Estado nutricional, hábitos de alimentación y de estilo de vida en vegetarianos de Asunción y Gran Asunción, Paraguay / Nutritional status, eating habits and lifestyle factors among vegetarians from Asunción and Great Asunción, Paraguay

RESUMEN Una dieta vegetariana se define por la exclusión total o parcial de alimentos de origen animal. Cuando es planificada adecuadamente puede prevenir y tratar enfermedades. Sin embargo, una dieta restrictiva en ciertos alimentos debe ser evaluada. El propósito de esta investigación fue describir parámetros antropométricos, hábitos de alimentación y de estilo de vida en ovo-lácteo-vegetarianos y veganos y explorar diferencias en la ingesta de nutrientes críticos entre ambos grupos. Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, realizado en ovo-lácteo-vegetarianos y veganos de Asunción, Paraguay, durante el 2015. Se evaluaron parámetros antropométricos,, ingesta y hábitos de estilo de vida saludable. Participaron 17 ovo-lácteo-vegetarianos y 14 veganos. El 67,7 % (n= 21) se encontró normopeso, el 29 % (n= 9) presentó exceso de peso, y el 3,2% (n=1) bajo peso. Se presentó una ingesta inferior a los requerimientos en energía, carbohidratos, proteínas y grasas en ambos grupos de vegetarianos, e ingesta muy limitada de calcio y vitamina B12 en veganos. Las mujeres presentaron ingesta muy por debajo de las recomendaciones para hierro y calcio. Ninguna mujer vegana cumplió con la recomendación dietaria de vitamina B12. Al comparar grupos, se hallaron diferencias significativas en proteínas, calcio (menor consumo en veganos) y fibra (menor en ovo-lácteo-vegetarianos). La suplementación con vitaminas y suplementos también fue muy baja. Los resultados resaltan la importancia de una evaluación constante de la ingesta de nutrientes en una dieta vegetariana, a modo de evitar deficiencias o excesos, y la insoslayable tarea del nutricionista para el asesoramiento alimentario-nutricional a los individuos que expresen interés en adoptar este tipo de dieta.

ABSTRACT A vegetarian diet is defined by the total or partial exclusion of foods of animal origin. When properly planned it can prevent and treat disease. However, a restrictive diet in certain foods must be evaluated. The purpose of this research was to describe anthropometric parameters, eating and lifestyle habits of lacto-ovo-vegetarians and vegans, and to explore differences in critical nutrient intake between both groups. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out among lacto-ovo-vegetarians and vegans in the city of Asunción, Paraguay, during 2015. Anthropometric parameters,, intake and healthy lifestyle habits were evaluated. Seventeen lacto-ovo-vegetarians and 14 vegans participated. 67.7% (n= 21) were normal weight, 29.1% (n= 9) were overweight, and 3.2% (n= 1) were underweight. There was an intake lower than the requirements in terms of energy, carbohydrates, proteins and fats in both groups of vegetarians, and very limited intake of calcium and vitamin B12 in vegans. Women particularly had intake well below the recommendations for iron and calcium. No woman on a vegan diet met the dietary recommendation for vitamin B12. When comparing groups, significant differences were found in terms of protein and calcium, (lower consumption in vegans), fiber (lower in lacto-ovo-vegetarians). Vitamin supplementation was also very low. The results highlight the importance of constant evaluation of nutrient intake in a vegetarian diet in order to avoid deficiencies or excesses, and the very important work of the nutritionist for food and nutritional advice for individuals who express interest in adopting this type of diet.

Correlation between anthropometric measurement, lipid profile, dietary vitamins, serum antioxidants, lipoprotein (a) and lipid peroxides in known cases of 345 elderly hypertensive South Asian aged 56-64 y-A hospital based study

Objective: To address the association of dietary vitamins, anthropometric profile, lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in hypertensive participant compared with normotensive healthy controls.Methods:in both hypertensive participants and normotensive age-sex matched healthy controls. The associated changes in serum antioxidants and lipid peroxidation were also assessed along with lipid profile and anthropometric measurements in both groups of subjects under study.Results:Dietary intake of vitamins was assessed by 131 food frequency questionnaire items B2 and ascorbic acid compared to normotensive controls. Anthropometric variables in the hypertensive showed significant differences in weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio and mid-arm circumference. The total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride were significantly higher (P<0.001) in hypertensive except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol which was significantly higher (P<0.001) in normotensive. The serum endogenous antioxidants and enzyme antioxidants were significantly decreased in hypertensive except serum albumin levels compared to normotensive along with concomitant increase in serum lipoprotein (a) malondialdehyde and conjugated diene levels. Dietary vitamins intake was higher in hypertensive participants excepting for vitamin Conclusions: Based on the observations, our study concludes that hypertension is caused due to interplay of several confounding factors namely anthropometry, lipid profile, depletion of endogenous antioxidants and rise in oxidative stress.

Correlation between anthropometric measurement, lipid profile, dietary vitamins, serum antioxidants, lipoprotein (a) and lipid peroxides in known cases of 345 elderly hypertensive South Asian aged 56-64 y-A hospital based study

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To address the association of dietary vitamins, anthropometric profile, lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in hypertensive participant compared with normotensive healthy controls.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Dietary intake of vitamins was assessed by 131 food frequency questionnaire items in both hypertensive participants and normotensive age-sex matched healthy controls. The associated changes in serum antioxidants and lipid peroxidation were also assessed along with lipid profile and anthropometric measurements in both groups of subjects under study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Dietary vitamins intake was higher in hypertensive participants excepting for vitamin B2 and ascorbic acid compared to normotensive controls. Anthropometric variables in the hypertensive showed significant differences in weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio and mid-arm circumference. The total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride were significantly higher (P<0.001) in hypertensive except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol which was significantly higher (P<0.001) in normotensive. The serum endogenous antioxidants and enzyme antioxidants were significantly decreased in hypertensive except serum albumin levels compared to normotensive along with concomitant increase in serum lipoprotein (a) malondialdehyde and conjugated diene levels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Based on the observations, our study concludes that hypertension is caused due to interplay of several confounding factors namely anthropometry, lipid profile, depletion of endogenous antioxidants and rise in oxidative stress.</p>