ISSN: 2574-7770
Authors: Hmed BN*, Charaâ N, Ksouda K, Zeghal K and Hammami S
Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between specific popular food’s consumption and the prevalence of some chronic diseases. Methodology: The weekly frequency of couscous and / or macaroni’s consumption was assessed through a questionnaire in a sample of a local population; and its correlation to diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension and overweight was checked. Our study included 276 volunteers (194 men and 84 women). The collected data was analyzed using Chi square test and Spearman correlation has been checked. Findings: Our study showed that almost participants (90 %) have at minimum 3 meals composed of couscous and / or macaroni, per week. Our major finding is that 40 to 60 years -old men consuming semolina derivatives (couscous and macaroni) more than seven times a week present higher prevalence of both hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2 (28.2 % and 25.64 %, respectively), in comparison to whom eating less frequently these foods (12.9 % and 11.1 %, respectively). Research limitation: This study is strictly based on the diet pattern of this population, and gives information on the possible influence of a specific popular food intake on its health statute; and on basis of the lower sample of population, the obtained results are still discussable. Originality: Our investigation highlights the requirement of diet diversification to prevent diabetes mellitus type 2 and adult hypertension occurrence.
Keywords:
Dietary intake; Cereal foods; Correlation analysis; Diabetes; Cardiovascular disease; Public health
