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. Forty one 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 found that 35-58% of patients aged 0-10 years used soda drinks, juices and popcorn regularly. The proportion was more than two times in adolescents. Consumption of sweets in both age groups was 83-100%. Half of children aged 0-10 years said that they ate chips and fried potatoes regularly and 80-100% of adolescents consumed these products at least once a week. Half of the boys and almost all younger girls consumed various milk products daily; adolescent epileptic boys consumed milk products two times more than girls. Among older girls, 40% did not drink milk. The youngest girls consumed meat and fish 1.5 to 3.5 times more than boys, while the number of boys consuming these products increased with age. It was estimated that 75-100% of patients ate fruits and vegetables daily. Only two children and two adolescents were found to drink lots of water. In conclusion, children and adolescents with epilepsy preferred meals rich in carbohydrates and fat, rather than protein; a high number of the evaluated patients drank soda drinks and juices several times a week; only a few had intake of water daily; and all patients ate fruits and vegetables daily, thus compensating unhealthy eating habits.