Food and nutrient intake of school-aged children in Lebanon and their adherence to dietary guidelines and recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Lebanon, an Eastern Mediterranean country, is witnessing a remarkable nutrition transition, and the diets of school-aged children may be amongst those most affected. However, limited studies have examined the food consumption patterns and nutrient adequacy in this age group. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the dietary intakes of school-aged children in Lebanon and assess their adherence to nutrition guidelines and recommendations. METHODS: This study used data for 4-13 y-old children (n = 711) from a national cross-sectional survey conducted in 2014-2015 on a representative sample of Lebanese households with children. Dietary intake was assessed using single 24-h recall method. Estimated food group and nutrient intakes were compared to dietary recommendations and age-specific dietary reference intakes (DRI), including Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) and Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR). Food group, energy, macro- and micro-nutrient intakes were presented for all children in the sample and stratified by age (4-8 y and 9-13 y) and sex. RESULTS: Mean energy intake of 4-13-year-old children was 1804 kcal/d. Almost half of the energy was provided by carbohydrates while 12% of children had protein intakes below EAR. Approximately three-quarters of children (4-13 y) exceeded the AMDR for total fat and saturated fats, and a similar proportion over consumed added sugars. The main sources of energy intake (EI) among children were the sweets, sweetened beverages and desserts followed by grains and mixed dishes. No significant differences were noted in %EI from different food groups, by sex, in either age groups. The highest adherence of children to food group recommendations was observed for the grains' food group (47.2-54.4%EI), while the lowest adherence was found for vegetables (3.1-14.1%EI). A high prevalence of vitamin and mineral inadequacies was noted amongst 4-13 y old children for key micronutrients, including vitamin D (99%), calcium (81%), and vitamin A (69.5%). Risk of inadequate micronutrient intakes was significantly increased among the older age group (p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Nutrient intakes of school-aged children in Lebanon reflect suboptimal nutrition. Educational and public health interventions are needed to promote healthier diets among children and prevent micronutrient deficiencies during this critical phase.

Dietary intakes, sources, and determinants of free sugars amongst Lebanese children and adolescents: findings from two national surveys.

PURPOSE: To determine the intake levels, dietary sources, and determinants of free sugars (FS) consumption amongst Lebanese children and adolescents. METHODS: This study is based on data collected by two national cross-sectional surveys conducted on representative samples of Lebanese children: survey 1 (under-five years (U5) children) (n = 899) and survey 2 (5-18 years-old children) (n = 1133). Multi-component questionnaires were used for data collection. Dietary intakes were assessed using one 24 h dietary recall. Median daily intakes of FS, and percent contribution of various food groups to FS intake were compared between sex and age groups. Logistic regressions were conducted to explore the determinants of high FS intake (> 10% energy intake/d), as per the WHO recommendations. RESULTS: Median contribution of FS to daily energy intake was 8.5% in U5 children and 11.9% amongst those aged 5-18 years old. The top contributors to FS in both surveys were sugar-sweetened beverages and biscuits and chocolates. The proportion of children and adolescents exceeding WHO upper limits for FS was estimated at 43 and 62% in survey 1 and survey 2, respectively. Regression models showed females, higher household monthly incomes and higher parental educational levels were associated with significantly lower odds of exceeding the WHO upper limit for FS. CONCLUSION: The study showed that a high proportion of Lebanese children and adolescents exceeded the WHO upper limit for FS intake, while also documenting a socioeconomic gradient in FS intake. Findings call for devising food system-based interventions to help reduce FS intake in this nutritionally vulnerable age group.

Incidence of diabetes and its predictors in the Greater Beirut Area: a five-year longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) remains a world epidemic. Obtaining accurate estimates of its incidence and their predictors will aid in targeting preventive measures, allocating resources, and strategizing its management. The Middle East North Africa region has high T2D prevalence and rates of rise. Few incidence studies exist for the region, and none from Lebanon. The current study objective was to determine diabetes incidence and diabetes predictors in a community-based Lebanese sample. A secondary objective was to describe the metabolic control over time in adults with preexisting diabetes. METHODS: This is a five-year (2014-2019) follow-up study on a random sample of 501 residents of the Greater Beirut area. Out of 478 people eligible to participate in the follow-up study, 198 returned (response rate 39.5%). Assessment included medical history, anthropometric measures, food frequency, sleep, and lifestyle questionnaires. Laboratory data included glycemic indices (fasting glucose and HbA1C) and other biological markers. The diagnosis of probable diabetes (PD) was based on one abnormal test for either fasting glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL or HbA1C ≥ 6.5% or having history of diabetes. RESULTS: The incidence of diabetes was 17.2 (95% CI 9.6-28.7) per 1000 person-years. Cardiometabolic risk factors independently associated with diabetes were: older age, higher BMI, family history of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, higher CRP and triglyceride level; whereas an independent predictor of diabetes was previous BMI. In addition, the 42 participants with preexisting diabetes had worsening of their metabolic profile over a five-year period. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of diabetes was high as compared to some reported world rates, and in line with the high prevalence in the MENA region. The risk was highest in those with positive family history and the presence of the metabolic syndrome or its components. Preventive measures should particularly target participants with that specific risk profile. This becomes particularly important when observing that metabolic control gets worse over time in individuals with diabetes.