An Investigation of the Prevalence and Causes of Malnutrition in Iran: a Review Article and Meta-analysis

Malnutrition is one of the most important health issues in developing countries, which might have adverse effects on the physical and intellectual health of children. The search process was started to find Persian and English articles published until September 2017 regarding the prevalence of malnutrition in children under the age of six in Iran using national and international databases including SID, Magiran, Irandoc, IranMedex, PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science. The data were analyzed using meta-analysis methods and the random effects model. The heterogeneity of studies was analyzed using the I² index. The data were analyzed using R and STATA software (ver. 11.2). Twenty seven articles conducted from 2002 to 2016 were collected to be included in the meta-analysis process. The total sample size was 161,941 patients in an age range of 0-6 years. The final estimate of the prevalence of different forms of malnutrition through meta-analysis of data extracted from studies in Iran was as follows: severe underweight (1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1–1), moderate underweight (6%; 95% CI, 5–7), mild underweight (25%; 95% CI, 21–28), severe short stature (3%; 95% CI, 2–3), moderate short stature (8%; 95% CI, 6–9), mild short stature (21%; 95% CI, 17–24), severe slimness (1%; 95% CI, 1–1), moderate slimness (5%; 95% CI, 4–5) and mild slimness (20%; 95% CI, 17–24). Considering that the prevalence of malnutrition is relatively high in Iran, health authorities should plan to improve the nutritional status of children.

[Incidence of neural tube defects and its risk factors in Yasuj, Iran [2000-10]]

The incidence of neural tube defects [NTDs] is varied according to race, geographical situation and other predisposing factors. This study was carried out to determine the incidence rate of NTDs and its risk factors in Yasuj, Iran. This case - control study was done on live newborns in Imam Sajad hospital, Yasuj, Iran during 2000-10. 78 neonates with NTDs out of 36755 live newborns were considered as cases. The control group was also consisting of the same number of healthy neonates who born at the same period and in the same hospital. Data were collected by a check-list and analyzed using SPSS-19, Chi-Square, Logistic regression and odd's ratio. The incidence rate of NTDs was 2.12 per 1000 live births. Anencephaly and Spina Bifida was detected in 59 [75.6%] and 19 [24.3%] of affected newborns, respectively. The ratio of females to males was 1.5 times. 53.85% of mothers with affected newborns were grouped in 27-36 years age range. The mean number of pregnancies and abortion between two groups of mothers had no statistical significant differences. There is no significant relation between the mothers occupation and the incidence of NTDs. 10 [12.8%] of mothers from case group and 7 [8.97%] of mothers from control group have used tobacco. 52 [66.7%] of mothers of case group and 30 [38.5%] of controls did not consumed folic acid. The relation between non-user folic acid during pregnancy with NTDs was significant [95% CI: 1.4-6.15, OR=2.93, P<0.001]. This study showed relatively high incidence of NTDs in Yasuj. Non-consuming folic acid increased the risk of NTD by 2.93 times

Protective effect of zizphus vulgaris extract, on liver toxicity in laboratory rats

Some of natural and synthetic products have antioxidant properties which protect the liver against the destructive factors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Zizphus Vulgaris extracts on mice liver. This experimental study was conducted at Yasouj University of Medical Sciences in 2010 on 30 healthy adult male Wistar rats. Animals were randomly divided into five equal groups: the control group [receiving, olive oil], control group [receiving olive oil and carbon tetrachloride and three intervention groups] receiving different dose of carbon tetrachloride and olive oil] groups. The intervention group was given daily doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg per Kg of Zizphus Vulgaris extract by gavage respectively. After 45 days, the amount of liver enzymes, total protein, albumin and bilirubin in animal's sera were measured. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software, using ANOVA and t-test. The concentration of total protein, albumin, AST, ALT, ALP in test groups I, II and III receiving Z.Vulgaris extract [200, 400 and 600 mg/kg weight] compared with control group were statistically not significant. Consumption of Z.Vulgaris reduced the bilirubin concentration in test groups I and II but this decrease was significant only in the test group I of Z.Vulgaris dose in the test group III [600 mg Z.Vulgaris per kg body weight] showed increase in the level of serum bilirubin. Increase in the ratio of liver weight to body weight of rats in groups I and III in comparison with control groups was noticed although this difference was not statistically significant. Findings of this study revealed that dosage of 600 mg/kg extract of Z.Vulgaris caused significant improvements in CCU induced liver necrosis [P< 0.01] and reduced portal cells inflammation [P <0.01]. Dose of 400 mg/kg of Z.Vulgaris induced some destruction and necrosis of liver cells in animals but significant reduction of portal cells inflammation was seen. Considering the obtained results, it seems that Ziziphus vulgaris fruit extract has shielding effects against toxins on liver cells

[Determining the effect of zizphus jujba extract together with phototherapy in reducing bilirubin concentration in neonatal jaundice]

Neonatal jaundice is observed in the first week of birth among 60% of mature and 80% of immature neonates. This epidemic puts a lot of cost on the society. Today, phototherapy is used for the treatment of neonatal jaundice. Reducing the treatment period decreases the hospitalization costs. The Purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Zizphus Jujba extract and phototherapy on reducing both Bilirubin concentration and also the hospitalization period of neonatal jaundice patients. This was a clinical-trial study which was conducted at Imam Sajjad Hospital of Yasuj in 2009. 121 of the hospitalized neonates were chosen and divided into 2 groups: case group [63 neonates] and control group [58 neonates]. 1 cc of the Zizphus Jujba extract per each kilogram of body weight was orally given three times a day to the case group. Also phototherapy was used in the case group. Phototherapy was the only treatment used for the control group. The Bilirubin concentration of the hospitalized patients was measured two times a day in the hospitalization period. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software using t-test. The mean and standard deviation of the Bilirubin concentration in the control group before the intervention were 20.9 +/- 2.3 milligrams per 100 and after intervention was 12.27 +/- 1.23 milligrams per 100 while in the case group before intervention was 22.3 +/- 0.05 and after intervention was 12.27 +/- 1.01 milligrams per hundred. A significant difference was seen between the case and control group before and after intervention [p=0.001. Moreover, a meaningful reduction of the hospitalized days and a meaningful increase of excrement and urine in the case group were observed. This study revealed that administration of Zizphus Jujba extract with increasing amount of excrement and urine of the neonates can lead to Bilirubin discharge and can be effective on curing neonatal jaundice

[ effects of education on preventive behaviors toward Osteoporosis based on behavior intention model [BIM] on female students]

Osteoporosis is one of the most prevalent diseases which leave noticeable effects on the health. Life style plays an important role in determining the level of the disease. According to the statistics, two women out of three over 50 years of age and one man out of two of the same age suffer from Osteoporosis or have low bone compression. The present study was conducted on female students of Health School of Yasuj University of Medical Sciences in 1386 [2007] and aimed to view the effects of education on preventive behaviors from Osteoporosis based [BIM]. This is a semi- experimental study and the population were all of the female students of the health school who attended in Yasuj University of Medical Sciences in 1384 [2005]. Eighty two respondents randomly placed in two groups of case and control [42 in case group and 40 in control group]. Questionnaires were designed based on BIM. The samples were studied by educating program according to BIM and implemented in the form of lecture and group discussion over 3 months and 4 meetings in each month. Each meeting took an hour and half. The questionnaires were completed by both groups and analyzed by the SPSS software. Based on the results, according to behavior intention model the average score of students above Osteoporosis was 65.48 prior to intervention and it reached 90.24 after intervention which showed significant improvements. With regard to the results of the current study, special education based on behavior intention model is effective in improving the attitude and behavior intention of female students. Therefore it is highly recommended that BIM education be used for familiarizing Osteoporosis to female students

[Determination of peroxide value of edible oils used in restaurants and sandwich shops in Yasuj in 2006]

Nowadays the extensive changes in lifestyle resulted in an increase in consumption of fast food. This type of food, because of using deep-fat frying, may contain some toxic or unfavorable substances which have adverse effects on consumers' health. The aim of this study was to determine the peroxide value of edible oils which are used in restaurants and sandwich shops in Yasouj city. This descriptive study was carried out on all sandwich shops [n=36] and restaurants [n=12] in Yasuj city in 2006. All samples and questionnaire data in restaurants and sandwich shops were collected at 11:30am and 12:30pm respectively based on a national standard protocol, number 493, by a food expert. The peroxide value was determined based on national standard procedure, number 4179, in a food laboratory and the acceptable limit was defined as 7 meq/kg. Findings of this study showed that in terms of health rules and regulations, at least 50% of oils used in restaurants and 70% in sandwich shops were unfavorable. Peroxide value of 58.3% of oils in restaurants and 97.3% in sandwich shops was greater than the acceptable limit. These findings have shown that the health rules and regulations for the oils are not exercised in Yasouj restaurants and sandwich shops and this can have adverse effects on consumers' health