In depth analysis of risk factors for coeliac disease amongst children under 18 years old in the Gaza strip. A cross sectional study.

UNLABELLED: Coeliac disease is an important clinical disorder affecting the human gastrointestinal tract leading to multiple signs and symptoms in different body organs. This disease was the subject of a cross sectional descriptive-analytic study conducted in the Gaza Strip during 2010. Objectives were oriented to identify and verify several variables and attributes affecting the prognosis of coeliac disease in the patients. Ninety five children out of 113 patients were arranged into two groups according to age from 2 to 11 years and from 12 to 18 years old. Results showed the poor interest of health professionals regarding coeliac disease in the Gaza Strip. The mean age of study population was 5.47 years for males and 8.93 years for females. The lifestyle of coeliac patients was directly proportional with better nutritional indictors. Poor recognition of the emblem illustrating gluten in foods implicates effective health awareness or promotion. The more knowledgeable patients or mothers (P = 0.036) were the more compliant. The compliance to giving gluten free foods outside home was statistically significant (P = 0.037). Similarly, cautious approach when buying foods or detergents (P = 0.011). According to BMI 74.4%, 23.4% and 3.2% of all patients were normal, underweight and overweight respectively. Albumin blood level was normal in 32.6% and low in 67.4%. Meanwhile, blood calcium level was normal in 76.8%, low in 21.1% and high in 2.1% of all patients. CONCLUSION: The study showed that recreation and social activities for coeliac patients are substantially missing in the Gaza Strip. Moreover, the study proved that AEI is a reliable centre for care of coeliac disease patients and conducting relevant studies. RECOMMENDATION: There is a need for thorough and continuous community and institutional mobilization regarding coeliac disease in the Gaza Strip and in Palestine.

Does gender influence food intake and physical activity pattern among Palestinian adolescents in the Gaza Strip?

BACKGROUND: One of the most important parameters that affect the development of adolescents is nutrition. Eating practices among adolescents may have long-term impact on their health. AIMS: This study aimed to assess whether there is a difference in food intake and physical activity patterns among male and female adolescents (12-19 years old) in the Gaza Strip. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2016 among 378 adolescent students, 205 males, 173 females. Researchers utilized quantitative and qualitative measures by incorporating a face-to-face interview questionnaire with the adolescents and focus group discussions with parents. RESULTS: Over 55% of participants were eating healthy foods with high frequency; the proportion of boys was greater than that of girls (P < 0.05). Around 45% were eating unhealthy foods with high frequency; here the proportion of girls was greater, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In terms of physical activity pattern, more than half of the adolescents were practicing a sedentary lifestyle, girls statistically significantly more than boys (P < 0.001). No statistically significant sex-based association was found between food intake habits and physical activity pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Palestinian adolescents of both sexes in the Gaza Strip are practising unhealthy feeding habits coupled with an apparently highly sedentary lifestyle.