A pilot study of diet and gallstone formation in young Saudi women.

The diet of 100 younger than 40 years Saudi females; 50 cases with gallstones and 50 control mean age and SD 30.2 (6.1) and 29.7 (6.4) years respectively, was studied by taking a qualitative dietary history. There was no significant difference between the dietary intake of the 2 groups with regard to cholesterol-rich food and animal fat-rich foods, high fibre foods and the consumption of fast food. However, dates, 'kabsah', 'modabi' and cheese were consumed significantly more by cases (P-value < .001, < .046, < .001 and < .004 respectively) and vegetable oil was used more by controls for cooking purposes (P-value < .05).