Pakistan Journal of Nutrition
1680-5194
1994-7984
Asian Network for Scientific Information
10.3923/pjn.2007.414.418
H. Al-Assaf
Abdullah
S. Al-Numair
Khalid
5
2007
6
5
The aim of this study was to investigate intake of
macronutrients and its relation to Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as intake
of selected micronutrients in urban and rural healthy adults in Riyadh
region-Saudi Arabia. 170 health adults were recruited, 85 of which were
urbans and 85 were rurals. Three consecutive days food records were
collected and dietary intakes were analyzed by the food processor and
other food composition tables. Results showed high intake of
macronutrients and prevalence of overweight and obesity in both groups
with no significant differences. Subjects of both groups also had high
intake of saturated fat. Results also showed inadequate intake of vitamin
D, calcium and folate. Few of the participants of both groups had
inadequate intake of vitamin C. Intakes of vitamin B1, vitamin
B3, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and
vitamin B2 was adequate. No significant differences between the
two groups were observed except for vitamin D, calcium and vitamin
B2 that their mean intakes were significantly higher in urban
group compared to rural group. Mean intake of vitamin B3 was
higher in rural group compared to urban group. These findings suggested
that overweight and obesity among adult Saudis are due to high intake of
macronutrients combined with inadequate intake of some micronutrients,
which are results of non-balanced diet and inappropriate consumption
patterns. The study also suggests that there is a need of increasing the
nutritional education and awareness among adult Saudi males. ]]>