Obesity: an emerging problem in Saudi Arabia. Analysis of data from the National Nutrition Survey.

To document the prevalence of obesity in Saudi Arabia, we used data from a cross-sectional study on 19,598 individuals in 2837 households. Body mass index, skinfold thickness and mid-arm circumference were measured. Prevalence of obesity ranged from 33.9% in Ha'il to 11.7% in Jizan. More women than men were obese, 23.6% compared to 14.2%. Prevalence of overweight was 30.7% for males and 28.4% for females. Obesity was present in all age groups. It is clear that changes must be made to the lifestyle of the Saudi population in order to reduce the prevalence of obesity.

Obesity: an emerging problem in Saudi Arabia. Analysis of data from the National Nutrition Survey

To document the prevalence of obesity in Saudi Arabia, we used data from a study on 19 598 individuals in 2837 households. Body mass index, skinfold thickness cross-sectional and mid- arm circumference were measured. Prevalence of obesity ranged from 33.9% in Ha'il to 11.7% in Jizan. More women than men were obese, 23.6% compared to 14.2%. Prevalence of overweight was 30.7% for males and 28.4% for females. Obesity was present in all age groups. It is clear that changes must be made to the lifestyle of the Saudi population in order to reduce the prevalence of obesity

Dietary fat and breast cancer in Saudi Arabia: a case-control study

A case-control study investigated the association between dietary fat and breast cancer in Saudi Arabian women attending a specialist hospital in Riyadh. Women with breast carcinoma [n= 499] newly diagnosed between 1996-2002, and control women [n = 498] randomly selected from patients' attendants and relatives, completed a food frequency questionnaire. Serum levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol were measured. A significant positive association was found between risk of breast cancer and intake of fats, protein and calories. Adjusted odds ratios for the highest quartile of intake versus the lowest were 2.43 for saturated fat, 2.25 for animal protein, 2.12 for polyunsaturated fat, 1.88 for cholesterol and 2.69 for total energy from dietary intake. For serum triglycerides the adjusted odds ratio was 2.16 for the highest quartile

Prostatic carcinoma: a nutritional disease? Conflicting data from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

PURPOSE: The incidence of prostate cancer in Saudi Arabia has been reported to be low at 1.4 to 2.1/100,000 person-years. We prospectively evaluated the true incidence of this disease and its association with dietary factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1994 to 1997 inclusive Saudi men older than 50 years treated at our institution for various presenting symptoms and diseases were randomly selected from various departments. They were examined prospectively with digital rectal examination, and total and free prostate specific antigen measurement. Transrectal ultrasound and prostatic biopsy were performed when either test was abnormal. Nutrition questionnaires and detailed interviews with a nutritionist were completed to assess the type of diet, and amount of saturated and polyunsaturated fat consumption of patients with prostatic carcinoma and controls. RESULTS: For the 2,270 Saudi men screened we noted an incidence of 3.1/100,000 person-years. Our nutritional survey revealed that recent fat consumption was greater than 120 gm. per person daily, of which about 40% was from meat and dairy products. Saturated fat comprised about 50% of the total fat intake. There was no difference in the amount of fat in the diet of men with and without prostatic carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of prostatic carcinoma in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is low despite a high saturated fat diet in recent years. This finding contradicts most western clinical studies, which indicate a positive association of a high fat diet with prostatic carcinoma.

Nutritive value of various breads in Saudi Arabia.

The nutritive value of nine Saudi breads prepared from wheat, millet and corn were measured chemically by proximate, minerals and vitamins analyses. On fresh weight basis, the bread contained 26.4-44.7% moisture, 6.6-10.4% protein, 0.4-2.4% fat, 40.2-60.6% available carbohydrates, 1.8-5.7% dietary fibre, 0.6-2.4% ash and 190-273 Kcal (metabolizable) per 100 g. All the breads were low in Ca (2.2-12.5 mg/100 g), P ranged from 41.9-320.8, Na 83.2-794.6, K 0.7-224.2 and Fe 1.6-7.8 mg/100 g. The contents of vitamin A (RE), thiamin and riboflavin ranged from 0-145 micrograms, 0.01-0.26 mg, 0.02-0.13 mg/100 g respectively. The bread contributed 12-18, 2-8 and 77-84% of the total food energy from protein, fat and carbohydrates respectively. Wheat bread (355 g/head/day) provided 45 and 61% of energy and protein requirements respectively at national level per person per day.

Prevalence of nutritional anaemia among primary school girls in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.

The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia was investigated among 1,210 school girls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Anthropometric measurements were recorded. A dietary and socio-economic status questionnaire was administered and heamoglobin (Hb), serum iron and ferritin were estimated. Wasting and stunting is common among the 7- and 14-year-old girls. A total of 8.5% of children showed Hb level below 10 g/dL while 55.4% showed Hb level below 12 g/dL. It was found that 26.3% of the girls have serum iron below 10 mumol/dL while 16.1% of subsample of the girls showed serum ferritin level of less than 12 micrograms/dL. The most affected ones are those in the age group of 7-14 years old. The dietary questionnaire revealed that 16.5% of the girls did not take breakfast at home and depend on snacks offered in the school canteen which consist mostly of biscuits, chocolate bars, potato chips and carbonated cola drinks. No association between education of mother and father and breakfast consumption at home was detected. Tea drinking is common among these girls while fresh fruits and vegetable consumption is infrequent. Iron deficiency anaemia is highly prevalent among these schoolgirls which seriously affects the growth of 7- and 14-year-old girls. An in-depth investigation of the etiological factors of iron deficiency is urgently needed and meanwhile a suitable iron supplementation program is recommended.

Nutritional evaluation of some legume-based dishes consumed in Saudi Arabia.

Chemical composition and nutritional quality of five Saudi dishes based on legumes were evaluated. On fresh weight basis, the dishes contained 35.3-78.1% moisture, 4.4-10.2% protein (NX6.25), 1.2-19.1% fat, 8.0-24.8% carbohydrates, 2.4-7.7% dietary fibre, 1.4-2.9% ash and 71-311 Kcal (297-1301 KJ) per 100 g dish. The contents of vitamin A (retinol equivalent), thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin C ranged from 85-378 micrograms, 0.01-0.12 mg, 0.02-0.46 mg and 0.3-1.2 mg per 100 g respectively. The mineral contents (mg/100 g) were calcium 2.1-22.1, phosphorus 49.1-330.3, iron 1.1-13.3, sodium 348.3-1356.9, and potassium 119.1-624.8. The dishes contributed 13-25%, 15-64% and 16-60% of the total food energy from protein, fat and carbohydrates respectively. Most of the dishes were good sources of dietary fibre, vitamin A and iron.

Nutrient intake and weight/height of Saudi patients at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Nutrition surveys in the past showed some mild and moderate degrees of malnutrition in young children below 10 years of age. Deficiency diseases like anaemia were also reported. This survey is part of a large study of 1005 patients and sitters to see the relationship of diet and disease. Seven hundred and fourteen patients were subsampled and became the subject of this report to find out if the nutritional status of the children surveyed 10 to 15 years ago had any major change. It also presented some new information about nutritional status of older groups up to 96 years of age. It was found that weight for height and height for age of children up 14 years (except the girls GT 10-LE 14 years) could now compare with the US NCHS standard. The adolescent girls' (up to age 18) weight for height were statistically lower than the standard. Later in life, with some influences from the other female members of the household, and because of their limited activity, the women's weights were even higher than the standard. The adolescent males' weights were within standard, but the adult males' from age 18 were statistically lower than NCHS. Height for age from age 14 years for all were statistically lower than standard and was attributed to poor nutritional states in the past. Energy intakes of the adult males and iron intakes of the infants below one year of age were significantly lower than standard. Low energy intakes of the adult males confirm low weight for height performance. The same problem with iron of milk-fed infants of 10 to 15 years ago was still encountered. This shows that some traditional practice of infant feeding still persists despite the improvement in the quality of life and standard of living of the Saudis due to the economic upheaval created by oil. This survey emphasizes the importance of follow-up reports to see the changes in the people's state of health after a period of transition from economic dependence to affluence.

Comparative responses of plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide following ingestion of isocaloric glucose, a modified urban Saudi breakfast and dates in normal Saudi persons.

Diabetic patients are commonly advised without scientific basis to avoid ingestion of dates. Prior to undertaking studies in diabetic persons, we considered it important to establish the metabolic consequences of date ingestion in normal Saudi subjects. Nineteen normal subjects, 11 males and 8 females, aged 29.4 +/- 1.5 (mean +/- SEM) with a body mass index (BMI) of 22.1 +/- 0.5 were fed in a random order: a) a date meal (DM) consisting of approximately 300 calories (Carbohydrates - CHO 74.5 g, proteins 3.7 g and fats 0.66 g), b) a modified urban Saudi breakfast (SBF) 300 calories (oral glucose tolerance test - OGTT), on 3 different days at least 1 week apart. Plasma glucose (G), insulin (I) and C-peptide (C) values were determined at -30,0 and then every 30 minutes for 180 minutes. Glycemic indices for DM and SBF were also determined. G, I and C area profiles were not different between DM and SBF but were when compared with OGTT. This is the first documentation of the glycemic index for dates. For the "Khalas" variety it was found to be 57.7 +/- 8.5 and was significantly lower than that for SBF which was 79.0. Contrary to the usual belief, this study refutes the notion that ingestion of date adversely affects glucose tolerance compared with SBF in normal subjects. Similar results are observed in preliminary studies in diabetic subjects in our laboratory.

Mutagenic and antimutagenic factor(s) extracted from a desert mushroom using different solvents.

A desert mushroom called Al-faga (Tirmania pinoyi) was sequentially extracted with boiling water, chloroform and ethanol under reflux conditions. The water extract was freeze-dried while the organic solvents were fully evaporated to obtain residues, which were redissolved in dimethylsulphoxide and then tested for mutagenicity in the Ames assay using the Salmonella tester strains TA98 and TA100. The aqueous extract failed to show any mutagenic activity while the chloroform extract proved to be mutagenic with and without metabolic activation. The ethanol extract was not mutagenic in the same tests. However, ethanol extract combined with known carcinogens like benzo[a]pyrene or 7,12-dimethyl-benz[a]anthracene (with metabolic activation) inhibited the carcinogen-induced mutagenicity in a dose-dependent manner. These results show that both mutagens and antimutagens may be extracted from a single food item by using different solvents.