Dietary total antioxidant capacity and the risk of breast cancer: a case-control study

There is growing evidence that dietary antioxidants may have favourable effects in reducing cancer risk. In a case-control study we investigated the association of dietary total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and risk of breast cancer. Sociodemographic data, medical history and anthropometric measurements were collected from 275 women [100 breast cancer cases and 175 controls]. Participants' usual dietary intake was measured using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and their dietary TAC was estimated. An inverse, but non-significant, association was observed between dietary TAC and breast cancer risk. Multiple logistic regression models based on TAC of individual food groups showed that consumption of fruits and vegetables with higher TAC [micro molTE/100 g] was associated with a significantly decreased risk of breast cancer. Our study supports a protective effect of dietary antioxidants in relation to breast cancer risk. Food selection based on TAC of foods may be an effective strategy to modify the risk of cancer

Prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting and overweight among Iranian under-five-year-old children [2000-2002]

A key target of the Millennium Development Goals [MDG] toward eliminating poverty and hunger is to reduce malnutrition among children less than 5 years. Over the past 20 years developing countries have experienced accelerated urbanization and an increase in the incidence of overweight and obesity as a consequence. Monitoring progress of countries toward the MDG requires reliable data on the growth status of children at the national level. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting, overweight and obesity among under-five-year-old children of the Iranian households included in the National Comprehensive Study on Household Food Consumption Patterns and Nutritional Status [2000-2002]. Data from 7158 households, with a total of 2562 under-five-year-old children, selected through random systematic sampling from 28 provinces, were included in the study. Trained nutritionists measured weight [with Seca digital balance, to the nearest 100gr] and height [using tape, to the nearest 0.1 cm] of all the household members during three consecutive days, using standard protocols. Age was documented in months, based on birth certificates. For children under two years, weight was based on the mean of two weighings, and recumbent length was measured. Undernutrition was defined as less than 2 standard deviations [2SD] of weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height z-scores, and overweight+obesity as higher than 2SD. The results were expressed based on weighted means of the total country, rural, and urban areas, and for both sexes. The total prevalence of stunting was 13.1% [CI 95%: 11/8%-14.4%] and of underweight 7.6% [CI 95%: 6.6%-8.6%]. Prevalences of stunting and underweight in rural areas were twice those in urban areas. There were statistically nonsignificant gender differences: the prevalences of stunting and underweight were, respectively, 14.2% and 7.3% among boys, and 11.8% and 8.0% among girls. Wasting and overweight were less prevalent the proportion of wasting was 4.5% and of overweight+obesity 5.2%; the prevalence of the latter was similar in rural and urban areas but it was higher among girls. Finally, the prevalence of wasting in urban areas was twice that in rural areas. According to the WHO classifications based on underweight, stunting and wasting rates, Iran is grouped with the countries having low prevalence rates. The high prevalence of overweight in children must be taken seriously, and it is absolutely esential to pay sufficient attention to both ends of the malnutrition spectrum. The findings of this study indicate that in order to achieve the millennium goals, improvements in living standards and the quality of diets is essential

comparison of the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among female students of medicine and female students of other majors

A decrease in serum iron is considered the first phenomenon emerging in the process of Iron deficiency anemia [IDA]. In advanced phases of IDA various degrees of anemia occur. Regarding the importance of IDA and its consequences especially on individual's health, we performed a survey on the female students of medicine to compare the prevalence of IDA between them and female students majoring in other fields. The present study hypothesizes that education level; particularly college education has some effects on the prevention of this disease. This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in Mashhad Islamic Azad University during the years of 2005 to 2007.189 female students [91 students of medicine and 98 students of other majors] volunteerly participated in the study. Cell blood count, serum ferritin concentration, serum iron test, hemoglobin, Hct, TIBC, were administered for all the students. Then, the subjects' individual data and the results of their blood tests completed a questionnaire and were analyzed for descriptive statistic, One-way and two-way ANOVA and tooky test, using SPSS software. Among 189 students, 166[88.44%] were found to be normal and 23[11.5%] were detected for iron deficient anemia. In the infected individuals, 9 [39.13%] were students of medicine while the other 14 [60.9%] persons were students of other majors. Also, it was found out that 60 [31.74%] were affected by iron deficiency and 78 [41.26%] had disorders of blood indexes. Statistical findings of this study revealed that the prevalence rate of IDA was lower in the students of higher education in medical sciences in comparison with those of lower levels of medical knowledge. IDA was even higher in extern and intern of medicine in comparison with students of basic science