Evidence for nutrition transition in Kuwait: over-consumption of macronutrients and obesity

Public Health Nutrition

Iman Alayan¹  Entessar Al-Shami¹  Hassan Al-Attar¹  Husam Alomirah¹  Sameer Al-Zenki¹  Suad N Al-Hooti¹  Mona Al-Somaie¹  Robert T Jackson¹  Amani Al-Othman¹  Nawal Al-Hamad¹  Sahar Zaghloul¹ 

关键词: Nutrient intake;    Nutrition transition;    Obesity;    Kuwait;    Epidemiology;   

DOI  :  10.1017/S1368980012003941

学科分类：卫生学

来源: Cambridge University Press

【 摘 要 】

ObjectivesTo describe nutrient intakes and prevalence of overweight and obesity in a nationally representative sample of Kuwaitis and to compare intakes with reference values.DesignCross-sectional, multistage stratified, cluster sample.SettingsNational nutrition survey covering all geographical areas of the country.SubjectsKuwaitis (n 1704) between 3 and 86 years of age.ResultsObesity was more prevalent among women than men (50 % and 70 % for females aged 19–50 years and ≥51 years, respectively, v. 29 % and 42 % for their male counterparts). Boys were more obese than girls, with the highest obesity rate among those aged 9–13 years (37 % and 24 % of males and females, respectively). Energy intake was higher than the estimated energy requirements for almost half of Kuwaiti children and one-third of adults. The Estimated Average Requirement was exceeded by 78–100 % of the recommendation for protein and carbohydrates. More than two-thirds of males aged ≥4 years exceeded the Tolerable Upper Intake Level for Na. Conversely, less than 20 % of Kuwaitis, regardless of age, consumed 100 % or more of the Estimated Average Requirement for vitamin D, vitamin E, Ca, n-3 and n-6 fatty acids. Less than 20 % of children met the recommended level for fibre.ConclusionsNutrition transition among Kuwaitis was demonstrated by the increased prevalence of obesity and overweight, increased intakes of energy and macronutrients and decreased intakes of fibre and micronutrients. Interventions to increase awareness about healthy foods combined with modifications in subsidy policies are clearly warranted to increase consumption of low-energy, nutrient-dense foods.

【 授权许可】

Unknown