Prevalence of vitamin-mineral supplement use among Jordan University students

To determine the prevalence, reasons, source of information of vitamin-mineral supplement uses, and their relationship with selected demographic and lifestyle characteristics among Jordan University students. A cross-sectional survey was carried out at Jordan University, Amman, Jordan from March to September 2005. The survey included 1187 students aged 17-28 years. A multistage stratified sampling technique was used to recruit the participants from different majors at Jordan University. A self-administered questionnaire containing questions on use of vitamin-mineral supplement during the last year, demographic, and lifestyle characteristics was completed. The overall prevalence of vitamin-mineral supplement use during the last year reported by students was 27.4% [males 22%, and females 30.2%]. Vitamin-mineral supplement use among university students was significantly [p<0.05] associated with age, gender, family monthly income, smoking status, physical activity, vegetarian status, and body mass index. The most frequently used supplements were multivitamins [10.4%] and multivitamins-multi minerals [10%]. The most frequently given reason for supplement use was for treatment. The main frequently reported source of information was a physician [45.8%]. The overall prevalence rate of vitamin-mineral supplement use is very low. Supplement users are more likely to be: females, nonsmokers, of higher income, physically active, vegetarians, and of normal body mass index. The main reason for supplement use is for treatment, and the major source of information on supplements is by physicians and pharmacists

Generalized obesity, serum lipids and lipoproteins in adult males in a Semi-Urban community in the North of Jordan

To describe the relationship between generalized obseity with serum lipids and lipoproteins. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select the participants from Alsareeh area. A total of 400 apparently healthy adult males aged 30-50 years were invited to participate in the study, 103 non-obese, 100 overweight, 103 obese completed the study. A pilot tested interview questionnaire was designated in the study to collect dietary the history. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured, whereas low density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio were calculated. Adverse serum lipids and lipoproteins were categorized based on National Institute of Health [NIH, 1998]. Obesity was categorized into three groups as indicated by body mass index-C WHO [1997] for generalized obesity. There was an increase in the prevalence rate of adverse serum lipids and lipoproteins as BMI level increases. Their prevalence rate among overweight and obese subjects compared with non-obese subjects were 2.1-8.9 and 4.9-10.9 times respectively. Adjusted odds ratios of adverse serum lipids and lipoproteins after controlling for confounding factors among overweight and obese subject compared with non-obese were 5.08-6.27 [95%CI] and 11.59-13.8 [95%CI]respectively. The amount of body fat is a major risk factors on adverse serum lipids and lipoproteins which emphasizes the need for concentrated efforts to prevent and treat obesity rather than just its associated diseases