1
|
Naja F, Hwalla N, Chokor FAZ, Zgheib R, Nasreddine L. Infant and young child feeding practices in Lebanon: a cross-sectional national study. Public Health Nutr 2023; 26:143-159. [PMID: 35369892 PMCID: PMC11077449 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980022000842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in Lebanon and investigate their associations with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. DESIGN A cross-sectional national survey was conducted in 2012-2013. In addition to a socio-demographic and lifestyle questionnaire, a 24-h dietary recall for the children was collected, with mothers as proxies. IYCF practices were assessed based on the 2021 indicators of the WHO. SETTING Lebanon. PARTICIPANTS Children aged 0-23 months and their mothers (n 469). RESULTS While the majority of infants were ever breastfed (87·6 %), the prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding (BF) in those under 6 months of age was 11·0 %. Early initiation of BF was 28 %. A greater child's birth order, partner's support for BF, higher parental education, maternal BF knowledge and non-smoking were associated with higher odds of meeting BF recommendations. As for complementary feeding, 92·8 % of children (6-23 months) met the minimum meal frequency indicator, 37·5 % met the minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and 34·4 % met the minimum adequate diet (MAD). The consumption of unhealthy food was observed amongst 48·9 % of children, with nearly 37 % consuming sweet beverages. Older maternal age and maternal overweight/obesity were associated with lower odds of meeting MDD and MAD, while child's age and partner's support for BF were associated with higher odds. CONCLUSIONS The results documented suboptimal IYCF practices amongst Lebanese children and identified a number of factors associated with these practices. Findings from this study will help guide the development of culture-specific programmes aimed at improving IYCF practices in Lebanon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farah Naja
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American
University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut1107 2020, Lebanon
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Research
Institute of Medical & Health Sciences (RIMHS), College of Health Sciences,
University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United
Arab Emirates
| | - Nahla Hwalla
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American
University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Fatima Al Zahraa Chokor
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American
University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut1107 2020, Lebanon
| | | | - Lara Nasreddine
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American
University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Riad El-Solh, Beirut1107 2020, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Naja F, Itani L, Hwalla N, Sibai AM, Kharroubi SA. Identification of dietary patterns associated with elevated blood pressure among Lebanese men: A comparison of principal component analysis with reduced rank regression and partial least square methods. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220942. [PMID: 31419246 PMCID: PMC6697315 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To examine the associations of dietary patterns with odds of elevated Blood Pressure (BP) among Lebanese adult males using principal component analysis (PCA), and compare the results to two other data reduction methods, including reduced rank regression (RRR) and partial least-squares (PLS) regression. METHODS Data from the National Nutrition and Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Survey conducted in Lebanon between years 2008 and 2009 were used. Dietary intake data were collected by a 61-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). In addition, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were obtained following standard techniques. For the purpose of this study, data of males older than 20 years with no history of chronic diseases were selected (n = 673). Elevated BP was indicated if the systolic blood pressure was > = 130mm Hg and/or the diastolic blood pressure > = 85 mm Hg. Dietary patterns were constructed using PCA, PLS and RRR and compared based on the performance to identify plausible patterns associated with elevated BP. For PLS and RR, the response variables were BMI, waist circumference and percent body fat. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between the dietary pattern scores of each method and risk of elevated BP. RESULTS Three dietary patterns were identified using PCA: Western, Traditional Lebanese, and Fish and alcohol. Both the Western and the Traditional Lebanese patterns were associated with higher odds of elevated BP in the study population (OR = 1.23, CI 1.03, 1.46; OR = 1.29, CI 1.09, 1.52 respectively). The comparison among the three methods for dietary patterns derivation showed that PLS and RRR derived patterns explained greater variance in the outcome (PCA: 1.2%; PLS: 14.1%; RRR: 15.36%) and were significantly associated with elevated BP, while the PCA dietary patterns were descriptive of the study population's real dietary habits (PCA: 23.6%; PLS: 19.8%; RRR: 11.3%). CONCLUSIONS The Western and Traditional Lebanese dietary patterns were associated with higher odds of elevated BP among Lebanese males. The findings of this study showed that, compared to PCA, the use of RRR method resulted in more significant associations with the outcome while the PCA-derived patterns were more related to the real habits in the study population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farah Naja
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Laila Itani
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nahla Hwalla
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Abla M Sibai
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Samer A Kharroubi
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Naja F, Jomaa L, Itani L, Zidek J, El Labban S, Sibai AM, Hwalla N. Environmental footprints of food consumption and dietary patterns among Lebanese adults: a cross-sectional study. Nutr J 2018; 17:85. [PMID: 30208898 PMCID: PMC6136176 DOI: 10.1186/s12937-018-0393-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Following the release of the Sustainable Development Goals, dietary patterns and guidelines are being revised for their effect on the environment in addition to their health implications. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the Environmental Footprints (EFPs) of food consumption patterns among Lebanese adults. Methods For this study, data for adults aged > 18 years (n = 337) were drawn from a previous national survey conducted in Lebanon (2008–2009), where dietary intake was assessed using a 61-item Food Frequency Questionnaire. Dietary patterns previously derived in the study sample included: Western, Lebanese-Mediterranean and High-Protein. In this study, food consumption and dietary patterns were examined for their EFPs including water use, energy use, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, using review of life cycle analyses. Results In the study population, the EFPs of food consumption were: water use: 2571.62 ± 1259.45 L/day; energy use: 37.34 ± 19.98 MJ/day and GHGs: 4.06 ± 1.93 kg CO2 eq / day. Among the three dietary patterns prevalent in the study population, the Lebanese-Mediterranean diet had the lowest water use and GHG per 1000 Kcal (Water (L/Kg): 443.61 ± 197.15, 243.35 ± 112.0, 264.72 ± 161.67; GHG (KG CO2 eq/day) 0.58 ± 0.32, 0.38 ± 0.24, 0.57 ± 0.37, for the Western, Lebanese-Mediterranean and High- Protein, respectively). The scores of the High-Protein dietary pattern were associated with higher odds of the three EFPs, whereas the Lebanese-Mediterranean dietary pattern was associated with lower odds of energy use. Furthermore, scores of the Western pattern were associated with higher water use. Conclusions The findings of this study showed that, among Lebanese adults, the Western and High-Protein dietary patterns had high EFPs, whereas the Lebanese-Mediterranean dietary pattern had lower water use and GHG emissions. Coupled to our earlier findings of the Lebanese-Mediterranean pattern’s beneficial effects on health, the findings of this study lend evidence for the notion that what is healthy for people may also be healthy for ecosystems and highlight the need for nutrition recommendations to take into consideration the nexus of water, food, energy, in addition to health. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12937-018-0393-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farah Naja
- Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 11072020, Lebanon
| | - Lamis Jomaa
- Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 11072020, Lebanon
| | - Leila Itani
- Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, PO Box 11-5020, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 11072809, Lebanon
| | - Jeremy Zidek
- Futura Food LLC, 113 Creekside Drive, State College, PA, 16801, USA
| | - Sibelle El Labban
- Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 11072020, Lebanon
| | - Abla Mehio Sibai
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 11072020, Lebanon
| | - Nahla Hwalla
- Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 11072020, Lebanon.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Anwar MA, Samaha AA, Baydoun S, Iratni R, Eid AH. Rhus coriaria L. (Sumac) Evokes Endothelium-Dependent Vasorelaxation of Rat Aorta: Involvement of the cAMP and cGMP Pathways. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:688. [PMID: 30002626 PMCID: PMC6031713 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhus coriaria L. (sumac) is widely used in traditional remedies and cuisine of countries of the Mediterranean as well as Central and South-West Asia. Administration of sumac to experimental models and patients with diverse pathological conditions generates multi-faceted propitious effects, including the quality as a vasodilator. Together, the effects are concertedly channeled toward cardiovasobolic protection. However, there is paucity of data on the mechanism of action for sumac’s vasodilatory effect, an attribute which is considered to be advantageous for unhealthy circulatory system. Accordingly, we sought to determine the mechanisms by which sumac elicits its vasorelaxatory effects. We deciphered the signaling networks by application of a range of pharmacological inhibitors, biochemical assays and including the quantification of cyclic nucleotide monophosphates. Herein, we provide evidence that an ethanolic extract of sumac fruit, dose-dependently, relaxes rat isolated aorta. The mechanistic effect is achieved via stimulation of multiple transducers namely PI3-K/Akt, eNOS, NO, guanylyl cyclase, cGMP, and PKG. Interestingly, the arachidonic acid pathway (cyclooxygenases), adenylyl cyclase/cAMP and ATP-dependent potassium channels appear to partake in this sumac-orchestrated attenuation of vascular tone. Clearly, our data support the favorable potential cardio-vasculoprotective action of sumac.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A Anwar
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ali A Samaha
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Faculty of Public Health IV, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Safaa Baydoun
- Research Center for Environment and Development, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rabah Iratni
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ali H Eid
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tang GY, Meng X, Li Y, Zhao CN, Liu Q, Li HB. Effects of Vegetables on Cardiovascular Diseases and Related Mechanisms. Nutrients 2017; 9:nu9080857. [PMID: 28796173 PMCID: PMC5579650 DOI: 10.3390/nu9080857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown that vegetable consumption is inversely related to the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, research has indicated that many vegetables like potatoes, soybeans, sesame, tomatoes, dioscorea, onions, celery, broccoli, lettuce and asparagus showed great potential in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, and vitamins, essential elements, dietary fibers, botanic proteins and phytochemicals were bioactive components. The cardioprotective effects of vegetables might involve antioxidation; anti-inflammation; anti-platelet; regulating blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipid profile; attenuating myocardial damage; and modulating relevant enzyme activities, gene expression, and signaling pathways as well as some other biomarkers associated to cardiovascular diseases. In addition, several vegetables and their bioactive components have been proven to protect against cardiovascular diseases in clinical trials. In this review, we analyze and summarize the effects of vegetables on cardiovascular diseases based on epidemiological studies, experimental research, and clinical trials, which are significant to the application of vegetables in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Yi Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Xiao Meng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Ya Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Cai-Ning Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Qing Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Hua-Bin Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
- South China Sea Bioresource Exploitation and Utilization Collaborative Innovation Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jomaa L, Hwalla N, Constant F, Naja F, Nasreddine L. Water and Beverage Consumption among Children Aged 4-13 Years in Lebanon: Findings from a National Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients 2016; 8:E554. [PMID: 27618092 DOI: 10.3390/nu8090554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluates total water intake (TWI) from plain water, beverages and foods among Lebanese children and compares TWI to dietary reference intakes (DRIs). In a national cross-sectional survey, data on demographic, socioeconomic, anthropometric, and physical activity characteristics were obtained from 4 to 13-year-old children (n = 752). Food and beverage consumption patterns were assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. TWI was estimated at 1651 mL/day, with beverages contributing 72% of the TWI compared to 28% from foods. Beverages with the highest contribution to TWI included plain water, fruit juice and soda. A significantly higher proportion of 9–13-year-old children failed to meet the DRIs compared to 4–8 years old (92%–98% vs. 74%). Gender differentials were observed with a significantly higher proportion of boys meeting the DRIs compared to girls. The water to energy ratio ranged between 0.84 and 0.87, which fell short of meeting the desirable recommendations. In addition, children from higher socioeconomic status had higher intakes of water from milk and bottled water, coupled with lower water intakes from sodas. The study findings show an alarming high proportion of Lebanese children failing to meet TWI recommendations, and call for culture-specific interventions to instill healthy fluid consumption patterns early in life.
Collapse
|