ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: according to the available evidence, consumption of milk and other dairy products among Iranians is far less than recommendations. The share of different milks [i.e., traditionally vs. industrially processed] and its associated variables are, however, neither consistent nor fully known in different Provinces
Materials and Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted to determine household milk consumption and its association with selected socio-demographic factors in West Azerbaijan Province, North-west Iran. A total of 650 households were selected from urban and rural areas in three major Azeri and Kurdish districts [i.e. Urmia, Khoy and Mahabad] using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Data were collected using socioeconomic and milk frequency questionnaires
Results: the findings indicated that traditionally-processed milk [bulk] was the most common milk consumed at household level [62.5%]. Mean of bulk milk consumption in urban and rural areas was 479+/-23 and 730+/-64 ml/wk per capita, respectively. It was also shown that establishment of the new food subsidization policy has decreased the mean of household milk consumption by approximately 3 l/wk in urban areas. Factor analysis detected a significant decrease in the higher tertiles of family size/ethnicity score consumption of both bulk and pasteurized milk, which resulted in decreased consumption of total milk
Conclusions: designing and implementation of alternative approaches, such as targeted milk subsidies for poor households or vulnerable age-groups should be considered
ABSTRACT
Fish consumption twice per week" recommendation has been adopted in many countries, including Iran, by Nutrition experts. Data derived from food balance sheets [FBSs] and national household food consumption surveys [NHFCSs] show that fish consumption has been increased in the last 20 years in Iran. The gap between supply and recommendation figures in order to analyze the feasibility of this policy however needs to be determined. In this study, we took current figures of fish supply and consumption in Iran and calculated the amount of fish needed to support the recommendation of fish consumption. Data obtained from FAOSTAT-FBSs in 1980-82, 1990-92 and 2000-02, and NHFCS reports in 1992-95 and 2001-03. Fish supplies needed to fulfill the nutritional policy were calculated based on 120 and 180 gr/caput/wk scenarios. Sharp increase happened in the average fish supply from 1980s to 1990s, but slowed down afterwards. In early 2000, fish availability and intake were 4.73 and 4.43 kg [as raw-whole fish]/capita/year, respectively. The amount of fish required to fulfill the recommendation were however calculated as 10.97 and 16.43 kg/caput/yr based on the two scenarios, respectively. This study reveals that the gap between present fish consumption and the amounts for nutritional goal is still big. Whether bridging this gap in terms of feasibility, ecological, environmental and logistical burdens is attainable, needs more evaluation. Nutrition educators should be aware of the effects of their campaigns on the nationwide food policy as well as on issues such as consumer demand, prices, and environment
ABSTRACT
Arsenic is a carcinogenic and toxicant element widely found in the environment and might be part of causation web of Oesophageal Cancer [OC], which has one of the highest incidence rates in Golestan Province, Northeast Iran. In this pilot study, we collected 10 Sheep tail [donbeh] and 9 mixed spices samples, as widely consumed foods in the region, from main counties in the province and analyzed for arsenic concentrations using AOAC atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. Findings showed that arsenic levels in all samples were less than the safe level of 1 ppm. Total arsenic intake from sheep tail and mixed spices sources were estimated at 4.68 and 4.24 micro g/day in men and women, respectively. Therefore, the study suggests that arsenic intake from these commonly consumed foods do not seem as a major hazard for OC etiology