assessment of eating habits among health science students with family history of hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus in Ajman, UAE

To assess eating habits practice, healthy diet knowledge and BMI of students with a family history [FH] of Diabetes Mellitus [DM] and/or Hypertension [HT] in Ajman, UAE. A cross-sectional survey using a self -administered questionnaire, was done among 245 health sciences students of Gulf Medical University Ajman U.A.E. Information on socio demographic variables, family history [FH] of hypertension [HT] and diabetes mellitus [DM], eating habits and 'healthy diet knowledge' and BMI was collected. Data was analyzed using the SPSS program Of the 245 students surveyed 31% of had a FH of DM and 38% had a FH of HT. More than half of the participants with FH of DM or HT practiced healthy eating habits 73%, compared to 60% of those with FH of HT. Arab students were more likely to have poor diet knowledge [20% compared to 8% of Asians], the BMI of Arabs was also higher with 9% obese compared to 2% of Asians. 33% of males had increased BMI compared to 19% of females. Individuals with positive family history of diabetes mellitus who were unaware of their risk were 17%, compared to 27% of those with FH of HT. 33% of students with FH of DM and 27% of those with a FH of HT were overweight/obese whilst only 13% of students with no FH of either were overweight. Individuals with a FH of DM had better eating habits, and awareness of risk than those with a FH of HT. Arab ethnicity showed significantly poor dietary knowledge associated with reducing risk of obesity, along with a significant increase in BMI over other ethnicities and a corresponding tendency to underestimate their BMI. Enhanced health education curriculum is necessary in UAE with a focus on exercise and portion control