Association between Quality of Diets and the Risk of Obesity Complication among a Sample of Egyptian Obese Women

Background: The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. The aim of this study was to identify the awareness of a sample of Egyptian women about eating healthy diet, using Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet as an example. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study included 109 Egyptian women random chosen, with age range 25-60 years. Full clinical examinations, anthropometric parameters, dietary recalls, and socioeconomic parameters were recorded. Biochemical analysis was done including serum lipid profile. Results: Data showed that a large percentage of the participants (56.9%) were consuming a poor-quality diet, while 20.0% were consuming intermediate quality diet. Only 16.5% and 9.2% of them were aware of eating a good and high-quality healthy diet. Data shows that the calories, macronutrients, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), cholesterol and sodium intake among both poor and the intermediate groups were higher, while their intake of the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), fiber, important vitamins and the minerals, was significantly low. The mean values of the BMI, body fat %, FFM (Fat Free Mass), waist circumference, visceral fat and LDL-C values showed significant differences between the groups at p≤ 0.05- 0.001, in favor of the good and high groups. Conclusions: Data of this study revealed that poor quality diet was widespread among studied Egyptian women sample; right food choice was associated with the educational level. So, helping individuals to make the right food choices will help in improve diet quality and health.