Nutritional knowledge of the phenylketonuria diet among healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia

Authors

• Nouf A. Alghamdi, From the Department of Community Health Sciences (Alghamdi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh; and from the Department of Clinical Nutrition (Naaman), Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Rouba K. Naaman, From the Department of Community Health Sciences (Alghamdi), College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh; and from the Department of Clinical Nutrition (Naaman), Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is associated with detrimental impacts on factors contributing to the etiology of obesity, and metabolism disorders. Therefore, we hypothesized that physicians and dietitians demonstrate a sufficient level of nutritional knowledge of the PKU type diet. The aim of this study is to assess understanding of the PKU diet in relation to current guidelines among dietitians and metabolic physicians in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study involved 238 participants, primarily Saudi and non-Saudi dietitians and metabolic physicians working in Saudi Arabia, who asked to complete an electronic questionnaire assessing their nutritional knowledge of the PKU diet. The questionnaire evaluated participants’ knowledge across three PKU diet domains, their opinions on diet and patient body composition and their understanding of the ‘traffic light system’ of food categorization. Results: A total of 181 participants completed the questionnaire. The assessment of knowledge revealed a correct score of 46%; that is, more than half of the participants scored below 50%. While the most correctly answered question concerned the importance of adhering to the PKU diet among patients with PKU (93% answered correctly), the least correctly answered question (6% answered correctly) required participants to recognize that female PKU patients have more pronounced differences in body composition. More than that 85% of the study participants agreed that PKU patients have difficulty complying with the PKU diet. There was varied familiarity with the ‘traffic light system’ of food item categorization. Key concerns for poor dietary compliance included social and financial challenges, alongside the diet’s unpalatability. Conclusion: Dietitians and metabolic physicians demonstrate a moderate level of understanding regarding the nutritional management of patients with PKU, establishing the need for enhanced educational focus for both groups.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

1534

Last Page

1545

Recommended Citation

Alghamdi, Nouf A. and Naaman, Rouba K. (2025) "Nutritional knowledge of the phenylketonuria diet among healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 46: Iss. 12, Article 16.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.12.20250428