Home packed food for nursery children in United Arab Emirates provides suboptimal quality

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-339
Author(s):  
Malin Garemo ◽  
Amal Elamin ◽  
Andrew Gardner
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Abu Dhabi ◽  
Low Fat ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Nutrition ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Early Childhood Nutrition ◽  
Dairy Protein

BACKGROUND: Early childhood nutrition is associated with health outcomes later in life, hence developing health promoting habits from an early age is imperative. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional adequacy of home-packed food brought to the nurseries by attending children. METHODS: In a cross sectional study conducted in 7 nurseries in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 315 food-boxes were assessed through detailed food observations at the nurseries prior to mealtimes. The food content was evaluated using the Alberta Guidelines for nursery food, Canada. RESULTS: Most food boxes contained refined grains (77.5%), fruits (74.6%), sweet/full fat dairy products (77.5%), discretionary-calorie-food-items (70.6%). Emirati children were offered sweetened drinks significantly more (p < 0.001). Non-dairy protein sources, vegetables, low-fat-natural-dairy products were offered to 45.4%, 44.1% and 3.9% of children, respectively. Overall, 70.2% of the food-boxes contained not-recommended food and 63.1% of the children were served a very poor food combination. CONCLUSIONS: Despite frequent inclusion of recommended food, many food boxes were nutritionally inadequate due to their low content of whole grains, low-fat dairy products, vegetables and animal proteins and high content of sweet food and drinks. The inadequate dietary patterns necessitate developing nutrition guidelines for nurseries in Abu Dhabi.

scholarly journals KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTIONS OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AMONG THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES POPULATION

2019 ◽  
pp. 183-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
OSAMA MOHAMED IBRAHIM ◽  
NOOR KIFAH AL-TAMEEMI ◽  
DALIA DAWOUD
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Blood Level ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vitamin D Insufficiency ◽  
Abu Dhabi ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the Vitamin D deficiency awareness and perceptions between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among the population of two emirates at the UAE: Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Results: Overall, 434 participants completed the survey. Majority of people were aware of phenomenon of Vitamin D deficiency, but only 21.4% of them knew that sunlight is considered the main source of Vitamin D. Moreover, less than half of participants check their Vitamin D blood level regularly and around 55% of them follow-up with their physicians after completing the treatment. High proportion of participant females spend <1 h outdoors (60%) and use sunscreen daily (55%) that cause higher prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among females than males (83% vs. 42%). Conclusion: This research gives some insights regarding the UAE population’s awareness and perceptions of Vitamin D insufficiency. Decreased awareness of sunlight exposure as a major source of Vitamin D, in addition to lifestyle, contributed to Vitamin D deficiency problem among the UAE population, in general, and in females, in particular.

Associations between whole and low-fat dairy products consumption, physical performance and mental health

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Ramin Ghodsi ◽  
Hosein Rostami ◽  
Karim Parastouei ◽  
Maryam Taghdir
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Low Fat ◽  
Depression Anxiety Stress Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Specific Level ◽  
Dairy Consumption

BACKGROUND: Military staff are required to be in a proper condition of mental health and weight standards and have a specific level of physical performances (PP). Dairy products are rich sources of essential nutrients. It was demonstrated that Iranians consume much less milk and its products and there is no exception in the military staff. OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between consumption of low or whole-fat dairy and psychological disorders and PP in military personnel. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in four military zones of Iran. Dairy products intake were evaluated by using a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The Persian version of Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were used to assess participants’ depression, anxiety and stress and PP were assessed by a 2-mile run, sit-up, push-up and pull-up. RESULTS: There was a significant negative relationship between the tertiles of total and low-fat dairy consumption and depression (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.79, P <  0.05), and low-fat dairy consumption and stress (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.93, P <  0.05). Also, there was a positive association between the last tertiles of low-fat dairy consumption and suitable PP (OR 5.28, 95% CI 1.08 to 25.71, P <  0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that consumption of dairy products and particularly low-fat products are related to less psychological problems and a better PP level.

scholarly journals Child restraints a cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude and practice of traffic police in United Arab Emirates

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. A241-A241 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Grivna ◽  
H. Al-Shamsi ◽  
A. Al-Hammadi ◽  
M. Al-Obthani ◽  
M. Al-Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Traffic Police ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice

A retrospective analysis of congenital anomalies in congenital hypothyroidism

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (9) ◽  
pp. 1147-1153
Author(s):  
Fatima Ali Mazahir ◽  
Manal Mustafa Khadora
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Congenital Hypothyroidism ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Lingual Thyroid ◽  
Cross Sectional

AbstractObjectivesWe evaluated the spectrum of diseases accompanying congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in the United Arab Emirates and compared them with internationally studied patterns.MethodsThe presented retrospective cross-sectional study took place in two government tertiary care centres. In total, 204 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CH and a minimum period of follow-up of 1 year were included. Patients with Down syndrome, infants born at <35 weeks of gestation, and babies with TORCH (Toxoplasma gondii, Other viruses [HIV, measles, etc.], Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes simplex) infections were subsequently excluded from the study.ResultsOf the subjects with CH, 39% had associated extrathyroidal anomalies (ETAs); among these, 25% had a single anomaly. A significant proportion of Arab males were affected by CH as compared to other ethnic groups. Dyshormonogenesis was the commonest aetiological cause (55%) of CH. Males with an ectopic lingual thyroid gland had significant ETAs as compared to females of the same cohort. The most common ETAs were congenital heart disease (16%), followed by urogenital tract anomalies (14%).ConclusionsDetection of a high rate and variability of ETAs associated with CH necessitates the formulation of a structured screening programme including appropriate clinical, laboratory, and imaging tools to detect ETAs at an earlier stage.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Related to COVID-19 Among Healthcare Workers in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-sectional Study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amina M. Al Marzouqi ◽  
Michael E. Otim ◽  
Heba H. Hijazi ◽  
Leena S. Kehail ◽  
Ramsha A. Kamal
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Objectives: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is a global health pandemic that continues to have an impact on many aspects of everyday life. This study investigates the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) related to COVID-19 among healthcare workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: This study uses a cross-sectional study design. The original data were collected using an online questionnaire distributed via a Google Forms link. Participants were healthcare workers currently working in the UAE healthcare facilities and recruited using snowball sampling. The questionnaire collected information on demographic variables and COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and practice.Results: In total, the sample of 107 healthcare workers completed the survey. About 92% of the participants worked in public institutions, 87% were from Dubai, and 673% were female. The majority were aged 31–40 years (34.6%), and 43% were radiographers. 66.4% held bachelor’s degrees and Indian nationalities were (28%) and the Philippinos were (28%). Most (90.7%) participants knew the absence of fever did not mean that the virus could not transmit from an infected person, and 84.1% agreed that wearing general medical masks prevented one from contracting COVID-19. However, only 36.4% strongly believed that wearing a well-fitting face mask was effective. In addition, only 15.9% reported confidently managing patients with symptoms of COVID-19, and 54.2% reported that they were afraid of contracting the virus from patients. Almost half of the participants avoided patients who had symptoms of COVID-19. Conclusion: Overall, healthcare workers’ COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices for healthcare workers in UAE healthcare facilities was very high. However, we found gaps in awareness regarding the spread of the pandemic. Our study recommends that providing healthcare workers with education programs and counseling services would help increase their confidence in treating patients with COVID-19.

scholarly journals Disordered Eating Attitudes and Exercise Behavior among Female Emirati College Students in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross- Sectional Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haleama Al Sabbah ◽  
Shatha Muhsineh
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
College Students ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Eating Attitudes ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Disordered Eating Attitudes

Background: Growing evidence is showing high levels of physical inactivity and disordered eating attitudes among young females in the United Arab Emirates. This is clearly concerning, but little is known about the activity level of those with disordered eating attitudes and their dieting behavior. This study examines the female Emirati college students’ disordered eating attitudes and its relation to exercise behavior.Method: A cross- sectional study using a validated and reliable questionnaire was conducted on 242 Emirati female students attending a public university in Dubai. Eating Attitudes Test- 26 (EAT26) was used to measure eating attitudes and the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was included to measure physical activity level. A systematic random sampling from a list of classes in the fall 2014 semester was used for recruitment. The university’s Research Ethics Committee approved the study and consents were obtained from participants. SPSS v.21 was used for data analysis. Chi-square test was used to compare frequencies. Significance level was set at 0.05.Results: The participants’ mean age and standard deviation (Mean± SD) was 19 ±1.3 years. 31.4% of the participants showed disordered eating attitudes. The percentage of participants engaged in at least one concerning behavior in the past six months was 43.8%. A membership in a health club was significantly related to disordered eating attitudes (p <0.01). A high level of physical activity was correlated with laxative use, over the counter supplements, and exercising for more than 60 minutes to control weight (p<0.05). Conclusion: There is a great need for intervention programs and policies to contain the level of abnormal eating attitudes and promote healthy level of physical activity among college students.

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