –she sustains—although very tiring, I like it a lot."

Her advisor, Dr. Mónica del Carmen Preciado Puga, has been great support for the student, because she has accompanied her throughout the worker's evaluation, to whom the academy delivers them the results of the lab tests, gives recommendation and channels them to the medic if necessary.

Karina Hernández also expressed her gratitude to the University of Guanajuato, institution that distinguishes for its educational quality, but also for being accessible to the population, who "also supports its students with scholarships," highlighted the student.

Regarding the impact of her work, Karina Hernández said that many people thinks nutrition is the same as dieting, when there are many areas in which it can positively influence in society, such is the case of this evaluations to workers in the shoe guild.