EATING HABITS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH EPILEPSY IN LATVIA

The aim of the study was to evaluate the eating habits of epileptic children and adolescents. fortyone patients (12 girls and 14 boys aged 0–10 years, and 10 girls and 5 boys aged 11–18 years)were enrolled in the study. a survey on consumption rate of different dietary products was conducted.the diet groups considered were carbohydrates, fat, protein, fibre and liquid. we foundthat 35–58% of patients aged 0–10 years used soda drinks, juices and popcorn regularly. theproportion was more than two times in adolescents. consumption of sweets in both age groupswas 83–100%. half of children aged 0–10 years said that they ate chips and fried potatoes regularlyand 80–100% of adolescents consumed these products at least once a week. half of theboys and almost all younger girls consumed various milk products daily; adolescent epileptic boysconsumed milk products two times more than girls. among older girls, 40% did not drink milk. theyoungest girls consumed meat and fish 1.5 to 3.5 times more than boys, while the number ofboys consuming these products increased with age. it was estimated that 75–100% of patientsate fruits and vegetables daily. only two children and two adolescents were found to drink lots ofwater. in conclusion, children and adolescents with epilepsy preferred meals rich in carbohydratesand fat, rather than protein; a high number of the evaluated patients drank soda drinks andjuices several times a week; only a few had intake of water daily; and all patients ate fruits andvegetables daily, thus compensating unhealthy eating habits.