Consumption of light products and prevalence of Obesity among a population of Academics in Casablanca, Morocco

Abstract

Moroccan citizens are increasingly aware of the effect of food on their health. The objective of this work is to study the consumption of Light products (LP) by students, as well as their effects on the prevalence of obesity. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 2017 using an anonymous questionnaire. The latter included information related to Gender, age, anthropometric parameters, perception of the body image, as well as the consumption of BP (types, frequency, duration, reasons for consumption, etc.). The results were analyzed by SPSS software, version 21. 19.9% of respondents never consume light products, 59.2% consume them sometimes, 18.6% daily. This consumption varies according to Gender (p <0.05). 28.7% of students consume them to slim down; 30.3% think they are the best for good health and 12% like their good taste. 47.5% of the respondents consume LP in sugar and 30.3% the reduced in fat, with a significant difference between the two gender (p <0.05). Dairy products are the most consumed by participants (48.7%) among the fatty acids, while those for sugar, the most consumed are: confectionery (32.3%) and light drinks (23%). 61.66% of LP consumers have a normal weight (37.9% consume them sometimes and 23.76% daily); 29.66% are overweight (19% sometimes consume them and 10.6% daily) and 4.45% moderate obesity (2.9% sometimes and 1.5% daily). 60% of consumers of low fatty acids and 0.3% of consumers of low sugar have moderate obesity. Uncontrolled consumption of LP can increase the risk of overweight and obesity. However, these products can be consumed as part of a healthy diet and preferably in combination with a balanced and varied diet.

Weight status, dietary habits, physical activity, screen time and sleep duration among university students

“…The most recent study focused on eating disorders as they relate to weight-control behaviours and weight status among medical students (Azzouzi et al, 2019). Associations between obesity and the consumption of energy drinks (M’Touguy et al, 2016) and diet food items (Mestaghanmi et al, 2020) were also assessed in this population. El Fessikh et al investigated the correlation of obesity measures (body mass index, waist circumference and body fat percentage) with the number of meals per day, the frequency of snacking and weekly physical activity (El Fessikh et al, 2018).…”

“…In addition, the existing studies on Moroccan university students did not investigate screen time or sleep duration, nor did they extensively look at the sex effect on weight status, dietary practices and physical activity (Azzouzi et al, 2019; M’Touguy et al, 2016; Mestaghanmi et al, 2020; El Fessikh et al, 2018). A recent national survey revealed a higher prevalence of obesity, overweight and physical inactivity among women compared to men (29.0% vs 11.0%; 34.4% vs 31.6%; and 26.0% vs 16.1%, respectively) (MS, 2018), warranting a closer investigation of sex differences in obesity.…”

Assessment of consumption of light, “lekki” and fit products among students of dietetics

“…In our study, light products are consumed daily ("several times a day" and "once a day") by 14.3% of underweight students and by 7% of students with normal body weight (Table III). On the other hand, students from Morocco [16] who are underweight usually do not consume light products every day (0.73%). The respondents with normal body weight consuming this type of products every day account for 3.28%.…”

Zachowania konsumenckie związane z wyborem mlecznych produktów light i ich uwarunkowania

“…Panujący trend znalazł swoje odzwierciedlenie wśród osób pragnących zadbać o zdrowie i odpowiednią masę swojego ciała. Dieta jest najczęstszym i czasem jedynym, bo najwygodniejszym, wyborem w walce z otyłością, dlatego produkty light z łatwością zaczęły być szybko utożsamiane z produktami spełniającymi te oczekiwania (Mestaghanmi i in., 2020). Brak odpowiedniej wiedzy o reklamie i promocji oraz świadomości dotyczącej stosowania sugestywnych i nie zawsze uczciwych chwytów marketingowych dają producentom dużą szansę rozwoju i podbicia rynku niskokalorycznymi odpowiednikami tradycyjnych produktów.…”

“…Także z przeprowadzonych wśród studentów uczelni poznańskich badań na temat żywności niskokalorycznej wynika, że spożywanie żywność typu light wspomaga redukcję masy ciała, na co wskazało 59% respondentów (Grzelak i in., 2014). Mestaghanmi i in. (2020) przeprowadzili badania na Uniwersytecie w Casablance (Maroko) na grupie 300 studentów, które dowiodły, że główne powody spożywania produktów light stanowią redukcja masy ciała (28,9% wskazań) oraz chęć poprawy zdrowia (27,3% wskazań respondentów), a w mniejszym stopniu -ich smak (12%).…”