Edible Oils Nutrition Status Assessment

Consumption of edible oils and its influence on health parameters was studied among 320 families in Hyderabad. Information on the type of oils and number of edible oils consumed by each family was collected using a pretested schedule. Health parameters identified for comparison are - Height, weight, systolic, diastolic pressure and fasting blood glucose. Samples were collected using standard procedures, Age of the participants ranged between 20 to 80 years. Families selected oils from eleven different refined oils, palm oil and three unrefined oils. Comparison of health parameters is made between the users of only edible refined oils, refined and palm oil, only palm oil and only unrefined oil users. Significant differences existed between various oil users. The differences between unrefined oil users and those using only palm oil were significantly different. Normal BMI was 56.3 percent among unrefined oil users while it is only 2.5 percent among the palm oil was 50 percent users. Obesity percent was as high as 95 percent among palm oil users while it is 18.7 percent among the unrefined oil group. Normal systolic pressure among unrefined oil users was 50 percent while it is 2.5 percent among palm oil users; normal diastolic pressure was recorded in 50 percent and 5 percent among unrefined oil and palm oil users respectively. In the category of fasting blood glucose, normal levels among unrefined oil users were higher (43.8) compared to 2.5 percent among palm oil users. Confirmed diabetics are 18.7 percent in the unrefined oil group, while it is 95 percent in the palm oil user group. Results have indicated that those using cold pressed unrefined oils have significantly better health status as judged by BMI, Systolic and diastolic pressure, and fasting blood glucose levels compared to palm oil group, among the refined oil consumer group, the values were in between the unrefined oil users and the palm oil users.