Consumption of the trans fats and fats in adult females in urban and rural areas of Ludhiana: a population-based study

Background: In India, fast foods are becoming part of our daily lifestyle. Foods prepared in restaurants are very high in trans fats (TFs). Also, alarmingly about 400,000 tonnes of snacks, which are largely prepared in TFs are consumed every year. According to recent studies, TFs levels are 5 to 12 times higher in the oils consumed in India as compared to the world standard. The WHO recommends that TFs intake be less than 1 percent of total caloric intake. The objective of the study was to assess the consumption of TFs and fats in foods by the population in urban and rural areas.Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study. All adult females above 18 years of age who took an active part in kitchen were interviewed. Their dietary patterns were assessed. The sampling was done using a systematic random sampling technique and 200 participants each in rural and urban areas were selected.Results: 12 percent participants in the urban area and 9 percent participants in the rural area were exceeding WHO limit of less than 1 percent TFs consumption. The median value of TFs consumption was higher in urban area (0.575 grams/day) than in rural area (0.427 grams/day).Conclusions: The study concludes that 12 percent participants in the urban area and 9 percent participants in the rural area were exceeding TFs consumption. Therefore, a proactive approach to ensure that these WHO regulations have the full intended effect needs to be taken.

Actitudes y comportamientos acerca del consumo de sodio y grasas trans en Argentina / Attitudes and behaviors about sodium and trans fat consumption in Argentina

INTRODUCCIÓN: la ingesta de altos niveles de sal y grasas trans está fuertemente relacionada con la ocurrencia de enfermedades cardiovasculares. OBJETIVOS: Describir los conocimientos, comportamientos y prácticas socioculturales de diferentes grupos de población, con relación al consumo de sal y grasas trans en Argentina. MÉTODOS: Se efectuó un estudio cualitativo con diseño exploratorio descriptivo. Participaron varones y mujeres mayores de 18 años. Se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad y grupos focales en tres zonas geográficas diferentes del país. RESULTADOS: Los participantes desconocen que el sodio es un componente de la sal. Se observó una tendencia a considerar que el consumo en exceso de sal es perjudicial para la salud principalmente en adultos mayores, mujeres embarazadas y en personas con enfermedades cardiovasculares. A su vez, se evidenció un total desconocimiento acerca de las grasas trans, en qué alimentos se encuentran y su impacto sobre la salud. CONCLUSIONES: Las percepciones acerca del consumo personal de sal hacen referencia a un consumo moderado. La reducción del consumo de sal ocurre predominantemente ante eventos de salud de familiares, no como conducta preventiva personal. Existe un escaso conocimiento acerca de las grasas trans.

INTRODUCTION: the consumption of high levels of salt and trans fats is strongly associated with cardiovasculardiseases. OBJECTIVES: To describe knowledge, behaviors and socio-cultural practices of different population groups in relation to consumption of salt and trans fats in Argentina. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted, with an exploratory-descriptive design and the participation of men and women older than 18. In-depth interviews and focus groups were carried out in threedifferent regions of the country. RESULTS: Participants do not know that sodium is a component of salt. There was a tendency to consider that the consumption of too much salt is unhealthy mainly in older adults, pregnant women and people with cardiovascular diseases. There was also complete ignorance regarding trans fats, their impact on health and which foods are rich in them.CONCLUSIONS: Participants consider that they have a moderateconsumption of salt. The reduction of salt intake mainly occurs after family health events, not as personal preventive behavior. There is very little knowledge about trans fats.

People on Facebook are more Health Aware than Nursing Students or People not on the Net.

In a survey of two hundred net savvy people, 500 nursing students and 400 general public aged 14-70 years attending the Perfect Health Mela 2012 it was seen that the level of health awareness was much higher in net savvy people compared to nursing students and general public.