ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: This study assessed the association between dietary patterns and the frequency of eating at fast-food or sit-down restaurants. Methods: A crosssectional study, with a sample of adults living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SA), was conducted between January and March 2021. An online, self-administered survey was conducted using social media and WhatsApp. A total of 399 adults living in Riyadh were included; 40.4% were males, with a mean age of 35 and standard deviation (SD) of 12 years, and had no significant health problems. Results: Using principal component analysis to analyse 15 food groups based on the food items consumed, four dietary patterns were extracted: Western, unhealthy, plant-based, and healthy. After adjusting for potential covariates, a higher frequency of eating at fast-food restaurants was significantly associated with unhealthy dietary patterns [odds ratio (OR) = 4.85, 95.0% confidence interval (CI) = 1.80, 12.59]. In contrast, participants in the highest tercile of the frequency of eating at fast-food restaurants showed lower odds of adhering to a healthy dietary pattern (OR = 0.29, 95.0% CI = 0.11, 0.71). No significant association was found between participants in the highest tercile of the frequency of eating at sit-down restaurants and their dietary patterns. Conclusion: Frequently eating at fast-food restaurants was associated with increased odds of adherence to less healthy dietary patterns and negatively associated with adherence to a healthy pattern. No association was found between sit-down restaurants and any of the identified dietary patterns. The present findings can assist stakeholders and policymakers in developing strategic plans and policies for targeted interventions for this population.
ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Many changes occur in Muslims’ lives during Ramadan that affect body weight, diet and calorie intake. This study investigated the impacts of fasting during Ramadan on the daily habits, diet, and weight of people with diabetes in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cohort study analyzed 104 Saudi individuals with diabetes (42 and 62 patients with type I and type II diabetes, respectively) aged ≥ 20 years who fasted a minimum of 15 days during Ramadan. The patients were seen twice per study period (before and during Ramadan). The patients’ demographic data was obtained, their average daily food intake was assessed, and anthropometric parameters were measured. Results: During Ramadan, 52% of patients with type I DM and 66% of patients with type II DM did not perform any physical activity compared to 37% and 42%, respectively, pre-Ramadan. A high percentage of patients slept during the daytime. A paired-sample T test analysis showed that during Ramadan, the calorie intake and carbohydrate intake increased significantly in patients with type II diabetes (p = 0.03). Protein intake remained unchanged, whereas fat consumption increased in patients with both types of diabetes (p = 0.03 and 0.04, respectively). In addition, there was a decrease in anthropometric parameters (statistically significant in patients with type II diabetes, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Ramadan fasting changed the dietary and daily habits of patients with diabetes in Saudi Arabia and had beneficial effects on weight, mainly in patients with type II DM.