1
|
Hashim M, Radwan H, Ismail LC, Faris ME, Mohamad MN, Saleh ST, Sweid B, Naser R, Hijaz R, Altaher R, Rashed E, Turki E, Kitbi MA. Determinants for Mediterranean diet adherence beyond the boundaries: a cross-sectional study from Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates. J Transl Med 2024; 22:513. [PMID: 38807139 PMCID: PMC11134895 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05172-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substantial evidence embraced the nutrition competence of the Mediterranean diet (MD) as a healthy model for decreasing the risk of chronic diseases and increasing longevity, with the bonus of ensuring environmental sustainability. Measuring adherence to this diet is marginally investigated in the Arabian Gulf region, an area away from the Mediterranean region. The current study aimed to assess the MD adherence among adults in Sharjah/the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and to identify the most influential predictors for MD adherence among the study participants. METHODS A cross-sectional study design was employed using a self-reported, web-based electronic questionnaire that questioned sociodemographics, lifestyle factors, and familiarity with the MD. The MD adherence was assessed by the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener validated questionnaire. The adherence level was classified as low for a total score of [0-5], medium [score 6-7], and high (8-13). RESULTS The study included 1314 participants (age 25-52 years) comprised 822 (62.6%) females and 492 (37.4%) males. There was a moderate adherence score (5.9 ± 1.9) among the study participants. The food constituent expressed the lowest contribution to the MD was fish (9.3%), followed by fruits (12.3%), and legumes (18.3%). The multivariable linear regression analysis showed an overall significant linear trend for the association between the MD adherence score and physical activity, while nutrition information from dietitians and social media were the most two strongly related predictors for the higher adherence (β = 0.747; 95% CI 0.51-0.98, and β 0.60; 95% CI 0.269-0.93; p < 0.001, respectively). On the other side, being a smoker and from a non-Mediterranean country was associated with lower adherence scores (β = 0.538; 95% CI 0.252-0.82, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The findings of the current study showed a moderate adherence, low proportion for high adherence, and a gap in the familiarity with the diet name. Being married, physically active, non-smoker, and getting nutrition information from dietitians and social media were the strongest predictors for higher adherence. It is warranted that public health and nutrition specialists/dietitians to tailor new modern approaches for promoting healthy dietary behaviours consistent with the MD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mona Hashim
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, P.O. Box: 27272, United Arab Emirates.
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Hadia Radwan
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, P.O. Box: 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Leila Cheikh Ismail
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, P.O. Box: 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 2JD, UK
| | - MoezAllslam Ezzat Faris
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, P.O. Box: 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maysm N Mohamad
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sheima T Saleh
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, P.O. Box: 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bisan Sweid
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Raghad Naser
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rahaf Hijaz
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rania Altaher
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Eman Rashed
- Supreme Council of Family Affairs, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Eman Turki
- Supreme Council of Family Affairs, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mahra Al Kitbi
- Supreme Council of Family Affairs, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ali HI, Elmi F, Stojanovska L, Ibrahim N, Cheikh Ismail L, Al Dhaheri AS. Associations of Dyslipidemia with Dietary Intakes, Body Weight Status and Sociodemographic Factors among Adults in the United Arab Emirates. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14163405. [PMID: 36014911 PMCID: PMC9412376 DOI: 10.3390/nu14163405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on dietary and other factors associated with dyslipidemia in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is limited. This study assessed the association of diet, body weight and other risk factors of dyslipidemia by conducting a cross-sectional survey among adults residing in three emirates of the UAE. Validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire and the WHO STEPS Instrument were used to assess dietary intakes, body weight and dyslipidemia-related diagnosis. Composite Mediterranean Diet Score was used to assess adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD). Of the 610 participants, dyslipidemia was reported by 23.5% of the 319 participants who ever had blood cholesterol levels measured. Self-reported dyslipidemia was associated with increased age, higher BMI, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Most participants did not meet the recommendations for dietary fiber and calorie intake from saturated fats (61.3% and 81.2%, respectively). Participants with dyslipidemia reported a higher median daily intake of vegetables compared to those without dyslipidemia (p < 0.001), who also showed a significantly higher intake of refined grains and sugar-sweetened beverages (p = 0.008). Participants aged ≥50 years were more likely to have adhered to the MD compared to 18−30-year old participants (OR = 4.16; 95% CI 2.59−6.69). Non-Emiratis had higher odds of adherence to the MD compared to UAE nationals (OR = 1.46; 95%CI 1.04−2.06). Interventions targeting behavioral risk factors of dyslipidemia are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Habiba I. Ali
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: (H.I.A.); (A.S.A.D.)
| | - Fadima Elmi
- Independent Researcher, Al Ain P.O. Box 67258, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lily Stojanovska
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Institute of Health and Sport, Victoria University, P.O. Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia
| | - Naser Ibrahim
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Leila Cheikh Ismail
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 2JD, UK
| | - Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: (H.I.A.); (A.S.A.D.)
| |
Collapse
|