Comparison of 3 Nutritional Questionnaires to Determine Energy Intake Accuracy in Iranian Adults

A precision instrument is required to assess the nutritional status. This study was conducted on comparison of 3 nutritional questionnaires to determine energy intake (EI) accuracy in adults in Ravansar Non-Communicable Chronic Disease (RaNCD) cohort study. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 118 of participant's RaNCD. EI was evaluated with 3 questionnaires including food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), 24-hours recall (24HR), and food habits questionnaire (FHQ). Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was measured using indirect calorimetry. We used EI/RMR cut off to evaluate EI reporting status. The mean ± standard deviation of age in men and women were 44.1 ± 6.5 and 43.7 ± 5.25 respectively and 50.8% of participants were men. Among 3 EI estimating questionnaires, FFQ was more accurate than 2 other questionnaires (67.8%). We observed that implausible reporters of 24HR were likely overweight (p < 0.005) but we did not observe a significant difference between EI reporting of FFQ and FHQ with participants' body composition. Our finding showed that EI underreporting of 24HR and FHQ were high. Under reporters were seemed to be overweight. Therefore, these results suggested that among 3 nutritional questionnaires the FFQ was an appropriate approach to determine EI in this population due to plausible EI reporting was higher than 2 other nutritional questionnaires (24HR and FHQ).

[Nutritional Status of Working Children in Kermanshah, 2013]

Background: Starting to work from early age can have negative impact on the growth and nutritional status, especially if the children are employed in dangerous jobs. This study aimed to assess nutritional status and growth in working children who were working in Kermanshah.

Materials and Methods: This survey was a case-control study that wasdoneon90 working childrenand90not- working children in Kermanshah. Information related to anthropometric indices with measurements of height and weight, demographic data using demographic questionnaire and food intake using food frequency questionnaire were collected. To compare growth of children with standards we use body mass index percentiles for sex and age provided by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC].Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 16.

Results: Mean of age working children was 16.4 +/- 1.8 years and 15.7% of them were illiterate. Consumption of all food groups except the miscellaneous group in working children was significantly lower than not- working children[p<0.001].The prevalence of stunting in working children was 10% more than the not- working children. The prevalence of malnutrition based on body mass index in working children[36.1%], was approximately 50% more than the not- working children[16.5%], [P <0.01].

Conclusion: The finding so this study showed that indicators of nutritional status in working children have not favourable condition. This could bea risk factor for health of this group of children and a warning for affecting of them by kind of disease.

Fasting consequences during Ramadan on lipid profile and dietary patterns

The aim was to assess the effects on lifestyle and lipid profile while fasting during holy month of Ramadan. An interventional cohort study designed with 160 subjects who were fasting during Ramadan recruited from different mosques in Kermanshah. Data were collected in three stages at the beginning and at the end of Ramadan as well as one month following Ramadan using demographic and FFQ questionnaires. Blood pressure was measured and a 5 ml blood sample was collected in order to measure BUN, Creatinine, and lipid profile analysis. Significant increases was observed in total cholesterol [P=0.02], LDL-C [P=0.001], HDL-C [P=0.001], and BUN [P=0.002] following Ramadan compared with earlier measurements. Triglyceride [TG] level decreased following Ramadan [P=0.04] but returned to the same level one month later. Systolic blood pressure increased and diastolic blood pressure decreased during fasting period. There was a significant decrease in cereals, dairy products, and meat consumption while consumption of fruits and vegetables have been increased during Ramadan [P=0.003]. Our results revealed increased levels of T-Chol and LDL-C in fasting as well as HDL-C. Increased HDL-C may prevent the side effects of T-Chol and LDL-C in healthy subjects. Given the metabolic changes that occurred during Ramadan, healthy eating and intake of low fat and low sugar diet during Ramadan are highly recommended

[ effect of short time diet therapy on lipid profiles in hyperlipidemia]

Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for cardio vascular diseases [CVD], which may be protected by diet therapy and physical activity. The aim of the present study was the determination of the effects of diet therapy and nutritional education on lipid profiles in hyperlipidemic pateints. 73 subjects out of 183 subjects with hyperlipidemia were selected from our previous research for this semi-clinical trial study. Written consent forms were obtained and 5ml fasting blood sample was collected for TG, T-C, LDL-C and HDL-C analysis before and after intervention. Body composition was assessed using bioelectric impedance [Plusavis 333]. All participants received low fat, low cholesterol and high fiber diet including a nutritional guide booklet. Subjects were followed up using phone call every two weeks and data was analyzed using pair T-test and SPSS16. 45 subjects with average age of 45+8 year completed the study [16 female and 29 male]. There was significant reduction in BMI and weight after two months diet therapy [p<0.05]. Significant decrease was showed in LDL-C after two month intervention [104.2+2.3 vs. 90.1+2.9, p= 0.001]. The study showed borderline reduction in diastolic blood pressure. There was no significant difference for TG, T-C and systolic blood pressure before and after intervention. Reduction in BMI, weight and LDL-C during short time revealed the effects of diet therapy and nutritional education. Screening for hyperlipidemia and improving public nutritional knowledge using appropriate media to prevent CVD is highly recommended