Objective: To estimate the adequacy of nutrients intake among females with metabolic syndrome.
Methods: The quantitative case-control study was conducted in November 2015 at King Fahd University Hospital, Al Khobar, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, and comprised patients who had three or more risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. Group I had patients who met three of the six criteria components, Group II had those who met four components, and Group III had those who met more than four components. Healthy subjects were enrolled as controls. Socioeconomic data, as well as weight, height, body mass index and waist circumference, were collected. The 24-hour recall method was used for collecting data about food intake, and the nutrient intake was calculated by Saudi food composition tables. Data related to nutrient intake was compared with standard dietary requirements.
Results: Of the 216 subjects, 134(%) were patients and 82(%) were controlled. Among the patients, 20(15%) were in Group I, 34(25%) in Group II and 89(60%) were in Group III. None of the cases in the three groups had normal weight compared to 20(24.4%) controls (p<0.001). Intake of calories, protein and carbohydrates in groups II and III were lower than the controls and those in group I (p<0.05). Percentage of energy yielded from protein, fat, and carbohydrates by the patients differed significantly from normal values (p<0.05)..
Conclusions: Majority of the patients failed to fulfill their requirements from essential nutrients. The higher the number of metabolic syndrome risk factors, the higher was the insufficiency of nutrient intake..
Keywords: Diet, Female, Metabolic syndrome, Nutrients, Obesity, Saudi Arabia..