Dietary habits of a Mediterranean population of women in an agricultural region of Morocco

Knowing food habits of populations is of importance to better define appropriate public health interventions. The objective of this study was to assess and describe the dietary intake and major food sources of energy and nutrients in a women sample selected from an agricultural region of Morocco. A total of 191 adult women 18–55 years old resident in urban areas in El Jadida, a costal province of Moroccowas selected. Dietary habits were assessed using a combination of a 24-h dietary recall during 3 non consecutive days and a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Food habits are characterized by large consumption of cereals, meat and poultry, fish and sea foods, eggs, fruits and vegetables, but low intake of olive oil. The total energy intake was high and not balanced by physical activity levels. The contribution of lipids to the energy was low but high in saturated fat (39 %) reflected in the higher PUFA/SFA ratio (0.76 ± 0.62). The total carbohydrate consumption was high (61 % of daily energy) and that of fiber was low 18.07 ± 11.44 g. Furthermore a significantly high intake of saturated and monounsaturated fat is observed in the youngest women and women with a higher education level. Except for the intakes of phosphorus and sodium, all minerals and vitamins assessed are below or close to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) while all vitamins are consumed at rates below two-third of RDA by a large proportion of women. The nutrient intake of the studied population is not in line with that recommended for women despite a large consumption of the majority of food groups. Data indicate that dietary guidelines should not consider only quantitative intake but must address adequate numbers of servings and favorable food choices that may explain, in part, the nutritional and metabolic disorders reported in this population.Keywords: women, Diet - intake - habits, Mediterranean, Morocc

Chemical characterisation and the anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and antibacterial properties of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Date fruit, Phoenix dactylifera L. has traditionally been used as a medicine in many cultures for the treatment of a range of ailments such as stomach and intestinal disorders, fever, oedema, bronchitis and wound healing. Aim of the review: The present review aims to summarise the traditional use and application of Phoenix dactylifera date fruit in different ethnomedical systems, additionally the botany and phytochemistry are identified. Critical evaluation of in vitro and in vitro studies examining date fruit in relation to anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and antimicrobial activities are outlined. Key Findings: The ethnomedical use of Phoenix dactylifera in the treatment of inflammatory disease has been previously identified and reported. Furthermore, date fruit and date fruit co-products such as date syrup are rich sources of polyphenols, anthocyanins, sterols and carotenoids. In vitro studies have demonstrated that date fruit exhibits antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic activity. The recent interest in the identification of the numerous health benefits of dates using in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed that date fruit and date syrup have beneficial health effects that can be attributed to the presence of natural bioactive compounds. Conclusions: Date fruit and date syrup have therapeutic properties, which have the potential to be beneficial to health. However, more investigations are needed to quantify and validate these effects

Nurses' perceptions of aids and obstacles to the provision of optimal end of life care in ICU

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Lipid profile and prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a Mediterranean population of women in nutrition transition

International audienc

Nutritional characteristics in a Mediterranean community among procreating Moroccan women

International audienc

Study of the association of the nutritional profile of pregnant women with the birth weight of newborns in Morocco

Background. Low birth weight (LBW) is an important predictor of neonatal morbidity and mortality. It reflects the nutritional status of the mother and the quality of health care services during pregnancy. Objective. The objective of this study is to determine the factors associated with low birth weight of children born to Moroccan pregnant women in the province of El Jadida. Material and Methods. This cross-sectional case-control study was carried out in the maternity ward of El Jadida provincial hospital on 344 parturient women, half of whom had given birth to children with an LBW and the other half of children with normal weight (NW) at birth. Information on maternal gestational and socioeconomic characteristics as well as eating habits was collected using a questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were taken on the newborns. Results. The study identified 172 parturient who gave birth to newborns with LBW and 172 parturient who gave birth to newborns of NW. The proportions of LBW are greater in first-time mothers (50.6%) and professionally inactive (86.6%). The mean weight of LBW newborns is 2013.95 ± 372.95g compared to 3380 ± 217.59g for NW newborns. The determined factors associated with LBW are the low socio-economic level (OR = 3.18; 95% CI: 1.09-9.23), insufficient monitoring of prenatal consultation (OR = 2.91; 95% CI: 1, 71-4.95), origin from rural areas (OR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.30-0.91) and lack of nutritional education (OR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0, 09-0.34). The daily calcium intake in mothers of newborns with LBW is 33.82% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA), the daily iron requirement coverage was 50%, folates 66, 16% and zinc 87.72% of the RDA. Conclusions. Well-targeted and coordinated education and awareness-raising actions on early pregnancy and feeding pregnant women could have a positive impact on improving the birth rate of children with a weight deficit