Comparison of INTERGROWTH- 21st and Fenton growth standards to assess size at birth and at discharge in preterm infants in the United Arab Emirates.

Background: Accurate growth assessment of preterm infants is essential in guiding medical care and suitable nutritional interventions. Currently, different growth references are used across hospitals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aims to compare the INTERGROWTH-21st standards with Fenton growth references regarding birth size classification and at the time of discharge in a sample of preterm infants in the UAE.

Salt-related knowledge, attitudes and practices and their relationship with 24-h urinary sodium and potassium excretions among a group of healthy residents in the UAE: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to measure urinary sodium and potassium as a measure of sodium and potassium intake concerning the knowledge, attitude and practice towards sodium intake among a group of healthy residents in the UAE.

Design: A cross-sectional study on a sample of healthy adults in the UAE. In addition to the knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire, sodium and potassium excretions and food records were taken.

Effect of ketogenic diets on lipid metabolism in adults: protocol for a systematic review.

Introduction: The ketogenic diet is a very low carbohydrate diet known for its ability to reduce weight and counteract hyperglycaemia. However, ketogenic diets recommend an increased intake of fats, raising concerns about cardiometabolic risk in adults. Due to the higher intake of fats in the ketogenic diet, there is significant variability in outcomes of lipid metabolism in the population.

The association of social media with dietary behaviors among adults in the United Arab Emirates.

Background: Social media is an online community that offers a digital setting where people create, share, and access a wide range of information, knowledge, and viewpoints. This study assessed the association between social media use and eating behaviors and whether sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle habits are correlated with this association. In addition, it assessed whether this effect is different according to changes in lifestyle habits due to the COVID-19 pandemic among adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Validity of Measured vs. Self-Reported Weight and Height and Practical Considerations for Enhancing Reliability in Clinical and Epidemiological Studies: A Systematic Review.

Self-reported measures of height and weight are often used in large epidemiological studies. However, concerns remain regarding the validity and reliability of these self-reported measures. The aim of this systematic review was to summarise and evaluate the comparative validity of measured and self-reported weight and height data and to recommend strategies to improve the reliability of self-reported-data collection across studies.

Impact of Skills for Change Program on metabolic control, diet and physical activity levels in adults with type 2 diabetes: A cluster randomized trial.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is highly prevalent in the Arab Gulf countries. Despite this, limited culturally-adapted lifestyle intervention studies have been conducted in this region.

Methods: In this culturally adapted 12-month cluster randomized trial, 382 patients with type 2 diabetes, aged 20-70 years were recruited from 6 public healthcare centers (3 interventions and 3 controls) in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

Prevalence, Characteristics, and Treatment Pattern of Menstrual-Related Headache Among Undergraduate Health Sciences Students at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

Background: Menstrual-related headache (MRH) is the most prevalent health condition among young females that limits productivity and social life. However, the magnitude of the problem and its characteristics have not been studied in Ethiopia.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence, characteristics, and treatment of MRH among undergraduate female students at the College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

Enhancing proficiency in ascites puncture through procedural simulation: an audit type study investigating medium-term skill retention.

Introduction: Medical simulation has become an essential teaching method for all health professionals. It not only allows to acquire technical and non-technical knowledge, but also helps the maintenance of acquired knowledge in the medium and long term. Ascites puncture is part of the basic technical procedures learned by medical students during their internship.

Micronutrient Status in Pregnant Women after Metabolic Bariatric Surgery in the United Arab Emirates: A Prospective Study.

Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) helps reduce comorbidities, such as hypertension and gestational diabetes, and is more effective than diet management for women with obesity-related health issues. Vitamin B, vitamin D, and iron play important roles in ensuring the health of a neonate. However, pregnancies occurring after MBS may face complications related to micronutrient deficiencies, particularly of vitamins B and D and iron.

Could psychobiotics and fermented foods improve mood in middle-aged and older women?

Menopause is a natural physiological phase during which women experience dramatic hormonal fluctuations. These lead to many symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, which, in turn, can negatively affect quality of life. Proper nutrition has an influential role in alleviating depression as well as anxiety.

Public's calorie literacy and perceived effectiveness of restaurant menu calorie labeling in the United Arab Emirates.

Restaurant menu calorie labeling is regarded as a promising, cost-effective, and innovative method that will have an impact on the food environment, raise awareness among consumers, and aid in global efforts to prevent obesity. This study aimed to assess the public's calorie literacy, dining practices, and perceived effectiveness of restaurant menu labeling implementation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A descriptive, web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1279 adults in the UAE.

Validity and Reliability of the Arabic Version of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18.

The present study translated and validated an Arabic version of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18 (TFEQ-R18), which assesses eating behaviour traits among Arabic speakers in the three domains: cognitive restraint (CR), uncontrolled eating (UE), and emotional eating (EE). Three bilingual experts first translated the English questionnaire into Arabic, and the questionnaire's comprehension was tested among 298 Arabic speakers. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested the model fit and flagged four items in the questionnaire with low consistency.

Pregnant Women's Perception and Knowledge of the Impact of Obesity on Prenatal Outcomes-A Cross-Sectional Study.

The prevalence of obesity and overweight has been rapidly increasing and is significantly higher among adult females in the Arab States. The aim of the present study was to explore pregnant Emirati women's perception of their weight, their knowledge of the healthy gestational weight gain, and the possible weight-related pregnancy complications. A total of 526 self-administered questionnaires were obtained with a response rate of 72%.

Soluble and Insoluble Dietary Fibre in Date Fruit Varieties: An Evaluation of Methods and Their Implications for Human Health.

Dietary fibre analysis is expensive due to its reliance on enzymes such as α-amylase, protease, and amyloglucosidase. This study investigated whether enzymes are essential in analysing insoluble, soluble, and total dietary fibre (IDF, SDF and TDF) contents in dry fruits with very low starch and protein contents. The IDF, SDF, and TDF were measured in date fruits using the enzymatic gravimetric method AOAC 991.

Comparison of students' perceptions of online and hybrid learning modalities during the covid-19 pandemic: The case of the University of Sharjah.

Hybrid learning enables educators to incorporate elements of conventional face-to-face learning methods with structured online schemes. This study aimed to assess university students' perceptions of online and hybrid learning during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates (n = 2056).

The Role of Lifestyle Interventions in the Prevention and Treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common pregnancy-related endocrinopathies, affecting up to 25% of pregnancies globally. GDM increases the risk of perinatal and delivery complications, and the chance of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications, including cardiovascular diseases. This elevated risk is then passed on to the next generation, creating a cycle of metabolic dysfunction across generations.

Total Usual Nutrient Intakes and Nutritional Status of United Arab Emirates Children (4 Years-12.9 Years): Findings from the Kids Nutrition and Health Survey (KNHS) 2021.

This study aims at investigating the anthropometric status and food consumption patterns of children in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and assessing their adherence to nutrient and dietary recommendations. It is a population-based cross-sectional survey of 690 children (4-12.9 years), from 3 major Emirates.

Lifestyle Interventions for Prevention and Management of Diet-Linked Non-Communicable Diseases among Adults in Arab Countries.

The increased incidences of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases among adults are becoming the chief public health concern in most Arab countries. Economic expansion has contributed to a nutrition shift from a traditional seasonal diet to Westernized eating habits coupled with a sedentary lifestyle. Despite the rising concern for NCD mortality, public health policies are inadequately addressed.

Barriers and Facilitators of Weight Management among School Children with Obesity: A Qualitative Investigation of Parents' Perceptions.

Parents play a critical role in influencing the eating habits of their children. This study examined parents' perceptions of factors that contributed to childhood obesity and sought their suggestions on various modalities for overcoming the barriers to healthy eating. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were undertaken with 26 parents of 9-13 years old school children with obesity from the United Arab Emirates.

The benefits of physical activity in middle-aged individuals for cardiovascular disease outcomes.

Regular physical activity (PA) has a positive role in preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Due to a trend toward a more sedentary lifestyle, the middle-aged population (35-65 years) is at greater risk of developing CVD. It is well established that PA improves cardiorespiratory fitness and reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular events, including stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and blood pressure.

Feeding Practices of Infants and Toddlers by Their Mothers in Selected Northern Emirates of the United Arab Emirates.

Research on the feeding practices of infants and young children in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is limited, especially in the northern regions of the country. A retrospective web-based survey was conducted to assess child feeding practices among the mothers of young children aged 6 months to 2.5 years in the northern emirates of the UAE.