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Evaluation of Nutritional Status with Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010) of Syrian Refugees Living Outside the Refugee Camps

Author

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  • Ali Timucin Atayoglu

    (Department of Family Medicine, International School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul 34815, Turkey)

  • Yagmur Firat

    (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38280, Turkey)

  • Nese Kaya

    (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nuh Naci Yazgan University, Kayseri 38170, Turkey)

  • Eda Basmisirli

    (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nuh Naci Yazgan University, Kayseri 38170, Turkey)

  • Asli Gizem Capar

    (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nuh Naci Yazgan University, Kayseri 38170, Turkey)

  • Yusuf Aykemat

    (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nuh Naci Yazgan University, Kayseri 38170, Turkey)

  • Rumeysa Atayolu

    (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul 34810, Turkey)

  • Hammad Khan

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA)

  • Ayten Guner Atayoglu

    (Department of Family Medicine, Beylikduzu State Hospital, Istanbul 34500, Turkey)

  • Neriman Inanc

    (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nuh Naci Yazgan University, Kayseri 38170, Turkey)

Abstract

Nutrition is a public health issue. Amongst populations of refugees, unmet nutritional needs have been identified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of Syrian refugees living outside the refugee camps in Kayseri, Turkey. Socio-demographic data and anthropometric measurements of the refugees were collected. The relationship between diet quality, which was assessed through the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010), and factors (including the duration of time spent outside the refugee camp, income, obesity, and waist circumference) were measured. Four hundred refugees participated in this study. The majority of refugees (77.8%) reported a ‘poor’ diet, with the remaining filling into the ‘needs improvement’ based on HEI-2010 scores. The average consumption of fruits in the study group was 101.9 g per day (g/day), while the average consumption of vegetables was 142.2 g/day. When the relationships were examined between BMI, HEI-2010 score, the time spent as a refugee, and waist circumference, statistically significant relationships were found ( p < 0.001). In the linear regression analysis based on these relationships, when the results were adjusted for age and gender factors, it was observed that for every year spent as a refugee, BMI score increased by 0.17 units, and waist circumference increased by 1.14 units ( p < 0.05). As a result, this study showed that refugees have low-income-related nutritional risks. In conclusion, ensuring that refugees have access to adequate nutrient-rich food is essential; therefore, analyzing and improving nutritional standards for refugees are suggested to be part of the strategies of the public and primary health care systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Ali Timucin Atayoglu & Yagmur Firat & Nese Kaya & Eda Basmisirli & Asli Gizem Capar & Yusuf Aykemat & Rumeysa Atayolu & Hammad Khan & Ayten Guner Atayoglu & Neriman Inanc, 2023. "Evaluation of Nutritional Status with Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010) of Syrian Refugees Living Outside the Refugee Camps," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:1:p:849-:d:1022953
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jude Alawa & Parmida Zarei & Kaveh Khoshnood, 2019. "Evaluating the Provision of Health Services and Barriers to Treatment for Chronic Diseases among Syrian Refugees in Turkey: A Review of Literature and Stakeholder Interviews," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-12, July.
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