Background: To evaluate the energy and macronutrient intake of Jordanian children and adolescents... more Background: To evaluate the energy and macronutrient intake of Jordanian children and adolescents, and how closely they adhere to dietary recommendations. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from Jordan's Population-based Food Consumption Survey, a household population-based study that was conducted in Jordan between 2021-2022 (561 children and adolescents 8-19 years). Dietary intake was assessed using the two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recall method (24-h DR). The estimated food group and nutrient intakes were compared to nutritional recommendations, including MyPlate dietary guidelines. Results: The prevalence of overweight/obese individuals based on body mass index (BMI) was 44%, and the average waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was 24.7%. Compared to MyPlate dietary guidelines, children and adolescents had a higher added sugar intake (57g/day). Also, the consumption of vegetables, fruits, and dairy fell short of MyPlate dietary guidelines. The total discretionary ...
Jordan has never conducted a nutrition survey to determine nutrient and energy intakes. The curre... more Jordan has never conducted a nutrition survey to determine nutrient and energy intakes. The current study aimed to describe the energy and macronutrient consumed by the Jordanian population. A cross-sectional food consumption study was conducted, including a sample of Jordanians using two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls (24-h DR) between October 2021 and March 2022. A total of 2145 males and females aged 8 to 85 years old living in households were studied. The average of two 24-h DRs for each individual was converted into energy and nutrient intakes. After measuring weight, height, and waist circumference, the body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. The percentage of under-reporters was higher in women than men (58.2% vs. 45.9%). Adults and older adult women had the highest prevalence of obesity (29.6%), while adults and older adult men had the highest prevalence of overweight (41.4%). There is a significant increase in energy intake in children,...
Background One of the factors influencing health and well-being is dietary patterns. Data on food... more Background One of the factors influencing health and well-being is dietary patterns. Data on food consumption are necessary for evaluating and developing community nutrition policies. Few studies on Jordanians’ food consumption and dietary habits at various ages have been conducted, despite the increased prevalence of overweight, obesity, and chronic diseases. This will be the first study focusing on Jordanians’ food consumption patterns that includes children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Objective This cross-sectional study aims to describe the design and methodology of the Jordan’s Population-based Food Consumption Survey, 2021-2022, which was developed to collect data on food consumption, including energy, nutrients, and food group intake, from a representative sample of Jordanians and to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their relationship to food consumption. Methods Participants were selected by stratified random sampling, using the Estimated Po...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has caused significant morbidity and ... more BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and related comorbidities have a significant impact on clinical presentation and outcomes. The aim is to compare clinical presentation and outcomes among COVID-19 patients with or without DM. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data from 312 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 at a single hospital were collected respectively from January to April 2021. It included demographic data, clinical symptoms, underlying comorbidities, clinical chemistry, and hematological laboratory findings. Different inflammation indices were calculated. The findings of COVID-19 diabetic and non-diabetic patients were compared. RESULTS: The percentage of COVID-19 patients with DM and hypertension or cardiovascular diseases was significantly higher compared to non-diabetic patients (78.6 % vs. 35%, and 46.4% vs. 23%, p < 0.001) respectively. The diabetic patients showed a s...
Purpose – This paper aims to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among female universit... more Purpose – This paper aims to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among female university students and employees at the Hashemite University (HU) and, then, to identify risk factors for developing vitamin D deficiency among this population. Vitamin D deficiency remains widespread in many countries, including Jordan, and has been linked to many diseases. Design/methodology/approach – In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were taken from 320 healthy females – 160 students and 160 employees – aged between 18 and 65 years old who presented for routine checkup at the medical center of HU. Level of direct sun exposure and barriers to getting enough sunlight (dress style, skin color and sunscreen use) were questioned. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured, and the daily intakes of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorous were estimated through completing an adopted food frequency questionnaire. All required data were collected using a face-to-face interview by trained...
Metabolic syndrome (MSyn) is a considerable health concern in developing and developed countries,... more Metabolic syndrome (MSyn) is a considerable health concern in developing and developed countries, and it is a critical predictor of all-cause mortality. Obesity, specifically central obesity, is highly associated with MSyn incidence and development. In this study, seven anthropometric indices (Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist circumference (WC), Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR), A Body Shape Index (ABSI), Body Roundness Index (BRI), conicity index (CI), and the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI)) were used to identify individuals with MSyn among the Jordanian population. These indices were assessed to identify their superiority in predicting the risk of MSyn. A total of 756 subjects (410 were male and 346 were female) were met between May 2018 and September 2019 and enrolled in this study. Height, weight, and waist circumferences were measured and BMI, WHtR, ABSI, BRI, CI, and VAI were calculated. Fasting plasma glucose level, lipid profile, and blood pressure were measured. Receiver-operating ...
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder triggered by several factors, inc... more Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder triggered by several factors, including those of genetic and environmental nature. ASD can alter communication, behavior, and children's nutritional status, placing them at high risk for nutritional imbalances. Therefore, this study aims to assess preschool autistic children's nutritional status as compared to that of Typically Developing (TD) children of the same age. The study also revealed some of the ASD risk factors among the Jordanian population. It included 52 ASD and 51 TD children (3–6 years), and considered sociodemographic, obstetric, and nutritional factors of the two groups, stratified by gender. Nutritional status was evaluated through a comprehensive questionnaire, 3-day food record, and anthropometric and biochemical measurements. Differences between groups were identified using the chi-square and independent-sample t-test. The logistic regression model was used after the adjustment of confounder...
INTRODUCTION The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing among young people w... more INTRODUCTION The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing among young people worldwide. The American Diabetes Association has defined the risk factors that are associated with this increased risk for developing T2DM in youths. OBJECTIVE To explore school children at high-risk for T2DM in Jordan. MATERIALS AND METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The children were 10-14.9 years old. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured, and the body mass index Z score (BMI) was determined. The waist to height ratio (WHtR) was calculated. Blood pressure was measured and three child́s risk factors were identified. RESULTS Eight hundred and seventy-one schoolchildren were screened; 26.0% were overweight and 19.3% were obese. The most common risk factor among overweight and obese children, accounting for 80.4%, was a positive family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus in first- or second-degree relatives. Children born to mothers with diabetes or ...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Obesity is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This... more Obesity is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aimed to use obesity measures, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) to predict the CVD and T2D risk and to determine the best predictor of these diseases among Jordanian adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the governmental and military hospitals across Jordan. The study participants were healthy or previously diagnosed with CVD or T2D. The continuous variables were compared using ANOVA, and the categorical variables were compared using the X2 test. The multivariate logistic regression was used to predict CVD and T2D risk through their association with BMI and WC. The final sample consisted of 6000 Jordanian adults with a mean age of 41.5 ± 14.7 years, 73.6% females. The BMI (OR = 1.7, CI: 1.30–2.30, p < 0.001) was associated with a higher risk of T2D compared to WC (OR = 1.3, CI: 1.04–1.52, p = 0.016). However, our results showed that BMI was not asso...
Background/Aims: Health promotion and the incorporation of health-protective behaviors in people&... more Background/Aims: Health promotion and the incorporation of health-protective behaviors in people's lifestyles have a great role in enhancing individuals' overall health and well-being. College students are at increased risk of developing unhealthy dietary and lifestyle behaviors. A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted to assess the health-risk behaviors among undergraduate college students at Jordan University of Science and Technology.Methods: The final sample included 136 students, with a mean age of 21.1 ± 2.37 years, mostly females (69%). A self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection about dietary and lifestyle behaviors among college students. The questionnaire consisted of four parts: sociodemographic characteristics, body weight classifications, lifestyle behaviors, and dietary patterns and intake, and eating behaviors.Results: Most of the students did not meet the daily recommendations for fruit (76%) and vegetable (82%) intake. Males were significa...
Objectives Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder related to a complicated interplay betw... more Objectives Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder related to a complicated interplay between genetics, obesity, and modifiable lifestyle factors. This study aimed to identify the major modifiable risk factors for developing overweight, obesity, and Type 2 DM (T2DM) among Jordanian college students. Methods A self-administered questionnaire was given to students at two large universities in Jordan, in order to collect data about the sociodemographic background, physical activity (PA), screen use, and smoking behavior. A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the intake of fruits, vegetables, fast food, sweets, and salted snacks. A chi-square test was used to identify the differences between males and females; statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results The final sample consisted of 327 males and 433 females, and 54.0% of them were ≤20 years old. Among these students, 23.6% were overweight and 12.8% were obese, with more males being overweight (26.3% vs. ...
Background: To evaluate the energy and macronutrient intake of Jordanian children and adolescents... more Background: To evaluate the energy and macronutrient intake of Jordanian children and adolescents, and how closely they adhere to dietary recommendations. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from Jordan's Population-based Food Consumption Survey, a household population-based study that was conducted in Jordan between 2021-2022 (561 children and adolescents 8-19 years). Dietary intake was assessed using the two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recall method (24-h DR). The estimated food group and nutrient intakes were compared to nutritional recommendations, including MyPlate dietary guidelines. Results: The prevalence of overweight/obese individuals based on body mass index (BMI) was 44%, and the average waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was 24.7%. Compared to MyPlate dietary guidelines, children and adolescents had a higher added sugar intake (57g/day). Also, the consumption of vegetables, fruits, and dairy fell short of MyPlate dietary guidelines. The total discretionary ...
Jordan has never conducted a nutrition survey to determine nutrient and energy intakes. The curre... more Jordan has never conducted a nutrition survey to determine nutrient and energy intakes. The current study aimed to describe the energy and macronutrient consumed by the Jordanian population. A cross-sectional food consumption study was conducted, including a sample of Jordanians using two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls (24-h DR) between October 2021 and March 2022. A total of 2145 males and females aged 8 to 85 years old living in households were studied. The average of two 24-h DRs for each individual was converted into energy and nutrient intakes. After measuring weight, height, and waist circumference, the body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. The percentage of under-reporters was higher in women than men (58.2% vs. 45.9%). Adults and older adult women had the highest prevalence of obesity (29.6%), while adults and older adult men had the highest prevalence of overweight (41.4%). There is a significant increase in energy intake in children,...
Background One of the factors influencing health and well-being is dietary patterns. Data on food... more Background One of the factors influencing health and well-being is dietary patterns. Data on food consumption are necessary for evaluating and developing community nutrition policies. Few studies on Jordanians’ food consumption and dietary habits at various ages have been conducted, despite the increased prevalence of overweight, obesity, and chronic diseases. This will be the first study focusing on Jordanians’ food consumption patterns that includes children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Objective This cross-sectional study aims to describe the design and methodology of the Jordan’s Population-based Food Consumption Survey, 2021-2022, which was developed to collect data on food consumption, including energy, nutrients, and food group intake, from a representative sample of Jordanians and to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their relationship to food consumption. Methods Participants were selected by stratified random sampling, using the Estimated Po...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has caused significant morbidity and ... more BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and related comorbidities have a significant impact on clinical presentation and outcomes. The aim is to compare clinical presentation and outcomes among COVID-19 patients with or without DM. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data from 312 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 at a single hospital were collected respectively from January to April 2021. It included demographic data, clinical symptoms, underlying comorbidities, clinical chemistry, and hematological laboratory findings. Different inflammation indices were calculated. The findings of COVID-19 diabetic and non-diabetic patients were compared. RESULTS: The percentage of COVID-19 patients with DM and hypertension or cardiovascular diseases was significantly higher compared to non-diabetic patients (78.6 % vs. 35%, and 46.4% vs. 23%, p < 0.001) respectively. The diabetic patients showed a s...
Purpose – This paper aims to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among female universit... more Purpose – This paper aims to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among female university students and employees at the Hashemite University (HU) and, then, to identify risk factors for developing vitamin D deficiency among this population. Vitamin D deficiency remains widespread in many countries, including Jordan, and has been linked to many diseases. Design/methodology/approach – In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were taken from 320 healthy females – 160 students and 160 employees – aged between 18 and 65 years old who presented for routine checkup at the medical center of HU. Level of direct sun exposure and barriers to getting enough sunlight (dress style, skin color and sunscreen use) were questioned. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured, and the daily intakes of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorous were estimated through completing an adopted food frequency questionnaire. All required data were collected using a face-to-face interview by trained...
Metabolic syndrome (MSyn) is a considerable health concern in developing and developed countries,... more Metabolic syndrome (MSyn) is a considerable health concern in developing and developed countries, and it is a critical predictor of all-cause mortality. Obesity, specifically central obesity, is highly associated with MSyn incidence and development. In this study, seven anthropometric indices (Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist circumference (WC), Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR), A Body Shape Index (ABSI), Body Roundness Index (BRI), conicity index (CI), and the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI)) were used to identify individuals with MSyn among the Jordanian population. These indices were assessed to identify their superiority in predicting the risk of MSyn. A total of 756 subjects (410 were male and 346 were female) were met between May 2018 and September 2019 and enrolled in this study. Height, weight, and waist circumferences were measured and BMI, WHtR, ABSI, BRI, CI, and VAI were calculated. Fasting plasma glucose level, lipid profile, and blood pressure were measured. Receiver-operating ...
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder triggered by several factors, inc... more Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder triggered by several factors, including those of genetic and environmental nature. ASD can alter communication, behavior, and children's nutritional status, placing them at high risk for nutritional imbalances. Therefore, this study aims to assess preschool autistic children's nutritional status as compared to that of Typically Developing (TD) children of the same age. The study also revealed some of the ASD risk factors among the Jordanian population. It included 52 ASD and 51 TD children (3–6 years), and considered sociodemographic, obstetric, and nutritional factors of the two groups, stratified by gender. Nutritional status was evaluated through a comprehensive questionnaire, 3-day food record, and anthropometric and biochemical measurements. Differences between groups were identified using the chi-square and independent-sample t-test. The logistic regression model was used after the adjustment of confounder...
INTRODUCTION The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing among young people w... more INTRODUCTION The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing among young people worldwide. The American Diabetes Association has defined the risk factors that are associated with this increased risk for developing T2DM in youths. OBJECTIVE To explore school children at high-risk for T2DM in Jordan. MATERIALS AND METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The children were 10-14.9 years old. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured, and the body mass index Z score (BMI) was determined. The waist to height ratio (WHtR) was calculated. Blood pressure was measured and three child́s risk factors were identified. RESULTS Eight hundred and seventy-one schoolchildren were screened; 26.0% were overweight and 19.3% were obese. The most common risk factor among overweight and obese children, accounting for 80.4%, was a positive family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus in first- or second-degree relatives. Children born to mothers with diabetes or ...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Obesity is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This... more Obesity is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aimed to use obesity measures, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) to predict the CVD and T2D risk and to determine the best predictor of these diseases among Jordanian adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the governmental and military hospitals across Jordan. The study participants were healthy or previously diagnosed with CVD or T2D. The continuous variables were compared using ANOVA, and the categorical variables were compared using the X2 test. The multivariate logistic regression was used to predict CVD and T2D risk through their association with BMI and WC. The final sample consisted of 6000 Jordanian adults with a mean age of 41.5 ± 14.7 years, 73.6% females. The BMI (OR = 1.7, CI: 1.30–2.30, p < 0.001) was associated with a higher risk of T2D compared to WC (OR = 1.3, CI: 1.04–1.52, p = 0.016). However, our results showed that BMI was not asso...
Background/Aims: Health promotion and the incorporation of health-protective behaviors in people&... more Background/Aims: Health promotion and the incorporation of health-protective behaviors in people's lifestyles have a great role in enhancing individuals' overall health and well-being. College students are at increased risk of developing unhealthy dietary and lifestyle behaviors. A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted to assess the health-risk behaviors among undergraduate college students at Jordan University of Science and Technology.Methods: The final sample included 136 students, with a mean age of 21.1 ± 2.37 years, mostly females (69%). A self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection about dietary and lifestyle behaviors among college students. The questionnaire consisted of four parts: sociodemographic characteristics, body weight classifications, lifestyle behaviors, and dietary patterns and intake, and eating behaviors.Results: Most of the students did not meet the daily recommendations for fruit (76%) and vegetable (82%) intake. Males were significa...
Objectives Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder related to a complicated interplay betw... more Objectives Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder related to a complicated interplay between genetics, obesity, and modifiable lifestyle factors. This study aimed to identify the major modifiable risk factors for developing overweight, obesity, and Type 2 DM (T2DM) among Jordanian college students. Methods A self-administered questionnaire was given to students at two large universities in Jordan, in order to collect data about the sociodemographic background, physical activity (PA), screen use, and smoking behavior. A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the intake of fruits, vegetables, fast food, sweets, and salted snacks. A chi-square test was used to identify the differences between males and females; statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results The final sample consisted of 327 males and 433 females, and 54.0% of them were ≤20 years old. Among these students, 23.6% were overweight and 12.8% were obese, with more males being overweight (26.3% vs. ...
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