Nutritional knowledge, nutrients intake and nutritional status of hypertensive patients in Ondo State, Nigeria.

This study aimed at assessing the anthropometry, dietary intake and micronutrient status of hypertensive patients attending specialist hospitals in Ondo State, Nigeria. A descriptive case control study was conducted among subjects attending two specialist hospitals located in Akure and Ondo towns. A total of 452 subjects (44.9% males and 55.1% females), was purposely selected from the study centres. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect information on demographic characteristics, socio-economic parameters, nutrition knowledge and dietary intakes of the subjects. The quantities of subjects' dietary intakes were measured using household measurements. Weight, height, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were measured using electronic bathroom scale, standiometer and sphygmomanometer, respectively. The subject's urine was collected; and vitamin C, sodium, potassium, calcium, zinc and magnesium were determined using standard procedures. The results showed the following means: age 52.4 +/- 2.38 years, weight 66.4 +/- 1.63kg, height 1.64 +/- 0.01m, body mass index (BMI) 24.13 +/- 0.69kg/m2, SBP 124.86 +/- 2.3mmHg and DBP 76.22 +/- 1.86 mmHg. Blood pressure (BP) of the subjects showed that 46.9% had optimal BP, 14.2% normal BP, 11.5% high normal BP, 12.8% mild hypertension, 9.7% moderate hypertension and 4.9% severe hypertension. For BMI, 8.8% were underweight, 47.1% normal, 30.3% overweight, 6.0% obesity class I, 6.0% obesity class II and 1.8% obesity class III. The proportion of hypertensive subjects that were obese was significantly (P = 0.0001) higher than control subjects. Three-fifth of the control subjects had good nutrition knowledge compared to one-fifth of hypertensive subjects. The estimated mean energy intake was 8.46 MJ, protein 93.1g, carbohydrate 314.5g, fat 42.9g, fibres 5.6g and appreciable amount of vitamin C, calcium, zinc, magnesium, sodium and potassium. The subjects' urinary vitamin C concentration was 32.49 +/- 2.53mg; calcium 0.41 +/- 0.06mg, zinc 0.04 +/- 0.01mg; magnesium 4.57 +/- 0.37mg, sodium 8.33 +/- 0.37mg) and potassium 7.45 +/- 0.21mg. Statistically, there were significant differences (P < 0.05) between urinary vitamin C, sodium and potassium concentration (except zinc) of hypertensive patients and the control subjects. Weak correlations were observed between the subjects' systolic (P < 0.05) and diastolic (P < 0.01) BP and age, BMI and magnesium; with inverse correlations between vitamin C, sodium and potassium. The study concluded that hypertension was significantly influenced by BMI of the subjects, which may be an indication of high intake of calories. Therefore, calorie intake should be controlled among the hypertensives.

Prevalence of obesity among type 2 diabetics in Nigeria a case study of patients in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

A cross-sectional study of anthropometric parameters (weight and height) and body mass index (BMI) of 212 type 2 diabetic patients was conducted in Ibadan, Oyo State, South-Western Nigeria between January and March 2002. Pretested Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to obtain information on the socio-economic and medical profiles of the patients who had been attending the dietetic clinics of a teaching hospital and a state hospital respectively for medical treatment and dietary counseling for at least 6 months. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 55 (13.7) years. Fifty-seven percent of them were women and forty-three percent men. The mean (SD) weights of the male and female patients were 67.4 (11.7) kg and 64.1 (4.6) kg respectively. Majority (83%) of the patients were either overweight or obese. The female patients were significantly more obese than the males (P < 0.001). This study concludes that certain dietary measures and regular moderate exercise which could enhance the achievement and maintenance of ideal body weight should be given emphasis in the management of type 2 diabetic patients.

Soluble and insoluble fiber contents of some Cameroonian foodstuffs.

As a result of the lack of reliable data on the fiber content of African foodstuffs, a study to determine the dietary fiber contents (soluble, insoluble and total) on a dry weight basis of a selected variety of major Cameroonian foods was conducted. The influence of processing and preparation methods on the fiber content was also assessed. Vegetables were found to be the richest source of total dietary fiber (57%), followed by legumes and seeds (30%) and fruits (16.5%). Okro (Hibiscus esculenta), plantain (Musa paradisiaca) and beans (Phaseolus spp) showed varietal differences in their soluble and insoluble fiber content, while methods of processing and preparation significantly influenced the fiber content of cassava (Manihot esculenta), corn (Zea mays) and beans.

A comparative study of the nutrient composition of some common Nigerian soups

Ten common types of Nigerian soup combinations were collected and analyzed both within urban and rural areas. They were analyzed for their nutrient contents and evaluated for their contributions to daily nutrient requirements. Soups are consumed about twice a day with an average consumption of approximately 150 gms per person. The percentage contribution to daily requirement ranges from 24.9-41 per cent calories; 14.4-28.7 per cent protein; 39-94.7 per cent fat. The mineral contribution ranges from 5.6-21.5 per cent calcium; 9.4-48.8 per cent phosphorus; 30-119.6 per cent iron and 3.9-21.6 per cent zinc. The vitamin contribution ranges from 1-7.7 per cent riboflavin and 3.7-7.6 per cent ascobic acid. It was also found that variations in the recipe; the preparatory procedure and the length of cooking period have direct effect on the ultimate value of the nutrient quality