Qualification of Food Intake by the Roma Population in the Region of South Bohemia.

Lenka Šedová ,Radka Prokešová ,Alena Kajanová ,František Dolák ,Dita Nováková ,Věra Olišarová ,Sylva Bártlová ,Valérie Tóthová ,Věra Adámková

doi:10.3390/ijerph15020386

Abstract

The article presents the results of a correlation study, aimed at quantifying the food intake of the Roma population in the South Bohemian Region. To achieve the goal, we applied the method of one-day dietary recall and frequency food analysis (non-standardized). The quantification was carried out by analysis in the Nutridan program. The study involved 302 Roma persons and 298 persons in the control group. Both groups had the same representation of males and females (50:50). The age categories of both sets differed; the average age of the Roma was lower (39.2 years) (p < 0.001). The probands from the Roma population were chosen with the help of the snowball method through known respondents. The statistical analysis shows differences in nutritional estimate between the Roma population and the control sample. The Roma differ in their energy intake. Both groups showed lower intake of sugars, below 50% total energy intake (TEI) and higher intake of fats, above 30% TEI. The respondents from both groups consume little fruits and vegetables, which may be connected with their low dietary fiber intake. In addition to the differences in the nutritional estimates, we recorded statistically significant differences in body mass index (BMI; p < 0.001), in age (p < 0.001), regular alimentation (p = 0) and demanding physical activities (p = 0). In spite of the fact our groups differed in age (the Roma are younger), it can be assumed that the obesity of the Roma may be caused by unbalanced alimentation and lack of physical activities.

Highlights

The connection of health and nutrition was known long time before Christ, as evidenced by the valid rules of Hippocrates’ therapeutic dietics
The largest group in the Roma population was in the 18–29 years range
The results show that the Roma population had body mass index (BMI) above 30, i.e., at the obesity level more frequently (p < 0.001)

Summary

Introduction

The connection of health and nutrition was known long time before Christ, as evidenced by the valid rules of Hippocrates’ therapeutic dietics. In 2011, the Společnost pro výživu (Association for Nutrition, SPV) issued a set of dietary recommendations for the Czech Republic together with the recommendations of the German. Association for Nutrition (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung), with the Austrian Association for Nutrition (Österreichische Gesellschaft für Ernährung) and with the Swiss Association for Nutrition (Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Ernährung). Some publications call these the D-A-CH recommendations (an acronym of the countries with common recommendations) [4]. The Czech recommendations stipulate that the energy intake and expenditure should be regulated in order to maintain a consistent body weight (body mass index (BMI) = 18–25 kg/m2 ).

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion