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In Morocco, the high consumption of dietary sodium increases the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and predisposes to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and hypertension. This study aims to assess the dietary sodium and potassium intake in a random sample of Moroccan adult students as a benchmark informing a national strategy for reducing salt intake. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 103 adults aged 18 to 25 years recruited in Casablanca. The 24-hour urinary excretion was used to measure the sodium and potassium. Creatinine excretion was used to validate the completeness of the urine collections. The average urinary sodium excretion was 3125.77 ± 121.99 mg/day, 13.5% consumed less than 5g/day, while 69% consumed more than 5 g/day of which 17.5% consumed more than twice the recommendations. For the average urinary potassium excretion was 1826.1 ± 61.2 mg/day, and more than 98% of the students consumed less than the adequate intake. The results of this pilot study show that the population studied has a high sodium intake and low potassium intake which does not meet World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, which requires implementing an action plan to reduce salt.

Several studies had revealed that following the Mediterranean diet (MD) contributes to beneficial health status and a decreased risk of many chronic diseases. The aim of our study was to assess adherence to MD in Casablanca City and to identify the relationship between MD adherence and sociodemographic and lifestyle parameters. This cross-sectional study concerned 719 subjects with complete dietary data. Data collection was performed using a questionnaire including sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. The dietary intake was assessed with the use of a food-frequency questionnaire. The compliance with MD was evaluated with a simplified MD score. Our study showed that high adherence to the MD was characterized by high intakes of vegetables, fruits, pulses, fish, cereals, olive oil, and low meat and dairy consumption according to the Simplified MD score. As regard to the multivariate logistic, being a man, being married, persons with a level of education >6 years, luxurious housing, and consumption of alcohol were associated with a higher adherence to MD, while, the overweight was negatively associated with a higher adherence to MD. Maintaining the traditional MD pattern is crucial for public health; in this way, more research is needed in this area in order to precisely measure these associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Awareness and education Nutritional contribute to the voluntary improvement of dietary behaviour and adopting healthy lifestyle. In a work environment, nutrition education falls under the social responsibility of the employer to promote healthier dietary choices. This study aims to assess the impact of nutrition education on dietary behaviour, lifestyle and body composition on a group of industry workers. Materials and Methods: A group of 44 workers have volunteered to participate to this 6 months' trial. Participants were aged between 28 and 58 years old (43% women and 57% men). All participants have completed a cap-score questionnaire at the beginning and end of the study, the questionnaire was organised into 3 sections: food groups, dietary behaviour, and lifestyle. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI, muscle mass, fat mass, hip circumference and waist circumference) were monitored during the study. Nutrition education sessions addressed 4 topics including healthy lifestyle. Participants were free to attend to any of the workshops. Results: Only fifteen participants attended all sessions. Data showed that obesity lowered by 28.6% and overweight increased by 32.6%, body composition changes were not significant. Changes in dietary behaviour were not significant, while scores of food groups and lifestyle changed significantly (p = 0.053 and p = 0.042 respectively). Discussion: This study reveals the commitment of workers to nutrition education which could be a part in improving their dietary choices, their health and their productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]