Dietary behaviour among male and female chronic disease patients in Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam

The aim of the study was to estimate associations between dietary behaviour, chronic conditions and health variables among chronic among patients diagnosed with a variety of chronic diseases in three Southeast Asian countries (Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam). A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 4761 adult chronic disease patients (mean age 49.3 years; SD=16.5) recruited systematically from health facilities. Results indicate that among men 17.3% and among women 16.0% reported eating at least three times fast food in a week; sweet drinks were consumed 3 times or more daily by 10.3% of men and 8.0% by women, and 44.5% of men and 41.9% of women participants reported eating 3 or more servings of fruits or vegetables per day. Men significantly more often had sweet drinks and fatty foods than women, while women more often consumed sweets than men. Among both men and women, younger age, lower educational level, being single, divorced or widowed, residing in a rural area, having fewer chronic conditions, high physical activity, and having depressive symptoms were associated with the poor dietary index. Further, among women, better quality of life and current tobacco use was associated with the poor dietary index, while among men, problem drinking was inversely associated with poor diet. Several dietary risk behaviours and its associates were identified, which should be targeted for nutrition education.