Pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index and Maternal Nutrition in Relation to Infant Birth Size

This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and dietary intake on birth size in the north-east part of Iran. Maternal information including BMI and dietary intake from 453 healthy pregnant women were collected in 2013–2014. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI were obtained from health records and dietary intakes in third trimester were collected by using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), which consisted of 160 Iranian foods. Anthropometric measurements of neonates including weight, height, and head circumference were 3.19 ± 0.49 kg, 50.24 ± 2.1 cm, and 34.61 ± 1.5 cm, respectively. A significant difference was found in neonatal birth weight (p < 0.001) and head circumference (p = 0.002) between underweight and obese mothers. Furthermore, maternal intake of fat had a direct correlation with birth size. There was a positive relationship between vitamin A and potassium intake and birth height. The article concludes that normal maternal pre-pregnancy weight and appropriate diet are likely essential for healthy babies.

Changes in dietary intake during Ramadan in North East of Iran population

Ramadan is the holiest month in Islamic calendar and Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn to sunset, in which there are changes in quality of food and eating patterns. The purpose of this study was to know whether these changes provide nutritional needs, and supply all of necessary macronutrients for individuals in the month. A prospective observational study was performed during Ramadan of 1429 AH [September, 2008] in Mashhad, Iran. Among 335 subjects enrolled for the study, 266 subjects met inclusion criteria. We used a semi?quantitative 302?item food frequency questionnaire [FFQ] that was self?administered and assessed the subject's energy, macronutrient, and fiber intake over the previous three days. Dietary intake assessment was carried out one week before or after Ramadan and during the month. Data showed that the amount of energy intake and macronutrients increased significantly in women and men less than 35 years during Ramadan, and also we found a significant difference in protein intake between males and females less than 35 years old out of Ramadan time. This study revealed that there was a significant increase in intake of energy and macronutrients in men and women less than 35 years that was mainly due to high consumption of carbohydrate during this month. In this study there was no change in energy intake of participants over 35 years old

Effects of Ramadan fasting on spirometric values and clinical symptoms in asthmatic patients

Ramadan is the 9th Islamic lunar month during which Muslims avoid eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. The effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting on asthma control is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ramadan fasting on the spirometric variables and clinical symptoms on well-controlled asthmatic patients during Ramadan. A cohort study was conducted in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi, Iran. Twenty-nine [19 females and 10 males] well-controlled asthmatic patients aged 47 [12] years completed the study. The average duration of fasting was 26.5 days. Assessment of spirometric variables [daily peak expiratory flow, peak expiratory flow variability, peak expiratory flow home monitoring] as well as asthma clinical symptoms including dyspnea, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness were carried out. No significant changes in clinical symptoms were reported in asthmatic patients at the end of Ramadan fasting. Among spirometric variables, only peak expiratory flow improved after Ramadan [p<0.05]. There was a reduction in the mean peak expiratory flow variability from 13% at the first week of fasting to 10% at the fourth week [p<0.05]. In well-controlled asthmatic patients, Ramadan fasting resulted in improvement in peak expiratory flow and peak expiratory flow variability

examination of pre/post-adenotonsillectomy obesity indices in 3-10 year old children in Mashad, Iran

Adenotonsillectomy is one of the most frequent surgical operations on children, which may result in weight gain in a number ways, for instance, by increasing IGF-1 or decreasing respiratory hyperactivity. This was an intervention study with a control group, conducted on fifty 3-10-year-old children who had undergone adenotonsillectomy and on fifty children as the control group. The intervention and control groups were identical in terms of age and sex. Height, weight, midarm muscle circumference, waist circumference, and percent body fat measures were performed on the intervention group before and six months after the surgery. The same measurements were also performed on the control group at zero time and six months later. Ultimately, the results were examined and compared. The body mass index [BMI] and percent body fat in the intervention group showed a significant change after six months, with P values of 0.002 and 0.024 respectively. There were no significant correlations for other variables. Based on the findings of this study, children who had undergone adenotonsillectomy for various indications showed a gradual postoperative increase in their BMI and percent body fat