The effect of dietary patterns on risk factors for CHD : a comparative study of students residingat the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies in the Philippines

[摘要] OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of the study was to determine the nutritionalstatus of vegetarian and non-vegetarian students in relation to their dietarypreferences and risk factors (dietary, physical inactivity and obesity) for CHD.DESIGN: Cross-sectional analytical study.Setting: The Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS)situated in the province of Cavite, Philippines.METHODS: The sampling frame was all graduate students at AIIAS (n=203). Ofthese students 153 returned the distributed dietary questionnaires whichdetermined dietary practices, thus yielding a stratified random sample of 70registered students (≥20y and ≤50y) who met the inclusion criteria of the study.Three 24-hour recalls and a self-administered food frequency questionnaireassessed dietary practices. Lifestyle was assessed by means of questionnaires,which also included the socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects.Anthropometric measurements included height, weight and waist circumferences.RESULTS: Seventy subjects participated in the study [non-vegetarian (n=38)and vegetarian (n=32)]. The mean age of subjects was 33.3 [(SD) 1.6] and 38.4(1.9) years for non-vegetarian and vegetarian males respectively, with therespective means for females being 35.7 (2.0) and 33.2 (2.1) years. The majorityof the vegetarians' income was insignificantly below $10.000 as compared withthat of non-vegetarians', in whom annual income earned was within the $10.000-$50.000 range per year. Variations in level of education between the dietarygroups were small and inconsistent, most of whom were characterized by a higheducation level. Within this cohort, mean BMI and WC were insignificantly lowerin the vegetarians when compared with the non-vegetarians. For males, theprevalence of overweight, pre-obese and obese (p>0.05) for non-vegetarianswas insignificantly higher than vegetarians. Insignificantly, female vegetarianswere more pre-obese than non-vegetarians. As far as waist circumference wasconcerned, the prevalence of subjects observed in the alerting (≥94cm) andaction zone (≥102cm) (p≤0.05) was 21% and 4% for non-vegetarian males, while0% and 6% for vegetarian males. For females, more vegetarians were insignificantly prevalent in the alerting zone (≥80cm) as compared to the nonvegetarians.Both dietary cohorts illustrated no considerable differences thatexemplified moderate to a high level of physical activity. All subjects, regardlessof dietary preference, were non-smokers and consumed no alcohol (p>0.05).Overall, mean daily nutrient intake met current recommendations and there wasno statistically significant difference between the two cohorts, except for fat andsaturated fatty acids (SFA), which was higher among the non-vegetarians.Carbohydrate and fiber consumption was greater in the vegetarians. According tothe DRIs, there were no intakes above the UL, however inadequate intakes ofcalcium and zinc posed possible risk of deficiency for both dietary groups.CONCLUSIONS: A small percentage of subjects in both cohorts were at risk ofCHD morbidity. Both groups followed good lifestyle habits with dietary choicesbeing of greater concern among non-vegetarians.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University