Sociocultural Characteristic, Lifestyle, and Metabolic Risk Factors Among a Sample of Kuwaiti Male University Students

The Role of Plant-Based Protein Functional Food in Preventing Acute Respiratory Disease: A Case Study

The Kaliningrad region is known for its specific climate, which can negatively affect the adaptive potential of the body. This manifests in an increased incidence of respiratory diseases and skin conditions. To prevent high morbidity, a plant protein product was included in the diet of first-year university students. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of this food intervention in preventing the most common diseases among Kaliningrad students. Two groups of university students took part in the food trial. In the control group, catabolic processes prevailed in nutrient metabolism. Disadaptation manifested itself in the metabolism of proteins, vitamins, minerals, hematopoiesis and humoral immunity. Inflammation was indicated by α1- and α2-globulins, a weak immune response, and IgM and IgG. High oxidative stress and low antioxidative ability of blood serum were observed. The plant-based protein product (FP) helped preserve testosterone level and prevent an increase in catabolic reactions. Moreover, it had a positive effect on both red blood cell hematopoiesis (a smaller increase in the average volume of erythrocytes, the same average concentration and content of hemoglobin, an increased relative red cell distribution width (RDW) and white blood cell hematopoiesis (a beneficial effect for the immune system: lymphocytes, the relative content of neutrophils, monocytes, basophils and eosinophils). The stimulation of humoral immunity was evidenced by beta- and gamma-globulins, an active immune response, the level of IgM and IgG, antioxidant protection, reduction of peroxides and an increase in antioxidant activity of blood serum. The 34-week observation showed a 1.7-fold decrease in the incidence of respiratory illnesses and a 5.7-fold decrease in skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases. Acute respiratory infections were reduced 1.8-fold. There were no cases of community-acquired pneumonia in the treatment group, compared with 55.1‰ in the control group. The incidence of respiratory diseases was 3.3-10.6 times lower in the treatment group than in the control group in weeks 6-19. The findings testify to the prophylactic effect of functional food during social adaptation and acclimatization of students.

Short Sleep Duration and Its Association with Obesity and Other Metabolic Risk Factors in Kuwaiti Urban Adults

BACKGROUND

Efficient sleep duration and its quality are increasingly recognized as important contributors for maintaining normal body weight. However, lifestyle and social structure within the Arab-gulf region differ compared to those in the western world. This study was specifically conducted in Kuwait's population to investigate the link between sleep quality (SQ) and obesity in the absence of sleep apnea (SA) onset.

METHODS

SQ was measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PQSI) in 984 participants, then verified in 60 individuals including 20 lean (Body mass index/BMI: 18.5-24.9 kg/m²), 20 overweight (BMI: 25-29.9 kg/m²) and 20 obese (BMI: ≥30 kg/m²) through actigraph worn over the right-hip for 7 consecutive days to characterize their sleep-wake cycle, rest-activity, and physical activity. Blood samples were collected for metabolic markers.

RESULTS

59.6% of participants reported a PSQI score higher than 5, with 57.6% of the participants reporting less than 6 hours of sleep per day. The data show that both SQ and sleep duration are considered inadequate in comparison to the international SQ standards. We found a significant association between SQ and obesity independent of age and sex. Actigraph data further supported the independent association of sleep duration on BMI within the population (p < 0.001). Additionally, total sleep time (TST) was found to significantly correlate with several other metabolic factors including diastolic blood pressure, elevated resting heart rate (RHR), triglycerides, total cholesterol, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), C-peptide, and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) secretion. Further multiple-regression analysis showed a significant independent association between blood pressure (p < 0.03), HOMA-IR (p < 0.04), and C-peptide (p < 0.3) and sleep duration.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that sleep deprivation and disturbance could be indirect factors involved in the development of not only obesity in Kuwait but also other metabolic syndromes such as type 2 diabetes.

Relationship between Anthropometric Parameters and Lipid Profiles in University Students from Popayán (Cauca, Colombia)

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are pathologies that are increasing every day. This study was aimed to determine the relationship between anthropometric variables and lipid profiles in a sample of young university students, which leads to taking future prevention actions. Materials and Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted with a sample of 182 university students (88 women and 94 men), whose anthropometric variables and lipid profiles were evaluated. Data were analyzed using the SPSS Statistics 20 software. The sample distribution was analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test. Results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation or percentage, as applicable. Significance was established under the Pearson’s correlation coefficient with p ≤0.05 value. Partial correlations were used to evaluate the relationship between each of the anthropometric risk indices and lipid profile values. Results: 46.7% of the population were overweight classifies as low-risk for waist circumference (45.1%), finding that the body adiposity index was healthy for their age in 64.5% of the participants. As for lipid profile, normal values for triglycerides were found in 60.4% of the participants and optimal values for total cholesterol in 56%. Correlational analysis with a significance of p≤0.005 was positive for gender with anthropometric variables such as Body Mass Index and waist circumference. Discussion: Anthropometric characteristics are closely related to the lipid profile behavior, as shown in this study, and the different research studies conducted with university students. Conclusions: Anthropometric variables are positively related to the gender of university students, finding an association between total cholesterol and triglycerides, which indicates a health risk factor. How to cite this article: Molano-Tobar Nancy Janneth, Villaquiran-Hurtado Andrés Felipe, Meza-Cabrera María del Mar. Relationship between Anthropometric Parameters and Lipid Profiles in University Students from Popayán (Cauca, Colombia). Revista Cuidarte. 2020; 11(2): e1079. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.1079

Diabetes Risk among Medical Students in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Diabetes risk estimation is essential for the implementation of preventive measures. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> We aimed to assess the diabetes risk among medical students in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This cross-sectional study was conducted among 169 medical students in the Medical College, University of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, from October 2017 to April 2018. Participants signed a written informed consent and then responded to a questionnaire modified from the Finnish and the ARABRISK diabetes score. The questionnaire consisted of eight components inquiring about age, BMI, central adiposity, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity if found to have high blood pressure or blood sugar, and family history of diabetes mellitus. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Out of 169 students (68% with a family history of diabetes), obesity and overweight were found in 21.3 and 26.6%, respectively, 45.6% had central adiposity, more than half were not practicing exercise daily, and 60.4% were not consuming fruits and vegetables daily. A significant percentage was found to have high blood sugar (9.5%) and high blood pressure (4.7%). The diabetes risk score was high or moderate in 16% of the students. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Medical students in Tabuk City were at high risk for diabetes mellitus. Obesity, overweight, central adiposity, physical inactivity, and less consumption of fruits and vegetables substantially contributed to the risk. Measures to prevent obesity, improving fruit and vegetable consumption, and exercise are needed.

Disordered eating attitudes correlate with body dissatisfaction among Kuwaiti male college students

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of disordered eating attitudes and body dissatisfaction based on muscularity and body fat was investigated among male college students in Kuwait with a range of body mass index values including underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese participants.

METHODS

Data were collected, using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and the Bodybuilder Image Grid (BIG), from 400 male undergraduate students (84.8% Kuwaiti nationals) recruited from both public and private universities in Kuwait. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of symptomatology indicative of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and to examine the associations between body dissatisfaction and muscularity and body fat.

RESULTS

Most participants were dissatisfied with their current muscle mass and body fat (67.3 and 69%, respectively). Logistic regression analyses produced odds ratios (ORs) demonstrating that students dissatisfied with their muscularity and body fat and those who indicated a desire to decrease both muscularity and body fat had significantly higher odds of being at risk of disordered eating attitudes (OR = 2.241, 95% CI [1.17, 3.6], p = .032, and OR = 1.898, 95% CI [1.214, 2.967], p = .005, respectively). Obese participants also had higher odds of exhibiting disordered eating attitudes (OR = 2.06, 95% CI [1.17, 3.60], p = .011).

CONCLUSION

The high proportion of disordered eating attitudes among Kuwaiti college men was associated with high levels of body image dissatisfaction in relation to both body fat and muscularity. High levels of eating disorder symptoms were also linked to obesity.

Impact of Attending the Diwaniyyah on Kuwaiti Men's Health

Diwaniyyah is a traditional gathering place for men in the Arab world. Most Kuwaiti men spend most of their time in the diwaniyyah, which is an important part of their social activity. The current study aims to examine the relationship between the diwaniyyah as a social community and the attendees’ health conditions to determine how the diwaniyyah affects Kuwaiti men’s lifestyle. A questionnaire was distributed among 500 men 16 years old and above. It comprised five parts of data: sociodemographic information, frequency of attending diwaniyyah, types of diwaniyyahs, and health lifestyle of members attending the diwaniyyah. A t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression were used to test the study’s questions. A significant difference in negative effect of diwaniyyahs on attendees’ physical health was detected according to the participants’ ethnic roots, affection for and length of time they spent in the diwaniyyah, time of day or evening that they visited, and dealing with chronic disease (p < .05). Also the results reveal significant differences in the positive effect of diwaniyyahs on the attendees’ lifestyle behavior according to their age, occupational status, religious affiliation, government, prayer time, and type of diwaniyyah (p < .05).