فهرست مطالب behnaz abiri

Obesity has increasingly become a health threat in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. This study aimed to investigate the scientific publications on obesity in the MENA countries during 2008-2020.

A longitudinal analysis of 13 years (2008-2020) of bibliographic data from obesity-related articles was performed. Web of Science core collection (WoS) was searched for bibliographic data. The bibliometric indicators including overall productivity and collaboration along with the prevalence of obesity and socioeco-nomic status were used to assess and compare the context of obesity research efforts in the MENA region.

The overall obesity-related articles of the MENA countries cumulated to 23680 publications. The MENA region accounted for a 6.5% global publication share in obesity research. Turkey contributed the high-est rate of total publications (n=6162) followed by Iran (n=5302) and Israel (n=2847). Iran and Turkey had the lowest rates of international collaborations. The overall obesity research was not significantly associated with socio-demographic index (SDI) measure (r=-0.26, P=0.27). No significant association was found between Gross National Income (GNI) per capita and the overall production of obesity research (r=0.41, P=0.08). Ad-ditionally, obesity research was not significantly associated with the prevalence of obesity in the countries (r=0.24, P=0.30).

This study observed an increased share of scientific productivity in the field of obesity from the MENA countries. Neither SDI, GNI per capita, nor obesity prevalence was not significantly associated with the overall productivity of the region.

In recent decades, significant increases in the prevalence of obesity in developing and developed countries suggest that obesity is a complex health problem. Environmental factors such as lack of physical activity, excessive TV watching and sedentary lifestyle, consumption of high-calorie foods and side effects of various drugs can cause overweight and obesity. Obesity is associated with severe health problems such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, asthma, arthritis and decreased life expectancy. Obesity includes profound effects on people's mental health. This study assessed relationships between anthropometric indices and perceived stress levels in working women.

After ethics committee approval from Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, 395 healthy women between 20 and 50 years old participated in the study. Women who worked at Iran University of Medical Sciences completed questionnaires including general information and assessment of the participants’ statuses of eating behaviors. Anthropometric variables, including height, weight, body fat percentage and waist and hip circumferences, were measured and body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio were calculated. Then, each participant completed questionnaires of perceived stress, 24-h food recall and physical activity.                                                                                                                                                                      

Anthropometric indices (weight, height, body mass index, waist circumference and hip circumference) were reported lower in people who ate breakfast than those who did not. Waist-to-hip ratio was lower in those with a slower eating speed than those of the fast group (p = 0.034). Weight, body mass index and body fat percentage were significantly higher in those eating during screen watch. No significant relationships were reported between the eating behaviors (speed rate, breakfast or not eating breakfast and eating with or without screen watch) and perceived stress levels. Anthropometric indices increased with increasing food intakes (p < 0.001) and decreasing physical activities, while no relationships were reported between dietary intakes and physical activities with perceived stress levels.

Dietary behaviors and physical activities affect anthropometric indices, while perceived stress levels do not affect dietary behaviors or anthropometric indices.

In recent months, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a global health challenge. Nutrition is a determining factor for health.

In the present research, we assessed and compared dietary food groups and nutrient supplements intake of diabetic, hypertensive, and heart disease patients with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 and asymptomatic controls.

This retrospective case-control research was conducted on 98 patients with diabetes, hypertension, and/or heart disease, of whom 37 cases were COVID-19 positive with clinical symptoms. Dietary intakes of participants were recorded using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), which was designed and validated for the Iranian population.

We found that 54% of all subjects had consumed nutritional supplements in the last six months, and there was no significant difference in the type of nutritional supplements between cases and controls. There was no significant difference in the median intake of food groups in the last year in patients with metabolic syndrome and clinical symptoms of COVID-19 compared to controls. The CRUD odds ratio (OR) showed that adequate consumption of any food group was not associated with the occurrence of COVID-19.

Although dietary intake and nutritional supplements are effective in preventing clinical symptoms of COVID-19, up to now, adequate data are available for recommending these supplements above the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19.

Insufficient sleep duration and unhealthy diet are associated with weight gain. However, little is known about the association of sleep quality with dietary intake and obesity. The aim of the present study was to compare dietary intake and anthropometric indices between good and poor sleepers.

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 260 femles youth aged 18-30 years were recruited among the students of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. The evaluated variables consisted of sleep quality, dietary intake, and anthropometric indices. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0.

Participants in the poor quality sleep group had higher intakes of calorie (P < 0.001) and carbohydrate (P < 0.001), and lower protein intake
(P < 0.01) in comparison with good sleepers. Regarding food groups, poor sleepers had higher intake of bread-grains (P = 0.02) group, but lower intake of meat-alternatives (P < 0.001), vegetables (P < 0.001), and fruits (P < 0.001) in comparison with the good sleepers. Participants in the poor quality sleep group had higher weight (P < 0.001), body mass index (P < 0.001), waist circumference (P < 0.001), and fat mass (P < 0.001) in comparison with good sleepers.

Our findings emphasize the relationship of poor quality sleep with unhealthy dietary intake and obesity in young female women

Iron deficiency is prevalent in overweight and obese individuals and may be induced by adiposity‑related inflammation that affect iron metabolism.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between hematological parameters and obesity‑induced inflammation among young females.

A total of 170 young women (aged between 18‑35 years) participated in this cross‑sectional study. Obesity was assessed by BMI (body mass index), WHR (waist to hip ratio), and body fat percentage. Inflammatory and hematological parameters including hs‑CRP (high‑sensitivity C‑reactive protein), serum Fe, hemoglobin, ferritin, transferrin, TIBC (total iron binding capacity) were measured. Dietary intakes of some nutrients (total iron, proteins, calcium, and vitamin C) were assessed according to BMI, WHR and fat mass categories.

Serum iron were negatively correlated with BMI (P = 0.045, r = −0.154) and hs‑CRP (P = 0.032, r = −0.165). Hemoglobin were also negatively correlated with BMI (P = 0.043, r = −0.155). A significant correlation was also shown between WHR with transferrin (P = 0.034, r = 0.163) and TIBC levels (P = 0.035, r = 0.162), hs‑CRP was positively correlated with BMI (P = 0.014, r = 0.183), WHR (P = 0.009, r = 0.202) and body fat percentage (P = 0.037, r = 0.353). Dietary intakes did not differ significantly among BMI, WHR and fat mass categories (P > 0.05).

Obesity‑induced inflammation, regardless of dietary intake of iron, can lead to iron deficiency. Therefore, weight control, especially in obese subjects is necessary to prevent iron deficiency and anemia.

Toxic effects of acrylamide on body organs incline researches to prevent or decrease these effects. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of cinnamon extract (CE) supplementation on inflammation and oxidative stress induced by acrylamide in rats.

Thirty two rats were divided into four groups as follow 1) The control group received distilled water, 2) Acrylamide- intoxicated group was administrated with 35 ml/kg/day acrylamide for two weeks, 3) Acrylamide- intoxicated rats treated with CE 250 mg/kg/day for 28 days, and 4) Acrylamide- intoxicated rats treated with CE 500 mg/kg day for 28 days. Fasting blood sample was obtained for subsequent analysis.

The results showed that acrylamide- intoxicated group had significantly higher levels of malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor alpha, high sensitive C reactive protein, leptin and alanine transaminase (p0.05).

This study suggests that cinnamon extract may potentially be effective as a dietary source of bioactive compounds for managing acrylamide intoxication.

Iron deficiency anemia is a major public health problem in the developing countries. Anemia decreases physical capacity and adversely affects performance in women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anemia based on some hematological parameters among women of reproductive age in Kermanshah, Western Iran.

We conducted a cross-sectional study in Kermanshah in May 2015. A total of 515 females aged 15-45 years agreed to participate in the study. Blood samples were collected from all participants. The analyzed hematological parameters from the participants' blood samples included the hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit, mean cell volume (MCV), mean hemoglobin concentration (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC).

The total prevalence of anemia was 15.1%. Mean concentration of Hb was 13.86 ± 1.08 mg/dL in ages 15 to 25 years, 13.83 ± 1.08 mg/dl in 26 to 35 years, and 13.58 ± 1.27 mg/dl in the age range of 36-45 years. These results showed that the mean concentration of Hb decreased with increase of age. The prevalence of microcytosis and hypochromia were higher in women aged 36-45 years. The hypochromic-microcytic anemia was observed in 81.3% of those with Hb < 12.7 mg/dl.

The prevalence of anemia in women of reproductive age is not a health concern in Kermanshah City. However, this does not mean that the importance of prevention programs should be neglected.

Low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) have been related to depression and anxiety. It seems that anemia is associated with vitamin D deficiency. We aimed to evaluate the effects of iron-vitamin D co-supplementation versus vitamin D alone on depression scores in anemic females with low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

This randomized controlled trial was conducted on eighty premenopausal females who were recruited between May 2015 and October 2015 from primary health care centers. Women with anemia and low concentrations of 25(OH)D were randomized to either 1000 IU/d vitamin D plus 27 mg/d iron (D-Fe) or vitamin D plus placebo supplements (D-P) for 12 weeks. Depressive and anxious symptoms were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) with subscales 1–13 and 14–21 and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). To compare the groups, Mann–Whitney or chi-squared tests were used and within groups comparison was performed using Wilcoxon signed ranks test. The study was registered on www.clinicaltrial.org as NC 01876563.

The serum concentrations of 25(OH)D were increased significantly in both groups at the end of the study. In both groups, there was a significant improvement in total BDI, the BDI subscale, and the BAI scores (p<0.001). No differences were found between groups (p>0.05).

Although the potential positive effect of vitamin D on mental health was evident, iron plus vitamin D co-supplementation did not demonstrate any significant benefits over vitamin D alone, neither in depression score reduction nor anxiety symptoms.

Sarcopenia is explained as age-related reduction in muscle mass and performance. Some of the most important risk factors for sarcopenia include age, malnutrition, and sedentary life style. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of food intake and physical activity with body composition, muscle strength and muscle function in post-menopausal women.
In this cross-sectional study, a total of 190 women aged 40-60 years were recruited from the staff working in Iran University of Medical Sciences. Variables consisting of muscle strength and muscle function, anthropometric indices, dietary intakes, and physical activity were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.
There was a positive association between physical activity and handgrip strength (P=0.01), calorie intake and muscle function, protein intake and fat free mass percentage, total fat intake and fat mass percentage (in all associations, P0.05).
It seems in this middle-aged women group, mild fat and carbohydrate restriction combined with mild or moderate physical activity may lead to reduction in fat mass, increased fat free mass, and improvement in muscle strength and muscle function.

Vitamin D is a prohormone nutrient, which is involved in skeletal and extra‑skeletal functions. Iron is another essential nutrient that is necessary for the production of red blood cells and oxygen transport. This element plays important roles in enzymatic systems including those required for Vitamin D activation. To the best of our knowledge, there is no exclusive review on the relationship between iron deficiency anemia (IDA), as the most prevalent type of anemia, and Vitamin D deficiency and the effect of recovery from iron deficiency on Vitamin D status. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic search of observational and clinical trials in this field. The databases of PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Knowledge, and SCOPUS were searched comprehensively. English-language human studies conducted on iron deficient patients or interventions on the effect of iron therapy on Vitamin D were extracted (n = 10).
Our initial search yielded 938 articles. A total of 23 papers met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen studies were excluded because they were not relevant or not defining anemia types. The final analysis was performed on ten articles (3 cross‑sectional and 7 interventional studies). Observational data indicated a positive relationship between iron status and Vitamin D, while trials did not support the effectiveness of iron supplementation on improving Vitamin D status. The mechanism underlying this association may involve the reduction of the activation of hydroxylases that yield calcitriol. Future randomized controlled trials with large sample sizes and proper designs are needed to highlight underlying mechanisms.

Sarcopenia is explained as the loss of muscle strength and muscle mass with aging‚ and is one of the major risk factors for metabolic diseases. Cross-sectional studies demonstrate that vitamin D is associated with sarcopenia in both men and women. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplement consumption on muscle strength, muscle function and body composition in middle-aged women.
In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 71 women aged 40-55 years old, with the serum 25(OH)-D A significant difference in serum 25(OH)-D was found between the intervention and placebo groups at the end of the study (P It seems in this vitamin D-deficient middle-aged women group, 1000 IU vitamin D consumption daily for 12 weeks resulted in improvement of muscle function and body composition, but had no significant effect on muscle strength.