[ association of food security and dietary variety in subjects aged over 40 in district 13 of Tehran]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between food security and food variety in a population, aged over 40 years. From among the non-diabetic population, aged over 40 years of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, 200 subjects were selected randomly to complete the household food security questionnaire and were divided into four groups including high food security, food security border, low food security, and very low food security. Demographic, anthropometric and dietary intake data of each subject were collected and the dietary diversity score [DDS] was determined based on five food groups of the food guide pyramid. Mean +/- SD for DDS of subjects was 4.94 +/- 1.35, and in the high food security group was significantly higher than in the food insecurity group [the other 3 groups]. Mean +/- SD for food security in the first quartile of DDS [3.04 +/- 1.95] was higher than in the third [1.94 +/- 2.1, P=0.005] and fourth quartiles [2.22 +/- 2.2, P=0.043]. The lowest and highest percentages of subjects with high food security were in the first and third quartiles of DDS, respectively. After adjusting sex, age, body mass index, energy intake, job and marital status, the odds of being in the lowest quartile of fruits variety for high food security group was 73% lower than for the low food security group. An inverse correlation was observed between food security score with the DDS [r=-0.42, P=0.012], the fruits variety score [r=-0.45, P=0.004], and the vegetables variety score [r=-0.37, P=0.046]. Dietary diversity as an indicator of a healthy diet is associated with food security and increases food security results in dietary diversity, especially in fruit and vegetable varieties

[Study of the general mental health status in an area of Tehran: Tehran lipid and glucose study [TLGS]]

There are significant correlations between the mental health status of individuals and non-communicable mental or physical diseases. Epidemiological data regarding mental health indices plays an important part in the planning and designing of mental health programs. This study was conducted to evaluate the general mental health status of inhabitants in an area of Tehran as part of the TLGS. Materials and Method: In this cross-sectional study, 927 residents [20 years and older] of a specific area were randomly selected. Subjects completed the demographic data forms alongwith the General Health Questionnaires [GHQ], validated for the Iranian population. A cut off of 6 and above was used as threshold to identify the group suspected of having psychiatric disorders. To compare the scores of total GHQ and subscales between different demographic variables, the Chi square, Mann whitney and Kruskal wallis test were used. Logistic regression was used to identify variables related to the group that scored above threshold. The total sample studied consisted of 927 adults, of whom 401 [43.3%] were males and 526 [56.7%] females. Among them 489 [52.8%] were suspected of having psychiatric disorders. Mean score of total GHQ was 7.0 +/- 5.4 and regarding the subscales of the questionnaire including physical symptoms, anxiety and sleep disorders, social dysfunction and depression, mean scores were 1.2 +/- 1.7, 1.7 +/- 2.0, 3.4 +/- 2.0, 0.75 +/- 1.4 respectively and the median of mentioned subscales were 0, 1, 3 and 0 respectively. Frequency of women suspected of mental disorders was significantly higher than that of men [59.7% vs. 43.6%, p<0.001]. Taking into consideration the sample group and the method of gathering data, the frequency of those suspected of having psychiatric disorders in our study was higher as compared to other studies. Since mental health plays an important role in health promotion and community development, as well as the financial and psychological burden of illnesses, inplementation of policies in regard to implementation of related programs for prevention especially in women, seems vital

[ contribution of dietary macronutrients on waist circumference of 3-13 years old children, Tehran lipid and glucose study [TLGS]]

The increased prevalence of pediatric obesity in Iran, and its associated morbidity, with its proven correlation with abdominal adiposity, is assessed by waist circumference[WC]. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of obesity among macronutrient intakes in a group of Tehranian children. 343 children aged 5-13 years [194 boys, 149 girls] were randomly recruited among participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Body size was measured based on the McCarthy et al. survey. Children with WC of over 90th percentiles were considered overweight. Dietary intake data were assessed by trained interviewers using two non-consecutive 24-hour recalls. Under-reporters of energy intake were excluded from the study. Dietary composition was assessed in terms of calorie-adjusted amount of macronutrients intake and absolute dietary intakes. They were entered in multiple regression models controlling for confounding variables and mutual effects of other macronutrients. The average WCs of children 5-8 y and 9-13 y were 52.9 +/- 5.6 and 62.9 +/- 10.1 cm, respectively. Prevalence of overweight in girls did not differ significantly from boys. Absolute and adjusted dietary protein intakes were positively associated with WC in 5-8 y old boys and girls, respectively [beta=0.63, p<0.001 and beta= 0.55, p<0.001]. In girls, only the absolute amount of fat intake contributed to WC [beta=0.32 p<0.001 and beta=0.3, p<0.01]. Energy-adjusted and absolute amounts of carbohydrate intake were found to be negatively associated with WC in boys [beta= -0.23 up to -0.3, p<0.001]. The results demonstrated a positive association between protein intake and WC in 5-8 y children, whereas only absolute amounts of fat intake were positively associated with obesity in girls. Pediatric abdominal obesity was found to be inversely correlated with carbohydrate intake