Fruit and vegetable consumption and its determinants among Saudi university students

Diets rich in Fruits and Vegetables [F and V] are associated with reduced risk of various chronic illnesses. Although World Health Organization [WHO] recommends consumption of at least five portions of F and V a day, very few follow this advice. This study has been designed to assess F and V consumption and factors affecting its usage among students of a Saudi university. This cross-sectional study was carried out at the University of Dammam in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the academic year 2012-2013. A total of 367 university students were randomly selected. F and V consumption was assessed using a questionnaire containing predictive parameters about the frequency and type of food consumption. The association of F and V consumption with various potential determinants was calculated using Chi-square test. The study included 223 [60.76%] male and 144 [39.23%] female participants. The mean age was 22.40 +/- 1.83 while the mean BMI was 23.9 +/- 4.79. Consumption of F and V was not at par with the WHO recommended consumption level of 84.47%. Gender and BMI were not found to be significantly associated with F and V consumption. Living with the family, planning daily menu by themselves, awareness of WHO recommendations about F and V consumption, fitness consciousness and regular exercise were significantly associated with moderate or high F and V consumption [p < 0.001]. F and V consumption in the students of university of Dammam is far less than the WHO recommended level. There is a dire need to educate Saudi youth about the importance of F and V in their diet for a healthier life

Determinants of misconceptions about diabetes among Saudi diabetic patients attending diabetes clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia

To identify the determinants of misconceptions about diabetes in patients registered with a diabetes clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional survey was carried out at a diabetes clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia, from January to December 2012. A total of 200 diabetic patients were interviewed using a questionnaire comprising 36 popular misconceptions. The total misconception score was calculated and categorized into low [0-12], moderate [13-24] and high [25-36] scores. The association of misconception score with various potential determinants was calculated using Chi-square test. Step-wise logistic regression was applied to the variables showing significant association with the misconception score in order to identify the determinants of misconceptions. The mean age was 39.62 +/- 16.7 and 112 [56%] subjects were females. Type 1 diabetics were 78 [39%], while 122 [61%] had Type 2 diabetes. Insulin was being used by 105 [52.5%], 124 [62%] were self-monitoring blood glucose and 112 [56%] were using diet control. Formal education on diabetes awareness had been received by 167 [83.5%] before the interview. The mean misconception score was 10.29 +/- 4.92 with 115 [57.5%] subjects had low misconception scores [<12/36]. On the Chi-square test, female gender, rural area of residence, little or no education, <5 or >15 years since diagnosis, no self-monitoring, no dietary control and no diabetes education were all significantly [P < 0.05] associated with higher misconception scores. Step-wise logistic regression suggested that diabetes education, gender, education and time since diagnosis were significant [P < 0.05] predictors of misconception scores. The strongest determinants of misconceptions about diabetes in our study population were female gender, rural area of residence, illiteracy or little education, <5 or >15 years since diagnosis, no self-monitoring, no diet control and no education about diabetes