relationship between household food insecurity status and depression in mothers with school children living in ray in 2010

Food insecurity has been a global concern. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between household food insecurity and depression in mothers with school children in Ray City A cross-sectional survey of 430 mothers of school children was conducted in 2010 in Ray city. We employed USDA food security questionnaire. The prevalence of depression in mothers was assessed by Beck Depression Inventory [DBI]. Household food insecurity was identified approximately in fifty percent of participants and frequency of depression was 51.4% in mothers. Depression in 'food secure' group was 34.6%, and in 'food insecure with hunger' group was 77.8%. There was a positive, relationship between depression and food insecurity in mothers having primary school children living in Ray. The findings of this study revealed that level of food insecurity among mothers seems high. This study highlights the need to integrate programs addressing food insecurity and poor mental health for mothers

[ association between food insecurity, socio-economic factors and dietary intake in mothers having primary school children living in ray 2010]

Presently 20-40% of Iranians suffer from food insecurity. Since factors associated with food insecurity vary in different communities, this study was initiated to determine the factors influencing food insecurity in mothers having primary school children living in Ray [a District of Tehran], Iran. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, in spring 2010, on 430 mothers having primary school children, selected by two-stage cluster sampling. A general information questionnaire was used to collect data on economic status and socio-cultural characteristics, and data on food intake and food security were collected using the 24-hour food recall and the USDA food security questionnaire, respectively. The statistical tests used for data analysis included the chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance, and simple regression. The prevalence of food insecurity among the mothers was 50.2%. The education level of the mothers and of the heads of households, ownership of residential unit, and having better home facilities were inversely associated with food insecurity. On the other hand, food insecurity increased with an increase in family size. The intakes of all the macronutrients except fat was statistically significantly lower in the food-insecure group. Based on the findings of this study the following recommendations can be made to improve household food security: increasing education level of family members, promoting family economic status, and adopting and implementing better population control policies

[Household food security status and food consumption among high school students in Esfahan, Iran]

Food security [access to safe, nutritious, affordable food] is one of the important determinants of health status in human life. Since monitoring and assessing of associated factors to food security are essential for health planning, this study has tried to determine household food security status and food consumption amongst high school student families in Esfahan, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in autumn 2008 on 580 high school 14-17y students of Esfahan, Iran using a systematic cluster sampling. Food security and food frequency questionnaire were completed by interviewing mothers and students. The prevalence of household food insecurity was estimated as 36.6% [95%CI: 33-40%]. Household food insecurity was positively associated with frequency of some food group intakes among students, including bread; macaroni; potato; legume; and eggs [P<0.05]. In addition, negative associations were observed between food insecurity and frequency of other food group intakes including rice, red meat, sausage and hamburger, poultry, fish, green vegetables, root and bulb[colored] vegetables, melons, banana, pineapple, coconut, mango, apple, orange, milk, and yogurt [P<0.05]. The results of this study indicate that food insecurity is prevalent among [students] households in Esfahan. In addition, students living in food-insecure households more frequently consumed cheap foods containing high energy per kilogram. Therefore, appropriate nutritional programs should be designed to improve the quality of household food consumption

[ association of myopia and overweight in elementary school children: a case- control study in Islamshahr, Iran]

Increasing in prevalence of juvenile myopia in recent decades in eastern and western countries, especially in urban elementary school children, suggests that changing in early life style may play an important role in development of myopia. Our aim was to determine the relationships between myopia and overweight in elementary school children of Eslamshahr a city near Tehran, Iran. In a case control study, 240 new myopic primary school children [grade 2-4] identified as cases and 240 children without myopia in the same schools enrolled as control group. Anthropometric information was completed from schools'. Other information about pre-entrancing to school was collected by interviewing their parents. Children having a Body mass index BMI>=85th CDC2000 percentile were identified as overweight. Adjusted odds ratio for overweight was estimated after adjusting other potential risk factors. Of total 53.3% were girls. 23.8% of children in case group and 10.1% of them in control group were categorized in overweight group. After adjusting for other potential risk factors [family history, breast milk intake, near works, mother's job and financial position] being overweight was independently associated to myopia [OR: 3.10, 95% CI: 1.9-5.03]. It is concluded that overweight in children in preschool age, is independently associated with increased risk of myopia in primary school children. Therefore health promotion programs in order to change of the life style in this group of children should be considered

Prevalence of household food insecurity in the City of Shiraz and its association with socio-economic and demographic factors, 2008

Food insecurity, as a major public health problem during the past two decades, has received the attention of population experts, scientists and policy-makers. In Iran, based on daily energy intake, 20.0% and 23.2% of households were food-insecure in 1996 and 2001, respectively. Studies have also shown that food insecurity is 99.2% among households under coverage of Imam Khomaini Relief Committee and 36.2% in the Asadabadi Region. So far, food insecurity has not been assessed directly at national, provincial or district levels. This study determined the prevalence of household food insecurity and some associated factors in the urban areas of Shiraz, Iran. Measurement of food insecurity and determining its determinants can help policy-makers in planning, monitoring and evaluating food security promotion program. In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, 778 households from the urban areas of Shiraz were selected by the multi-stage cluster sampling method. Demographic and socio-economic data were collected using standard questionnaires; household food security was assessed on the basis of the USDA 18-item questionnaire. Factor analysis and the Chi-square test were used for socio- economic status criteria determination and data description, while one-way ANOVA and ordinal and linear logistic regression were used for data analysis and identifying the associated and predictive factors. The software used was SPPS 14. The prevalence of household food insecurity was 44% [food insecurity without hunger 27.8%, and food insecurity with moderate and severe hunger 14.4 and 1.8, respectively]. Food insecurity was greater in female-headed families, those with a larger number of children, or those with children under 18 years old [P=0.05]. It was positively associated with socio-economic status [P=0.0001]. Based on the final ordinal logistic regression, predicting factors for food insecurity were children under 18 years old in the family [CI95%:1.28-2.34, OR:1.73], low socio-economic status [CI95%:6.36-14.44, OR:9.56], and responder [mothers] [CI95%1.01-2.83, OR:1.7]. Household food insecurity exists in Shiraz. Having children under 18 years old in the family and low socio-economic status are the most important causes of household food insecurity. Policies and programs, such as promotion of socio-economic status, and approaches to promote the situation of under 18-year old children, such as school lunch programs, can help reduce food insecurity

[Determination of the most relevant body mass index standard references to define obese Iranian school-age children]

To define overweight and obesity in children, body mass index [BMI] reference standards are used. Presently four reference standards can be used to determine obesity among children in Iran: CDC-2000 standard, IOTF-2000 standard, the recent [2007] WHO growth references for school-age children and adolescents, and finally, the Iranian reference cutoffs, developed in 1999. So far there has been no study in Iran on identifying the best BMI reference standard for Iranian obese children. This study was conducted to identify the most suitable BMI reference standard to define obesity among Iranian children, as compared with triceps skin fold thickness. A total of 6818 school-age children [6-11years old] were recruited from 3 Iranian cities, namely, Ahwaz, Kazeroon, Orumiyeh, and Yazd by random cluster sampling. Age, sex, weight]to the nearest 0.1 kg], height [to the nearest 0.1 cm] and triceps skinfold thickness [TSF, to the nearest 0.1 mm] were determined and BMI was calculated. Obesity was defined as a BMI >/= 95th percentile of CDC, WHO, and the Iranian reference standard. With regard to the IOTF standard, cutoff points [for boys and girls] were chosen as percentiles that matched the adult cutoffs of BMI of 30 at 18 years of age. The 95th percentile of TSF for each age/sex group was determined in each city and 5% of the pupils with the highest TSF [true obese children] were selected. Analysis was done on data gathered on 6700 subjects.Based on TSF, approximately 5% of the children were identified as obese. Proportions of obese children according to CDC, IOTF, WHO, and the Iranian reference standard were 5.4%, 3.9%, 6.3%, and 13.6%, respectively. Kappa values showed moderate agreement between the 4 reference values and TSF among the children [0.44-0.60]. Overall, the Iranian reference standard showed the lowest agreement [0.44]. Sensitivities and specificities of the 4 reference standards were, respectively, 61% and 97.5% for CDC, 98.8% and 55% for IOTF, 97% and 69.2% for WHO, and 90.4% and 90.3% for the Iranian reference values. The Iranian reference proved to have the lowest positive predictive value [PPV+] and efficiency.Despite the high sensitivity of the Iranian reference standard, its PPV+ [prevalence rate of disease], the most important diagnostic character of a method, and its efficiency were low in comparison with the other standards. Based on the findings of this study and features of the recent WHO growth reference values, we recommend the use of the WHO reference in future studies to assess obesity in children

Assessment of blood pressure status and its relationship with anthropometric indices among women in rural areas of Kerman province, Iran

High blood pressure [BP] is one of the most important modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, anthropometric indices such as body mass index [BMI], waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio [WHR] can independently and sometimes more severely lead to BP changes. The objective of this study was to assess BP status and its relationship with anthropometric indices among women in rural areas of Kerman province, Iran. This cross-sectional study was performed on 370 women of reproductive age [20-45 years old]. General information were gathered from each sample using questionnaire and face-to-face interview. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured and BMI and WHR were calculated for each subject. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA], independent t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient tests. 15.9% and 22.8% of subjects were obese and abdominal obese [WHR>0.8] respectively. 14.3% of subjects were also hypertensive. BP significantly increased with weight, BMI, WHR, waist circumference and number of pregnancy. Furthermore, BMI was positively associated with systolic blood pressure [SBP] and diastolic blood pressure[DBP] [r=0.26,p<0.002 and r= 0.32, p<0.0001 respectively]. There was also a positive correlation between WHR with SBP [r=0.22, p<0.003] and DBP [r=0.24, p<0.002]. In addition, waist circumference was positively correlated with DBP [r=0.18,p <0.05]. Anthropometric indices have positive and significant correlation with blood pressure changes in women of reproductive age. It is generally recommended to consider weight control and body fitness for hypertension prevention in women

[Prevalence of obesity among school children in Neishabour [2005]]

At present, the prevalence of obesity among children and youngsters is rapidly increasing in developed countries. Few studies have been carried out on childhood obesity in Iran using standard references. Assessing the prevalence of obesity among school children in Neishabour using several references including Iranian reference, CDC 2000 and IOTF 2000. In a cross-sectional trial, 1471 students aged 6-12 were selected by a two-stage cluster sampling. Height and weight of students were measured and BMI was calculated. Obesity was defined as having a BMI?95th percentile of Iranian reference or CDC. Also, the students with BMI greater than IOTF values were identified as obese. Findings: The prevalence of obesity according to the Iranian reference, CDC and IOTF were 8.5% [CI 95%, 7.1-10.0%], 4.6% [CI 95%, 3.5-6.0%], and 7.3% [CI 95%, 6.0-9.0%], respectively. Using CDC reference, a significant difference in prevalence of obesity between girls and boys [5.8% vs. 3.1%] was found [p<0.05]. When the Iranian reference was applied, the prevalence of obesity was shown to be significantly higher in boys aged 7 and 8 compared to girls [15.2% vs. 6.4% and 12.5% vs. 4.0%], respectively [p<0.05]. Finally, the application of IOTF reference produced no significant difference in prevalence of obesity between girls and boys. As the results of different references in determining the prevalence of obesity were not the same, use of relevant BMI percentile is recommended

Effect of a high- protein diet on plasma inflammatory proteins in obese women

Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The abnormalities involved may be mediated by increased secretions of inflammatory proteins called adipocytokines by the adipose tissue. Thus, monitoring adipocytokines during weight loss could be helpful in progress evaluation of weight reduction programs. Since high-protein diets are considered diets of choice for weight reduction in some communities, their effectiveness should be re-evaluated. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of a standard-protein diet with a high-protein diet on weight loss and biochemical health indices, e.g., the blood lipid profile and plasma inflammatory proteins, in obese women. Twenty-eight 20-48 year-old obese women [BMI= 30-41 kg/m[2]] were divided into 2 groups. One group was assigned to a high-protein diet [HP, protein supplying 30% of energy] and one to a standard-protein diet [SP, protein supplying 15% of energy]. Anthropometric and biochemical variables were measured at the beginning and after 10 weeks. The magnitude of weight loss [6.0 +/- 2.3 kg on HP and 4.9 +/- 2.4 kg on SP; P = 0.43] and fat loss [4.6 +/- 2.1kg on HP and 3.9 +/- 2.0 kg on SP; P = 0.63] did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Insulin sensitivity index improved more on the HP diet [P = 0.01]. The reduction in the serum triacylglycerol concentration was significant in both groups [HP, P= 0.005; SP, P = 0.03] without any diet effect. Total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C did not change significantly in either group. On the other hand, plasma leptin decreased more on the HP than on the SP diet [diet effect; P<0.05]. No significant changes in adiponectin, TNF-a, IL-6 or log CRP were observed after weight loss, although there was an desirable trend in all these inflammatory proteins. The high-protein diet was more effective in lowering plasma leptin concentration and improving insulin sensitivity than the standard-protein diet. However, the magnitude of weight loss and changes in the serum lipid or plasma inflammatory protein levels did not differ significantly between the energy-restricted high-protein and standard-protein groups

Factors associated with the nutritional status of adolescent girls based on body mass index in Sari, Iran

The third and the last stage in human growth and development is adolescence. Adequate nutrition of adolescent girls, these future mothers, is very important. The purpose of this survey was to determine association of such variables as age, age of menarche, nutritional awareness, physical activity, and family size, with the body mass index [BMI] in 14-18 year-old adolescent high school girls' in Sari, north of Iran. The sample size was 240. Weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated and compared with the 2000 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] standards. Nutritional status was determined based on BMI, the categories being underweight, normal, at-risk-of-overweight, and overweight. Information on the nutritional knowledge, physical activity, age, family size, and age of menarche were obtained using questionnaires. ANOVA and Post Hoc were used to determine differences between the variables. The nutritional status of adolescent girls had no significant association with the age of menarche, nutritional knowledge, or physical activity. However, significant relationships with family size and girls' age were found. The results of this survey showed that in Iran, a developing country, family size has a considerable effect on the nutritional status of adolescent girls; furthermore, age was assessed to be an important factor influencing the nutritional status of adolescent girls

[Correlation of elderly nutritional status with cardio-vascular disease and diabetes]

The effects of population aging are becoming apparent throughout the world. Diseases, such as cardio-vascular disease [CVD] and diabetes, are among the most important factors affecting morbidity and mortality, especially in the elderly. These diseases not only result in huge economic costs for treatment and care, but also results in hardship and time lost for relatives of the afflicted individuals. The association between nutritional status and disease is well known. In the present study, the effects of both under-nutrition and over-nutrition on the prevalence of disease are monitored in an urban Iranian elderly population. Thus far, no similar study has been performed in the Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Isfahan, Iran, during late 2003 on 1694 elderly people [731 males, 963 females], aged 60 years and older. Subjects were randomly chosen from all urban elderly people during a door-to-door and weight and height survey. They were selected using a cluster sampling method, each containing 30 clusters. From each cluster, 58 elderly were selected at random. Using each subjects body mass index [BMI], the nutritional status was categorized as overweight [BMI greater than 25], underweight [BMI less than 19] and normal [having a BMI equal to or more than 19 and equal to or less than 25]. Any illnesses known to each subject were also recorded. Results showed that 4.7% of the subjects were underweight and 61.2% overweight. Women were more likely to be overweight and long periods of watching television increased the risk of overweight in all subjects. Being overweight was associated with diabetes and coronary vascular diseases, and lean people were less likely to suffer from such diseases. This study indicates a high prevalence of overweight among the Iranian elderly population, indicating the need for improvement in nutritional status in order to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and CVD

[Effect of 2-week ascorbic acid supplementation on plasma lead levels in workers occupationally exposed to lead]

The role of ascorbic acid [AA] in plasma lead reduction under lead exposure conditions, has been investigated in both human and animal studies for several decades. These studies had contradictory results, especially concerning lead toxicokinetics. This investigation has been performed to study the effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on plasma lead levels of workers who were occupationally exposed to lead. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled clinical trial, a total of 24 men were randomly divided into two similar groups. Each group received one of the following daily supplements for two weeks 1000mg AA in cases and placebo [starch] in controls. At baseline, at the end of the 2 week supplementation, and also 4 weeks after the end of the supplementation, plasma and total blood ascorbic-acid levels as well as plasma lead levels were measured. The differences between the ascorbic acid, blood lead as well as plasma lead levels in 2 groups and also in different stages were assessed. Results indicated that at the end of a 2 week supplementation, lead plasma levels in cases significantly decreased compared to those of the controls [p<0.05] and also to baseline levels [p<0.01]. In addition, 4 weeks after the end of the supplementation, plasma levels of lead decreased significantly in case group compared to those of the controls [p<0.05] and also to baseline levels [p<0.05]. Using AA supplementation can be considered as a useful harmless, economical and convenient prophylactic agent for lead-exposed population

Survey of the nutritional status and relationship between physical activity and nutritional attitude with index of BMI-for-age in Semnan girl secondary school, winter and spring, 2004

Nutritional status assessment of adolescents is very important because of the physiologic changes and rapid increase in the growth rate. The attitude of the adolescent toward food and nutrition is also a primary component of a comprehensive evaluation. There is no enough information available about adolescence nutritional status and associated factors in adolescent of different area of Iran specially in Semnan. Thus this study with object of determining of the nutrition status and relationship between physical activity and nutritional attitude with index of BMI-for-age in Semnan girl secondary school inducted. In a cross-sectional study, using two stage cluster sampling 256 girl students aged 14-15 year old were randomly selected from 8 Semnan secondary schools. Weight and height were measured and BMI was calculated. Nutritional status was defined by indice of BMI-for-age, weight-for-age, height-for-age from reference CDC 2000, as having <5th percentile [wasting or stunting], between 5th and 85th [normal], between 85th and 95th percentile [overweight or tall] and >/= 95th [obese]. Physical activity and nutritional attitude were collected by questionnaires. In this survey high percent of students, respectively 8.6% and 9% were wasting and stunting [expected 5%].Overweight rate according to index BMI-for-age was 11.7% [expected 10%]. Data analyzed indicated that score physical activity and mean nutritional attitude had significant relationship with index of BMI-for-age in girl's pupils. Overweight, specially wasting and stunting rate in Semnan girl secondary school was high and preventive actions like, make physical activity enjoyable and education to increase nutritional attitude level are necessary to induct