Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny最新文献

{"title":"Normal weight obesity - hidden obesity behind a normal BMI: application of composite body composition indices in nutritional status evaluation in Slovak females.","authors":"Laura Hačková, Martina Gažarová, Mária Kijovská","doi":"10.32394/rpzh/213375","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/rpzh/213375","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Normal weight obesity (NWO) is defined as a phenotype in which individuals present with a body mass index within the normal range, yet exhibit an excessive proportion of body fat (> 28%). This condition is linked to elevated risks of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Although BMI remains a widely applied screening parameter, it does not capture the distribution of fat and lean tissue, which may result in misclassification and underestimation of health hazards.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study sought to compare the body composition profiles of women classified as normal weight according to BMI but differing in adiposity levels, and to determine the diagnostic value of composite indices - fat mass index (FMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI), and the fat mass (FM)/fat-free mass (FFM) ratio - in identifying NWO phenotype and assessing nutritional status.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A total of 402 female Caucasian volunteers aged 18.6-65 years were included in the study. Body composition was analyzed using the InBody 270 (MF-BIA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 402 participants, 235 fell within the normal-weight BMI range, and 62 of them fulfilled the criteria for the NWO phenotype. Relative to their normal weight (NW) counterparts, the NWO group displayed higher adiposity (%FM: 32.85 vs. 24.08%; FMI: 7.53 vs. 5.08 kg/m²; FM/FFM: 0.49 vs. 0.32, respectively), greater visceral fat accumulation (VFL: 8.68 vs. 5.43), and lower values of lean body mass (FFM: 41.93 vs. 45.22 kg; SMM: 22.76 vs. 24.79 kg). In NWO, BMI correlated only weakly with body fat percentage, whereas FMI and FM/FFM showed substantially stronger associations with an unfavorable body composition pattern.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>BMI in isolation does not provide sufficient sensitivity to detect the NWO phenotype. Composite indices offer a more precise depiction of body composition and should be considered as complementary tools in both diagnostic procedures and metabolic risk prevention strategies. Their integration into clinical assessment protocols may facilitate earlier detection and targeted intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":35951,"journal":{"name":"Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny","volume":"76 3","pages":"221-231"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146228990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Healthcare access and consultation behaviors among overweight and obese adults in Kénitra, Morocco: a cross-sectional study on barriers.","authors":"Hasna Kachache, Sara Ait Lachguer, Ilham Rhzali, Imane Fadel, Fatima Aslaou, Hefdhallah Al-Aizari, Rania El Hariri, Hasnae Benkirane","doi":"10.32394/rpzh/216938","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/rpzh/216938","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Overweight and obesity are major public health challenges, yet access to appropriate healthcare and effective management remains limited. This study aimed to assess healthcare access, consultation behaviors, and barriers among overweight and obese adults.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 134 adults in Kénitra, Morocco. Sociodemographic information, body mass index (BMI), and healthcare access variables were collected using structured questionnaires and clinical assessments. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize consultation behaviors, barriers, types of healthcare providers consulted, and follow-up practices.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among participants, 47.0% were classified as obese, 25.4% as overweight, and 27.6% had normal BMI. Only 19.6% reported consulting specifically for weight-related issues, while 78.4% did not seek care. The main barriers were perception of no need (34.6%), financial constraints (25.6%), and lack of physicians (21.8%). Consultations primarily took place in the private sector (84.2%). Dietitians (40.4%) and specialist physicians (38.6%) were the most frequently consulted professionals, whereas general practitioners accounted for only 10.9%. Follow-up and referral rates were low, with just 3.1% of participants referred to specialists or dietitians and 91.8% receiving no regular monitoring.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Access to healthcare for overweight and obese adults is constrained by economic, social, and systemic factors. The low rates of consultation, referral, and follow-up underscore the need for structured care pathways, enhanced provider awareness, and multidisciplinary management strategies in Morocco.</p>","PeriodicalId":35951,"journal":{"name":"Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny","volume":"76 3","pages":"233-239"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146229013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knowledge and perceptions of probiotics among medical and dietetics students: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Michał Andrulewicz","doi":"10.32394/rpzh/216504","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/rpzh/216504","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The gut microbiota plays a key role in human health, and probiotics represent one of the main strategies for its modulation. Knowledge of probiotics among medical and dietetics students may influence their future clinical practice.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare the knowledge and perceptions of probiotics among medical and dietetics students.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 107 students of the Medical University of Bialystok (55 medical students, 52 dietetics students). A 34-item questionnaire was used (maximum score: 51 points). Analyses included the <i>Chi</i>-square test and the Mann-Whitney U test; p < 0.05 was considered significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Dietetics students achieved a higher overall score than medical students (median: 31 vs. 27 points; p = 0.005). They more often correctly identified the definition of probiotics (94% vs. 69%; p = 0.002), appropriate product labeling (77% vs. 44%; p < 0.001), and distinguished fermented foods from probiotics (65% vs. 20%; p < 0.001). Differences were also observed regarding strain specificity (65% vs. 22%; p < 0.001), SIBO (75% vs. 42%; p < 0.001), and selected clinical indications, including IBS, atopic dermatitis, acne, ulcerative colitis, and upper respiratory tract infections. Medical students more frequently reported recommending probiotics to others (73% vs. 48%; p = 0.009).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The overall level of knowledge was low, with dietetics students outperforming medical students in key areas. The findings suggest a potential need for enhanced evidence-based education on probiotics at the Medical University of Bialystok.</p>","PeriodicalId":35951,"journal":{"name":"Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny","volume":"76 3","pages":"241-247"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146228928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cultural characteristics in food communication: consumption patterns, food and health narratives across European social media communities.","authors":"Míra Mohr, Mária Törőcsik","doi":"10.32394/rpzh/217198","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/rpzh/217198","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Food content on social media platforms has emerged as a powerful influence on consumer perceptions, preferences, and purchasing decisions, with growing implications for public health. Given that food preferences and eating habits are rooted in cultural background, understanding how these cultural dimensions shape digital food communication patterns represents a critical research gap.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to explore whether cultural value orientations are mirrored in the food content consumption patterns observed across European social media communities, and how these patterns reflect broader public health-related perceptions of food, health, and authenticity.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A comparative quantitative and netnographic analysis was conducted on the social media profiles of food influencers from 14 European countries. The structure and thematic focus of food-related content were examined across cultural clusters. The segmentation of these cultural groups was based on the Inglehart-Welzel Cultural Map, an internationally recognized framework for analyzing cross-cultural value differentiation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings indicate culturally distinct patterns in how health is communicated through food-related content. Among food influencers from Mediterranean and Central European countries, health is predominantly communicated implicitly through homemade meals, traditional dishes, and mindful ingredient selection, rather than explicit nutritional or dietary claims. In contrast, influencers from Northern and Western European countries more frequently embed health communication within personal narratives and lifestyle-oriented content, where everyday experiences and emotional self-disclosure play a central role.</p><p><strong>Discussion and conclusions: </strong>The study demonstrates that health narratives in food communication are culturally constructed. Understanding such culturally embedded consumption behaviors contributes to more effective food communication and may support preventive health communication in online environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":35951,"journal":{"name":"Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny","volume":"76 3","pages":"249-257"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146228940","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Longitudinal growth trajectories of preterm infants with and without intrauterine growth restriction up to 24 months of corrected age: the influence of early feeding patterns.","authors":"Nouhayla Bouali, Khalid El Kari, Fatima Zahra Laamiri, Ilham Elouardighi, Lamyae Elyazigi, Imane Zizi, Redouane Belouali, Hassan Aguenaou, Amina Barkat, Mohamed Khalis","doi":"10.32394/rpzh/217603","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/rpzh/217603","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is common in premature infants and can significantly impact long-term physical and neurological development. While breastfeeding is the gold standard for nutrition, its role in optimizing postnatal growth for this specific population requires further investigation.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study compared growth trajectories specifically weight, length, and head circumference between preterm infants with and without IUGR at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of corrected age (CA) in Rabat. It also evaluated the impact of maternal feeding during the first six months (CA).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective study, conducted at the National Reference Center for Neonatology and Nutrition, followed 45 breastfed preterm infants (25 with IUGR; 20 without). Anthropometric data were collected over two years and compared against WHO growth standards and Fenton curves.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Infants with IUGR had significantly lower birth weights and maintained lower weight throughout the follow-up (p < 0.05). At discharge, extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) was present in 100% of the IUGR group and 80% of the without-IUGR group. By 3 months (CA), EUGR incidence decreased but remained length in the IUGR group (32% vs. 10%). Stunting was consistently more prevalent in IUGR infants: 92% vs. 75% at 1 month (CA), 64% vs. 25% at 3 months (CA), 24% vs. 0% at 6 months (CA), and 12% vs. 0% at 12 months (CA). By 24 months (CA), both groups reached normal weight, length, and head circumference. Notably, the feeding type showed no significant effect on growth parameters at 3 or 6 months (CA) (p > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>IUGR preterm infants exhibit significantly poorer growth than their without-IUGR peers. Although maternal feeding offers essential benefits, it does not fully prevent growth restriction. Continuous monitoring and individualized nutritional management are crucial to optimize long-term outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":35951,"journal":{"name":"Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny","volume":"76 3","pages":"259-271"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146228981","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anti-inflammatory food products and the severity of menstrual pain: a narrative review.","authors":"Maria Karolina Szmidt, Dominika Granda","doi":"10.32394/rpzh/211544","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/rpzh/211544","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Menstruation is a natural physiological process in healthy women of reproductive age, often accompanied by physical and psychological symptoms that can impair daily functioning and quality of life. Given the established role of oxidative imbalance in menstrual discomfort, dietary products rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds may offer a non-pharmacological approach to symptom management. However, to date, this area remains insufficiently explored in the literature. The aim of this narrative review was to assess the relationship between the consumption of foods with anti-inflammatory potential and the severity of menstrual pain. PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science were searched from inception to May 2025 using following keywords: \"anti-inflammatory products\", \"whole grains\", \"fish\", \"seafood\", \"vegetables\", \"fruits\", \"legumes\", \"nuts\", \"seeds\", \"olive oil\", \"fats\", \"menstruation\", \"primary dysmenorrhea\". Reference lists of included studies were also reviewed manually. Nine relevant studies were identified in the literature review (1 meta-analysis, 2 case-control, and 6 cross-sectional studies). The results showed that whole grains and fish consumption may be inversely associated with menstrual pain, though findings were inconsistent. While one meta-analysis on fruit and vegetable consumption and severity of menstrual pain found no significant association, several other studies reported a protective association with higher/more frequent intake. Evidence on legumes was inconclusive. No studies to date assessed the association between olive oil, nuts, and seeds and menstrual symptoms. Interpretation of findings was limited by methodological heterogeneity, including differences in dietary assessment, symptom measurement tools, and participant characteristics. Preliminary evidence suggests that the anti-inflammatory foods, such as whole grain, vegetables, and fish may help alleviate the severity of menstrual pain, but the current evidence is inconsistent. However, the number of studies published in this area to date is limited and generally of low quality. Therefore, further high-quality research is needed to clarify these associations.</p>","PeriodicalId":35951,"journal":{"name":"Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny","volume":"76 3","pages":"203-210"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146228917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the effects of social media on eating behavior in Algerian university students.","authors":"Zakaria Meskini, Khadidja Zouaoui, Fatima Seddar-Yagoub, Khalil Bounaama, Ahmed Touahri","doi":"10.32394/rpzh/210413","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/rpzh/210413","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Social media plays a central role in the daily lives of university students, influencing various aspects of behavior, especially their eating habits. The goal of this study was to adapt and validate the scale of effects of social media on eating behavior (SESMEB), which was initially established in Turkish, for use by Algerian university students.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2025 and May 2025. Participants filled out an online questionnaire covering socio-demographic data, social media usage patterns, and the SESMEB. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and the Spearman-Brown coefficient was used to measure reliability. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to assess construct validity, and independent t-tests were used to investigate item discrimination across extreme groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Algerian version of SESMEB demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.930). CFA confirmed a strong unidimensional structure, with factor loadings ranging from 0.49 to 0.75 and high model fit indices. SESMEB scores were significantly correlated with daily social media time (p < 0.001), indicating that higher social media engagement corresponded to a greater influence on eating behavior.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The adapted SESMEB is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the influence of social media on eating habits among Algerian university students. These findings provide a foundation for future study focused at encouraging healthy digital and nutritional behaviors among young people.</p>","PeriodicalId":35951,"journal":{"name":"Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny","volume":"76 3","pages":"211-220"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146228944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Obesity and associated risk factors among women of reproductive age in Morocco.","authors":"Bouchra Mekkaoui, Nabila Auajjar, Houria Lahman, Laila El Ammari, Anass Rami, Hasnae Gamih, Hassan Aguenaou, Abdelhakim Yahyane, Kaoutar Benjeddou, Khalid El Kari","doi":"10.32394/rpzh/210206","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/rpzh/210206","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Obesity is a major global health concern growing in every region and affecting millions of people worldwide. It has become a pandemic. In 2022, 1 of 8 people in the world were living with obesity and more than half of the world's population will be overweight or obese by 2035 leading to a total economic impact of US$ 4.32 trillion.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to update data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity and the associated sociodemographic and economic factors in women of reproductive age (WRA) in Morocco.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A total of 2,172 women aged 18 to 49 years, representing all regions of Morocco, were enrolled. Socio-demographic and economic data as well as anthropometric measurements, specifically height, weight and waist circumference were collected.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Based on body mass index (BMI), 30.3% of women were classified as overweight and 27.8% as obese. However, based on specific predictive equation of body composition for Moroccan population, 61.6% of women showed excess of fat (mass fat ≥ 35%). Age and household-index were positively correlated to the prevalence of obesity and excess body fat, whereas education was inversely correlated to the prevalence of obesity and excess fat. In addition, urban area and being married seem to play a positive role in the increase of obesity rate.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The prevalence of excess body fat is high among WRA in Morocco. This prevalence was impacted by age, education level, household-index, marital status and urban area. These factors highlight the complexity of addressing obesity and the need for comprehensive strategies that consider sociodemographic and economic factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":35951,"journal":{"name":"Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny","volume":"76 2","pages":"177-187"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145239785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiology of coronary artery disease in patients from the district of Żywiec in southern Poland.","authors":"Maksymilian Dobosz, Wiktoria Ficoń, Bartłomiej Palmowski, Beata Całyniuk","doi":"10.32394/rpzh/208280","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/rpzh/208280","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cardiovascular diseases are currently the leading cause of premature mortality both in Poland and worldwide. Among the most severe conditions are acute cardiac events, which pose a direct threat to patients' lives and health. One of these is coronary artery disease, which predisposes individuals to myocardial infarction. Prevention relies primarily on maintaining a well-balanced diet, engaging in daily physical activity and in more severe cases, pharmacotherapy and invasive treatments.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of coronary artery disease among patients of the Cardiology Department in a hospital located in the district of Żywiec in southern Poland.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A survey study was conducted using a proprietary questionnaire consisting of three sections. The sections addressed patients' health status, their quality of life assessment. The study included 158 individuals aged 33-101, of whom only 150 met the selection criteria - being residents of the district of Żywiec. The obtained results were analyzed using correlation coefficients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Coronary artery disease was diagnosed in 41.8% (N = 66) of patients. The majority were men (N = 44). The highest proportion of the studied group were individuals aged 40 to 80 years (N = 128). A total of 40% (N = 59) of respondents were overweight, 34% (N = 50) were obese, and 26% (N = 38) had a normal body weight. The most common comorbidity was hypertension - affecting 67% (N = 101) of patients - most of whom had not experienced myocardial infarction (57%, N = 58).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Coronary artery disease was more prevalent among men. Arterial hypertension was the most common comorbid condition, confirming its strong association with coronary artery disease. Abnormal body weight is also a significant factor, increasing the risk of developing CHD.</p>","PeriodicalId":35951,"journal":{"name":"Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny","volume":"76 2","pages":"129-136"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145240035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The knowledge of dietary sodium, sodium consumptive behavior, sodium in food, and urinary sodium of hypertensive patients in Thailand.","authors":"Sanhawat Chaiwong, Saby Yeesa, Rattawan Somporn, Suwanun Senrit, Sineenad Chamnannao, Saowaluk Sudjarawu, Natcha Chaiwong","doi":"10.32394/rpzh/207107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32394/rpzh/207107","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Consuming salty foods raises blood pressure because of their sodium and salt. Educating hypertension patients about sodium contributes to their diets and can decrease the future effects on their health.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The objectives aimed to investigate the knowledge about the sodium content in different condiments and raw foods, consumer preferences regarding sodium-rich foods and condiments, the sodium levels in local food, and the urine of hypertensive patients at Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>The total sample size consisted of 203 individuals. The data collection tool consists of two components: the questionnaire used to assess knowledge and behavior related to consuming foods containing sodium, and the salt meter and the ion-selective electrode (ISE) were the instruments applied to the determination of sodium in food and urine, respectively. Descriptive statistics including averages and percentages, and analytical statistics, namely analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study revealed that the sample was mostly made up of females, married, aged over 60 years, and had finished primary education. Participants were most knowledgeable about condiments, especially fish sauce, shrimp paste, and fermented fish. Hypertensive patients have a modest level of awareness regarding sodium. The shrimp paste had the highest consumption behavior, followed by fish sauce, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and seasoning powder or soup cube at a moderate level. Sour soup with mullet fish, stir-fried luffa with eggs, and Nile tilapia fish sour soup with taro stalk are the top 3 southern local meals preferred to consume and are rich in sodium. The sodium in the food of the low�knowledge differed considerably in moderate and high knowledge (p < 0.05). In contrast with urinary sodium, in the high-knowledge group, it was considerably different in low and moderate knowledge (p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Hypertension patients' degree of knowledge has a significant role in determining their health and ability to lower blood pressure, particularly about using spices that include sodium, and their consumption habits of local foods high in sodium.</p>","PeriodicalId":35951,"journal":{"name":"Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny","volume":"76 2","pages":"103-113"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145239806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}