Current dietary practices among children with systemic lupus erythematosus at the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital
Main Article Content
Abstract
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 123 children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treated at the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital from October 2024 to July 2025 to evaluate current dietary practices. Data on 24-hour dietary intake and eating habits were collected and compared with the Vietnamese Recommended Dietary Allowances issued by the Vietnam National Institute of Nutrition (2016). The mean age of participants was 12.7 ± 2.3 years old, and 84.6% were female. Most children had a normal BMI; however, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 17.2% and 6.0%, respectively. After diagnosis, 88.1% of patients practiced dietary modifications, primarily reducing salt and fat intake. Although total energy and micronutrient intake were below recommended levels, the rates of overweight and obesity remained relatively high (17.2% and 6.0%), possibly due to the effects of glucocorticoid therapy, and metabolic alterations. These findings underscore the need for individualized nutritional counseling, with emphasis on improving diet quality and promoting appropriate lifestyle modifications.
Article Details
Keywords
Systemic lupus erythematosus, dietary practices, children
References
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