Quality of life and nutritional status in peritoneal dialysis patients: a cross-sectional study from Palestine.

BACKGROUND: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a growing cause of morbidity worldwide. Protein malnutrition is common among patients with ESRD. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) offers greater lifestyle flexibility and independence compared to the widely used treatments for ESRD. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status and the quality of life (QOL) of Palestinian patients undergoing PD, as well as the variables affecting these two outcomes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients receiving PD at An-Najah National University Hospital, Palestine. The malnutrition-inflammation scale (MIS) was used to measure malnutrition, and the QOL score was evaluated using the Dutch WHOQOL-OLD module. Univariate and multivariate linear regressions were performed to check the association between the QOL and MIS scores. RESULTS: The study included 74 patients who were undergoing PD, with an average age of 50.5 ± 16.38. The majority of the patients were females. The study found a significant correlation between malnutrition and lower quality of life (QOL) scores, as measured by the WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire (p < 0.001). Furthermore, younger patients and those who had an occupation were more likely to report a good QOL (p = 0.01). Conversely, patients with pitting edema and diabetes were at higher risk of reporting a lower QOL (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Given the elevated risk of malnutrition and diminished QOL among elderly patients, those with pitting edema, and individuals with diabetes, it is imperative to conduct thorough assessments for these groups. We strongly recommend that general practitioners, dietitians, and specialists collaborate to develop tailored programs and interventions to provide these patients with the focused care and attention they require.

The relationship between nutrition literacy and nutrition information seeking attitudes and healthy eating patterns among a group of palestinians.

INTRODUCTION: Nutrition literacy is crucial because it gives people information and drives them to take responsibility for their eating habits. Prior research on three categories of nutrition literacy among Palestinians was lacking: functional literacy (FNL), interactive literacy (INL), and critical literacy (CNL). AIMS: (1) Describe three types of nutrition literacy-FNL, INL, and CNL-among a group of Palestinians was one of the study's primary objectives. (2) To investigate the connections between various nutrition literacy levels, eating habits, and the habit of seeking out nutrition-related information. METHODS: 149 Palestinians were chosen at random to take part in the study in the fall of 2020. Data on sociodemographic variables were gathered through an online survey that was disseminated across social and educational internet sites. Nutrition literacy data was gathered using a translated questionnaire, while diet behavior data was gathered using the Short Format of the Diet Health and Knowledge Survey (SFDHKS). The data were examined using SPSS 21. RESULTS: This study included young people (20.4 ± 4.9 years old), 78% of whom were female. The majorities of participants had bachelor's degrees or were already enrolled in school to obtain them. FNL had a mean of 2.8 ± 0.5, INL of 3.3 ± 0.5, and CNL of 3.6 ± 0.5. The connection between CNL and INL was significant (p 0.05). Significant correlations were found between many aspects of diet behavior, the usage of food labels, and nutrition literacy. CONCLUSION: Participants from the Palestinian community are willing to learn about and comprehend nutrition facts and how it relates to diet behavior in 2021.

Lifestyles of Palestinians during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Although the COVID-19 epidemic was linked to movement limitations and a sense of risk among the general public, changes in lifestyle and mental health were not examined among Palestinians. The study aimed to investigate changes in a group of Palestinians' lifestyles and mental health. Methodology: A translated questionnaire about demographics, mental health difficulties, and lifestyle choices was created using Google Forms and distributed over social media and academic platforms. SPSS 21 was used to analyze the data. Results: The participants' mean age was 25 9 years, 67% were women, and 47% were city dwellers. About 82% had a bachelor's degree. Infection with COVID-19 was present in 13% of study group, COVID-19 infection caused the death of a relative in 13% of study group, and commitment to limits was present in 14% of study group. Negative emotions like despair, hopelessness, and worry were extremely common. Despite eating a few fruits and vegetables and drinking a lot of soft beverages, study participants were generally active. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with a negative impact on lifestyle and mental well-being.

Nutrition literacy is associated with income and place of residence but not with diet behavior and food security in the Palestinian society.

INTRODUCTION: Palestinian society is going through health transition that is associated with increase in chronic diseases due to poor dietary habits so adequate integration of nutrition information is important. AIMS: The aim of this study is to find the association between nutrition literacy and diet behavior among a group of Palestinian participants. METHODS: A sample of 101 Palestinian participants were recruited to participate in the study. An online survey was used to collect study data. Newest Vital Sign quiz was used to collect information on nutrition literacy and Short Format of the Diet Health and Knowledge Survey (SFDHKS) was used to collect information on diet behavior and USDA food security questionnaire was used to collect data on food security. Data was analyzed utilizing SPSS 21. RESULTS: This study included 101 participants, mean age 22.7 y ± 8.7 y, mainly females (females were 83.2% and males were 16.8%). 5.7% of the study participants were obese, 13.8% overweight and 10.3% were underweight. The prevalence of adequate nutrition literacy was 29%. There was minimal association between diet behavior and nutrition literacy, food security and BMI categories, but significant association with income and living in city relative to village (p < 0.05). Only 11 participants had some form of food insecurity. CONCLUSION: There is low prevalence of adequate nutrition literacy. Nutrition literacy depends on social and economic aspects but further research is need to understand its relationship to diet behavior.

Binge eating symptoms are associated with the severity of premenstrual symptoms among university students, cross sectional study from Palestine.

BACKGROUND: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is considered one of the most prevailing disorders among childbearing age women that could considerably interfere with daily living activities life. PMS is underrecognized in Palestine. It is reported that binge eating symptoms are significantly related to premenstrual syndrome. In this regard, the study aimed to determine factors linked with premenstrual symptoms and to explore whether binge eating symptoms are linked with premenstrual syndrome. METHODS: This descriptive study was performed among female undergraduates at Palestine Polytechnic University, using a cross-sectional design. A self-administrated questionnaire was used in order to collect data. Moreover, participants' nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test and Chi-square were performed. RESULTS: A sum of 289 undergraduate females were involved in the final analysis. The results indicated that nearly half of undergraduates (47.8%) were classified as having binge eating symptoms. The most frequently noted premenstrual symptoms were lethargy, anger feelings, lack of interest, and anxiety. Chi-square analysis showed that moderate and severe psychological symptoms were significantly more prevalent among females with binge eating symptoms. Besides it was found that moderate and severe physical symptoms were significantly more prevalent among females with binge eating symptoms. Moreover, participants who reported no premenstrual syndrome symptoms were significantly less prevalent among females with binge eating symptoms. The findings also reveal that sociodemographic characteristics was not significantly correlated with premenstrual syndrome symptoms. In multiple adjusted models, both smoking (p < 0.05) and binge eating (p < 0.0001) were significantly related to PMS. CONCLUSION: Findings reveals that moderate and severe psychological and physical symptoms were significantly more prevalent among females with binge eating symptoms. The current research also reported that the severity of PMS was not significantly related to sociodemographic variables.

Premenstrual syndrome refers to physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that regularly happen in the 1 to 2 weeks before the start of each menstrual period. Its symptoms influence more than 90% of menstruating females. There is evidence that binge eating symptoms are significantly associated with premenstrual syndrome. The outcomes of the current study showed that half of the participated females have experienced premenstrual symptoms. There was also a significant relationship between premenstrual syndrome and binge eating symptoms.

Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency among Hemodialysis Patients in Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The level of vitamin D status and its relationship to kidney function and liver function among patients with and without type 2 diabetes were not studied among Palestinian hemodialysis patients before. The aim of this study was to assess the status of vitamin D in hemodialysis patients with and without type 2 diabetes and its determinants. METHODS: Data were collected on 163 patients on hemodialysis therapy in the Nephrology Department at Najah National University Hospital. Information on age, sex, plasma 25 (OH)D, serum calcium, serum phosphate, parathyroid hormone, dialysis period, hypertension, diabetes, ALT, AST, albumin, alkaline phosphates, and BMI was obtained from the medical records. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Findings. The mean level of 25 (OH)D was 17.3 ± 10.5 ng/ml. Only 12.9% of subjects had 25 (OH)D levels >30 ng/ml, whereas 65% had levels between 10 and 30 ng/ml; the remaining 22.1% were severely vitamin D deficient (<10 ng/ml). Vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent among females. It was not related to PTH, calcium, kidney, or liver function tests. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among patients on hemodialysis with or without DM2.

Forearm bone density is not elevated in Inuit women with impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk are elevated in adults with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). This study aimed to compare bone health among Inuit women with IFG, T2D and normoglycemia. The study included Inuit women (≥40 y) with IFG (n = 57), T2D (n = 72) or normoglycemia (n = 340) from the International Polar Year Inuit Health Survey 2007-2008 in Canada. Distal one-third forearm BMD (FaBMD) was measured using a peripheral instantaneous x-ray imager. Anthropometry, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum adiponectin, leptin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) were measured. Traditional food intakes were surveyed. Data were analysed using mixed model ANOVA and regression models. The median age was 53 (IFG: IQR 48, 67) y and 56 (T2D: IQR 49, 63) y. Compared to normoglycemic women, FaBMD and T-scores were significantly lower in women with T2D, but not with IFG. Frequency of marine mammal intakes (ß = 0.145; 95%CI: 0.018, 0.053, p = 0.0001) positively related to FaBMD. The odds ratio of having a T-score consistent with osteoporosis was lower among women with T2D and higher BMI, while aging increased the risk. Although T2D associates with lower BMD among Inuit women, risk of osteoporosis is tempered, possibly by maintenance of a traditional lifestyle.