ABSTRACT
Weight loss is a significant health problem among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) that is attributable primarily to the tumor or tumor therapy. Critical weight loss (CWL) is defined as the unintentional loss of ≥5% of weight. Therefore, this study's goal was to investigate and determine the possible factors influencing CWL among patients with HNC who have received radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). We conducted a retrospective analysis of 175 patients who received radiotherapy or CCRT as either their primary, adjuvant, or combined treatment at the Oncology Center in King Abdullah Medical City. All patients were ≥18 years of age and diagnosed with HNC with no metastasis. The study results showed that 107 patients (61%) had CWL, while 68 (39%) did not. The following factors were significantly predictive of CWL with a multivariate regression analysis: pretreatment BMI (AOR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.02-1.17), oral cavity cancer (AOR = 10.36, 95% CI = 1.13-94.55), and male sex (AOR = 3.15, 95% CI = 1.39-7.11). In conclusion, weight loss is highly prevalent among HNC patients during treatment. Accordingly, pretreatment BMI, cancer in the oral cavity, and being male can be considered predictive factors for CWL.
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: People frequently utilize dietary supplements (DS), notably during the COVID-19 epidemic, despite the lack of data supporting their usefulness and safety in enhancing general health. This study aimed to measure the consumption of DS in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19. Previous studies focused on using dietary supplements for preventing or reducing mental health. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1572 participants aged 18-65, from all-over Saudi Arabia who were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire to measure the consumption of supplements during the pandemic lockdown period. Also, it investigates the factor that effect supplements consumption. Results: Around 63% of the participants did not change their consumption patterns during the pandemic, while 16% consumed more and 21.4% consumed fewer supplements during the pandemic. The most commonly used supplements were iron; calcium, especially among pregnant women; omega-3, especially in people older than 65 years; and vitamin D. Females (81%; P < 0.002); age (94.7%; P < 0.002); married people (84%; P < 0.001); those with a higher educational level (83.9%; P = 0.02); those with a higher monthly income (86.1%; P = 0.006); and pregnant women (100%; P < 0.007) reported the highest rates of consumption. Conclusion: Dietary supplements have recently become popular in Saudi Arabia, but large differences remain between Saudis in their consumption of supplements. Additional research should be conducted to examine the level of knowledge of dietary supplements among Saudi population.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased considerably in Saudi Arabia in the past two decades. We conducted this study because to examine trends in weight gain with age and related anthropometric measurements in Saudi Arabia such data are limited. OBJECTIVE: To determine trends in overweight and obesity and examine anthropometric indices by age group. DESIGN: Analytical cross-sectional study. SETTING: Universities, malls, and hospitals in the cities of Mecca, Jeddah, and Al-Taif. METHODS: Participants were selected by convenience sampling. Body weight, body fat percentage, visceral fat percentage, and skeletal muscle percentage were measured with the Omron body composition monitor device. Waist circumference, height, and body mass index (BMI) were also measured. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Changes in BMI, body fat percentage, visceral fat percentage, and skel-etal muscle with age for both genders. RESULTS: We selected 2548 Saudis, 1423 males and 1125 females, aged 18 to 60 years. A significant trend (ptrend < .001) for BMI and all anthropometric indices was observed with age for both genders. About 55.1% of the participants were overweight and obese (BMI > 25 kg/m2). Obesity and overweight were more prevalent in men than in women and was observed early in both genders, at the ages of 18-19 in men and 30-39 years for women. In the age range of 40-60 years, muscle mass dropped significantly (P < .05) for both genders. Mean waist circumference and visceral fat were significantly (P < .001) higher in men than in women, but the mean total body fat percentage was higher in females than in males (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Significant trends were observed for BMI, WC, body fat, visceral fat, and muscle mass for both genders with age. National programs should be maintained to encourage physical activity and weight reduction as well as focusing on obesity-related lifestyle and behaviors at early ages to prevent weight gain and possibly muscle wasting with age. LIMITATIONS: There was an unequal distribution in numbers of subjects between study groups. Convenience sampling was used to recruit the participants.
