Dietary pattern association with overweight and obesity in urban Ukrainian population

Full text: Background. Because of economic and social crisis in Ukraine nutrition of many people is unbalanced and deficient for some nutrients, especially for protein. The diet studies in different age groups with or without metabolic risk factors is of interest due to possible nutritional risks. Aim. To study the nutrition in urban Ukrainian population and its relationship to anthropometric indicators of obesity. Methods. 60 middle aged people (35-59 years) were examined. Body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were measured. The food intake was evaluated by the method of the 24 hour food diary for three days augmented by weighing method. For statistical analysis nonparametric methods were used. The Spearman correlation coefficients were considered significant at p level < 0.05. Results. In middle age people positive correlations of meat products consumption with body weight (r = 0.43), BMI (r = 0.35) and WC (r = 0.47) were found; and, correspondingly, higher consumption of animal protein was associated with higher body weight (r = 0.48), BMI (r = 0.35) and WC (r = 0.50). In addition, fat and energy consumption were associated with body weight (r = 0.38 and r = 0.31) and WC (r = 0.40 and r = 0.35). The important is an association of processed meat intake with some anthropometric indicators. In men the relationship between anthropometric indicators of obesity and animal protein intake became stronger but it was not revealed in women. A very low (2016 -1.34%), but growing (2003 - 0.83%) level of childhood obesity in Ukrainian population and the high level (2016 - 22%) of adulthood obesity are existing simultaneously. Traditionally children, especially of early age, have more balanced diet and have more physical activity than adults do, which determine such a large gap. Nevertheless, the question about validity of childhood obesity data is raised due to used methods for obesity assessment. In addition, analysis of young people diet showed nutritional risks such as low level of protein and fiber, high level of mono- and disaccharides, which indicates an increased risk of metabolic disorders in later life and we suggest the same situation with children and adolescents nutrition. Therefore, the RER/6/034 project could help to clarify situation about childhood obesity in Ukraine and help to fight against the growing obesity in adolescence and adulthood. Conclusion. Thus, sex differences between dietary pattern and anthropometric indicators of obesity were revealed for middle age people. The nutritional risk for middle age obese persons is higher meat products consumption associated with higher fat and energy intake. It raises a question to quality of animal protein source consumed and to overall energy intake that should be considered while composing diet recommendations. Metabolic and nutritional risks studying in childhood and adolescence is important for preventing the growing obesity prevalence in adulthood. (author)