Assessing the impact of small-research grants supported by WHO in the Eastern Mediterranean Region 2010–2018

Background: For decades, WHO has been providing targeted funding for health research on priority areas of public health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region through different grant schemes. Aims: This paper investigated the impact of WHO/EMRO’s funding schemes and factors facilitating or hindering such impact. Methods: We assessed the impact of health research funded by WHO/EMRO during 2010–2018 from the health, economic, decision-making, and knowledge translation perspectives, emphasizing accountability and analysis, using the Payback framework, mixed-method approach (quantitative, qualitative), and triangulation. Results: Principal investigators of 45 (45.9%) out of the 98 funded projects responded to the questionnaire. Almost all (88.0%) the 45 projects reported developing at least one decision-making document. Less than half reported producing peer-reviewed documents and conducting target group empowerment, while 24.0% said they secured research funds from other organizations. For 23 projects (51.0%), research results could have had a direct impact on health and on economy, and 25 (56.0%) projects conducted at least one active knowledge translation activity. Using multiple logistic regression, there was no significant association between the country of research and impact on decision-making and implementation of result if health or economic impact was expected. Conclusion: To strengthen the impact of research, WHO/EMRO should embark on a series of interventions to guide and empower countries in the use of research results. Discrepancies between health research systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and differences in individual and organizational capacities in the different countries require targeted interventions.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the most common processed foods consumed by Iranian children

Background:The trend of increasing overweight and obesity among children is a huge burden on health systems. In thisregard, the growing availability of processed foods, often energy dense and nutrient poor, has become a major concern.Changing this trend will require evidence-based policies.Aims:This systematic review aimed to identify the most common processed/ultraprocessed foods consumed by 4–12-yearoldIranian children.Methods:We searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of science, as well as Persian scientific search engines, including IranResearch Information System, Scientific Information Database and Mag-Iran. We also assessed grey literature, that is, national studies and papers presented at relevant Iranian congresses. All data collected from studies were converted to daily servings (S/D). Mean and standard deviations of the included results were combined by performing meta-analysis with a random effects model. The I2 test was used to compute heterogeneity. Egger’s test was used to assess publication bias.Results:Ten studies with 67 093 children were included in this review. The meta-analysis demonstrated that the highestconsumption of processed foods belonged to the sugars and sweets group with 8.01 S/D, followed by oils, and biscuits andcakes with 5.58 S/D and 3.33 S/D, respectively.Conclusion:Given the high consumption of less healthy processed foods, robust policies to support healthy eating and help improve Iranian children’s food environment are recommended.