Overweight, obesity, and its associated factors in adult women referring to health centers in Shiraz in 2013-2014

Background: Obesity is one of the major health problems in the world; in this regard Iran is not an exception. The present study was conducted to investigate the overweight, obesity, and its related factors in adult women who referred to health centers in Shiraz, Iran

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 240 women who referred to health centers and aged 18-65 years old were selected through multi-stage random sampling, in 2013-2014. Height, weight, as well as waist and hip circumferences were measured, participants' body mass index [BMI] and waist to hip ratio [WHR] were also calculated. The questionnaire of demographic factors, physical activity, and food frequency were completed

Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity based on BMI was 29.2% and 13.8%, respectively. The mean of WHR was 0.89 +/- 0.06 and based on this index, 79.2% of the participants had visceral obesity. There was a direct correlation between BMI and age, number of children, labor, energy, and fat intake. However, the correlation between BMI and physical activity, age of marriage, and protein intake was inverse [P < 0.05]. No meaningful correlation was found between BMI and marital status, occupation, education level, income level, metropolitan area, smoking, and history of parental obesity. Based on logistic regression modeling, menopause, high energy intake, and low physical activity were associated factors of overweight and obesity [P < 0.05]

Conclusions: Generally, despite extensive programs of public education, there is an alarming prevalence rate of both generalized as well as central overweight and obesity in the present study

Validity Assessment of the Persian Version of the Nordic Safety Climate Questionnaire (NOSACQ-50): A Case Study in a Steel Company

BACKGROUND: The Nordic Safety Climate Questionnaire-50 (NOSACQ-50) was developed by a team of Nordic occupational safety researchers based on safety climate and psychological theories. The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Persian version of NOSACQ-50 and assess the score of safety climate on a group of workers in a steel company in Iran. METHODS: The Persian version of NOSACQ-50 was distributed among 661 employees of a steel company in Qazvin Province (Iran). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis were used to determine the dimensions of the questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach α coefficient. Pearson correlation test was applied to investigate the correlation between different dimensions. RESULTS: The results of EFA showed that the Persian version of NOSACQ-50 consisted of six dimensions. The Cronbach α coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.94. The mean score of safety climate in all dimensions was 2.89 (standard deviation 0.60). CONCLUSION: The Persian version of NOSACQ-50 had a satisfactory validity for measuring safety climate in the studied Iranian population.

Prevalence of androgenic alopecia in 14- to 18-year-old female high school students in Shiraz

Androgenic alopecia is one of the most common dermatological disorders. Hormonal and genetic factors determine the incidence of alopecia, j Androgenic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss. It is progressive and symmetric in both sexes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of androgenic alopecia in 14- to 18-year-old female high school students in Shiraz. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 3190 14- to 18-year-old female high school students in Shiraz. A questionnaire was designed to collect personal information and record clinical features of androgenic alopecia. Moderate and severe hair losses were defined as alopcia. For evaluation of alopecia associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, total and free testosterone blood levels were measured and abdominal ultrasound was performed. The collected data were described and analyzed through performing chi-square, Fisher's exact and and t tests using SPSS. 135 [4.2%] of participants had moderate to severe alopecia according to Ludwig's classification. No statistically significant correlation was observed in the mean of eather total or free testosterone levels between patients with androgenic alopecia, and those without [P>0.05]. There was no statistical significant association between alpocia and polycystic ovary existence [P=0.2]. This study did not show a statistically significant relationship between patients with alopecia and androgenic hormones and polycystic ovary syndrome

[Frequency of facial and body acne in 14- to 18- year-old female high school students and its relationship to polycystic ovary syndrome]

Adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome concern about weight gain, menstrual irregularities, acne and hirsutism. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of facial and trunkal lesions of acne in 14- to 18-year-old high school students with polycystic ovary syndrome in Shiraz in 2009. In this cross-sectional study, 3189 14- to 18-year-old female students were enrolled. Using questionnaires, data on personal information, clinical features and laboratory findings of hyperandrogenism and results of ultrasound examination were collected. Severity of acne was classified as mild, moderate and severe, based on the type and number of the lesions. Chi-squared and independent t tests were used for comparing proportions and means, respectively. The prevalence of severe acne was 5%. Mean total testosterone in individuals with severe acne was higher in comparison with those without acne. Severity of facial and trunkal acne were associated with polycystic ovaries [P<0.05]. Mean level of luteinizing hormone [LH] was higher in those without acne than in those with severe acne [P >0.05]. Associations between severity of facial and trunkal acne lesions and polycystic ovaries were observed. Considering the undesirbale effects of acne on quality of life, hormonal screening and ultrasound examination in girls with moderate acne is recommended