[Risk factors of growth faltering among 3-36 months old children in Ahwaz, Iran]

Malnutrition is defined as nutritional disorders or unfavourable health status that can be the result of overconsumption or underconsumption of one or more nutrients. The causes of malnutrition are complex, multidimensional, and population specific. United Nations Children's Fund [UNICEF] has adapted a conceptual framework for facilitating researchers in determining the causes of malnutrition in each area. The aim of this study was to determine some risk factors of growth faltering among 3-36 month old children in Ahwaz, Iran. This case-control study was conducted on 180 children 3-36 months old in Ahwaz. The subjects were children whose growth curves were horizontal or downward for at least two recent consecutive months. The controls were children with upward growth curves. Data collection was done by face to face interview, family file at the health centers, and direct measurements [mainly for anthropometric measurements]. Data analyses were performed by SPSS software. Moreover, chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Student's t-test, and logistic regression were statistical tests which were used according to the type and distribution of the variables. From household variables, the number of family members [P=0.013], number of siblings [P=0.012], and mother's educational level [P=0.019] showed significant association with growth faltering. Among child variables, the child's age [P<0.001], child's birth order [P=0.031], and birth interval with the next child [P=0.004] had significant relationships with growth faltering. Of the child health care variables, the mother's child care status [P=0.017], and the mother's nutritional knowledge [P=0.006] had significant relationships with growth faltering. Finally, the pattern of child nutrition [P<0.001], and the age of starting weaning [P < 0.001] showed significant differences between the two groups. This study revealed that the child nutritional pattern, number of family members, number of siblings, child's age, child's birth order, birth interval with the next child, mother's educational level, mother's child care status, mother's nutritional knowledge, and the age of starting weaning were related to child malnutrition in Ahwaz. Therefore, appropriate intervention strategies, according to these findings, should be considered by health and other relevant sectors in order to control the problem of childhood malnutrition

[Relationship between fish consumption and decreased breast cancer risk]

Numerous animals models have shown the inhibitory effects of fish oil on tumor growth, due to its long - chain omega - 3 fatty acids. The association between fish intake and breast cancer was investigated in this case - control study. This retrospective study involved 197 women with breast cancer and 197 healthy subjects as control. Data were collected by questionnaires concerning demographic data, reproductive as well as breast cancer - related risk factors and a food frequency questionnaire. Information about fish intake one year prior to the disease onset was collected through the questionnaire. Qualitative variables and age were tested through chi square and Mann- Whitney statistical tests, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was used for final data analysis. The mean and standard deviation of age in case and control groups were 46.03 +/- 9.03 and 43.47 +/- 7.9 years, respectively. According to the final data analysis, shrimp [p=0.01] and tuna fish [p=0.002] intake were significantly influential in decreasing breast cancer risk. There was no significant association between breast cancer risk and total fish intake, its preparation and source [cultivated vs. marine]. There was no association between total fish intake, its source and/or preparation method and breast cancer. However, different fish species, shrimp intake, and use of conserved fish were important in reducing breast cancer risk

[Effect of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative stress markers following 30 minutes moderate intensity exercise in healthy young women]

There is no convincing evidence about the role of vitamin C in preventing exercise induced oxidative stress. The aim of this double blind randomized controlled trial was to determine the effect of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative stress, following 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise. Forty-nine healthy, young female university students were randomly assigned into the 500 mg/day vitamin C supplement [n=25] and the placebo [n=24] groups for two weeks. Before supplementation and on the day after the intervention period, fasting blood samples were taken. Then all participants ran [5-6 km/h] for 30 minutes. A third set blood samples were taken at the end of exercise. Plasma malondialdehyde [MDA] and vitamin C were measured with the HPLC method. Plasma total glutathione was measured with the glutathione assay kit. No significant differences were observed in the demographics, vitamin C intakes before intervention between groups at baseline. Plasma MDA levels decreased and plasma total glutathione increased significantly in both groups. No significant differences were observed between groups after exercise. There were significant differences in plasma vitamin C concentrations after intervention and exercise between groups. Vitamin C supplementation [500 mg/day] for two weeks does not affect oxidative stress markers following moderate intensity exercise in healthy young women

[Effects of whey protein supplementation on hematological parameters after resistance exercise in healthy young athletes]

Physical activity causes changes in hematological parameters in athletes which finally result in cessation off their exercises, an issue that should be given attention. There is limited data available about the effects of protein supplements, containing amino acids and other useful substances, on hematological parameters of resistance to exercise in athletes. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of whey protein supplementation, after resistance to exercise in healthy athletes. In this clinical trial, changes of hematological parameters were studied after one month exercise training and whey protein supplementation in 32 healthy volunteers [16 treated cases 16 control placeboes]. Each day, whey protein supplemental 6.6 g/day] and placebo [same dose, starch] were consumed between meals, by the volunteers. Every one exercised with 80% 1RM, basically on stationary circuit principal, for one hour a day, five days a week. Before and after beginning of study, fasting blood specimens were taken and WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, PLT and percent of white blood cells were measured separately. Statistical analyses were carried out using Student t- test and paired t-test [SPSS version 15]. Levels of WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, PLT, MCHC in two groups significantly [P<0.05] decreased, but there was no difference between two groups. MCV increased in the groups, but again there was no difference between them. MCH and percent of lymphocytes were unchanged in both groups. In the supplement group, the percentages of the neutrophils and other white blood cells showed no significant changes, but in the placebo group, there were significantly increased and decreased, respectively. However there was no significant difference between the two groups in the percentage of white blood cells, separately. The present study showed that one month of Whey protein supplementation with 6.6 g/day is ineffective on hematological parameters changes after resistance to exercise. Further studies, with different dosages and longer periods of time are recommended

[Effect of calcium supplementation on the lipid profiles of overweight or obese women: a double blind randomized clinical trial]

There is some evidence suggesting a probable beneficial effect of calcium intake on serum lipid profile. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of 1000 mg calcium supplementation for 30 days on serum lipid profiles in overweight or obese women. A double blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in 44 overweight or obese adult women [Body mass index >/= 25 kg/m2, age: 25 +/- 6 years] randomly assigned to the calcium [receiving 1000 mg elemental calcium per day] or the placebo group. Serum lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins including triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, ApoA-I and Apo B were obtained at baseline and after the intervention period. Freidwald equation was used to calculate LDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol was calculated from TG divided by 5. Dietary calcium and energy intake were estimated using 24 hour recall for 3 days. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software [version 9]. P values < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. No significant differences were observed in dietary, anthropometric and serum variables between the two groups at the baseline. Although all serum total-, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides tended to increase in both study groups, total cholesterol elevation was only significant in the placebo group [p=0.01], and triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol only showed significant increase in the calcium group [p=0.03]. LDL cholesterol elevation was significant in both groups [p<0.05] HDL cholesterol decreased significantly in both groups [p<0.01]. Apolipoproteins did not change significantly in the study groups. No significant differences were observed in serum variables between groups after intervention. In the present study short term calcium supplementation in overweight or obese women's showed no beneficial effect on lipid profiles. Because of the limited studies available, further studies are recommended

[Validation study of height-weight difference index [HWDI] for screening underweight and obesity and obesity status in Tehranian adults]

Body mass index [BMI] is the most common index for assessing weight status of adults, at both individual and population levels. However, calculating BMI without an instrument is quite difficult and time consuming. The objective of this study was to test whether the proposed new and simple height weight difference index [HWDI] is valid for screening different weight status. The data, obtained from adult participants of Tehran lipid and glucose study [TLGS] were used for this cross-sectional study. Height and weight of 10723 [4555 male, 6168 female] 18 to 70 year old subjects were used for calculating BMI [weight in kg, divided by height squared in meters] and HWDI [height in cm, minus weight in kg]. Linear regression was used to determine the relationship between BMI and HWDI, and Kappa statistic was used to test the agreement between the indices. There was an inverse strong relationship between BMI and HWDI [r=-0.98, p<0.0001]. Cut-off points for different weight status, according to HWDI, based on current BMI references, were calculated by the prediction formula: HWDI = 163.4-2.67 BMI. HWDI had high sensitivity and specificity for obesity at all levels, and Kappa test, showed an excellent agreement between the two indices. Specificity of HWDI was high for total thin subjects, but sensitivity and Kappa for grades 1 and 2 thinness was low. Although a high sensitivity was observed for grade 3 thinness, Kappa was low for the grade 3 thinness. While considering all thin subjects all together, there was a high sensitivity and specificity, and a good agreement. HWDI can be used as an applied and simple index for diagnosis of different grades of obesity from normal status. Although the index can not determine different grades of thinness, but is useful to diagnose the status as a whole