A Comparative Study of the Effect of Flaxseed Oil and Sunflower Oil on the Coagulation Score, Selected Oxidative and Inflammatory Parameters in Metabolic Syndrome Patients

0.05). However, serum IL-6 levels significantly decreased in the flaxseed oil group compared to the sunflower oil group (p = 0.017). No side effect was observed during the study due to the use of sunflower and flaxseed oils. We observed that consumption of flaxseed oil improved serum IL-6 levels but had no effect on oxidative stress and coagulation score in patients with MetS. Further studies are needed to confirm the veracity of our results.TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Identifier: IRCT2015012020737N1

Effect of a school-based nutrition education program on the nutritional status of primary school children

Background and Objectives: Regarding the high prevalence of unhealthy food habits among Iranian children, we aimed to assess the effect of a school-based nutrition education program on nutritional status of primary school students in Shiraz

Materials and Methods: This randomized educational controlled trial was carried out on 221 primary school age children selected by cluster sampling in the elementary schools of Shiraz-Iran. The intervention consisted of 6 nutrition education sessions carried out through one year for children, using active learning methods. Mothers' education was carried out in person in both lecture and question-answer sessions also via sending text messages and pamphlets. Weight, height and waist circumference [WC] of children were measured before and after the intervention. Also a 168-item food frequency questionnaire was completed. Two separate nutrition knowledge questionnaires were filled up by children and their mothers. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16

Results: 171 children [83 in the case and 88 in the control group] aged 9.5-10.5 years, completed the study. Anthropometric and nutritional knowledge of the participants in both the intervention and control groups was significantly increased. Weight, height, WC and nutritional knowledge increased significantly more in the intervention group compared to the controls. Consumption of fruits and vegetables decreased in the intervention group while plain sugar and fast foods intake increased among the controls. There were no significant differences between the changes in the intake of any of the food groups in the two groups

Conclusions: In conclusion, the designed nutrition education program could increase students' nutritional knowledge, and lead to a non-significant change towards reducing the consumption of unhealthy foods such as fast foods, sweets and salty snacks

Effect of energy-restricted diet in combination with calcium supplement or low-fat milk on iron status of overweight or obese premenopausal women

Background: Although it is assumed that calcium has beneficial effects on weight loss, the interaction of calcium and iron would be a major concern. We did this study to investigate the effects of calcium and low-fat milk on serum ferritin in overweight or obese premenopausal women

Methods: Sixty-four healthy overweight or obese premenopausal women recruited in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences clinics participated in this clinical trial. Participants were randomly allocated to one of the following dietary regimens for 8 weeks: 1] a control diet providing a 500 kcal/day deficit, with 500-600mg/day dietary calcium; 2] a calcium- supplemented diet identical to the control diet with 800mg/day calcium carbonate 3] a milk diet providing a 500kcal/day deficit and containing three servings of low fat milk. Serum ferritin and anthropometric indices were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks. Primary outcome measure was serum ferritin level

Results: Mean +/- SD of baseline values for age, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], and serum ferritin were 37.44 +/- 9.46 [year], 30.79 +/- 3.63 [kg/m[2]], 88.04 +/- 8.90 [cm], and 59.20 +/- 47.8 [microg/l], respectively. There were no significant differences in baseline age, BMI, WC, and serum ferritin among 3 groups. Mean values of serum ferritin reductions were 0.26 +/- 20.36, 14.59 +/- 17.07 and6.57 +/- 25.93 [microg/l] in control, calcium, and milk groups, respectively. Reduction in serum ferritin was only significant in the calcium group [P=0.003]. Serum ferritin reductions were not significantly different among the 3 groups [P=0.260]

Conclusion: An energy-restricted diet in combination with calcium supplement or low-fat milk does not induce any additional adverse effect on iron status, compared to an energyrestricted diet alone

Prevalence of vitamin d deficiency and its related factors among university students in Shiraz, Iran

Vitamin D deficiency is a public health concern even in sunny areas, so we decided to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its related factors among university students in Shiraz. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 254 [128 male and 126 female] university students. Demographic questionnaires and a questionnaire on exposure to sun light and sun protection were completed by the participants. Serum 25OH-vitamin D was measured using a radioimmunoassay kit. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS] software # 16. A P value less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Mean +/- standard deviation [SD] of serum 25OH-vitamin D was 49.29 +/- 12.87 [nmol/l] and 27.46 +/- 10.37 [nmol/l] among male and female students, respectively. 51.2% of female students were vitamin D insufficient and 44% of them had vitamin D deficiency. Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and marginal status among male students were 49.5 and 48%, respectively. Serum vitamin D of female students was significantly less than the males [P < 0.001]. Serum vitamin D was negatively correlated to sun protection score [P < 0.001, r = 0.50], but there was no correlation between serum vitamin D and sun exposure. Vitamin D deficiency especially among female students is alarmingly prevalent. Increasing use of sunscreen lotion and clothing style could be the main factors inhibiting endogenous vitamin D synthesis which results in its deficiency

Assessment of birth weight and its related factors among infants born in the hospitals of Ahwaz Jondishapour University

Background: Given the importance of birth weight and the effects of anthropometric indices and socioeconomic status on it, this study was conducted to assess birth weight and its related factors among infants born in the hospitals of Ahwaz Jondishapour University

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 269 newly born babies and their mothers in hospitals of Ahwaz Jondishapour University during 2009. Neonate anthropometric measures were obtained from hospital reports. The mothers were asked about their weight before pregnancy, their weight gain and demographic and socioeconomic data. SPSS software version16 was used to analyze the data. Relationships among infants and mothers' anthropometric indices were assessed using bivariate correlation

Results: 86.8% of the infants were normal as to weight, 8.7% were underweight, and 4.5% overweight. Mothers' weight gain during pregnancy and BMI before pregnancy were 12.18 +/- 5.18[kg] and 24.75 +/- 4.78[kg/m[2]], respectively. There was a significant correlation between infant's birth weight and mother's weight, height and weight gain during pregnancy

Discussion: Results of this study showed that mothers' weight before pregnancy and their pregnancy weight gain have a key role in infant birth weight, so controlling the mother's weight gain according to recommendation has a great effect on infant's health

effect of cow's milk versus calcium supplement on the components of metabolic syndrome in overweight or obese women

Background: Obesity and metabolic syndrome are serious public health problems. It is suggested that high calcium diet can improve lipid profile, blood pressure and insulin resistance

Methods: In this clinical trial, 75 healthy overweight or obese premenopausal women were randomly allocated to one of the following dietary regimens for 8 weeks: 1] a control diet 2] a calcium-supplemented diet containing 800mg/d calcium carbonate 3] a high milk diet containing three servings of low fat milk [all of them providing a 500kcal/day deficit]. At baseline and after 8 weeks, waist circumference [WC], blood pressure, serum triglyceride [TG], fasting blood sugar [FBS], and high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] were measured

Results: After 8 weeks, WC, FBS and HDL-C decreased in all groups [P<0.001], but there were no significant reduction in TG and blood pressure. Reduction of WC in the milk group was significantly higher than the controls [P=0.028]. Also, reduction of HDL-C in the calcium and milk groups was less than the controls [P=0.023 and P=0.019, respectively]. Changes in FBS, TG and blood pressure were not significantly different among the 3 groups

Conclusion: We found that increasing milk consumption led to more WC reduction. Milk or calcium intake caused less adverse effect on HDL-C, but has no effect on the blood pressure, FBS and TG. So increase in milk or calcium intake can reduce WC among the metabolic syndrome complications

[Assessment of the prevalence of central and general obesity among female students of Velenjak dormitory of Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran]

Prevalence of obesity is increasing globally, and it is proved that obesity is associated with cordiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and breast cancer. This study was carried out among 150 female students of Shadid Beheshti university who were resided in Velekjad dormitory, in order to assess the rate of obesity among them. As a cross-sectional study; height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference were measured. Food frequency and socioeconomic questionnairs were completed. BMI and WHR were used to assess the general and central obesity respectively. Mean standard deviation of age, BMI, WHR, WC were 260 31 [months], 21.42 2.56 [kg/m2], 0.79 0.04 and 75.71 7.10 [cm] respectively. Among subjects, 40.5% had WHR more than 0.8, 9.3% were overweight, 62.1% normal and 28.6% underweight. Of whom, 37.8% weren't exercising at all. There was a negative correlation between BMI and consumption of butter, milk, meat [p<0.001 for all] and egg [p<0.01],between WHR and consumption of egg and butter [p<0.01 for both of them] and also between WC and cosumption of butter [P<0.001] and milk [P<0.01]. Although prevalence of general obesity among the subjects was low, central obesity [based on WHR] was significant, so lifestyle modifications such as nutritional changes and increase physical activity among students is recommended