[ relationship between the level of physical activity and some risk factors of coronary heart disease in the university students]

Attention to the activity level of the University students, planning on sport activitis as well as providing appropriate facilities for them is a fundamental necessity. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of activity level in the male and female students at Sanandaj Islamic Azad University and provide some approches to increase the activity level in order to decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Sixty University students participated in this semi-experimental study. Sampling method was randomized allocation. The level of activity was recorded in a questionnaire for every student. Blood tests, blood pressure and other measurements were performed. Then the variables of this study such as percentage of body fat, fat mass, blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride were measured. Using SPSS software, the collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Student's t-test. p=0.05 was considered significant. The level of activity had a negative correlation with percentage of body fat, fat mass, cholestrol TC, blood LDL-C, body mass index of the male and female students as well as systolic blood pressure of the female students [r=0.78, P

Risk factors of non-communicable diseases and metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a common metabolic disorder, which leads to early Cardio Vascular Disease and diabetes type II. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its risk factors in Kurdistan, Iran. The data was extracted from provincial section of Iranian national non-communicable surveillance survey conducted in 2005. The study was a population-based survey with multi-stage cluster sampling method. Adult Treatment Panel-III measures were used for assessing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among residents of Kurdistan Province aged 25 to 64 yr. EPI-Info 6 was used to enter the data and the data was analyzed using SPSS 11.5. Totally, 1194 participants were recruited in our survey. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 29.1%. The prevalence was 41.3% among women and 17.1% among men [P= 0.001]. As we go higher among age groups, the prevalence increases. This is the first study to investigate the metabolic syndrome in Kurdistan and Kurd ethnicity. The high level of metabolic syndromes prevalence especially among women shows the need and importance of suitable and effective preventive programs. These preventive programs must promote changes in lifestyle, especially with respect to nutrition, physical activities, and control of blood pressure

[Investigation of the risk factors for congenital hypothyroidism in the newborns in Kurdistan Province]

Congenital hypothyroidism is one of the important preventable causes of mental retardation in newborns. Incidence of congenital hypothyroidism in Kurdistan province is more than its mean Incidence in Iran and in the world. The present study was performed to identify the risk factors for congenital hypothyroidism in Kurdistan province. This case - control study included all the newborns with TSH screening tests >10 mIU/l in Kurdistan Province. Another group of neonates were selected as our control group. Analysis was performed by means of chi-square, t- test and logistic regression. Our study included 105 patients, 66 [62.9%] boys and 39 [37.1%] girls. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in regard to weight, height, head circumference, mother's BMI and maternal parity. Univariate analysis revealed that family history of thyroid diseases had a significant relationship with congenital hypothyroidism in the newborns [P= 0.019]. However multivariate analysis showed no significant association between the factors in our study and risk of congenital hypothyroidism. A history of thyroid disease among family members may be associated with congenital hypothyroidism. Therefore, family history of thyroid diseases should be regarded as a risk factor and included in the maternal control program

[Application of the health promotion model in studying physical activity behavior of students in Sanandaj, Iran]

There is evidence that physical activity declines during adolescence in Western countries. However, this pattern has not yet been shown in Iranian youth. The purpose of this study was to detect changes in physical activity behaviors, psychological factors [including perceived benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy], and interpersonal influences associated with exercise behavior during the transition from secondary school to high school in Sanandaj, Iran. The data on a group of high school students in Sanadaj were collected in a cross-sectional study in 2006, with a follow-up in 2009. The study population in 2009 included 844 students [51% males and 49% females] with a mean age of 16.42 +/- 1.73 years. Data on physical activity-related perceived benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, and interpersonal influences, as well as physical activity behavior, was collected, using self-reporting questionnaires. The SPSS-16 software was used for data analysis. The test of time effects indicated significant differences between the 2 sexes as regards physical activity and most of the psychological variables and interpersonal influences associated with exercise activities. The girls had less physical activity than boys at both time points. The duration of moderate physical activity at the first time point was 31.82 and 53.75 minutes for girls and boys, respectively; the corresponding values at the follow-up were 23.7 and 44.7 minutes. Girls had lower self-efficacy and fewer perceived benefits and more perceived barriers for physical activity over time. The correlation test indicated more stability of family interpersonal influences for girls than for boys. The results of this study provide evidence for decreased physical activity in boys and girls and sex differences in cognitive variables and interpersonal influences