Background: Obesity is one of the major health problems in the world; in this regard Iran is not an exception. The present study was conducted to investigate the overweight, obesity, and its related factors in adult women who referred to health centers in Shiraz, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 240 women who referred to health centers and aged 18-65 years old were selected through multi-stage random sampling, in 2013-2014. Height, weight, as well as waist and hip circumferences were measured, body of participants mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were also calculated. The questionnaire of demographic factors, physical activity, and food frequency were completed. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity based on BMI was 29.2% and 13.8%, respectively. The mean of WHR was 0.89 ± 0.06 and based on this index, 79.2% of the participants had visceral obesity. There was a direct correlation between BMI and age, number of children, labor, energy, and fat intake. However, the correlation between BMI and physical activity, age of marriage, and protein intake was inverse (P < 0.05). No meaningful correlation was found between BMI and marital status, occupation, education level, income level, metropolitan area, smoking, and history of parental obesity. Based on logistic regression modeling, menopause, high energy intake, and low physical activity were associated factors of overweight and obesity (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Generally, despite extensive programs of public education, there is an alarming prevalence rate of both generalized as well as central overweight and obesity in the present study.

This article has no abstract.

Background: Preliminary clinical trials showed that ginger improved lipid profile in type 2 diabetes patients (T2D). This trial was carried out to determine the effect of ginger on blood lipid and lipoproteins in T2D. Methods: this is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on 88 T2D conducted in. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of ginger (GG) and placebo (PG), the GG consumed daily 3 one-gram capsules containing ginger powder whereas the other group received capsules of the same color and number as GG but containing cellulose microcrystalline, both after taking meals and for eight weeks. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), HDL-c, LDL-c, Apo B100 and Apo A1 were measured at the baseline and the end of trial. Results: Out of 88 patients who participated in the trial, 81 of them accomplished it. No significant changes were observed in mean of TC, TG, HDL-c, and Apo B100 within and between the groups. Serum LDL-c and LDL-c/HDL-c ratio were decreased significantly in the GG (P = 0.03, P = 0.028) at the end of trail but they were not significantly different between the two groups. Serum Apo A1 was increased significantly in the GG (P < 0.05) and PG (P < 0.05) at the end of trial but it was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: This study indicated that daily consumption of 3 g of ginger powder in capsules for 8 weeks by T2D leads to lowering of LDL-c, LDL-c/HDL-c ratio, and Apo A1. Therefore, consumption of this supplementation is appropriate for this patients

There is no doubt that the risks of using GMFs must be weighed against their benefits. Provision of relevant education and information to people is thus necessary. To do this, approaches conducted in Iran cannot be the same as other countries due to different cultures as it was mentioned in the authors previous paper before production and distribution of any GMFs, people must be educated since informed public can make informed decisions. Moreover, this training needs collaboration among the government, industry, and universities.

Background: Substance abuse has significant impact on nutritional status. Due to the increased malnutrition during drug use and withdrawal, this study aimed at assessing the anthropometric indices in individuals referring to drug treatment centers in Qom. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 329 addicted individuals referring to addiction centers in Qom were randomly selected. A questionnaire was used with three parts including demographic characteristics, drug abuse history, and anthropometric indices including measurement of height, weight, waist circumference, arm circumference, and skinfold thickness in triceps and calf muscles. Results: The participants consisted of 328 men and only one woman, 29% of whom were in detoxification. The mean of participants age was 39.0 ± 7.1 years. The first and most-frequently used drug was opium. All anthropometric indices were associated with the consumption of opium substances and drug use was associated significantly with some parameters. With the exception of skinfold thickness in the calf, all the indices were affected by the type of consumed substances. The opium addicts had a higher body mass index compared with other drug users. Conclusions: Due to the importance of nutrition status in drug abusers and their lack of self-care, careful monitoring and evaluation of dietary intake, as well as nutrition status can play important roles in the rehabilitation of these individuals and help to prevent from reappearance of these habits.

Background: Imbalanced diet, as it may cause micronutrient malnutrition has been known as a causal factor for several chronic diseases. Several studies in Iran have shown that some micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent and of high concern. Minerals such as calcium and iron can supply physical and mental health as well as survival, and growth development. In this study, nutrient density analysis was used to display Iranian households diet quality. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the diet quality of seven provinces, namely Eastern Azarbaijan, Isfahan, Tehran, Khorasan, Khouzestan, Sistan Balochestan and Fars was assessed in terms of calcium and iron. To do so, the data were obtained through national household food consumption survey conducted by National Nutrition & Food Technology Research Institute, 2000-02, in Iran. Results: Generally, 80% of households calcium density was less than the standard value and this rate was 40-70% for iron. Index of nutrition quality for calcium and iron were respectively almost 1/2 and 1/3 of requirements in all provinces. Conclusions: There were significant differences in calcium intake density between the rural and urban households however; there were no differences between the selective provinces and all over the country.

Background: Obesity as the excessive accumulation of adipose in adipocytes has still remained equivocal. Since diets contain many components to prevent from or promote diseases, assessing effects of the whole diet on health can be more practical. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between quality of diets through healthy eating index (HEI), and body composition parameters in Iranian adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 138 participants in the age range of 20-55 years, who referred to Endocrinology Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences to receive health care services and fulfilled the eligibility criteria to participate in this study. Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to calculate HEI scores. Body composition data included: Fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM), abdominal fat (AF), muscle mass (MM), and total body water (TBW) that were collected by bioelectrical impedance instrument. Results: In this study the mean HEI score was 55.26. Based on HEI-2010 values, diet quality was good in 0.7% of participants, needed improvement in 55.9%, and was poor in 43.4% of the cases. There were significant linear trends between quality of diets and body composition parameters (P < 0.05). Conclusion: According to our study poor diet quality can be related to FM and obesity in Iranian adults.

Background: In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) the bone marrow loses its ability in the differentiation and maturation of blood cells at different stages. Zinc and copper are important co-factors for several enzymes and play an important role in maintenance of DNA integrity. Changes in serum levels of zinc and copper have been found in lymphoproliferative disorders. In the present study, the aim was to compare serum levels of zinc, copper, vitamin D, and inflammatory markers after eight courses of chemotherapy. Methods: Participants of this study included 30 ALL patients in the age range of 15 to 65 years. A 10 mL blood sample was taken before and after eight courses of chemotherapy. The concentration of Zinc, Copper, hs-CRP, vitamin D and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Results: There was a significant increase in serum zinc (121.7 ± 18.05 µg/dL before chemotherapy and 156.6 ± 25.00 µg/dL after chemotherapy) and a significant decrease in serum copper (661.9 ± 190.1 µg/dL before chemotherapy and 402.2 ± 93.5 µg/dL after chemotherapy) and a significant decrease in Malondialdehyde and serum vitamin D were observwd. Further, no significant differences were observed in hs-CRP after chemotherapy. Conclusion: Results showed that chemotherapy could decrease the burden of disease by increasing serum zinc and decreasing serum copper.

Background: Sexual dysfunction is an important health problem which prevalence in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is higher than other people. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-arginine oral supplementation on sexual function in men with T2D and mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods: Eighty men with T2D, suffering from mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction participated in this double-blind clinical trial. They were randomly assigned in to two groups; receiving 5 g/day L-arginine (AG) or placebo group (PG) for 4 weeks. Sexual functions were recorded with international index of erectile function questionnaire at the beginning and end of the intervention. Total testosterone concentrations were measured too. Results: The total mean score of sexual function parameters significantly increased only in AG than PG (43.2 ± 6.2 vs. 39.4 ± 4.0, P = 0.003). Against PG, the mean of all parameters significantly improved in AG after intervention. Only the mean score of erectile function in AG had a significant increase compared to PG. Mean of other sexual activity scores between the two groups had no significant differences. The mean of testosterone concentration had a significant increase in both groups after the intervention, but the mean of changes was significantly higher in AG than in PG (1.91 µg/L vs. 0.53 µg/L, P = 0.004). Conclusions: The present trial showed that daily consumption of 5 g L-arginine for four weeks in T2D men with mild-to-moderate sexual dysfunction improved various parameters such as erectile function, sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, pleasure from sexual intercourse, and testosterone level.

Background: Health benefits of vitamin D has been proved by a large number of studies, however, to the best of our knowledge there has been no study investigating the effect of mega dose of vitamin D on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study was the first to assess the effect of postpartum injection of mega dose of vitamin D on blood pressure (BP) in GDM. Methods: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted on 58 pregnant women suffering from GDM who were randomly assigned into control (CG, n = 24) and intervention group (IG, n = 24). Patients in intervention group (IG) received an intramuscular injection of 300,000 IU of vitamin D. BP, Serum concentration of 25 (OH) D3, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphor, diastolic (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured at the baseline and after 3 months. Results: Mega dose supplementation resulted in increased serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentrations in IG compared with the CG (62.10 nmol/l compared with 24.10 nmol/l, P < 0.001). Additionally, injection of vitamin D significantly reduced SBP (98.1 ± 9.0 mmHg compared with 106.9 ± 15.9 mmHg, P = 0.02) and slightly decreased DBP but it was not statistically significant (63.3 ± 1.5 mmHg compared with 73.6 ± 10.3 mmHg, P = 0.13). Serum PTH significantly decrease after intervention in IG compared with CG (2.88 ± 1.60 pmol/l compared with 4.78 ± 2.4 pmol/l P = 0.003). Conclusions: This study strongly improved vitamin D status in women with GDM and consequently confirmed the efficacy of a mega dose of vitamin D injection on decreasing of BP.

Background: This descriptive study sought to assess the relation of anxiety, depression, and happiness with binge eating disorders (BED) among overweight and obese individuals. Methods: To conduct this study, 200 individuals who referred to Nutrition Clinics in Isfahan, were selected randomly. They were asked to complete some questionnaires which were then scored according to Gormally scale. Respondents with scores of 17 and higher were selected as BED and entered the study. Final sample size consisted of 120 participants (28 men and 92 women). The management tools were Gormally et al., the Oxford Happiness, Beck Depression Inventory, and the Kettel anxiety questionnaires. Results: Statistical assessment consisted of descriptive statistics, pearson correlation coefficient, multiple regressions, and Fisher’s Z test. Results showed that BED had significant and linear correlations with depression (r = 0.51), happiness (r = 0.27), and anxiety ( r = 0.24) (all P < 0.01). Depression as the only included factor for analysis explained 25% of the analysis variance. Although, BED had a positive correlation with depression, anxiety, and happiness among men (P < 0.05) and women (P < 0.01), it did not have any association with either of the three mentioned factors (Z = 0.50, Z = -1.15, and Z = 0.62, respectively). It was shown that depression, anxiety, and absence of happiness had important roles in the process of weight reduction among applicants of weight loss. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression lead to over-eating and over-eating inturn reinforces both depression and anxiety.

Background: One of the most critical problems in the field of water and food pollution is the heavy metal pollution. Agricultural products are exposed to this type of contamination through wastewater; industrial activity and population pollutions are also in its area. Since the plant in the affected areas can directly enter heavy metals into the food chain, so, it is important to check their level of contamination. The purpose of this study was to monitor distribution of copper and nickel in the grape cultured in the farms around Marvast in Yazd province. Methods: All chemicals were of analytical grade. In order to determine the level of copper and nickel in grape extracts produced from the most important areas in grape production, 7 samples of grape were taken from these geographic regions. After grinding and homogenizing of samples, the concentration of nickel and copper, heavy metals were measured by atomic absorption spectrometer. The obtained results were analyzed through SPSS software based on statistical methods. Results: The mean value of copper and nickel were 26.4 ± 3.1 and 12.3 ± 1.5 µg/kg, respectively. According to the obtained results and their comparison with standards, different amounts of copper and nickel were observed in all samples, however, the highest amount of these metals was observed in one sample. Conclusions: Concentrations of heavy metals in samples from different regions were lower than the maximum allowable concentration of copper and nickel. Although, the amount of these metals in one sample, known as pollution indicator, suggested that this area can be exposed to both.

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Background: Previous researches reported inconclusive findings on the interaction of Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection with body indices, although, most of these studies used body mass index (BMI) to assess such an association. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of H.pylori seropositivity with anthropometric indices as well as blood pressure (BP) among a group of young population in Zahedan, a city in south-east of Iran. Methods: A total of 363 undergraduate students participated in this cross-sectional study, in 2014. Serum IgG antibodies against H.pylori were measured and the cut-off level of antibody titers more than or equal to 20 was considered as H.pylori positive. Anthropometric indices and BP were measured using standard protocols. Results: Data analysis indicated that H.pylori seropositivity was equal to 45.7% . H.pylori positive participants had significantly lower mean values of BMI (P = 0.01), waist circumference (WC), and waist to height ratio (WHtR) which was marginally significant (P = 0.05) compared to H.pylori negative participants. No significant differences were found in waist to hip ratio (WHpR), as well as systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between the two groups. Although, after adjustment for confounding factors, higher values of BMI (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.003-3.2) and WHtR (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.001-2.71) were positively correlated with higher odds of H.pylori positivity. Conclusions: H.pylori positivity was correlated with higher BMI and WHtR after adjusting for other variables, but no correlation was observed for WC, WHpR, or BP among a group of young undergraduate students in south-east of Iran.

This article has no abstract.

Background: Celiac disease (CD), as an autoimmune disease has initiated since ingestion of food containing gluten. Constant intolerance to gluten causes damages of the small intestinal mucosa. One reason of mal-absorption in children and infants is CD. Additionally, about 75% of newly identified patients with CD have low bone mineral density (BMD). Many factors have role in metabolic bone diseases, such as disturbance in calcium absorption, consumption of endogenous calcium, fecal loss, damaged to vitamin D absorption, and inflammatory mediators. The gluten free diet (GFD) is the only efficacious treatment for CD. Low BMD which is a prevalent problem of untreated CD may be restored by GFD. Methods: Databases of PubMed, Web of science, Google scholar, Scopus and Embase were searched by the following keywords: CD and GFD, CD and BMD, GFD and children up to July 2016. Results: Most children with CD already have reduced bone mass density before treatment with GFD. GFD caused normal bone mineral density in most of celiac children and adolescent. The treatment duration for restoration of bone mass was not obvious. There were no similar time points for all patients, thus the duration of treatment was different. There was a relationship between age of patients at diagnosis and therapeutic intervention and recovery of BMD; older children may have slower grades of improvement. Conclusions: GFD has an important role in bone health. If CD is diagnosed and managed before adolescence, children with CD may achieve normal bone mass.

Background: Employees are considered as an at-risk group for obesity and its adverse outcomes, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The present study was conducted to assess the correlation of obesity indices with CVD risk factors among a group of medical university employees in Zahedan city, southeast of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 211 healthy employees of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences during October 2015. Obesity indices including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHpR), and waist to height ratio (WHtR) were measured in accordance to the standard criteria. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood lipids, and blood pressure were also measured. Results: Women had significantly higher values of weight, WC, WHpR, and FBG than men (P < 0.05). Bivariate analysis showed that those with BMI, WC, or WHtR higher than the cut-off-point levels had significantly higher serum levels of blood parameters and blood pressure compared to normal participants, respectively. BMI and WC had significant positive correlation with all parameters except with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol; these correlations were slightly stronger for WC compared to BMI. However, the correlation of WHpR and WHtR with metabolic parameters was weak. Conclusions: BMI and WC had an almost moderate correlation with CVD risk factors among the participants. Therefore, using WC along with BMI is suggested as the preferred method for assessment of CVD risk factors.