Search

This paper addresses the energy efficiency issue in household appliances, which has led to the establishment of policies at a global level in favor of setting minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), which guarantee end users are able to select more efficient equipment. The countries of the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and the Community of the European Union were taken as references to review their policies and implementation strategies, in order to be compared with the Colombian panorama (at the market, technical and political levels). This allows the establishment of common aspects and differences related to the determination of energy consumption, adjusted volume, and formalization of efficiency ranges, and in the specific case of domestic refrigeration. Managing to distinguish the most relevant aspects for the successful adoption of these policies in Colombia. It is evident that the implementation of these guidelines has a positive impact on the market of the countries and communities of reference. Similarly, the MEPS are shown as a mechanism to regulate energy consumption in the residential sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of insulin resistance and risk factors for chronic diseases is not known in Colombia. The purpose of the study was of determine the association of insulin resistance and risk of chronic diseases in young, apparently healthy adults. By convenience, 97 subjects, mean age of 24 years were studied. Family and personal history, anthropometrics, lipid profile, and a short insulin tolerance test was done to each subject to identify prevalence of insulin resistance and its association with risk factors. Plasma lipids and anthropometrics were within acceptable range. Insulin sensitivity was categorized as high, border high, border low and low. Out of 97 subjects 47 had altered sensitivity. Most women (68%) were classified as border low, and most men (60%) as low. There was a difference between these two categories in waist circumference and weight. Border low and low cases had not less than 3 risk factors but the total number of factors was not different within the 4 groups. More than 50% of cases had family history of chronic diseases, sedentary life and low C-HDL. There was a negative association between insulin sensitivity and fasting Glycaemia and positive with fasting triglycerides, BMI, Waist hip ratio and weight. Results suggest a surprisingly high prevalence of risk factors in a young group associated with altered insulin sensitivity. It may be possible to identify early indicators of risk and develop appropriate strategies for prevention.