Evaluation of nutritional status of adult celiac patients consuming A gluten-free diet

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of celiac patients who consume a gluten-free diet. Sixty celiac patients, 34 women and 26 men, who were diagnosed with celiac between the ages of 19-62, participated in the study. An online survey method was applied to determine the general characteristics, nutrition and physical activity status of individuals. In order to evaluate the nutritional status, 3-day food consumption record and retrospective food consumption frequency record were taken. The mean age of the female patients participating in the study was 32.47±11.01. The mean of male patients was 37.46 ±10.88. The mean body mass index was 23.4±2.14 in male patients and 24.33±5.55 in female patients. 53% of all patients are college graduates. 33.4% of the participants were diagnosed with celiac disease between the ages of 21-30, and 68.3% of them did not have a family member with celiac disease. 70.0% of the patients always follow the gluten-free diet. There is no significant difference between adherence to diet and gender. The main meal consumption evaluation was found to be significant between male and female patients (p= 0.017). 41.7% of patients skip meals. The average energy received by female patients was 1725.86±314.64 kcal, and the average energy received by male patients was 2373.26±359.21 kcal. The daily protein intake of female and male patients was 56.22±16.56 g and 70.84±21.81 kcal, respectively. Energy and protein intakes were statistically significant between male and female patients (p<0.005). According to the statements of the patients, their daily intake of vitamin B6, folate, vitamin D, calcium and iron and magnesium were found to be low. As a result, nutrition education should be given by a specialist dietitian, as celiac patients must comply with a lifelong gluten-free diet. It is important for patients to comply with a gluten-free diet.