Nutrition Transition in Arab/Palestinian Youth Living in Nazareth and East Jerusalem

IF 2.3 3区医学 Q2 EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINES

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Pub Date : 2025-08-01 DOI:10.1016/j.jneb.2025.05.084

Raghda Barakat MSc, RD, Liora Gvion PhD, Aliza Stark PhD RD

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Health inequities exist in Israel and the Arab population is at higher risk of increased mortality and morbidity. In adolescents, high rates of obesity and sedentary behavior have been documented.

Objective

To assess Arab youths' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the Traditional Palestinian Diet (TPD) and identify possible strategies to improve dietary intake and preserve cultural heritage.

Study Design, Settings, Participants

A cross-sectional study was conducted in schools in East Jerusalem and Nazareth among Arab adolescents using purposive sampling. Structured questionnaires focusing on the TPD were administered.

Measurable Outcome/Analysis

Determination of current eating patterns in Arab youth were described. Data was analyzed by sex, location and age using either a t-test or Chi-Square test.

Results

Students (N&#3f522) completed the survey, with half from each city. Mean age was 15 ± 1.2 years, 70% female, and 97% Muslim. Only 28.7% ate traditional meals daily, typically at home or with immediate family. The self-reported ability to prepare traditional meals was low; 29% in females and 24% males (p < 0.004). Knowledge of ingredients and nutrition was also limited. Traditional eating practices; such as bread served with the main meal and using hands instead of cutlery were relatively common while sharing a central plate was less prevalent. Weekly fast food consumption was high at 67% and 85% reported drinking sweetened beverages. An association between fast food intake and following the TPD fell short of statistical significance at P=0.18. Additional advanced analyses did not provide significant results.

Conclusions

Arab youth are abandoning the TPD, which may contribute to widespread obesity and other health disparities. Despite distinctly different socio-political environments, location had little impact on results. Nutrition education focused on the Palestinian “Heritage Diet” and empowering youth, may be an effective strategy to improve eating behaviors and health inequities in this population.

Funding

None

查看原文本刊更多论文

生活在拿撒勒和东耶路撒冷的阿拉伯/巴勒斯坦青年的营养转变

背景：以色列存在卫生不公平现象，阿拉伯人口面临死亡率和发病率增加的更高风险。在青少年中，高肥胖率和久坐行为已被记录在案。目的评估阿拉伯青年对巴勒斯坦传统饮食（TPD）的知识、态度和实践，并确定改善饮食摄入和保护文化遗产的可能策略。研究设计、环境、参与者在东耶路撒冷和拿撒勒的学校进行了一项横断面研究，其中包括阿拉伯青少年，采用有目的抽样。对TPD进行结构化问卷调查。可测量的结果/分析描述了阿拉伯青年当前饮食模式的测定。数据按性别、地点和年龄进行分析，采用t检验或卡方检验。结果学生（Nf522）完成了调查，每个城市各占一半。平均年龄15±1.2岁，女性占70%，穆斯林占97%。只有28.7%的人每天吃传统的饭菜，通常是在家里或与直系亲属一起吃。自我报告的准备传统食物的能力很低；女性29%，男性24% (p <；0.004)。对配料和营养的了解也很有限。传统饮食习惯；比如面包和正餐一起上，用手代替餐具，而共用一个中央盘子则不那么普遍。67%的人每周吃快餐，85%的人喝加糖饮料。快餐摄入量与遵循TPD之间的关联在P=0.18上没有统计学意义。额外的高级分析没有提供显著的结果。结论阿拉伯青年正在放弃TPD，这可能是造成普遍肥胖和其他健康差距的原因。尽管社会政治环境明显不同，但地理位置对结果的影响很小。以巴勒斯坦“传统饮食”为重点的营养教育和增强青年权能，可能是改善这一人群饮食行为和健康不平等现象的有效战略。FundingNone

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来源期刊

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 医学-学科教育

CiteScore

4.20

自引率

11.50%

发文量

379

审稿时长

44 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB), the official journal of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, is a refereed, scientific periodical that serves as a global resource for all professionals with an interest in nutrition education; nutrition and physical activity behavior theories and intervention outcomes; complementary and alternative medicine related to nutrition behaviors; food environment; food, nutrition, and physical activity communication strategies including technology; nutrition-related economics; food safety education; and scholarship of learning related to these areas. The purpose of JNEB is to document and disseminate original research and emerging issues and practices relevant to these areas worldwide. The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior welcomes evidence-based manuscripts that provide new insights and useful findings related to nutrition education research, practice and policy. The content areas of JNEB reflect the diverse interests in nutrition and physical activity related to public health, nutritional sciences, education, behavioral economics, family and consumer sciences, and eHealth, including the interests of community-based nutrition-practitioners. As the Society''s official journal, JNEB also includes policy statements, issue perspectives, position papers, and member communications.