Browsing by Author "Chandrasekara, G.A.P."

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A dietary assessment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a Sri Lankan cohort: case control study
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2016) Mudalige, N.A.; Siriwardana, R.C.; Chandrasekara, G.A.P.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Sri Lanka is experiencing a rapidly rising incidence of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and its associated complications. The aim of the study was to evaluate dietary and lifestyle risk factors in an already diagnosed cohort of patients with NAFLD. METHOD: 50 patients with alcohol consumption not exceeding the safe limits and having ultrasonically detected fatty liver (NAFLD cases) from January to September 2015 were compared with age and the gender-matched patients who had normal ultra sound scans (controls). A pre-tested general questionnaire and a quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to collect information and Food Base, 2000 analytical software was used to calculate per day macronutrient consumption. RESULTS: The mean age of the cases and the controls were 40 years. The mean BMI in cases and controls were 27.7(SD: ±4.6) and 25.2 ( SD : ±4.3 ) (p= 0.006) respectively. Prevalence of diabetes was higher among NAFLD cases (60% vs. 18%, P<0.000). In univariate analysis NAFLD cases had higher total energy consumption (2580.7 kcal vs. 1905.8 kcal, p=0.000) and individual macronutrient consumption. They had higher sweet consumption (72% vs 22%, p=0.000), but reduced fruits (48% vs 14%, p=0.000) and vegetables (48% vs 6%, p=0.000) consumption. In multivariate model, consumption of sweets (OR: 79.9, p= 0.027), vegetables (OR: 0.007, p=0.028) and fruits (OR : 0.014, p=0.031) individually predicted NAFLD. CONCLUSION: Increased consumption of sweets with reduced consumption of fruits and vegetables could be a risk factor for NAFLD.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Mothers on Feeding and Growth of Young Children in Tea Plantation Sector in Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Sarma, M.S.G.; Chandrasekara, G.A.P.
The period of first five years from birth is very important in human life. Growth and development of children are adversely affected by insufficient and incorrect feeding practices. Mothers play a major role in child feeding. The prevalence of stunting and underweight of young children is high in the estate sector in Sri Lanka. This study attempted to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of mothers on feeding and growth of children and to determine the association of KAP of mothers on nutritional status of children. This was a cross sectional study conducted in four estates in Nuwara-Eliya district. Two hundred mother-child pairs were selected randomly. Mothers were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire. Child weight was measured. The results showed that the prevalence of underweight was 28 %. Sixty two percent of mothers had low level of knowledge on feeding practices and 65 % of mothers had low level of knowledge on growth of children. More than half (56%) of mothers had high level of attitude towards feeding practices and most (80%) of the mothers had high level of attitude towards growth of children. Feeding practices of mothers were not satisfactory. Practices of mothers related to growth of children were high (94%). KAP of mothers on exclusive breast-feeding, feeding practices during child illness and interpretation of growth charts were low. Age of children and number of children in the family showed a significant relationship with nutritional status of children. In conclusion, there was no significant association between KAP of mothers on feeding and growth of children with the nutrition status (underweight) of children.