Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism - Volume 8, issue 2

Authors: Giorgianni, Gabriele | Nolfo, Francesca | Rametta, Stefania | Matalone, Margherita | Mistretta, Antonio

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Obesity among adolescents has increased worldwide becoming a major public health issue. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between eating and lifestyle habits, place of living, and weight status among adolescents living in Sicily, southern Italy. METHODS: Between March and June 2010 and 2011, a sample of 1135 rural and urban adolescents was selected to join the study. Validated questionnaire were used to assess eating and lifestyle habits. RESULTS: Rural students consumed during breakfast significantly higher amount of cereals, fruit juice, fruits, and home-made cakes over packaged snacks …and reported to prefer home-made cakes and fruit as a snack whereas packaged snacks, baked goods and biscuits were preferred in the urban area. Lower BMI values observed among rural compared with urban students. Urban adolescents were found to be almost 2 times more likely to eat between meals ≥4 times per day and out of home ≥3 times per week. Unhealthy behaviours regarded also physical activity habits, being urban students less likely to practice physical activity and more likely to spend time on TV/computer. Comparisons of meals and physical activity habits by body composition revealed that obese adolescents were significantly associated with more frequent weekly out of home eating and breakfast, less sport practicing and more daily hours use of TV/computer. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that specific intervention programs regarding education on eating and lifestyle habits should be altered for use in urban and rural settings. Show more

Keywords: Lifestyle, adolescents, eating, breakfast, snaking, habits

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-150037

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 175-186, 2015

Authors: Dinar, Youssef | Elkhoudri, Noureddin | Belahsen, Rekia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: STUDY OBJECTIVE: Diabetes is placed throughout the world at the forefront of health concerns because of the complications it causes and their adverse repercussions on health and economy. In Morocco, it is increasingly high and 90% of the diabetics have type II Diabetes. This disease may be preventable by the change of life style in diabetics and in populations at-risk. Education is reported to have positive impact on health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an education program on the improvement of diabetes care in Moroccan diabetic adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sample …of 240 type II diabetic patients; 20–65 years old, visiting the Azemmour hospital between January 2011 and March 2012 are divided in two groups: an educated group (EG) that received and a non-educated group (NEG) that did not receive any training on diabetes and improvement of diabetes care. Data on anthropometrical measurements, biochemical, socio-demographics and food consumption using 24 h dietary recall were collected in both groups. RESULTS: The results show that HbAc1 was significantly higher in NEG than in the EG group (9.24% vs. 7.15% respectively). Globally 57.5% of diabetics cannot balance their diabetes; with high percentage among NEG (76.6%) than EG (23.4%) and in rural (78.4%) than in urban populations. Compared to the EG, the NEG patients have higher prevalence of physical inactivity, abdominal obesity, low HDL, high LDL, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, higher BMI mean (29.56 vs 26.48 kg/m2 ) and longer duration of diabetes (9,13 vs 8,17 years respectively). Total food energy intake (TEI) was also higher (2411 ± 196) in the NEG than in EG (1966 ± 221 Kcal). The contributions of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids to the TEI were respectively (37.39 ± 4.48%), (22.88% ± 3.24) and (39.37 ± 4.43%); with a low intake of fiber (16.84 ± 3.55) in NEG. CONCLUSION: The study results show an improvement of diabetes status in the educated patients. The data justify the fundamental role of patient education for an effective and efficient management of diabetes. The study recommends also an establishment of and access to care facilities especially for rural population of diabetic patients. Show more

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, complications, nutrition, education, Morocco

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-150040

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 187-197, 2015

Authors: Maghetti, A. | Cicero, A.F.G. | D’Ignazio, E. | Vincenzi, M. | Paolini, B. | Lucchin, L. | for the Italian Dietology Association (ADI) Eating Disorder Study group

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) is defined as a pathological fixation about the consumption of healthy food. ON doesn’t yet appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V (DSM-V) as a nosological category, so that it remains a new controversial concept that affects mostly health care professionals. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of orthorexia in a large sample of health care professionals involved in nutrition education (1240 subjects). METHODS: A masked form of the Orto-15 questionnaire, the main validated test for the screening of orthorexic patients, was administrated to …the ADI members by e-mail. RESULTS: The total score is significantly lower in divorced people (than in married or unmarried people, p  = 0.005), biologists (rather than medical doctors, p  = 0.002), free-lances (than government employees, p  = 0.020), smokers (than no smokers, p  = 0.011) and in professionals following a diet (p  <  0.001). The main score predictors are the marital status (B =−0.464, CI95%  =−0.727 – −0.134, p  = 0.007, divorced vs. other categories), BMI (B = 0.882, CI95%  = 0.819–0.976, p  = 0.012) and adherence to a diet (B =−2.200, CI95%  =−6.066 – −1.819, p  <  0.001 versus subjects with free diet). CONCLUSION: In this large sample, orthorexia seems to be quite widespread, especially among biologists, free-lances, divorced, smokers, dieting and thin subjects. Show more

Keywords: Orthorexia, eating disorders, prevalence, health care professionals

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-140039

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 199-204, 2015