Abstract:
Lebanon is a country in the Middle East that had been witnessing nutrition transition to a westernized diet high in trans fats (TFs) and saturated fatty acids (TFAs) that had been linked to cardiovascular diseases and many other health issues. This study examines TF-related awareness, knowledge, and self-reported behaviors among a sample of Lebanese adults aged between 18 and 64 years, as well as their association with sociodemographic factors and anthropometric measurements. Using a multicomponent questionnaire, a cross-sectional study was conducted online, across all Lebanese regions based on a convenience sampling method (n = 401). Factors associated with TF-related awareness, knowledge, and behaviors were examined by multivariate linear regression analysis. The study highlighted specific gaps in TF-related awareness, knowledge, and behavioral practices as well as differences by sociodemographic factors. Most of the participants (36%) had heard of partly hydrogenated oils (PHOs) rather than TFs (49%). A higher proportion of respondents (54%) said they understood a little about TFs, the majority had inadequate knowledge about the foods that contain TFs, and 44% said they would not give up eating their favorite snack even if they knew it contains TFs. Overall, consumers\' awareness and knowledge about TFs are rather low and the majority had fair behavioral practices. In addition, being a woman and having higher education level were significantly associated with higher levels of TFs awareness, knowledge, and behavior scores. Higher behavior scores were shown in older participants, married, and those who had part-time jobs, whereas having higher income and normal weight were significantly associated with higher awareness scores. These findings offer valuable insight into TF-related awareness, knowledge, and behaviors in a sample of Lebanese adults and provide key information that could spur the development of evidence-based TFs reduction interventions specific to the Middle East.
摘要:
黎巴嫩是中东的一个国家,目睹了营养向西化饮食的过渡,这些饮食富含反式脂肪(TFs)和饱和脂肪酸(TFA),这与心血管疾病和许多其他健康问题有关。这项研究检查了与TF相关的意识,知识,以及18至64岁的黎巴嫩成年人样本中的自我报告行为,以及它们与社会人口统计学因素和人体测量的关系。使用多组分问卷,一项横断面研究在网上进行,基于便利抽样方法,在所有黎巴嫩地区(n=401)。与TF相关意识相关的因素,知识,通过多元线性回归分析检查行为。该研究强调了与TF相关的意识方面的具体差距,知识,和行为习惯以及社会人口因素的差异。大多数参与者(36%)听说过部分氢化油(PHO)而不是TFs(49%)。更高比例的受访者(54%)表示他们对TFs有一点了解,大多数人对含有TFs的食物了解不足,44%的人表示,即使他们知道自己喜欢的零食含有TFs,他们也不会放弃吃。总的来说,消费者对TFs的认识和知识相当低,大多数人都有公平的行为习惯。此外,作为一名女性,受过高等教育的人与更高的TFs意识水平显著相关,知识,和行为得分。较高的行为得分显示在年龄较大的参与者,已婚,那些有兼职工作的人,而较高的收入和正常体重与较高的意识评分显著相关.这些发现提供了对TF相关意识的宝贵见解,知识,以及黎巴嫩成年人样本中的行为,并提供关键信息,这些信息可能会刺激针对中东的循证TFs减少干预措施的发展。