Nutritional Data on Selected Food Products Consumed in Oman: An Update of the Food Composition Table and Use for Future Food Consumption Surveys.

Food composition data in the Eastern Mediterranean Region countries are often lacking, obsolete, or unreliable. The study aims to provide reliable nutrient data on food products consumed in Oman in order to evaluate their nutritional quality, the consistency of the nutrition labeling and claims, and, ultimately, the use for food consumption surveys and update the current food composition database. Contents of fat, fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, sugars, and sodium were chemically analyzed in 221 foods and beverages. Products were classified according to their nutritional composition and the extent of processing and coded according to the FoodEx2 system. Labels and laboratory values were compared using the tolerance levels of the European Union. Results indicate that the nutrition labeling aligns with the values obtained in the laboratory, with the exception of 6.3% discrepancies in TFA content, where the reported values are higher than the appropriate reference values. The most frequent category (71.5%) was ultra-processed foods. In terms of inconsistencies in the nutritional claims, 5.1% of food products with claims did not comply with the statement "sugar-free" or "low salt". Our study provides evidence to support the necessity of comprehensive recommendations for consumers and food industries, which are aimed at enhancing the nutritional quality of products and augmenting consumer awareness.

Young Children Feeding Practices: An Update from the Sultanate of Oman.

Despite proven benefits, most countries fail to meet international targets for appropriate complementary and Breast Feeding (BF) practices. This study assessed feeding practices of children under two years of age and correlated them with family parameters in Oman, a high income country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. METHODS: Data from this study originated from the latest Oman National Nutrition Survey (ONNS). Assessment of children and their mothers' socioeconomic, anthropometric, and nutritional variables was conducted at the household level. Evaluated feeding practices included age appropriate BF, diet diversity, and minimum acceptable diet (MAD). RESULTS: Pairs of mothers and infants (n = 1344) were assessed. Early BF, exclusive BF at 6 months, infant formula, and iron rich meals were provided to 81, 29, 44, and 84% of children, respectively. Age appropriate BF and MAD were found in 58% and 35% of children, respectively. Low maternal education, younger age, low household income, and governorate negatively affected diet acceptability. CONCLUSION: Omani children successfully received early BF postpartum and consumed iron rich meals. Yet, rates of exclusive BF rates at six months and MAD for children under two were low. Comprehensive strategies should be placed to assess and influence children feeding practices in the Sultanate.

Preschoolers' and Mothers Dietary Practices and Compliance with the 24-h Movement Guidelines: Results of Oman's National Nutrition Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known on the nutritional and lifestyle variables of preschool children in Oman. This study analyzed data of the 2017 Oman National Nutrition Survey to assess the prevalence and interrelationships between dietary and movement variables among preschool children, aged 2-5 years. METHODS: Household visits of a nationally representative sample evaluated mothers and children's dietary, sleep and physical activity practices; media exposure; and anthropometric and sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: Dyads of mothers and pre-school children aged 2-5 years (n = 1771) were assessed. Childhood overweight/obesity was prevalent in 2% of the sample. Over 54% of children consumed sweetened items and/or French fries or chips at least once daily. Over 65% of children had fruits and/or vegetables once daily or less. Mothers had healthier dietary and movement habits compared to their offspring. Compliance with media exposure was the lowest among mothers and children. Multivariate regression revealed children's increased sweet intake was the only significant predictor of excess weight in children. CONCLUSION: This study revealed a low prevalence of overweight/obesity among preschool children in Oman. Children had an acceptable compliance with sleeping recommendations, yet limited adherence to media exposure, activity, added sugar and fruits and vegetables guidelines.

National Prevalence of Micronutrient Deficiencies, Anaemia, Genetic Blood Disorders and Over- and Undernutrition in Omani Women of Reproductive Age and Preschool Children.

A national cross-sectional survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of anaemia, micronutrient deficiencies, haemoglobin disorders and over- and undernutrition in children and women of reproductive age in Oman. Wasting and stunting were found in 9.3% and 11.4% of children aged 0-59 months, respectively, while 4.2% were overweight or obese. In addition, 23.8% were anaemic and 10.2%, 9.5% and 10.6% had iron, vitamin A and vitamin D deficiencies, respectively. Sickle cell and ß-thalassaemia genetic traits were present in 5.3% and 4.2% of children and 4.7% and 2.8% of women, respectively. Overall, 9.1% of Omani women were underweight and 59.2% were overweight or obese. The prevalence of anaemia was 27.8%, while iron, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiencies affected 24.8%, 11.6%, 8.9% and 16.2%, respectively. Anaemia among both children and women and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in women are the most concerning nutritional problems in Oman.

Rapid assessment of marketing of unhealthy foods to children in mass media, schools and retail stores in Oman.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is high in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Half of the Region's adult women (50.1%) and more than two in five men (43.8%) are overweight or obese, and 6.9% of children aged under five years in the Region are already overweight, which is higher than the global average of 6.2%. AIMS: This rapid assessment aimed to examine marketing techniques of foods and non-alcoholic beverages targeting children and assessed implementation of food restrictions in schools as part of the national effort to address obesity in Oman. METHODS: Trained reviewers assessed Arabic TV satellite stations, local radio and print media, a random sample of schools, and a convenience sample of grocery stores, cafes and convenience stores between November 2015 and October 2016. RESULTS: A majority of TV advertisements (71%) were for follow-up milk formula and used a variety of methods to attract children. A large portion of radio advertisements (44%) were for savoury snacks; all included children and used sounds/words to attract children. Few print media advertisements promoted snacks; however, a large majority of the sugary snack advertisements (13% of print media) used pictures/words and incentives (awards) to attract children. In schools, most beverages purchased by children had added sugars. CONCLUSIONS: Establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework under the national Child Law and the Convention of the Rights of the Child should be complemented by systematic monitoring of their impact on child health, and increasing food and beverage literacy among principals, teachers, canteen managers and the wider community.

Randomized open-label trial of docosahexaenoic acid-enriched fish oil and fish meal on cognitive and behavioral functioning in Omani children.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched fish oil supplement and meal of grilled fish on cognitive and behavioral functioning manifested as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in primary school students 9 to 10 y of age in Muscat, Oman. METHODS: This randomized open-label trial involved two types of interventions: fish oil supplement or one serving (100 g) of grilled fish per day (Sunday through Friday) for 12 weeks. Red cell total lipid DHA levels were assessed. The Verbal Fluency Test, Buschke Selective Reminding Test, and Trail Making Test were used to measure cognitive functioning. Behavioral functioning was assessed using a standardized Arabic version of the National Initiative for Children's Health Quality Vanderbilt Assessment Scales. All measurements were carried out before and after intervention. RESULTS: DHA levels increased by 72% and 64% in the fish oil (mean, 3.6%-6.2%) and fish-meal (mean, 3.4%-5.6%) groups, respectively (P = 0.000). The Trail Making Test was the only cognitive test that demonstrated marked differences between groups: Median interquartile range difference between pre- and postintervention in the Trail Making Part B score was 61.5 (SE, 19.3, 103.2) in the fish oil versus fish-meal group, 24.5 (SE, -15.2, 74.7, P = 0.005). The Vanderbilt Assessment Scales also showed significant differences between groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study contributed to available evidence on the cognitive and behavioral benefits of DHA in healthy school children. Expanding the food fortification program with DHA-enriched fish oil should be considered as part of broader policy to improve child health.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Parental Factors in School Children Aged Nine to Ten Years in Muscat, Oman.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and specific parental risk factors that may contribute to the development of ADHD in children. METHODS: The study was conducted in Oman among fourth-grade students (aged nine to 10 years). A standardized Arabic version of the National Initiative for Children's Health Quality Vanderbilt Assessment Scale (Teachers questionnaire) was used to determine the presence of ADHD. Parental factors such as socioeconomic status, education, and occupation were documented. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of ADHD was 8.8%. Poor maternal education status, low familial socioeconomic status, and paternal occupation were significantly associated with an increased risk of ADHD. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first study that examined familial and parental characteristics of children with ADHD as potential risk factors for the condition. Such psychosocial factors could be employed to further the development of more proficient preventative measures and remedial services.