ABSTRACT
Despite reports on association between overweight/obesity among women and household food insecurity [FI] in developed countries, such association is not evident in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the association between household FI and weight status in adult females in Tehran, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 418 households were selected through systematic cluster sampling from 6 districts of Tehran. Height and weight were measured and body mass index [BMI] was calculated. Socio-economic status of the household was assessed by a questionnaire. Three consecutive 24-hour diet recalls were completed. FI was measured using adapted Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Logistic regression was used to test the effects of SES and food security on weight status, simultaneously. Using Structural Equation Modeling [SEM] potential causal relationships between FI and weight status was explored. Only 1.0% of women were underweight, while 40.3% were overweight and 33% were obese, respectively. Severe, moderate, and mild food insecurity was observed in 11.5, 14.7, and 17.8%, respectively. Among women in moderately food insecure households, the possibility of overweight was lower than those of food secure households [OR 0.41; CI95%:0.17-0.99], while in severely food insecure households, the risk of abdominal obesity for women was 2.82 times higher than food secures [CI95%:1.12-7.08] [P<0.05]. SEM detected no causal relationship between FI and weight status. Association of severe food insecurity with abdominal obesity in adult females of households may indicate their vulnerability and the need for tailoring programs to prevent further health problems in this group
ABSTRACT
The relationship between obesity and puberty is still controversial. This study examined this issue in girls in pubertal age in Mashhad A total of 1300 healthy girls aged 11-15, in Mashhad public guidance schools were recruited from all 7 urban educational regions using double-stages cluster sampling method. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected using standard methods. Data of dietary habits and intakes were collected using a valid questionnaire [230 subjects] and a 24-h recall [216 subjects] respectively. Age of menarche was also recorded for pubertal girls. BMI between 85-95 percentiles was defined as overweight and BMI >/= 95 percentile as obesity [based on BMI percentiles of WHO references for age and sex].Survival Analysis method was used. Prevalence of overweight and obesity were 11.5% and 10.3% respectively.63% of subjects had experienced menarche with mean menarche age of 13 +/- 0.06 yrs. There was shown a significant correlation of BMI with menarche occurrence and menarche age [r=0.33, r=-0.2 respectively, P< 0.001].Menarche age was 13.1 +/- 0.07 yrs in normal group and 12.2 +/- 0.07 yrs in overweight and obese subjects [P< 0.001].Overweight and obese girls had consumed less frequently breakfast and more snacks than normal ones. Their frequency of intake for spaghetti, ice cream, sweets, nuts, chips and sweetened beverages was also significantly higher than that of normal girls. In girls with higher BMI menarche are more likely occurred in lower ages and their dietary patterns are different compared to those with normal BMI