Women's behaviors and views on home food safety in Tehran: a qualitative study

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the food safety knowledge and behavior of housewives in the city of Tehran, Iran in 2015

Materials and Methods: In this qualitative study 12 Focus Group Discussions by directed content analysis method [n= 96], were conducted among the women who were responsible for food handling in their households in 10 health centers. Each session was held with 7-10 participants, and their voices were recorded. The final transcripts were read to obtain categories until developing themes by using constant comparison method

Results: Three categories in nine themes were emerged as follows: 1] Personal hygiene and poisoning [Washing hands as priority in personal hygiene]; 2] Food safety, preparation and storage [Inadequate knowledge about proper time for boiling raw milk, Lack of awareness about temperature of refrigerator, Incorrect storage of food in the refrigerator, Storage of unwashed and unpacked eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, Thawing frozen raw meat and chicken at room temperature, Incorrect separation and sanitization of cutting boards for fresh vegetables, raw meat, chicken, and Inappropriate washing of fresh leafy vegetables]; and 3] Safety of cooked foods [Improper reheating of leftover foods]

Conclusions: The findings of this study illustrated that there was lack of knowledge about food safety. It was evident that the majority of the participants were not familiar with appropriate practices to prevent cross contamination and food handling. Therefore, home food safety education should be conducted for housewives

Household milk consumption and its socio-economic associates in West Azarbayejan province, North-west Iran

Background and Objectives: according to the available evidence, consumption of milk and other dairy products among Iranians is far less than recommendations. The share of different milks [i.e., traditionally vs. industrially processed] and its associated variables are, however, neither consistent nor fully known in different Provinces

Materials and Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted to determine household milk consumption and its association with selected socio-demographic factors in West Azerbaijan Province, North-west Iran. A total of 650 households were selected from urban and rural areas in three major Azeri and Kurdish districts [i.e. Urmia, Khoy and Mahabad] using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Data were collected using socioeconomic and milk frequency questionnaires

Results: the findings indicated that traditionally-processed milk [bulk] was the most common milk consumed at household level [62.5%]. Mean of bulk milk consumption in urban and rural areas was 479+/-23 and 730+/-64 ml/wk per capita, respectively. It was also shown that establishment of the new food subsidization policy has decreased the mean of household milk consumption by approximately 3 l/wk in urban areas. Factor analysis detected a significant decrease in the higher tertiles of family size/ethnicity score consumption of both bulk and pasteurized milk, which resulted in decreased consumption of total milk

Conclusions: designing and implementation of alternative approaches, such as targeted milk subsidies for poor households or vulnerable age-groups should be considered

Determinants of stunting in school-aged children of Tehran, Iran

Limited data are available indicating associates of stunting among Iranian children. This study was conducted to investigate determinants of stunting in first grade primary school children of Tehran in 2007. In this case-control study, 3147 school children were selected by multistage cluster random sampling method from 5 districts of Tehran. Anthropometric measurements were done and stunting was defined as height for age less than the 5[th] percentile of CDC2000 cut-off points. Eighty six stunted children were identified and considered as case group. After matching for age, sex and residence area, 308 non-stunted children were randomly selected as control group. Required data were collected by trained nutritionists using questionnaires. Stunting was prevalent among 3.7% of the study population [girls 4.4% vs. boys 2.8%, P < 0.05]. Mean age of the studied children was 82.3 month. Children with a birth weight of >3000 g were less likely to be stunted [OR: 0.25: 95% CI: 0.11-0.54] compared with those with a birth weight of <3000 g. Being born to older mothers [>35 years] was associated with greater odds of being stunted [3.01; 1.19-7.60] compared with being born to younger mothers [<35 years]. Those with fathers' height of >160 cm were less likely to be stunted [0.04; 0.005-0.37] than those whose fathers' height was less than 160 cm. We found that birth weight, maternal age and fathers' height are the major contributing factors to stunting in this group of Iranian children. Taking into account the determinants of stunting might help policy makers designing appropriate interventions

Family-based intervention for controlling childhood obesity: an experience among Iranian children

Treatment of childhood obesity is difficult, and successful management may differ in various areas with different cultural backgrounds. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of lifestyle modification family-based intervention in young Iranian children. This field trial study was conducted in 2011 among 156 obese children in Tehran, Iran. They were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. At baseline, anthropometric measurements and biochemical analysis were performed. The second and third phases consisted of training sessions for parents of the intervention group. At the fourth phase, there was no training program. In all four phases, questionnaires on demographic characteristics, lifestyle and food frequency were completed by interviewing with mothers, and biochemical analysis was repeated at the end of the study. During the second and third phases of the study, weight and height increased significantly in both groups, although weight increased more slowly, and waist and hip circumferences was decreased in the intervention group. Serum triglycerides and cholesterol decreased significantly in the intervention group [P < 0.05]. Analysis of food group consumption showed that in the intervention group, not only consumption of milk, dairy and nuts group increased significantly but also the corresponding figure decreased for bread and cereals, sugar and confectionery ingredients; moreover, the family's oil and fat consumption decreased significantly [P < 0.05]. Watching TV and playing on the computer decreased significantly in the intervention group; however, walking time increased significantly in both groups [P < 0.05]. The family-based lifestyle program had limited but desirable effects on anthropometric and metabolic outcomes of the obese children. We suggest that a longer period of intervention may have more favorable results

Schools' cafeteria status: does it affect snack patterns? a qualitative study

The aim of this study was to evaluate patterns of students' snacks habits regarding to their schools' cafeteria status in Tehran by focus group discussion [FGD] technique. Participants were 240 students [12-15. years old], selected from 12 middle-schools in Tehran. The field study consisted of 24 FGDs sessions; involving 8-10 participants. Collected data were coded, categorized and analyzed using constant comparative method. Over half of the students believed that snack consumption is necessary. Although, majority of students believed that their schools' cafeterias are not acceptable, they noted them as one of the necessary parts of school. Nearly half of the children were complaining of unvaried and expensive food items. The most purchased items were: Cookies, sandwiches with mayonnaise and ketchup, soft drinks and chocolate milk. Most of the students were interested in having roles in their cafeterias. Schools' cafeteria are significant sources of supplying adolescents' snacks, so developing hygienic stores containing healthy and nutritious food items is a key element to affect their snack selection positively. Reaching this goal requires a multi disciplinary approach through participation of students, school staff, parents, and the support of community and media

[Some determinants of Stunting in children of Tehran]

Stunting indicates longWterm effects of inadequate nutrition and/or health. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing stunting among first grade primary school children in Tehran, Iran 2008. This is a case-control study. The subjects were selected from 3147 Children whose height was measured using standard protocols. 86 stunned children [Case group] and 308 children with normal height recruited for the study, using a cluster sampling method in 5 districts of Tehran. Stunting was defined as the height for age below the 5th percentile of CDC2000 standard. The tool for data collection was a questionnaire including questions about children's birth weight and height, duration of breast feeding and demographic characteristics. Data were analyzed by SPSS14 and using Chi-square, student t-test and multivariate logistic regression. The prevalence of stunting was%3.7 among children. Means for birth weight and duration of breast feeding were 2.9 +/- 0.6 kg, 17.4 +/- 8.7 months, respectively among stunted children which were significantly lower than non stunted children [3.2 +/- 0.5 kg 20 +/- 7.7 months, respectively] [P<0.05].The parents of stunted children had lower education [P<0.05]. Logistic regression analysis showed that odds ratio of stunting among children is 4.6 for children with "birth weight of lower than 3Kg" compared to children with "birth weight higher than 3Kg" [CI= 95%; OR:1.4-14.7]. Odds ratio of stunning was also 3.3 [CI= 95%; OR: 1.1-9.2] among children with "breast feeding less than 3months" compared to "breast feeding more than 3 months". It was also 6.7 [CI= 95%; OR: 1. 1-9.2]. This study showed that the prevalence of stunting is relatively low in Tehran. Primary health care during pregnancy and breast feeding in first 3 month of life were shown as the most important factors influencing stunting.