ASSESSMENT OF ADULT EATING HABITS IN THE NUTRITIONAL PREVENTION OF STROKE.

OBJECTIVE

Introduction: Lifestyle modification, including changing eating habits, plays an essential role in the prevention of stroke. The aim: The study aimed to assess the nutritional prevention of cerebrovascular diseases in adult inhabitants of Poland.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Material and Methods: The study was conducted using the author's questionnaire among 145 women and 76 men, aged 18 - 30 (53.9%) and 50 - 70 (46.1%) years.

RESULTS

Results: The following stroke risk factors were found in the examined group: overweight or obesity (46.6%), lack of regular physical activity (48%), smoking (33%), hypertension (22.1%), dyslipidemia (8.6%), diabetes (5.9%), and cardiac arrhythmias (6.3%). The younger subjects compared to older ones more often declared the daily consumption of whole-grain cereal products and vegetables, fish at least once a week, and they preferred vegetable oils. On the other hand, older subjects declared the consumption of sweets, sweet drinks, salt, and fast food less frequently than younger ones. Also, fruits were more often chosen by older people. Both groups declared similar moderate consumption of milk and dairy products with reduced fat content, lean meat, and alcohol. Only 38% of respondents considered their eating habits to be appropriate.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: The eating habits of examined adults only partially met the recommendations regarding the nutritional prevention of stroke. In some elements, younger people were more likely to follow appropriate dietary recommendations, while older people were more appropriate in others. The education regarding the principles of the nutritional prevention of cerebrovascular diseases is still necessary and should be age-appropriate.