— Christine M. Kukka, Project Manager, HBV Advocate
In the first study of its kind, researchers have documented that
people with liver disease who have easy access to fresh, healthy food
markets and avoid fast foods have healthier eating habits and better
health than those whose only options are fast food outlets or
convenience stores, according to a report in the September-October
issue of the Annals of Hepatology.
Researchers surveyed 267 people with hepatitis B,
hepatitis C or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) living in the
greater Washington DC area about their eating and shopping habits.
Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology they also plotted
what food sources–ranging from fast food places, ethnic groceries,
convenience stores, restaurants, and fresh food groceries–were near
their homes in these heavily developed urban and suburban areas.
Not surprisingly, people who live close to fresh
food markets have healthier diets than those who must depend on
convenience stores or fast food restaurants for meals. Healthy diets,
low in salt and fats, are critical for people living with viral
hepatitis. NAFLD patients ate more prepared food and less fresh food,
probably because of geographic distance from healthier food sources.
Based upon these findings, it is important for
health care providers serving a chronic liver disease population to
investigate a patient’s food environment, fresh food consumption, and
primary food source choices and “aggres-sively refer patients for
dietetic services for effective life-style change management,"
researchers from George Mason University reported.
Source: www.annalsofhepatology.com/revista/numeros/2014/
HP145-09-Survey%20%28F_070814J%29_PROTEGIDO.pdf
http://www.hbvadvocate.org/news/HBJ11.9.htm Labels: lifestyle, nutrition, Quality of Life
