title: Evidence for nutrition transition in Kuwait: over-consumption of macronutrients and obesity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe nutrient intakes and prevalence of overweight and obesity in a nationally representative sample of Kuwaitis and to compare intakes with reference values.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, multistage stratified, cluster sample. Settings National nutrition survey covering all geographical areas of the country.
  
  
  METHODS
  Kuwaitis (n 1704) between 3 and 86 years of age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Obesity was more prevalent among women than men (50 % and 70 % for females aged 19-50 years and ≥51 years, respectively, v. 29 % and 42 % for their male counterparts). Boys were more obese than girls, with the highest obesity rate among those aged 9-13 years (37 % and 24 % of males and females, respectively). Energy intake was higher than the estimated energy requirements for almost half of Kuwaiti children and one-third of adults. The Estimated Average Requirement was exceeded by 78-100 % of the recommendation for protein and carbohydrates. More than two-thirds of males aged ≥4 years exceeded the Tolerable Upper Intake Level for Na. Conversely, less than 20 % of Kuwaitis, regardless of age, consumed 100 % or more of the Estimated Average Requirement for vitamin D, vitamin E, Ca, n-3 and n-6 fatty acids. Less than 20 % of children met the recommended level for fibre.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nutrition transition among Kuwaitis was demonstrated by the increased prevalence of obesity and overweight, increased intakes of energy and macronutrients and decreased intakes of fibre and micronutrients. Interventions to increase awareness about healthy foods combined with modifications in subsidy policies are clearly warranted to increase consumption of low-energy, nutrient-dense foods.
authors.affiliation: National Nutrition Institute, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Sahar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zaghloul
authors.forename: Suad N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Al-Hooti
authors.forename: Nawal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al-Hamad
authors.forename: Sameer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Zenki
authors.forename: Husam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alomirah
authors.forename: Iman
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alayan
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al-Attar
authors.forename: Amani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Othman
authors.forename: Entessar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Al-Shami
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Somaie
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D019456:Health Transition; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007730:Kuwait / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D018977:Micronutrients; D012982:Sodium, Dietary