Nutrition Education intervention in dyslipidemic children and adolescent with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM]

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine metabolic disorder of childhood and adolescence with important consequences for physical and emotional development. This study was designed to detect the effect of diet therapy [through nutrition education program] on lipid profile and blood glucose level in diabetic children. The study was carried on 45 diabetic children aged between 8-15 years old at diabetic nutrition clinic of nutrition institute in Cairo from 2003-2005. Children included in the study were divided into two groups: insulin dependent dyslipidemic group [IDDM] [diet control/ group] and insulin dependent non dyslipidemic [control group]. All were subjected to full dietetic history by the 24 hour recall for 3 days, thorough clinical examination, they were evaluated for plasma lipids, lipoproteins, fasting blood glucose [FBG] and glycated hemoglobin [HbA[12] levels. The dyslipidemic were measured after three months for the previously measured parameters. The nutrition education process was performed and continued on weekly intervals for three months. There was significant decrease in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the study group after the program, and insignificant increase in serum HDL and decrease in serum LDL. Also, there was insignificant decrease in FBG but there was statistically significant decrease in HbAl after the program. These changes occurred in parallel with increases in intakes of protein and total calories with adequate carbohydrate and sometimes a reduction in intakes of total fat. Nutrition therapy for children with IDDM is essential to improve measures of glycemic control and lipoprotein mediated risk for dyslipidemia. More innovative approaches to achieve lifestyle changes are required to meet current recommendations which are likely to produce greater beneficial changes than those observed in this study

Relation between some nutrients intake and nutritional anemia among physically handicapped children in Egypt

The most common cause of anemia is a deficiency of iron, although not necessarily a dietary deficiency of total iron intake. Deficiencies of folates [or folic acid], vitamin B[12] and protein may also cause anemia. Ascorbic acid, vitamin E, copper and pyridoxine are also needed for production of red blood cells [erythrocytes]. Vitamin A deficiency is also associated with anemia. The disability defined as a limitation of the variety of movement that can interfere with the acquisition of independence as well as hamper the child's ability to interact with the environment. The aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence of anemia and to evaluate the relation between some nutrients intake and nutritional anemia in physically handicapped children in Egypt. This study included 126 [62 boys and 64 girls] physically Handicapped aged from 6-

Nutritional status of mentally disabled children in Egypt

Mental disability can interfere with education and scholastic achievement. It can lead to school dropout and minimize opportunities to participate in the labor force. Moreover, disabilities affect the overall health and psychological state of the individuals. The aim of the present study was to assess the nutritional status of mentally disabled children in Egypt on the basis of anthropometric indicators and laboratory data. Across sectional study was conducted on 639 mentally disable children aged 6-<14 years [422males and 217females], from urban areas. They were classified into two age groups [6-<11 and 11-<14 years]. The following variables were determined using Z score indicator of weight for age, height for age and weight for height. Also, body mass index, mid arm circumference and triceps skin fold thickness percentiles were determined. Laboratory investigation including blood hemoglobin concentration and plasma levels of vitamin A and alpha-tocopherol as well as plasma zinc, copper and magnesium concentration were estimated. Prevalence of underweight was 14.1% by Wt/age Z score. Stunting was estimated among 33.5% with significantly higher prevalence in older children. Muscle and fat depletion was detected in 30.2%, with significantly higher prevalence among males than females. Depleted fat store was detected in 14.7% of children. Wasting was documented in 14.1% of children by BMI percentile, and was significantly higher among males than females. No significant difference was detected between male and female handicapped children regarding mean blood hemoglobin values as well as mean plasma levels of the measured vitamins and minerals, except for mean plasma zinc level. The overall prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was higher in males [41.5%] than females [37.1%]. Deficiency of alpha- tocopherol was more prevalent than that of vitamin A. The overall prevalence of deficiency of zinc, magnesium and copper was 1.8%, 40%, and 25.3% respectively. The decline in anthropometric measurements was associated with the decline in socioeconomic status. Malnutrition as revealed by anthropometric variables and micronutrient deficiency occurs with a high prevalence among mentally disabled children and almost increased with age and low socioeconomic level

Evaluation of protein efficiency in three types of bread and possible contamination of some heavy metals

Wheat in the form of bread is by far the most common cereal product consumed. The present study aimed to detennine the protein and crude fiber in white, balady and Tortilla bread [tortilla bread made of corn only] and to evaluate their content of heavy metal, and study contamination with cadmium and lead. Biological evaluation and protein efficiency ratio [PER] values were evaluated. Results showed that the weight gained in rats after the consumption of white bread was lower significantly that after the feeding on the other types of bread. On the other hand, the weight gained in rats after the consumption of Tortilla bread was higher significantly than after the consumption of white and balady bread [14.04, P< 0.05]. As well as, cadmium and lead in balady bread were higher than other breads and the levels of cadmium and lead in Egypt were higher than levels reported in other countries

Microbial contamination and levels of heavy metals in packaged and loose varieties of some herbs sold in the markets

Sixty samples of six different herbs were collected from several markets in Cairo. They were subjected to microbiological analysis. It revealed that most of the loose varieties have worse microbiological quality than packaged except in case of coliform count in chamomile where both varieties revealed similar values [1500 MPN/g]. And in case of Aerobic Mesophilic Count of peppermint, packaged varieties revealed non significantly higher count [l.0xl0[5] compared to 3.9xl0[4] CFU/g in loose peppermint]. Among the thirty loose herbs samples, only a caraway sample was complying with Egyptian Standards regarding Aerobic Mesophilic Count; while seventeen out of the thirty packaged samples [56.6%] were complying with the standard. Despite contamination of all loose herbs varieties with both coliforms and fecal coliforms, the packaged varieties were contaminated only with coliforms and none of them were contaminated with fecal coliforms. Although coagulase positive Staphylococci were detected in all loose herbs varieties none of the packaged varieties were contaminated. All loose herbs varieties were contaminated with mold and yeast, counts were much higher than those encountered in the packaged varieties. Analysis of heavy metals revealed that all loose herbs samples showed significantly higher contamination with arsenic, lead and mercury levels than packaged varieties except in case of mercury in caraway. Heavy metals contents of both packaged and loose peppermint were complying with the Egyptian Standards. Moisture contents of loose herbs were significantly higher than that of the corresponding packaged varieties of the same herb except in case of anise where the difference was not statistically significant, moreover, packaged and loose varieties of cinnamon showed similar mean moisture content [9.0%]. Loose varieties showed significantly higher ash contents than that in the packaged varieties except in tilio. Moreover, packaged and loose chamomile showed more or less similar ash values [9.09 and 9.03%; respectively]. Moisture and ash levels of most samples of both packaged and loose varieties were complying with the Egyptian Standards

Plasma retinol, thyroid stimulating hormone and zinc as predictors of bone mineral density status

Conflicting results on the association between serum retinol level and bone mineral density [BMD] have been published. Thyroid hormones are essential for skeletal development and have direct effect on bone formation and resorption. Bone has one of the highest concentrations of zinc of all tissues, and has been shown to release zinc during deficiency for soft tissue metabolism. The objective of this study was to assess the relation between plasma levels of retinol, thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] and zinc and BMD of Egyptian adolescents and adults. The study was a part of a cross sectional national survey conducted by National Nutrition Institute. The sample was a multistage stratified random. Target individuals were classified into two age groups [10-