[Validity of telephone versus face-to-face interviews in the assessment of bread consumption pattern]

There are different methods to assess dietary intake in the community. Accurate and appropriate methods, rather than costly and time-consuming ones, are good alternatives to assess dietary intake. The aim of this study was to analyze the validity of telephone and face-to-face interviews, in determination of bread-consumption pattern. A randomized and stratified multi-stage sampling method was used to select 2312 participating households within the Tehran metropolitan area. The study [research] was carried out in two individual and household levels, using 24 hours recall and purchase frequency questionnaire. The same 24 hour recall and purchase frequency questionnaires were used at both individual and household level. At household and individual level, the correlation coefficients between the two methods were 0.64 and 0.60, respectively [p<0.001]. Mean difference of intake of bread between the methods at individual level was 16-21 g/day and at household level was 3-4 g/person/day, statistically not significant. Our findings suggest that a telephone survey can provide a reliable estimation of actual bread intake at both individual and household level. This method is important considering its cost and needed time

Nutritional assessment for primary school children in Tehran: an evaluation of dietary pattern with emphasis on snacks and meals consumption

In order to provide better advice for prevention of obesity and eating disorders among children, there is a need to have more knowledge of their dietary patterns. This study examined meal and snacking patterns of primary school children in Tehran. A total of 761 male and female primary school children from all educational areas in Tehran were recruited in a cross sectional survey. The data was collected by interviewing the students and their mothers or caregivers. Information on food consumption patterns was collected by one 24-h-recall and one snack-oriented food frequency questionnaire which covered a period of 1 month. Means, standard deviations, frequencies, percentages, energy and nutrient analyzes and nutrient densities were reported. All of the students snacked at least once on the day of the survey. Snacks provided 38% of total energy intake by the students. Fruits and sweet snacks were consumed by almost all of the students during a week. Energy and most nutrient intakes from meals were greater than those consumed from snacks. Snacks had a higher density of fiber, carbohydrate, calcium, iron, vitamin C, riboflavin and thiamin and had a lower density of protein, fat and niacin, compared with main meals. Salty snacks such as extruded cheese curls [Cheetos] and chips were not consumed so often. Results provide detailed information about dietary patterns, which in turn enable development of targeted messages and/or interventions to improve nutritional status of school children

Dietary pattern of adolescent girls in relation to socio-economic factors; a comparison between North and South Tehran

Comparing dietary pattern and related socio-economic factors among adolescent girls in the North and South of Tehran, the capital of Iran. This cross-sectional and analytical study 210 adolescent girls, aged 14-17 years, from high schools in the North district of Tehran [n=105; high socio-economic level] and the South district [n=105; low socio-economic level] were selected by the two-step, cluster random sampling method. Demographic data, including mothers´ and fathers´ educational levels and parents´ occupation were gathered, using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Three questionnaires of food frequency, one-day 24-hour food recall and one-day 24-hour food record were used for assessing dietary pattern. The results showed that the frequency consumption of certain fatty foods, including dairy products and meat group, and fats in district 1 are higher than in district 19 adolescent girls; based on many differences such as life style and food accessibility. This indicated that there is a significant difference in the quality pattern of fat intake between the two districts. It is suggested to design and implement nutritional intervention programs for adolescent girls, particularly in the low socio- economic districts

Nutritional status and dietary intake among adolescent girls

Nutritional status during adolescence plays an important role in human lifecycle. The aim of this study was Nutritional status and dietary intake among adolescent girls. In a cross sectional study, using two stage cluster sampling 256 adolescent girls were randomly selected from 8 Semnan secondary schools. Weight and height were measured and body mass index [BMI] was calculated. In adolescents, anthropometric indices were defined based on the CDC 2000 cut-off points for age and gender-specific BMI. Data of energy and nutrient intake was collected with the 24-hour dietary recall and food record questionnaires. The results showed that the prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese was 5.7%, 77.7%, 11.7%, and 4.7% in Semnan adolescent girls, respectively. In comparison with DRI recommended values, the intake of energy and some micronutrients such as vitamin B12, folate, calcium, zinc, and fiber was insufficient among adolescent girls in Semnan. Malnutrition [underweight and overweight] is higher than the expected rate. Findings of our study showed that micronutrients deficiency among adolescent girls is a major problem among adolescent girls in Semnan and prevention measures are necessary to induct

nutrition knowledge level of physicians, nurses and nutritionists in some educational hospitals

Nutritional care is an important part of medical care of patients and plays a key role in improvement, prevention and control of malnutrition in hospitals. The current study aimed to determine the nutrition knowledge level of doctors, nurses and nutritionists in some teaching hospitals in Tehran in 2008. In a cross-sectional study a total of 198 samples including 28 nutritionists, 81 nurses and 89 physicians were selected using simple random sampling. The current study was conducted in 9 hospitals affiliated with the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences [SBMU] in Tehran. A self-administered multiple choice questionnaire about different aspects of basic and clinical nutrition was completed. Then nutrition knowledge levels of each individual was determined by calculating correct knowledge, perceived knowledge and accuracy of knowledge scores. The median knowledge score of the nutritionists, physicians, and nurses was 85%,77%, and 75%, respectively. The median perceived knowledge of all the groups was above 90%. The mean accuracy score in the 3 groups of nutritionists, physicians and nurses was 87%,79%, and 76%, respectively. The results indicated that all groups have a poor knowledge, especially in clinical nutrition topics. Based on the current results, knowledge level of clinical staff is an effective factor in not paying attention to the importance of nutritional care as a part of medical care of the patients. Enhancing awareness level of all groups especially physicians and nutritionists in clinical division plays an important role in enhancing clinical nutrition care and treatment regime

Parental determinants of overweight and obesity in Iranian adolescents: a national study

Overweight among adolescents is not only an important public health problem but also a problem affecting economic growth in developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the parental determinants of overweight and obesity in Iranian adolescents at national level. This cross sectional study was conducted within the framework of the Comprehensive Study on Household Food Consumption Patterns and Nutritional Status of IR Iran during 2001-2003. In adolescents, anthropometric indices were defined based on the CDC 2000 cut-off points for age and gender-specific body mass index [BMI]. Parental characteristics were collected by questionnaire. Among the 7158 participating households, data on 7908 adolescents aged 11-19 years [3750 girls and 4158 boys] was analyzed. The prevalence of overweight [85-94th percentile] in boys and girls was 6.2%, and 8.7%, respectively. The prevalence of obesity [>/= 95th percentile] among boys and girls was similar [3.3%]. Parents' weight status, father's job and parents' education showed significant association with weight status in adolescents. Logistic regression analysis showed that parental overweight and obesity, parental education and father's job were the main parental determinants of overweight and obesity in Iranian adolescents. Parental overweight and obesity, parental education and father's job seem to be the major parental determinants of overweight in Iranian adolescents. Future prevention programs must take these risk factors into account

[Overweight, obesity and some related socio-economic factors among adolescent girls in Tehran, Iran]

To compare obesity, overweight and related socio-economic factors among adolescent girls in the North and South areas of Tehran, the capital of Iran, in 2005. This cross-sectional and analytical study 210 adolescent girls, aged 14-17 years, from high schools in the North area of Tehran [n=105; high socio-economic level] and the South area [n=105; low socio-economic level] were selected by the two-step, cluster random sampling method. Demographic data, including mothers_ and fathers_ educational levels and parents_ jobs were gathered, using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Food intake data were obtained by a one-day 24- hour recall and a one- day food record. Weight and height were measured based on standard methods and Body Mass 85 th >/= Index [BMI] were calculated. Overweight + obesity were defined as a BMI percentile of age - sex specific BMI. The prevalence of overweight +obesity was observed in 15.2% of the girls in the North area and 26.7% of the South area, the difference being significant [P= 0.001]. Mean of energy, fat and energy derived from fat were 1964 kcal, 72.0 gr and 34.1% in North area and 2288 kcal, 83.1 gr and 34.4% in South area, respectively. There was a significant correlation between BMI of the girls and mothers' literacy in the North area. Obesity + overweight were significantly correlated with mothers' job among girls in the South area. Evidence suggests that overweight and obesity in Tehran, especially among female adolescents of a low socioeconomic level, is a public health problem. It is suggested to design and implement nutritional intervention programs for adolescent girls, particularly in the low socio- economic areas