Malnutrition is associated with increased disease risk in older people in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Introduction

There is little research on the nutritional status of older people in Saudi Arabia. This study investigated the factors associated with the nutritional status of older people in the Makkah region, Saudi Arabia. We hypothesized that older people who are at risk of malnutrition are at higher risk of different diseases.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study surveyed 271 people aged ≥60 years from October 2021 to January 2022. We collected data on demographics, body mass index, the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index, Mini Nutritional Assessment, Eating Attitudes Test, and Household Dietary Diversity score.

Results

Among the 271 participants, 13.3% were malnourished and 53.9% were at risk of malnutrition. The oral health (P < 0.001), depression (P < 0.001), and eating disorder (P < 0.002) scores were significantly associated with malnutrition. Congestive heart failure, asthma, peripheral vascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and hypertension were more prevalent among malnourished participants—this supports our original hypothesis. The HDD score showed no significant differences between men and women.

Conclusion

Malnutrition was associated with overweight or obesity, poor oral health, and depression. Older people in the Makkah region, Saudi Arabia, had a high risk of malnutrition.

Associations between dietary intake, physical activity, and obesity among public school teachers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Objective

We aimed to assess the dietary intake of certain food groups in a representative sample of public-school teachers living in Jeddah city. We also, examined the association of dietary intake with physical activity and obesity among schoolteachers.

Methods

The study was a cross-sectional online survey, conducted among 640 (177 male, 463 female) schoolteachers aged between 20 and 62 years old and working in public primary, intermediate, and high schools in Jeddah. Measurements included gender, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), health problems, and lifestyle behaviours, including physical activity levels, smoking status, and dietary intake.

Results

Based on gender, number of non-smoking women (94%) was higher than number of non-smoking men (57.1%) (P < 0.001). However, men were more active than women (P = 0.03). Regarding BMI, there were more overweight men than women, while obese women numbered more than men (P = 0.003). There was no significant difference in dietary intake between men and women except that men consumed more soft drinks than women (P = 0.002). Lower physically active schoolteachers were less likely to consume salad (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9; P = 0.02), vegetables (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.3-0.9; P = 0.01), beans and legumes (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.7; P = 0.005), wholegrain bread (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9; P = 0.03), dairy products (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9; P = 0.01), snacks (OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-0.8; P = 0.01), and fish (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.9; P = 0.04) compared to those with high levels of physical activity. Only fruit intake was considered statistically significant (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.7; P = 0.003). The study found a relationship between the BMI of schoolteachers and food intake. Obese schoolteachers had lower consumption of fruits (OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.7; P = 0.007) and white meat (OR = 0.5, 95%CI 0.3-0.9; P = 0.03) than schoolteachers in the normal weight group.

Conclusion

The high prevalence of physical activity, dietary intake and body weight among Saudi teachers is a major public health concern. The present study identified several lifestyle factors associated with body weight that may represent valid targets for the prevention and management of obesity among Saudi school teachers. Promoting active lifestyles and healthy diets would be primary targets for obesity prevention.

Gender differences in knowledge, attitudes, and practices with respect to type 1 diabetes among Saudi public-school teachers

BACKGROUND

Children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) need carefully monitoring even during school hours to avoid emergencies. Hence, it is crucial for teachers to have appropriate knowledge and positive attitudes toward diabetes to effectively manage the disease and its complications. This study aimed to compare the knowledge, attitudes, and practices with respect to T1DM among Saudi male and female public-school teachers living in Jeddah and to identify the associated factors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among primary, intermediate, and secondary public-school teachers working in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between October 2021 and March 2022. Data were collected through an online survey. The survey included information on the socio-demographics of school teachers, the presence of chronic diseases, teachers' health behaviours, and knowledge, attitude, and practice with respect to T1DM.

RESULTS

This study included 378 school teachers. The majority of school teachers from both genders were married, held a bachelor's degree, and aged 45-54 years. Male school teachers were married (P = 0.02), held postgraduate certificates (P < 0.001), smoked cigarette and shisha (P < 0.001), and were physically active (P < 0.001) compared to female school teachers. Regarding teachers' knowledge of T1DM, it was found that female teachers were significantly more knowledgeable of T1DM children's and its symptoms than male teachers (P = 0.03; P = 0.01, respectively). However, male teachers were more willing to accommodate T1DM students in their classes and attend programs to support T1DM students as compared to female teachers (P = 0.004; P = 0.004, respectively). Moreover, the study showed poor practice scores for T1DM. In addition, the knowledge, attitudes, and practice scores toward T1DM were significantly associated with advanced age (P = 0.002), and extended years of teaching experience (P ≤ 0.002). Also, diabetic teachers had the highest knowledge (P = 0.03) and attitude (P = 0.02) scores compared to non-diabetic teachers. Male teachers who were married (P = 0.002), shisha smokers (P = 0.01), and had never practiced activity (P = 0.03) had better attitudes and practices toward T1DM. Similarly, female teachers who held bachelor's certificates had better attitudes toward T1DM (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed moderate knowledge, favorable attitudes, and poor practices related to T1DM among school teachers in Jeddah. It is crucial for policymakers to provide school teachers with training for necessary diabetes care for diabetic students.