Healthy eating habits and a prudent dietary pattern improve Nanjing international students' health-related quality of life.

Purpose: Low-quality dietary practices, such as fast food consumption and skipping meals, deteriorate the quality of life. However, the available studies on diet and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) used matrices not specific to nutrition. Moreover, how diet affects the HRQoL of international students in China is unknown. Therefore, using a cross-sectional study, the effect of dietary patterns and habits on the HRQoL of international students in Nanjing, China, was examined. Methods: The researchers collected dietary data using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) from February to March 2022. Then, the Food Benefit Assessment (FBA) was used to access HRQoL. Finally, the effect of eating habits and dietary patterns on HRQoL was explored using multilinear regression. Results: Approximately 454 responses were obtained, with the responses mostly from male subjects (56.4%) and those aged 26 years and above (75.6%). The quality of life according to the food consumed was about average for all the constructs except for aesthetics and disease prevention, as 65.8% skipped meals, particularly breakfast (47.8%). Furthermore, three dietary patterns were identified: prudent, Western, and animal protein patterns. Consequently, by skipping breakfast, vitality (ß = -2.362, p = 0.04), wellbeing (ß = -3.592, p = 0.007), digestive comfort (ß = -4.734, p = 0.008), and disease prevention (ß = -5.071, p = 0.031) were all reduced. However, consuming at least three meals daily enhanced vitality (ß = 2.254, p = 0.003) and disease prevention (ß = 4.441, p = 0.019). Furthermore, aesthetics (ß = 4.456, p = 0.05), physical appearance (ß = 5.927, p = 0.003), and vitality (ß = 3.323, p = 0.009) were also significantly increased by healthy dietary patterns. However, a more Westernized diet led to frequent snacking (ß = -4.631, p = 0.032), a decline in wellbeing (ß = -5.370, p < 0.001), and discomfort with digestion (ß = -5.101, p = 0.01). Finally, increased frequency of snacking (ß = -6.036, p = 0.012), a decrease in wellbeing (ß = -4.494, p = 0.004), digestive comfort (ß = -9.940, p < 0.001), physical appearance (ß = -4.926, p = 0.027), and disease prevention (ß = -5.835, p = 0.043) were all associated with an increase in animal protein patterns. Conclusion: This research indicates that healthy eating habits and patterns positively impact international students' HRQoL. Therefore, the appropriate authorities should advise students to consume healthy foods regularly to improve their HRQoL.

The impact of crisis and COVID-19 on Syrian children growth, health awareness and nutritional practices. a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the great steadfastness that Syria has achieved in the face of more than a decade of stifling crisis followed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the heavy impacts of these long rough years are certain and crucial on the health and nutrition levels, specially on vulnerable groups like women and children. Moreover, the lack of research and data on health and nutritional status of children within Syria makes it very difficult to draw conclusions and act effectively. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate growth development and give an insight about the public health awareness and nutritional practices among Syrian primary schools children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among private and public primary schools' students aged 6 to 9 years old in Homs governorate in January to April 2021, anthropometric measures were taken and data assessment of socioeconomic background, nutritional practices, and health awareness was achieved by conducting two surveys answered by parents and students. RESULTS: We defined the total prevalence of obesity (11.8%), underweight (5.6%) and stunting (13.8%), with a significant increased in underweight and stunting prevalence ,(9%, 21.6%) respectively, among public schools' students compared to private schools' students. Differences in nutritional practices and health awareness were recorded between public and private schools' students under socioeconomic impact. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to evaluate the burden of crisis and COVID-19 pandemic on Syrian children growth and health practices in Syria. Improving health awareness and nutritional support among Syrian families to help children meet their growth needs is recommended. Moreover, additional research should be conducted to evaluate micro-nutrients deficiencies and provide appropriate medical support effectively.