[The effect of cardamom supplementation on anthropometric measurements in overweight and obese prediabetic women]

Introduction: Spice consumption has been considered for treatment of diseases complications because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory contents. One of these spices that contains a great variety of antioxidant compounds is cardamom. However since the effect of this spice on anthropometric measurements has not been investigated, this study was designed to determine the effect of cardamom supplementation on anthropometric measurements in overweight and obese prediabetic women

Materials and Methods: Eighty prediabetic women were randomly allocated to 2 groups, with the intervention group receiving 3 g of green cardamom and the placebo group, 3 g of rusk powder for two months. Physical activity, dietary information and anthropometric measurement including weight, height and waist circumference were recorded before and after intervention. Body mass index [BMI] was calculated by dividing weight by height squared

Results: Mean weight and BMI decreased significantly in the intervention group after the study [p<0.05]. After adjustment of initial measurement of waist circumference, at the end of intervention, waist circumference in the intervention group was significantly lower than the placebo group [p<0.05]. In the placebo group, changes in means of weight, BMI and waist circumference were not significant at the end of study. There were no significant differences between the two groups in other terms of anthropometric measurements

Conclusion: Cardamom supplementation may reduce the waist circumference and abdominal obesity in prediabetic groups

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

Effect of breastfeeding on cognitive performance in a British birth cohort

This cohort study investigated the effect of early life nutrition on later performance in developmental milestones and cognitive tests. Structural equation modelling was carried out on follow-up data from a national birth cohort of 5362 children born in 1 week of 1946 in Britain. Children who were breastfed longer showed earlier developmental milestones. After adjusting for sex, social group and milestones, those children scored higher in verbal tests. Path analysis showed that breastfeeding may have an effect even into adult life. The chain of path coefficients from breastfeeding to developmental milestones at early ages, to cognitive scores at ages 8-15 years, to reading tests at age 26 years and to memory and visual tests at age 43 years were significant in females but not in males

effects of vitamins e and d supplementation on erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase in atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a public health problem worldwide. Increment of reactive oxygen species [ROS] production may be one of the contributing factors of tissue damage in atopic dermatitis. The present study was designed to determine the effect of vitamins E and/or D on erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in patients with atopic dermatitis. In a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial 45 atopic dermatitis patients were divided into four groups. Each group received one of the following supplements for 60 days: group A [n = 11] vitamins E and D placebos; group B [n= 12] 1600 international unit [IU] vitamin D3 plus vitamin E placebo; group C [n=11] 600 IU synthetic all -rac-a tocopherol plus vitamin D placebo; group D [nM] 1600 IU vitamin D3 plus 600 IU synthetic all -rac-a tocopherol. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase [SOD] and catalase activities, serum 25 [OH] D, plasma a-tocopherol were determined. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance [ANOVA] and paired /test. After 60 days vitamin D and E supplementation, erythrocyte SOD activities increased in groups B, C and D [P= 0.002, P= 0.016 and P= 0.015, respectively]. Erythrocyte catalase activities increased in groups B and D [P= 0.026 and.P= 0.004, respectively]. The increment of erythrocyte catalase activity was not significant in group C. There was a positive significant correlation between SOD activity and serum 25 [OH] D [r= 0.378, P= 0.01]. It is concluded that vitamin D is as potent as vitamin E in increasing the activities of erythrocyte SOD and catalase in atopic dermatitis patients

[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

[Assessment of body mass index and its relationship with iron status indices among women in rural areas of Kerman province, Iran]

Prevalence of obesity has increased steadily and markedly in both Westernized and non-Westernized countries. Few studies have examined the relationship of anthropometric indices with iron status indices. The objective of the present study was to assess the body mass index [BMI] status and its relationship with iron status indices among reproductive age group women in rural areas of Kerman province, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 370 reproductive age group women [20-45 years old] were selected. General information data were gathered from each person using questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Body weight and height was measured for each subject and BMI was calculated. Venous blood samples were drawn from subjects and plasma separated. In the study, iron status was assessed by measuring the concentrations of hemoglobin, plasma ferritin and hematocrit. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA] and pearson's correlation coefficient tests. The mean BMI of subjects was 24.3 Kg/m[2]. 19.7% and 15.9% of subjects were overweight and obese respectively. Mean BMI significantly increased with age [p<0.0001] and number of pregnancy [p<0.002]. Furthermore, BMI was positively associated with age [r =0.32, p<0.0001] and number of pregnancy [r = 0.26, p<0.003]. Mean hemoglobin and plasma ferritin concentrations were significantly greater in higher weight and BMI quartiles. The hematocrit was also significantly greater in higher BMI quartiles. From these observations, it is concluded that obesity and overweight are important nutritional problems in rural women in Kerman province. In addition, obese women had higher iron stores than did the non-obese women. Therefore, obese reproductive age women are at low risk of depleting iron stores

[Prevalence of childhood Riboflavin deficiency and nutritional status; a study in rural area in Kerman province]

The incidence of riboflavin deficiency is high in women and children in developing countries and the deficiency almost invariably occurs in combination with deficiencies of other water soluble vitamins. The objective of this study was the assessment of riboflavin status of rural school children in Kerman province and its relationship with riboflavin, protein and energy intake. In this cross-sectional study, 327 primary school children were randomly selected by the stratified multistage cluster sampling method. Variables for classifications were sex and socio-economic status [according to the educational level]. This study was conducted by the Department of Nutrition and Biochemistry of School of Public Health in Tehran University in the winter of 2001. A twenty-four hour recall questionnaire was completed by and 5 cc of venous blood was taken from each student. Riboflavin status was assessed by measuring the glutathione reductase activity coefficient [EGR - AC] of the red blood cells. Chi-Square and Pearson's correlation coefficient tests were used to determine correlations. Student's t-test was used to show the differences in the mean of EGR - AC between the classifications of independent factors. The relationship between riboflavin status and its independent variables including the status of riboflavin, protein and calorie intake were assessed. Outputs of the study indicated that 39.7% of the boys and 43.6% of the girls [41.8% together] were marginally riboflavin deficient. Furthermore, 37.7% of the boys, 33.4% of the girls [35.4% together] were frankly riboflavin deficient. An average of 67.2% of the children [70.1% boys, 63.7% girls] had enough intake of riboflavin, and 76.2% of the children [79.9%, boys, 72.5% girls] had adequate intake of protein. However, only 22% of the children [24.5% boys, 19.3% girls] had sufficient caloric intake. Outputs of this dietary evaluation reveal that there is a relationship between riboflavin status and protein intake status [P<0.05]. This study shows that riboflavin deficiency is an important problem for the rural school children of Kerman province and the level of protein intake is an important factor affecting riboflavin status in these children

[Effects of combination of vitamin E and nicotinic acid on serum lipids and apoproteins of hypertriglyceridemic hemodialyzed patients]

Oxidative stress and lipid abnormalities are two major risk factors for development of atherosclerosis among hemodialyzed patients. Administrating of Lipidnormalising agents, solely or in combination together, can not correct all lipid abnormalities in hemodialyzed patients. The present study, therefore, was desinged to evaluate the effects of combination therapy of vitamin E and tolerable doses of nicotinic acid on serum lipids and apoproteins in hypertriglyceridemic hemodialyzed patients. The study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Thirty-nine hemodialyzed patients with fasting triglyceride range between 230 and 500 mg/dl were randomly assigned into three groups, receiving combination of vitamin E [600mg/d] and nicotinic acid [500mg/d], nicotinic acid alone [500mg/d], and placebo, respectively. All patients received their supplements for 13 weeks. The blood samples were collected after a 12 to 14-hour duration of fasting at the beginning of the study, followed by other samplings performed at the end of sixth and thirteenth weeks, respectively, and serum lipids and apoproteins were measured. accordingly. During the study, the mean serum triglyceride level was significantly reduced in the group receiving combination therapy of vitamin E and nicotinic acid, compared to the placebo group. Compared to that of placebo group, mean serum HDL-C levels were significantly increased two groups of combination therapy, and nicotinic acid alone, although LDL-C/HDL-C ratios were significantly decreased. There was no significant difference in the means of total cholesterol of serum, LDL-C, apoAI, apoB100 and Lp[a] between three groups. It is concluded that combination therapy of vitamin E and nicotinic acid in hypertriglyceridemic hemodialyzed patients can result in improvement in almost every lipid abnormalities, but except high levels of Lp[a]

[Iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women in Eslamshahr]

Anemia in pregnancy is a significant public health problem especially in developing countries. Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy may lead to increased risks of preterm delivery, Low birth weight and still birth. This study was undertaken to detect iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women referring to health care centers of Eslamshahr/Iran. In this study, 266 selected pregnant women were divided into three groups of 1[st] trimester [n=58], 2[nd] trimester [n=73] and 3[rd] trimester [n=135] and their venous blood samples were collected for the determination of Hemoglobin [Hb], Hematocrit [Hc], MCV, serum iron, TIBC, Transferrin saturation [TS] and serum ferritin. Data were collected by using a general information questionnaire and daily intake of energy; protein and iron were estimated by using 24hr dietary recall questionnaire. Data were analyzed by frequency, mean and standard deviation and Chi square tests, Anova and Tukey HSD. Comparing to the normal levels, in the first trimester 1.7%, 40.4%, in second trimester 5.7%, 49.7%, and in the third trimester 2.8%, 54.5%, of pregnant women were deficient in Hb and Serum iron respectively. Also in the first trimester 54.5%, in the second trimester 10.4% and in the third trimester 22.7% of pregnant women were deficient in daily iron intake, respectively.The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in the studied population is high. Hb determination is not enough to detect iron deficiency anemia and ferritin determination is necessary to asses iron stores. Moreover, iron supplements cannot completely treat anemia