Dietary patterns and the risk of coronary heart disease among Jordanians: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dietary pattern and lifestyle have been reported to be significant risk factors in the development of coronary heart diseases (CHD). The contribution degree of these dietary risk factors in CHD development in non-westernized countries is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate several dietary choices and their potential association with CHD. METHODS AND RESULTS: A case-control study was conducted at Prince Hamza Hospital, a referral center for coronary angiography in Amman, Jordan. Four-hundred patients referring for elective coronary angiography with clinical suspicion of coronary artery disease were enrolled. Data was collected using interview-based questionnaires. Dietary patterns were derived using Principal Component Analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the relationship between dietary choices and CHD. Three dietary patterns were identified. The "Healthy Dietary Pattern", which presented a diet rich in olive oil, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, and low meat intake, was associated with a significant decrease in the odds of CHD (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.28-0.98). The "High-Fiber Pattern", which is mainly composed of legumes and bulgur, significantly reduced the odd of CHD (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.27-0.92) for the fourth quartile compared to the first one. No significant association was found between CHD and the "Western Dietary Pattern", which is loaded with refined grains, sweets and deserts, sugary drinks, and deep fried foods. CONCLUSIONS: The "Healthy Dietary Pattern" and the "High-Fiber Pattern" were associated with a decrease in odds of CHD among Jordanians.

The cultural beliefs of Jordanian women during childbearing: implications for nursing care.

AIMS: To determine the cultural and religious beliefs and practices about childbirth among Jordanian women and to indicate how these beliefs and practices can be integrated into the maternity care of Muslim women in general, especially those immigrating to Western countries. BACKGROUND: The physiology of childbirth is similar for all women worldwide, but the surroundings in which it takes place makes it a unique experience for each woman. Every society has cultural practices and beliefs related to childbirth, and what is considered to be a vital practice in one culture may be seen as insignificant in another. METHODS: A qualitative research design with an interpretative phenomenological approach was used to conduct semi-structured, audiotaped interviews with nine Jordanian mothers. RESULTS: Five main themes identified: childbearing is a blessing of Allah, a time for special maternal care, a time for maternal self-renewal, a time for maternal spiritual purification and a time to prepare for the sacrifices of motherhood. DISCUSSION: The findings reflected the sensitivity of the grace of God in all the interviews, illustrating the permeating influence of religious beliefs on traditional Jordanian childbirth practices. POLICY IMPLICATIONS: In planning policies, health services globally should acknowledge the diverse need of migrant women during childbirth, in order to gain women's trust in maternity services. To offer sensitive care, nurses need to address mothers' cultural and spiritual needs and meet these needs respectfully. CONCLUSIONS: To improve the childbearing experience, maternity staff should consider these themes to help build trust with mothers based on an appreciation of their spiritual and cultural beliefs.

Meats, milk and fat consumption in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Data from several studies suggest that a diet high in meat, including processed meat and fat, may have an association with the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between meats, dairy products, fat consumption and the risk of CRC in Jordanians. A case-control study was performed at the five largest hospitals in Jordan. Dietary data were collected from 220 diagnosed cases of CRC and 281 healthy disease-free controls. The CRC cases were matched as closely as possible to controls using age, sex, occupation and marital status. RESULTS: The consumption of different levels and frequencies of several food types, including meats, chicken, milk and fish, was found to be associated with the risk of developing CRC. Added fats and oils were inversely associated with CRC risk with odds ratio = 0.33 (95% confidence interval = 0.13-0.83, Ptrend = 0.005). The predominant fat added by cases and controls was olive oil, followed by corn oil. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that the consumption of some types of meat, processed meats and Labaneh (strained yogurt) may be associated with the risk of developing CRC.

Meals served to hypertensive and cardiac inpatients in Jordan: comparison with WHO and NIH dietary guidelines.

This study aimed to evaluate the compliance of daily meals served to hypertensive and cardiac inpatients in Jordan according to WHO guidelines and the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) and Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets plans. Weekly cycle menus from the food service department of major hospitals in Jordan (n = 16) were analysed using ESHA Food Processor software to obtain data about macroand micronutrient contents and food groups represented. The results showed inappropriate amounts of several nutrients in the menus provided, along with a general noncompliance with the DASH, TLC and WHO guidelines. Meals had higher than recommended sodium content coupled with low potassium content. Fatty acid profiles were often outside the recommended ranges. Meals provided to cardiac inpatients in Jordan need to be revised to meet the guidelines specified for the health conditions of these patients.

Meals served to hypertensive and cardiac inpatients in Jordan:comparison with WHO and NIH dietary guidelines

لقد هدفت هذه الدراسه الى تقييم الالتزام في الوجبات اليوميه التي تقدم لمرضى ارتفاع ضغط الدم ومرضى القلب المنومين في المستشفيات الاردنيه بالدلائل الارشادية لمنظمة الصحه العالميه وبخطط النظام الغذائي الواردة في التغيرات العلاجيه لنمط الحياة وفي النهج الغذائي الهادف الى وقف ارتفاع ضغط الدم ولقد اجري تحليل لقوائم الطعام الدوريه الاسبوعيه التي اخذت من اقسام خدمات الطعام في المستشفيات الكبرى في الاردن ( ع=16)وذلك باستخدام برنامج معالج الطعام إيشا ESHA للحصول على بيانات عن محتواها من المغذيات كبيره المقدار والمغذيات زهيدة المقدار وعن مجموعات الاغذيه الممثله فيها فأظهرت النتائج ان كميات العديد من المغذيات الواردة في القوائم المقدمة ليست ملائمه الى جانب عدم الالتزام - عموما - بخطط النظام الغذائي الواردة في النهج الغذائي الهادف الى وقف ارتفاع ضغط الدم وفي التغييرات العلاجيه لنمط الحياه بالدلائل الارشاديه لمنظمة الصحه العالميه فكان محتوى الوجبات من الصوديم اعلى من الموصى به الى جانب انخفاض محتواها من البوتاسيوم وكانت كميه الاحماض الدهنيه في الغالب خارج المجالات الموصى بها فالوجبات التى تقدم لمرضى القلب في مستشفيات الاردن بحاجة الى مراجعة كي تلبي الدلائل الارشاديه التي وضعت خصيصا لتناسب الظروف الصحيه لهؤلاء المرضى

This study aimed to evaluate the compliance of daily meals served to hypertensive and cardiac inpatients in Jordan according to WHO guidelines and the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) and Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets plans. Weekly cycle menus from the food service department of major hospitals in Jordan (n = 16) were analysed using ESHA Food Processor software to obtain data about macroand micronutrient contents and food groups represented. The results showed inappropriate amounts of several nutrients in the menus provided, along with a general noncompliance with the DASH, TLC and WHO guidelines.Meals had higher than recommended sodium content coupled with low potassium content. Fatty acid profiles were often outside the recommended ranges. Meals provided to cardiac inpatients in Jordan need to be revised to meet the guidelines specified for the health conditions of these patients.

La présente étude visait à évaluer dans quelle mesure les repas quotidiens servis aux patients hospitalisés atteints d’hypertension ou de cardiopathie en Jordanie respectaient les recommendations de l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS) et les régimes alimentaires Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) et Dietary Approach toStop Hypertension (DASH). Les cycles hebdomadaires de menus du service de restauration des grands hôpitaux en Jordanie (n = 16) ont été analysés à l’aide du logiciel ESHA Food Processor pour obtenir des données sur la composition en macronutriments et en micronutriments ainsi que sur les groupes d’aliments représentés. Les résultats ont révélé des quantités inadaptées de plusieurs nutriments dans les menus servis, ainsi qu’un non-respect général des recommandations DASH, TLC et de l’OMS. Les repas avaient une composition en sodium trop élevée et un taux de potassium trop faible par rapport aux recommandations. Les profils des acides gras étaient souvent hors des plages recommandées. Les repas fournis aux patients hospitalisés atteints de cardiopathie en Jordanie doivent être revus pour répondre aux recommandations visant leurs pathologies.

Dietary habits and physical activity levels in Jordanian adolescents attending private versus public schools.

The present study examined differences in dietary habits and physical activity levels between students attending private and public high schools in Jordan. A total of 386 secondary-school males and 349 females aged 14-18 years were randomly recruited using a multistage, stratified, cluster sampling technique. Dietary habits and physical activity level were self-reported in a validated questionnaire. The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher among adolescents in private (26.0%) than in public schools (16.7%). The frequency of breakfast intake was significantly higher among adolescents in private schools, whereas French fries and sweets intake was significantly higher in public schools. Television viewing showed a significant interaction with school type by sex. A higher rate of inactivity was found among students attending private schools. Despite a slightly better overall dietary profile for students in private schools, they had a higher rate of overweight and obesity compared with those in public schools.

Dietary habits and physical activity levels in Jordanian adolescents attending private versus public schools

تتناول هذه الدراسة الفوارق في العادات الغذائية ومستوى النشاط البدني بين التلاميذ في المرحلة الثانوية في المدارس الخاصة وفي المدارس العامة في الأردن.وقد شملت الدراسة 386 طالبا و 349 طالبة في المرحلة الثانوية تراوح أعمارهم بين 14 و 18 عاما، وتم إدراجهم في الدراسة عشوائيا باستخدام تقنية أخذ العينات العنقودية المطبقة والمتعددة المراحل. وتم الإبلاغ ذاتيا عن العادات الغذائية ومستوى النشاط البدني باستخدام استبيان تم التحقق من صحته. واتضح أن معدل انتشار البدانة أعلى بمقدار يعتد به إحصائيا بين المراهقن في المدارس الخاصة [26.0 %]مما هو عليه في المدارس العامة [16.7 %]. وأن تكرار تناول طعام الإفطار هو أعلى بمقدار يعتد به إحصائيا بين المراهقين في المدارس الخاصة، بينا معدل تناول البطاطس المقلية والحلويات أعلى بمقدار يعتد به إحصائيا لدى المدارس العامة. كما اتضح أن مشاهدة التلفزيون تؤدي إلى تفاعل ذي أهمية إحصائية مع نمط المدرسة والجنسين. واتضح وجود مستوى أعلى من الخمول البدني بين طلاب المدارس الخاصة. ورغم أن المرتسم الإجمالي للنظام الغذائي لدى طلاب المدارس الخاصة يبدو أفضل قليلا مما هو عليه في سواها، فإن لدى هؤلاء نسبة أعلى من فرط الوزن والبدانة مقارنة بطلاب المدارس العامة

ABSTRACT The present study examined differences in dietary habits and physical activity levels between studentsattending private and public high schools in Jordan. A total of 386 secondary-school males and 349 females aged14–18 years were randomly recruited using a multistage, stratified, cluster sampling technique. Dietary habits andphysical activity level were self-reported in a validated questionnaire. The prevalence of obesity was significantlyhigher among adolescents in private (26.0%) than in public schools (16.7%). The frequency of breakfast intake wassignificantly higher among adolescents in private schools, whereas French fries and sweets intake was significantlyhigher in public schools. Television viewing showed a significant interaction with school type by sex. A higher rateof inactivity was found among students attending private schools. Despite a slightly better overall dietary profile forstudents in private schools, they had a higher rate of overweight and obesity compared with those in public schools

RÉSUMÉ La présente étude a examiné les différences dans les habitudes alimentaires et les niveaux d'activitéphysique entre les élèves des écoles publiques et ceux des écoles privées en Jordanie. Au total, 386 garçonset 349 filles fréquentant des établissements d'enseignement secondaires âgés de 14 à 18 ans ont été recrutésaléatoirement au moyen d'une technique d'échantillonnage en grappes, stratifié à plusieurs degrés. Leshabitudes alimentaires et le niveau d'activité physique ont été autodéclarés à l'aide d'un questionnaire validé.La prévalence de l'obésité était significativement plus élevée chez les adolescents des écoles privées (26,0 %)que chez ceux des écoles publiques (16,7 %). La prise d'un petit-déjeuner était nettement plus fréquente chezles adolescents des écoles privées, tandis que la consommation de frites et de sucreries était beaucoup plusimportante chez les élèves des écoles publiques. Le nombre d'heures passées à regarder la télévision était trèsdifférent entre les élèves des écoles privées et ceux des écoles publiques en fonction du sexe. Un taux d'inactivitéplus élevé a été observé chez les élèves des écoles privées. En dépit du profil diététique légèrement meilleurdes élèves des écoles privées, leurs taux de surpoids et d'obésité étaient supérieurs à ceux des écoles publiques.

The association between periodontal disease, physical activity and healthy diet among adults in Jordan.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet have been implicated as risk factors for several chronic diseases that are known to be associated with periodontitis, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes. Studies investigating the relationship between periodontitis and physical activity and diet are limited. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between physical activity, healthy eating habits and periodontal health status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic random sample of 340 persons, 18-70 years of age, was selected from persons accompanying their relative patients who attended the outpatient clinics in the medical center of Jordan University of Science and Technology in north of Jordan. Data collected included socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, anthropometric measurements, physical activity level and dietary assessment. RESULTS: Individuals who were highly physically active had a significantly lower average plaque index, average gingival index, average clinical attachment loss (CAL) and percentage of sites with CAL ≥ 3 mm compared to individuals with a low level of physical activity and individuals with a moderate level of physical activity. Those who had a poor diet had a significantly higher average number of missing teeth and an average CAL compared with those who had a good diet. In the multivariate analysis, a low level of physical activity and a poor diet (diets with a healthy eating index score of < 50 points) were significantly associated with increased odds of periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS: A low physical activity level and a poor diet were significantly associated with increased odds of periodontal disease. Further studies are needed to understand this relationship in greater detail.

Inhibition of Caco-2 colon, MCF-7 and Hs578T breast, and DU 145 prostatic cancer cell proliferation by water-soluble black bean condensed tannins.

The potential anti-angiogenic activities of water-soluble condensed tannins isolated from black beans were evaluated using HEL 299 normal human fibroblast lung cells, Caco-2 colon, MCF-7 and Hs578T breast, and DU 145 human prostatic cancer cells. Condensed tannins at 0.24-24 microM did not affect the growth of normal cells, but dose-dependently induced cancer cell death by apoptosis as shown by a concentration-dependent decrease in ATP and cell gross morphology. After 24h exposure to Caco-2, MCF-7, Hs578T, and DU 145 cancer cells, water-soluble black bean condensed tannins at 24 microM suppressed fetal bovine serum stimulated cell migration, the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2 or gelatinase A), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9 or gelatinase B), and vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF(165) receptor expression by the cancer cells in the conditioned media. The potential health enhancing properties of condensed tannins from black beans as inhibitors of angiogenesis is discussed.