relationship between serum lipids and obesity among elementary school in Birjand: a case control study

Childhood obesity could induce some risk factors for cardiovascular disease [CVD] including serum lipid abnormalities, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. The present study aimed to comparison the lipid profile in normal children with cases having overweight, obesity and central obesity. In this case control study, which was conducted 2013, serum lipids for three groups of children including cases with overweight [Body mass index [BMI]: 85-95th percentiles to age and sex and waist circumference [WC] <90th percentile to age and sex = Case group1], central obesity without general obesity [BMI <85th percentiles and WC >/= percentile 90 = Case group 2] and central obesity with general obesity [BMI >/=95th percentile and WC >/= percentile 90 = Case group 3] were compared with control group [BMI < 85th percentiles WC <90th percentile]. Data were analyzed using software SPSS-16 by chi-square and ANOVA tests at significance level alpha =0.05. Each group consisted of 100 individuals. The highest mean of serum lipids and the highest extent of dyslipidemia existed in the children having central obesity along with general obesity. So that 49%, 28%, and 38% students of this group show hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]. Odd ratio of hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia and low HDL-c, in children with at least one abnormal index [BMI and /or WC] compared with control group were 3.73 [95% CI: 1.98, 6.99], 1.37 [95% CI: 0.71, 2.65] and 2.98 [95% CI: 1.51, 5.87], respectively. With regard to the relationship between central obesity and adverse changes in lipid profiles, the screening children for central obesity to prevention of cardiovascular disease are recommended

[Prevalence of overweight and obesity in 2-5 year olds and its relationship with parental obesity]

Background and Aim: The aim of the current study was to determine prevalence of obesity and overweight in 2-5 year olds and its association with parental obesity in Birjand

Materials and Methods: This descriptive - analytical study was conducted on five hundred2-5 year olds of Birjand kindergartens and their parents in 2009. Height, weight, and BMI of the subjects were measured using standard methods. In the children, BMI of 85-95 percentile were taken as overweight and BMI>/=95 percentile for age and sex were accounted as obese. Regarding parents, BMI of 25 - 29 were considered as overweight and BMI>/=30 as obesity. The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS software [V: 13] at the significant level of alpha=0.05

Results: Prevalence of obesity in children was 7.6% [6.3% in girls, 8.8% in boys] and that of overweight was 10.6% [11.7% in girls, 9.6% in boys]. Out of all fathers and mothers, 44.2% and 30.2% were overweight, respectively and also 7.8% of fathers and 6.8 of mothers were obese. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in children of mothers with normal BMI were 15%, but in those having overweight and obese mothers it was 24%. This prevalence was 15.4% in children with normal BMI fathers and in children having overweight and obese fathers it was 20.8%. It was found that there was a significant positive association between children's BMI and that of their parents [r=0.11, r=0.12, P<0.05]

Conclusion: Given the significant and positive correlation between children's and their parents' obesity, it is important to educate Families to improve their eating patterns and life styles for weight control in their children, particularly in those having obese members

Cardiovascular Risk Factors: a Study on the Prevalence of MS among 11-18 Years Old School Children in East of Iran, 2012

Metabolic syndrome [MS] is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disorders. MS is increasing among adolescents. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of MS in 11-18 years old Birjandi school children in 2012. This cross–sectional study was conducted on 2394 eleven-eighteen years old school children in Birjand [1304 girls and 1090 boys] through Multiple-Cluster Sampling. Height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure were measured by standard methods. Blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C were measured after a 12-hour fasting. MS was defined according to the modified Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software [ver. 16] using statistical T test, logistic regression and Chi square at P<0.05. According to this study, 6.9% of adolescents [4.5% of females and 9.9% of males] had MS. Occurrence rate of MS in male students was 2.32 times of female ones. Components of MS included low HDL [27.7%], hypertriglyceridemia [23.7%], central obesity [16.2%], systolic hypertension [9.4%], diastolic hypertension [0.9%], and high FBS [0.6%]. This study showed a significant relationship between MS, and overweight, obesity and central obesity. 48.5% of the adolescents had at least one component of MS. MS has a high prevalence in Birjandi adolescents, particularly in the obese ones. Thus, preventive measures such as correcting life style, having appropriate nutrition, and encouraging adolescents to have more physical activity are recommended

[Assessment of crocin toxicity on the rat liver]

Crocin, the carotenoid isolated from saffron, has numerous medicinal properties which include anticancer and antioxidant activities. Some antioxidants, such as carotenoids, can act as pro-oxidants at higher dosages and therefore induce tissue damage. In this situation antioxidant defense systems in the liver activate to prevent tissue damage. This study investigates the possible toxic effects of crocin on the liver of normal rats. Normal rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 was treated with normal saline as the control and groups 2 to 4 were treated different doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg crocin intraperitoneally once a week for four weeks. Animals were killed one week after the last injection. Serum profile of the rats that included ALT, AST, ALP, urea, uric acid and creatinine, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes [SOD, CAT and GPx], GSH content, and lipid and protein oxidation by measurement of MDA and protein carbonyl levels were assessed in the liver. In addition, we conducted histopathological examinations of the liver specimens. We studied different crocin concentrations that have been used to treat various diseases. There were no significant changes in serum parameters, GSH, MDA, protein carbonyls and activities of CAT and SOD at the different crocin concentrations. Histopathological examination did not show any changes in the liver. Only the higher dose [200 mg/kg] decreased GPx activity which might be reversible over the long-term. Crocin, at the studied doses showed no toxic effects on the rat liver

Prevalence of abdominal obesity in adolescents 2012, birjand, east of Iran

Prevalence of obesity in children has been increased during recent decades all over the world. Obesity, particularly, abdominal obesity [AO] is associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to assess obesity and central obesity within students aged 11-18 of Birjand city. This cross-sectional and descriptive- analytical study was conducted on 2458 secondary and high school students, including 1345 girls [54.8%] and 1113 boys [45.2%], who had been selected from Birjand Middle and high schools through multiple-cluster sampling in 2012. For determination of AO, waist circumference and the percentage 90 or more regarding age and sex were used. The obtained data were analyzed by using statistical t-tests and X[2] at the significant level P < 0.05. Among the studied students, average 16.3% [20% of boys and 13.2% of girls] had AO. The obtained data about these two groups shows statistical significant difference of P < 0.001. Chance of AO in boys was 1.6 times greater than that of girls. Odds ratio [OR] = 1.6 [confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-2.1]. It was 1.9 times more about under 15-year-old than over 15 aged subjects. OR = 1.9 [CI: 1.5-2.4]. Regarding high prevalence of AO in Birjand adolescents, it is recommended that adolescents and their families should be warned for long-term outcomes of obesity on quality-of-life. Periodic studies are suggested for awareness of obesity trends in the coming years

Prevalence of overweight, obesity and central obesity among elementary school children in Birjand, East of Iran, 2012

Prevalence of obesity in children has been increasing during recent decades all over the world. Obesity, particularly central obesity, is associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. The present study aimed to assess obesity and central obesity in 6-11 year old Birjand elementary school children, East of Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1541 elementary school children, i.e. 851girls and 690 boys, selected from Birjand elementary schools through multiple-cluster sampling in 2012. In order to determine overweight and obesity the percentile of CDC was used, so that, 85-95[th] percentile were taken as overweight and >95[th] percentile was defined as obese with respect to age and sex. For determination of central obesity, waist circumference and the >/= 90[th] percentile were used regarding age and sex. The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS software [V: 15] using t and chi-square statistical tests at the 0.05 significant level. Out of the studied children, 9.6% [11% of boys and 8.3% of girls] were overweight and 9.2% of children [i.e. 10.9% of boys and 7.9% of girls] were obese. About 15.7% of children [i.e. 20.3% of boys and 12% of girls] had central obesity. Regarding high prevalence of obesity, central obesity, and overweight in Birjand elementary school children, it is recommended that families should be provided with necessary information with respect to correcting life-style and preventing obesity in children

Intestinal parasitic infection among school children in south Khorasan Province, Iran

Intestinal parasitic infection is one of the major public health problems in developing countries. Children are more vulnerable to these infections. In addition, the prevalence of infection is different among various communities; hence, there is a need for the periodical prevalence evaluation. This study was performed to define the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among the students of South Khorasan Province, eastern Iran in 2007. A cross-sectional study was performed on 2169 students aged 6-11 years in six cities of South Khorasan Province in 2007. Three stool specimens were collected from each student. Specimens were examined with direct wet and formalin ethyl acetate method. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 15 software. From a total 2169 students, 47.7% were infected with one or more intestinal parasites. Almost 33.4% were pathogen parasites. The most common parasite was Giardia [28.7%]. The prevalence rate of infection was significantly higher in rural area than that of urban area [P=0.001]. The prevalence of infection was also much more common in those students whose parents were less educated. Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in this region is remarkable. Public health education and using healthy water are recommended

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in 7 to 18 year-old children in Birjand/ Iran

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 7 to 18-year-old children in Birjand [east Iran] in 2005-2006. Individuals selected using multistage stratified random sampling. This cross-sectional study was performed on 6093 students [2995 boys and 3098 girls] aged 7-18 years in Birjand [2005-2006]. Subjects were selected via step-wised random sampling in four districts of the city. Body weight and height were measured directly. Percentiles were calculated for body mass index [BMI] Overweight and obesity was defined based on the 85th and 95th percentiles of body mass index for age and sex, respectively, as proposed by CDC in 2000. The overall prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 4.8% and 1.8%, respectively. Overweight prevalence varied by age from 1.6% to 9.1% in girls and 0.5% to 7.8% in boys, with obesity rate from 0.8% to 2.5% in girls and 0.5% to 3.7% in boys. According to this study, prevalence rate of overweight and obesity in Birjandi children is lower than that in many other parts of Iran and some neighboring countries