RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The decision to lose weight among adolescents is complex and is guided by a number of body-related factors. This study examined the extent of agreement between actual weight, measured as body mass index, and self-perceived weight and assessed their relative importance in weight loss behaviour among Lebanese adolescents. METHODS: Data on 278 adolescents aged 13-17 years were drawn from the nationwide Nutrition and Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Survey (Lebanon, 2009). Binary multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to test associations with "effort to lose weight" as the outcome variable, controlling for a number of potential confounders. RESULTS: Close to 36% reported trying to lose weight. Around 21% and 13% were overweight and obese, respectively, and 40% and 10% perceived their weight as slightly high and very high, respectively. Inaccurate perceivers, those underestimating or overestimating their weight, constituted 39%, with overall percent agreement between actual and self-perceived weight being 60.8% (kappa statistic = 0.319, 95% CI [0.242, 0.396]). About a third of the overweight adolescents (30.5%) and more than half of the obese (56.8%) underestimated their weight. In the multivariable analysis, self-perceived weight was statistically significant and a stronger predictor of weight loss effort than body mass index (adjusted odds ratios = 14.42 and 6.42 for slightly high and very high perceived weight, respectively, compared to odds ratios = 1.47 and 2.31 for overweight and obese adolescents, respectively). CONCLUSION: Health professionals need to consider self-perceived weight in conjunction with actual weight in their pursuit of weight management goals and in planning prevention programmes that guide weight loss behaviours for adolescents.

Asunto(s)

Conducta del Adolescente/psicología , Imagen Corporal/psicología , Peso Corporal , Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud , Sobrepeso/psicología , Adolescente , Conducta del Adolescente/etnología , Índice de Masa Corporal , Femenino , Humanos , Líbano/epidemiología , Masculino , Sobrepeso/epidemiología , Autoimagen , Pérdida de Peso

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Food-based dietary guidelines are promoted to improve diet quality. In applying dietary recommendations, such as the MyPlate, the number of servings in a food group is the unit of measure used to make food selections. However, within each food group, different foods can vary greatly in their nutritional quality despite often having similar energy (caloric) values. This study aimed to develop a novel unit of measure that accounts for both the quantity of energy and the quality of nutrients, as defined by caloric and micronutrient density, respectively, in foods and to demonstrate its usability in identifying high quality foods within a food group. METHODS: A standardized unit of measure reflecting the quality of kilocalories for nutrition (qCaln) was developed through a mathematical function dependent on the energy content (kilocalories per 100 g) and micronutrient density of foods items within a food group. Nutrition composition of 1806 food items was extracted from the USDA nutrient database. For each food item analyzed, qCaln ratios were calculated to compare qCaln to its caloric content. Finally, a case example was developed comparing two plates adapted from the MyPlate. RESULTS: Examples of food items with highest and lowest qCaln ratios were displayed for five food groups: vegetables, fruits/fruit juices, milk/dairy products, meats/meat alternatives, and breads/cereals. Additionally, the applicability of the qCaln was presented through comparing two plates, adopted from the USDA MyPlate, to show differences in food quality. CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed qCaln measure can be used to rank foods in terms of their nutrient density while accounting for their energy content. The proposed metric can provide consumers, public health professionals, researchers, and policy makers with an easy-to-understand measure of food quality and a practical tool to assess diet quality among individuals and population groups.

Asunto(s)

Dieta/normas , Política Nutricional , Valor Nutritivo , Productos Lácteos , Grano Comestible , Frutas , Educación en Salud , Humanos , Carne , Micronutrientes/administración & dosificación , Modelos Teóricos , Estados Unidos , United States Department of Agriculture , Verduras

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the association between dietary patterns and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its metabolic abnormalities among Lebanese adults, using data from a national nutrition survey. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis involving adults aged ≥ 18 years (n = 323) with no prior history of chronic diseases was conducted. Participants completed a brief sociodemographic and 61-item food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples were also obtained. The International Diabetes Federation criteria were used to classify study participants with the metabolic syndrome. Dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations of extracted patterns with MetS and its metabolic abnormalities. RESULTS: Out of 323 participants, 112 (34.6%) were classified as having MetS. Three dietary patterns were identified: "Fast Food/Dessert," "Traditional Lebanese," and "High Protein." Compared with participants in the lowest quintile of the Fast Food/Dessert pattern, those in the highest quintile had significantly higher odds for MetS (OR, 3.13; 95% CI: 1.36-7.22) and hyperglycemia (OR, 3.81; 95% CI: 159-9.14). Subjects with the highest intake of the High Protein pattern had an increased risk for hypertension (OR, 2.98; 95% CI: 1.26-7.02). The Traditional Lebanese pattern showed no association with MetS or its components. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study demonstrate a positive association of the Fast Food/Dessert pattern with MetS and hyperglycemia among Lebanese adults. These results may guide the development of improved preventive nutrition interventions in this adult population.

Asunto(s)

Comida Rápida/efectos adversos , Conducta Alimentaria , Hiperglucemia/epidemiología , Síndrome Metabólico/epidemiología , Adulto , Glucemia/análisis , Presión Sanguínea , Índice de Masa Corporal , Estudios Transversales , Proteínas en la Dieta/administración & dosificación , Ayuno , Femenino , Humanos , Hiperglucemia/etiología , Hipertensión/epidemiología , Líbano , Estilo de Vida , Modelos Lineales , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Síndrome Metabólico/etiología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis Multivariante , Encuestas Nutricionales , Prevalencia , Factores de Riesgo , Factores Socioeconómicos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto Joven

RESUMEN

Suboptimal feeding patterns during the first two years of life are key determinants of malnutrition in children and constitute an important predictor of health in later years. Early-childhood nutritional factors, stunting, and obesity have been highlighted as prominent core underlying factors of Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) development whereas the improvement of complementary feeding practices has been cited as one of the most effective preventive strategies for reducing malnutrition and adult NCDs. In the MENA region NCD prevalence shows very high rates and the limited available studies show that current practices fall behind global recommendations. Common to all countries of this region are practices of mixed breast and bottle-feeding as early as the first month, as well as the premature introduction of complementary foods. Early introduction of non-milk fluids, such as sweetened water and herbal teas, has been described as a common practice in the region and the premature introduction of complementary foods has been reported in as high as 80% of infants in several of the countries. Thus, enhancing infant/young child health can significantly reduce morbidities and mortalities, as well as adult-onset diseases, ultimately decreasing the region's overall burden of disease.

Asunto(s)

Práctica Clínica Basada en la Evidencia , Fenómenos Fisiológicos Nutricionales del Lactante , Desnutrición/epidemiología , África del Norte , Alimentación con Biberón , Lactancia Materna , Enfermedad Crónica/prevención & control , Países en Desarrollo , Humanos , Lactante , Alimentos Infantiles , Bienestar del Lactante , Desnutrición/prevención & control , Medio Oriente , Estado Nutricional , Prevalencia

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ethnic-based associations between obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MS) have been suggested. The prevalence of MS in obese children was found to range between 13.9 and 48.8%, depending on the country of origin. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between obesity and various components of MS in prepubertal children in Lebanon. METHODS: Eighty-seven obese children (Tanner stage 1), 25 overweight and 28 normal-weight controls were recruited from private and public schools. Anthropometric, biochemical and blood pressure measurements were performed. RESULTS: According to the modified Adult Treatment Panel III definition, the MS was identified in 26.4 and 4% of obese and overweight children, respectively, with a higher prevalence among girls than boys. The most common abnormalities among subjects with MS were elevated waist circumference (WC) (100.0%), high triglyceride (91.7%) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (66.7%) levels. Insulin resistance was identified in 70% of obese children and 75% of those having the MS. Body mass index, WC and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were significant determinants of the MS in this age group. CONCLUSION: MS was found in 26.4% of obese Lebanese children, thus underscoring the importance of early screening of obesity and its associated metabolic abnormalities and of developing successful multicomponent interventions addressing pediatric obesity and MS.

Asunto(s)

Síndrome Metabólico/complicaciones , Síndrome Metabólico/epidemiología , Obesidad/complicaciones , Glucemia , Índice de Masa Corporal , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Niño , HDL-Colesterol/sangre , LDL-Colesterol/sangre , Femenino , Estado de Salud , Humanos , Insulina/sangre , Líbano/epidemiología , Masculino , Obesidad/epidemiología , Prevalencia , Triglicéridos/sangre , Circunferencia de la Cintura

RESUMEN

This study assesses, by the Total diet study approach, the adequacy of micronutrient intake (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn) and the dietary exposure of a Lebanese adult urban population to two toxic elements (Cd, Pb). The foods that made up the average 'total diet' were derived from a previous individual consumption survey. A total of 1215 individual foods were collected, prepared and cooked prior to analysis. Analytical quantification was performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Average daily intakes of Co (11.4 microg/day), Cu (1104.19 microg/day), Fe (13.00 mg/day), Mn (2.04 mg/day), Ni (126.27 microg/day) and Zn (10.97 mg/day) were below toxicological reference values and were found to satisfy nutritional recommendations, except for manganese in men and iron in women. Average dietary exposure to Pb and Cd represented 3.2% and 21.7% of the respective provisional tolerable weekly intakes. Estimates of dietary intakes of iron appeared to be inadequate for 63% of adult women. These findings should constitute a current measure of assessing the adequacy and safety of foods consumed in Lebanon and may be a basis for future monitoring studies.

Asunto(s)

Dieta , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/efectos adversos , Análisis de los Alimentos , Micronutrientes/análisis , Oligoelementos/análisis , Población Urbana , Adulto , Cadmio/análisis , Encuestas sobre Dietas , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Femenino , Humanos , Plomo/análisis , Líbano , Masculino , Valores de Referencia , Espectrofotometría Atómica

RESUMEN

Abstract Background Data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Eastern Mediterranean countries remain scarce, particularly for children and adolescents. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of obesity and examine associated factors and covariates amongst school adolescents in Syria. Methods A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 776 adolescents (386 males and 390 females), aged 15-18 years, was conducted in six randomly chosen secondary schools in Damascus, the capital city of Syria. Anthropometric measurements and dietary assessment data were collected using standard methods and techniques. Overweight and obesity were defined according to World Health Organization 2007 child growth standards. Results The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were estimated at 18.9 and 8.6%, respectively. Carbohydrate and saturated fatty acid intakes were significantly higher amongst overweight and obese (250.66 and 32.82 g/day, respectively) as compared with normal weight adolescents (218.12 and 26.10 g/day, respectively). Regression analysis showed that the likelihood of obesity was significantly greater amongst adolescent boys than girls (OR = 2.30, P < 0.05) and amongst subjects reporting family history of obesity (OR = 2.98, P < 0.05). The odds of obesity increased consistently with increasing educational attainment of both parents and was higher (OR = 1.63) amongst adolescents reporting lower crowding index than their counterparts. Conclusion Our findings of a positive association between obesity and socio-economic status measured by parental education and crowding index call for intervention strategies for the promotion of healthy dietary practices not only amongst school adolescents but also parents, targeting families as the unit of intervention. Further studies are needed to examine nutritional habits and food choices amongst families of different socio-economic strata.

Asunto(s)

Obesidad/epidemiología , Adolescente , Fenómenos Fisiológicos Nutricionales de los Adolescentes , Índice de Masa Corporal , Peso Corporal , Comparación Transcultural , Métodos Epidemiológicos , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Padres/educación , Factores de Riesgo , Factores Sexuales , Factores Socioeconómicos , Siria/epidemiología

RESUMEN

Since the primary factor contributing to the internal effective dose in the human organism is contaminated food, the control of radionuclides in food represents the most important means of protection. This study was conducted to determine the levels of the dietary exposure of the Lebanese population to gamma-emitting radioisotopes. The activity concentrations of gamma-emitting radioisotopes have been measured in food samples that represent the market basket of an adult urban population in Lebanon. The artificial radionuclide (137)Cs was measured above detection limits in only fish, meat and milk-based deserts. The most abundant natural radionuclide was 40K (31-121 Bq kg(-1)), with the highest content in fish and meat samples. The annual mean effective dose contributed by 40K in the reference typical diet was estimated equal to 186 microSv y(-1), a value reasonably consistent with findings reported by several other countries.

Asunto(s)

Dieta , Análisis de los Alimentos , Contaminación Radiactiva de Alimentos/análisis , Radioisótopos/análisis , Radioisótopos/farmacocinética , Efectividad Biológica Relativa , Recuento Corporal Total , Carga Corporal (Radioterapia) , Simulación por Computador , Humanos , Líbano , Modelos Biológicos

RESUMEN

International comparisons of adolescent overweight and obesity are hampered by the lack of a single agreed measurement reference. We compared 3 BMI-for-age references on samples of adolescent girls from Egypt, Kuwait and Lebanon. Overweight and obesity was highest in Kuwait and lowest in Lebanon. Performance of the 3 standards differed only slightly although one was particularly applicable in country-to-country comparisons.

Asunto(s)

Índice de Masa Corporal , Obesidad/epidemiología , Adolescente , Distribución por Edad , Antropometría , Composición Corporal , Niño , Escolaridad , Egipto/epidemiología , Ingestión de Energía , Conducta Alimentaria , Femenino , Indicadores de Salud , Humanos , Kuwait/epidemiología , Líbano/epidemiología , Encuestas Nutricionales , Obesidad/diagnóstico , Vigilancia de la Población , Prevalencia , Valores de Referencia , Relación Cintura-Cadera

RESUMEN

International comparisons of adolescent overweight and obesity are hampered by the lack of a single agreed measurement reference. We compared 3 BMI- for- age references on samples of adolescent girls from Egypt, Kuwait and Lebanon. Overweight and obesity was highest in Kuwait and lowest in Lebanon. Performance of the 3 standards differed only slightly although one was particularly applicable in country- to- country comparisons

Asunto(s)

Estándares de Referencia , Obesidad , Índice de Masa Corporal

RESUMEN

Human exposure to toxic chemicals is suspected of being responsible for a wide range of human health disorders. This study is the first in Lebanon to evaluate the dietary exposure of an adult urban population to three heavy metals (lead, cadmium and mercury) and to radionuclides. Exposure assessment was performed by means of the total diet study approach as recommended by the Word Health Organization. Five 'total diets' were collected during 2003-04. Average and maximal consumer exposure estimates to heavy metals were calculated and compared with appropriate reference values and with intakes reported from other countries. The average dietary intakes of lead, cadmium and mercury represented 7, 17 and 5.6%, respectively, of the appropriate provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWI). The mean dietary intake of methylmercury represented 17.5% of the appropriate PTWI. Cs-134 and I-131 were not detected in any of the food samples. Traces of Cs-137 were only found in five food samples. The exposure assessment conducted places Lebanon among countries least exposed to heavy metals through the diet and it highlights the safety of the food supply from radioactive contamination.

Asunto(s)

Cadmio/administración & dosificación , Dieta , Plomo/administración & dosificación , Mercurio/administración & dosificación , Radioisótopos/administración & dosificación , Adulto , Animales , Productos Lácteos/análisis , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales , Contaminantes Ambientales/administración & dosificación , Femenino , Contaminación de Alimentos , Humanos , Líbano , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Medición de Riesgo/métodos , Salud Urbana

RESUMEN

The history of dietetics can be traced as far back as the writings of Homer, Plato and Hippocrates in ancient Greece. Although diet and nutrition continued to be judged important for health, dietetics did not progress much till the 19th century with the advances in chemistry. Early research focused focuses on vitamin deficiency diseases while later workers proposed daily requirements for protein, fat and carbohydrates. Dietetics as a profession was given a boost during the Second World War when its importance was recognized by the military. Today, professional dietetic associations can be found on every continent, and registered dietitians are involved in health promotion and treatment, and work alongside physicians. The growing need for dietetics professionals is driven by a growing public interest in nutrition and the potential of functional foods to prevent a variety of diet-related conditions.

Asunto(s)

Dietoterapia/historia , Dietética/historia , Fenómenos Fisiológicos de la Nutrición , Análisis de los Alimentos/historia , Alimentos Fortificados/historia , Historia del Siglo XVI , Historia del Siglo XVII , Historia del Siglo XVIII , Historia del Siglo XIX , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia del Siglo XXI , Historia Antigua , Historia Medieval , Humanos , Política Nutricional/historia , Autonomía Profesional , Sociedades Científicas/historia

RESUMEN

The history of dietetics can be traced as far back as the writings of Homer, Plato and Hippocrates in ancient Greece. Although diet and nutrition continued to be judged important for health, dietetics did not progress much till the 19th century with the advances in chemistry. Early research focused focuses on vitamin deficiency diseases while later workers proposed daily requirements for protein, fat and carbohydrates. Dietetics as a profession was given a boost during the Second World War when its importance was recognized by the military. Today, professional dietetic associations can be found on every continent, and registered dietitians are involved in health promotion and treatment, and work alongside physicians. The growing need for dietetics professionals is driven by a growing public interest in nutrition and the potential of functional foods to prevent a variety of diet-related conditions

Asunto(s)

Análisis de los Alimentos , Alimentos Fortificados , Historia del Siglo XVI , Historia del Siglo XVII , Historia del Siglo XVIII , Historia del Siglo XIX , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia del Siglo XXI , Historia Antigua , Dietoterapia