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ObjectivesTo describe nutrient intakes and prevalence of overweight and obesity in a nationally representative sample of Kuwaitis and to compare intakes with reference values.DesignCross-sectional, multistage stratified, cluster sample.SettingsNational nutrition survey covering all geographical areas of the country.SubjectsKuwaitis (n 1704) between 3 and 86 years of age.ResultsObesity 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.ConclusionsNutrition 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The date palm tree, which is native to the Mediterranean region and originated in the Arabian Gulf area, is now becoming an important commercial crop in Kuwait. Because of the tremendous efforts of the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries Resources, date palm cultivation has developed quickly in Kuwait during the last decade. These newly planted date fruit trees, as well as tissue culture plants being produced and distributed by KISR, would start bearing fruit in a few years. It may not then be possible to consume all the fresh date fruit locally and, subsequently, newer avenues for turning this surplus fruit into value-added products will become a necessity and a commercially viable venture. Technology was developed on a laboratory scale for the production of date syrup from tamer fruits of two commercial varieties, Birhi and Safri, for further use in food products. Both the varieties were found to be high in total sugar contents (about 88%). Among the various extraction procedures employed for producing date syrup, the use of pectinase/cellulase enzymes gave the highest recovery of total soluble solids (68%) compared with control without these enzymes (35%). The CIE L* a* b* color values for diluted as well as concentrated date syrup of Birhi variety were found to be lower than the Safri variety, indicating lighter color for the former. The results indicate the possibility of employing pectinase/cellulase enzymes to produce concentrated date syrup from tamer fruits for use in food product development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency (ID) of a nationally representative sample of the Kuwait population. We also determined if anemia differed by socioeconomic status or by RBC folate and vitamins A and B12 levels. The subjects who were made up of 1830 males and females between the ages of 2 months to 86 years, were divided into the following age groups (0-5, 5-11, 12-14, 15-19, 20-49, ≥50 years). Results showed that the prevalence of anemia was 3% in adult males and 17% in females. The prevalence of ID varied according to age between 4% (≥50 years) and 21% (5-11 years) and 9% (12-14 years) and 23% (15-19 years), respectively, in males and females. The prevalence of anemia and ID was higher in females compared to males. Adults with normal ferritin level, but with low RBC folate and vitamins A and B12 levels had higher prevalence of anemia than those with normal RBC folate and vitamins A and B12 levels. This first nationally representative nutrition and health survey in Kuwait indicated that anemia and ID are prevalent and ID contributes significantly to anemia prevalence.