Factors Associated with the Use of Specific Diets and Their Impact on the Nutritional Status of Moroccan Adults

Abstract

<p>This research, which used a validated conceptual and methodological framework, examined the factors associated with the adoption of specific diets and their influence on the nutritional status of adults from 507 households in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region in Morocco. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, health status, and specific diets were collected using a questionnaire from one member per household. Anthropometric parameters, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body fat composition (%FM), and body muscle composition (%MM), were measured by impedance and metric tape. The majority of the study population was aged 35-71 years (59%), urban (70%), female (52%), and overweight (51%), and 24% were at high risk of cardiovascular and metabolic syndrome. The statistical analysis revealed several associations between the different specific diets adopted by the population and their nutritional status, assessed by various anthropometric indicators. The data obtained can be used as a basis for implementing relevant nutritional interventions.</p>