Coeliac disease knowledge and treatment: Potential factors associated with adherence to gluten-free diet

@#Introduction: Lack of adherence to a strict gluten-free diet (GFD) is the main reason for poorly controlled disease in patients with coeliac disease (CD). This study aimed to assess the association between knowledge of CD and its medical diet to the adherence of GFD among adult patients with CD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a total of 90 adult patients with CD (aged between 18-65 years). The data collecting instruments were a combination of four questionnaires as follows: assessment of knowledge of coeliac disease (AKCD), gluten-free diet knowledge scale (GFD-KS), coeliac disease adherence test (CDAT), and questions on potential factors influencing GFD adherence among patients. Results: An average knowledge score of five points out of seven was obtained from 46 participants (51%). Mean score for knowledge on gluten-free diet was seven points out of 17 in 59 participants (65%). Adequate adherence to GFD was observed in 56% of the participants. No association was found between knowledge of CD and GFD to the adherence of GFD (p>0.050). Participants who had higher adherence scores were discussing GFD with a specialist, obtaining educational materials, had enhanced symptoms associated with CD, and did not complain about the taste of GFD (p<0.050). Conclusion: Patients with CD has adequate knowledge of CD and adherence of GFD. No association was found between the knowledge of CD and GFD to the adherence of GFD. Further research might explore other potential factors influencing the adherence to GFD.

Insights into knowledge, attitude and practices on early complementary feeding of infants among Saudi mothers

@#Background: The World Health Organization recommends that mothers avoid early complementary feeding of infants before the age of 6 months, to promote maximum growth and health. However, this practice is still high among Saudi mothers. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards early complementary feeding among Saudi mothers in Riyadh. Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted in Riyadh city among 771 mothers of children, aged 6-24 months. Data was collected through an online questionnaire that assessed KAP aspect regarding early complementary feeding among mothers. Results: More than one-third of mothers (37.4%) had introduced early complementary feeding, out of which 83.3% later stated that the main reason for this was because they thought that the baby was old enough to receive complementary foods. The two most common types of complementary foods given to the baby before 6 months were liquids (83.0%) and mashed foods (72.9%). The mothers who introduced complementary feeding before 6 months of age compared to those who initiated complementary feeding after 6 months were observed to have a higher percentage of medium knowledge and neutral attitude (76.0% versus 54.4% and 55.2% versus 62.5%, (p<0.05), respectively). Mothers’ knowledge and attitude significantly influenced their practices in relation to early complementary feeding (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that the appropriate knowledge and attitude are important to promote the introduction of complementary feeding at 6 months in the population that was studied. Thus, education on complementary feeding should be promoted.

[ correlation between socio-demographic, nutritional and health factors and obesity in Moroccan women during theirs proceative years]

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between socio-demographic, nutritional and health factors as well as physical activity and obesity in women during their procreative years from the Gharb region of Morocco. The regional study was carried out on 1641 women, aged between 15-49 years, representative of the region. The sampling designe was based on group samples [20 in urban urea and 15 in rural area]. Socio-demographic and nutritional status was evaluated by a questionnaire. Blood samples were taken for determine of cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose. Their systolic and diastolic blood pressures was determined. Physical activity was evaluated by BMR/TEE. Results show also increased the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 26.4% and 12.5%, respectively. Increased prevalence of obesity was significantly correlated to urbanization, low educational level, high number of children and ageing. 11% of the observed variations in body mass index [BMI] were due to changes of sociodemographic factors. The results also demonstrated that BMI variations were due to diet and physical activity changes. Lipid intake, particularly saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids was an important factor in the development of obesity. Moreover, physical activity was low in obese women in comparison with normal women. Therefore, the prevalence of chronic diseases [diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and hypertirglyceridemia] was higher in obese women