Assessment of nutritional status and adequacy of fiber intake in a group of obese children and adolescents

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. Its prevalence has increased at an alarming rate according to recent WHO reports. Some studies suggest this increase to changes in diet patterns with the shift to a processed low-fiber diet. Dietary fiber has shown different protective health benefits against obesity and its comorbidities. Current dietary fiber intake status in obese children and adolescents is understudied. Aim of the work: to assess the adequacy of fiber intake in obese children and adolescents. Methods: A observation of a group of obese pediatric patients. All included patients were subjected to detailed medical history and clinical examination obtained from interviews with them or their medical records with special emphasis on anthropometric measures in form of weight, height and waist circumference, age of diagnosis, dietary intake, lifestyle, drugs, and possible complications. Dietary assessment through 24 h recall from all participants with an analysis of fiber according to 2nd Edition food composition tables for Egypt of National Institute of Nutrition Results: obese children and adolescents in the current study consumed less than 25% of their daily required intake.