Background: Previous research has linked high coffee consumption to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to assess the relationship between coffee consumption and MetS components among Saudi adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on adults who met at least three criteria for a MetS diagnosis. Data concerning demographics, lifestyle, sleeping patterns, medical health, anthropometric measurements, habitual coffee drinking, and lab levels for HDL-C, LDL-C, TC, TGs, HbA1c, and FBG were collected. Results: Of the 95 participants, 51% were women, 75.8% were >50 years old, 75.8% were obese, 62% were used to practicing physical activity, 74.5% never smoked, 56.4% slept < 7 h/day, and 89.5% were coffee consumers. Of these, 94.7% had high waist circumference, 63.2% had high BP, 47.4% had high FBG, 41.1% had low HDL, and 23.2% had high TGs. For coffee consumers, 37.6% drank a small cup, 34.5% drank coffee once daily, 89.4% drank Arabic coffee, and 75.3% added no additives. Conclusions: No significant association was found between coffee consumption patterns and any MetS component, with the exception of elevated TGs, which was strongly associated with coffee cup size and number of daily cups. Waist circumference and BMI had a strong positive correlation with coffee cup size, and there was a significant relationship between the number of daily cups, BMI, and TC. Further prospective studies are needed to establish a causal relationship.

Obesity is closely associated with appetite dysregulation, influenced by behavioral, hormonal, and neurological factors. The Council on Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire (CNAQ) is a validated tool, translated into Arabic, but its application in weight-loss interventions remains underexplored. This secondary cross-sectional analysis evaluated whether the Arabic CNAQ can differentiate appetite levels after a 6-month telenutrition weight-loss intervention supported by telemonitoring and health coaching, and whether appetite is associated with weight-loss outcomes. A total of 36 participants were assessed: the intervention group (n = 21), who completed the program, and the control group (n = 15), who received no continuous support. Appetite was measured using the CNAQ after 6 months. Independent-samples t-tests and Mann–Whitney U tests were applied to compare appetite scores, while Chi-square tests were used for appetite categories. Results showed mean CNAQ scores of 27.87 (SD = 2.64) for the control group and 26.86 (SD = 4.46) for the intervention group (p = 0.402). Most participants reported moderate appetite (93.3% control; 76.2% intervention), with no significant between-group differences (p = 0.367). Although differences were not statistically significant, the findings demonstrate the feasibility of using the Arabic CNAQ in telehealth weight management. Larger studies with repeated measures are needed to confirm its utility in clinical and dietetic practice.

Background: Polyphenols found in food is a potential modifiable factor in disease prevention, especially when it comes to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study aimed to determine the total polyphenol intake from fruits and vegetables (FV) in patients at King of Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and its association with vascular risk biomarkers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 151 adult patients with at least one CVD risk factor. Data about demographics, smoking status, physical activity, height and weight, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference (WC), disease history, current disease (CD), and amount of polyphenol intake (mg/100 g) from rich polyphenol FV sources were collected. Results: Of the participants, 127 (84.1%) were females, 49 (32.5%) had an age ranging from 45 to 54 years, and 110 (72.8%) were married. Of them, 54 (35.8%) had a bachelor's education, and 64 (42.4%) were employed. Moreover, 89 (59.3%) were physically inactive, 18 (11.9%) were smokers, 105 (69.5%) were obese, 116 (76.9%) had high WC, and 103 (68.2%), 109 (72.2%), and 90 (59.6%) had a family history of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and hyperlipidemia, respectively. The mean total polyphenol consumption/gm was significantly higher among older and married participants, and patients with HTN had a significantly lower mean total polyphenol consumption/gm. A significant positive correlation was found between the total polyphenol consumption/gm and participants’ age. Conclusion: The consumption of polyphenols was associated with age, marital status, and blood pressure. Polyphenols from FV may have a preventive effect against cardiovascular illnesses. Including a range of foods high in polyphenols in a balanced diet is still a potential way to support cardiovascular health.

Background: Inadequate nutritional awareness may lead to harmful eating habits and poor diet quality. Nutrition education interventions have been shown to improve nutritional knowledge and behaviors. Aim: To assess the impact of nutrition education in Saudi Arabia, I reviewed relevant studies published between 2017 and 2024. Methods: For the present systematic review, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched. A total of 12 relevant articles published between January 2017 and January 2024 were identified; from the findings of these studies, the effectiveness of nutrition education in Saudi Arabia was assessed. Results: The studies reviewed included children, adolescents, and adults in various regions of Saudi Arabia, with study durations ranging from 2 months to 2 years. In addition to changes in BMI and eating behaviors, four interventions showed significant improvement of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and body image satisfaction, as well as improvements in nutritional knowledge and eating habits. Despite a lack of statistically significant outcomes, five studies documented positive changes and beneficial impacts. Another study reported improved attitudes and behaviors toward healthy diets among teenagers, as well as improvements in nutritional understanding and dietary practices among school staff and students. However, one study revealed that its nutritional intervention was not adequate in providing education about physical exercise and another found no discernible changes in adolescents’ anthropometric measurements, physical activity, or harmful behaviors after an education intervention. Conclusion: Nutrition education interventions especially school based done in Saudi Arabia, had significantly improved nutritional knowledge, physical activity, body image satisfaction and BMI.

Background: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are a potential modifiable factor in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. There is a dearth in the knowledge on PUFA knowledge and dietary intake among Saudis. Objectives: The study aimed to assess PUFA knowledge and dietary intakes among Saudi Arabian adults with CVD risk factors. Furthermore, the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors related to PUFAs knowledge were investigated, shedding light on the factors associated with PUFAs. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 211 adults. The level of PUFAs knowledge was assessed using six close-ended questions, and a correct answer was worth one point. PUFAs intake was quantified using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire consisting of 12 rich food items. Results: 50.71% of the participants were aged between 20 and 39 years, and 83.41% were females. Smokers accounted for 9%, and 30.33% were physically active at least 3 times/week. The mean PUFAs knowledge score was 3.07 ± 2.10, and the factors positively associated with a higher knowledge score were education and the use of nutritional supplements (P < 0.05). For PUFAs consumption, the mean daily intake (grams) was 9.44 ± 14.07, and the factor positively associated with higher consumption was physical activity (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Limited knowledge and low intake were identified among the study population. Education, the use of nutritional supplements, and physical activity were positively associated with knowledge and intake, respectively. Increased efforts are needed to raise awareness of PUFAs in relation to CVD prevention among Saudis.

Introduction: Eating foods rich in polyphenols has been shown in numerous trials to lower the incidence of stroke. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between stroke risk variables and the consumption of polyphenols. Methods: An online questionnaire was used to conduct a cross-sectional study involving 293 healthy persons aged at least 18 years in Saudi Arabia. Information was gathered on the demographics, health, use of supplements or drugs, smoking, anthropometric measures, physical activity, and dietary intake of six food products high in polyphenols. Results: The mean age of the participants was 34.82 ± 14.06 years, 72.7% were women, 51.5% were married, and 63.1% had a university education. Of them, 23.5% were obese and 62.8% were performing physical activity. Almost all participants had ≥3 modifiable stroke risk factors. Coffee was the most consumed polyphenol product (91.3%), followed by dates (88.7%) and apples (88.4%). Foods high in polyphenols were consumed anywhere from four to five times per day to less than once per month. The most commonly consumed polyphenol-rich foods were found in black tea, coffee, and apples. Except for milk chocolate, older participants consumed significantly greater amounts of polyphenol-containing food than younger ones. A higher intake of apples or dark chocolate was associated with a lower probability of having a stroke. Additionally, the risk of stroke is decreased by consuming more dark chocolate, cocoa powder, coffee, apples, black tea, and green tea. Discussion: Overall, adult Saudi Arabians who consumed more of a specific food high in polyphenols had a lower incidence of stroke. Additional long-term cohort studies is recommended to obtain more precise dietary data and to take into account randomized controlled trials to prove causation.