Lycopene and kidney; future potential application.

Lycopene is a lipid-soluble antioxidant and has been inversely associated with lipid peroxidation, including low-density lipoprotein oxidation and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition, lycopene has a variety of biological activities such as aging prevention, cancer prevention, anti inflammation, and oxidative. Many chronic diseases, such as cardiovas¬cular disease, cancer, diabetes and eye diseas¬es are the result of prolonged oxidative stress. Lycopene could be considered as the most effective antioxidant among the carotenoids. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that offers protection for cellular damage due to reactive oxygen species. Introductio

The High Prevalence of Osteoporosis as a Preventable Disease: The Need for Greater Attention to Prevention Programs in Iran

LETTE

Knowledge and perceptions of obesity prevention and reducing sugar-sweetened beverages consumption among high school girl students in Shahrekord

Background and aims: The prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents is increasing worldwide. One of the key lifestyle behaviors that helps prevent obesity and being overweight among children and adolescents is to avoid drinking sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) or to take, at most, one serving per day. The present study intended to evaluate knowledge and perceptions of high school girl students in Shahrekord on reducing SSBs consumption based on the health belief model (HBM). Methods: The present descriptive-analytical study, conducted in 2013–2014, randomly recruited 308 female students aged 13–14 years. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire based on HBM and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were evaluated using face validity, content validity, and inter-rater reliability. The Chi-square test, Pearson’s correlation, and Spearman’s correlation tests were used in SPSS software to analyze the data. The participants declared their informed consent for participation. Results: The research findings showed that the mean score of students’ knowledge was 36.53 ± 21.87; mean scores of perceived susceptibility and perceived severity were 31.88 ± 15.04, and 34.76 ± 19.82, respectively; perceived benefits of reducing the consumption of SSBs was 43.51 ± 20.18, and perceived barriers was 41.56 ± 15.69. There was a direct significant relationship between knowledge and perceived susceptibility as well as between perceived susceptibility and perceived severity. The students’ intake of SSBs was calculated as 2.95 glasses per day. There was a direct significant relationship between perceived benefits and mother’s job, between perceived barriers and father’s job, and between knowledge and mother’s age. There was an inverse relationship between perceived susceptibility and father’s job. Conclusion: Considering the high intake of SSBs among students, along with their little knowledge and perception about its negative effects, it seems necessary to plan for proper educational and theory-based interventions for adolescents in order to improve their knowledge and develop a positive attitude toward reducing SSBs consumption

Physical activity and colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. In developed countries 60% of the populations are at risk of this cancer, and colorectal cancer is considered as 10% and 11% of newly diagnosed cancers among men and women, respectively (1). The Europe Society of Gastroenterology declared that colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in 2000. The incidence of colorectal cancer varies in different parts of the world, so that the highest incidence is visible in developed countries such as America, Australia, West Europe and New Zealand and lowest in countries such as South of America, Africa and Asia (2, 3). Colorectal cancer is a multifactorial disease with a set of genetic and environmental factors. In this disease a series of factors such as lifestyle, nutrition and physical activity play a key role in susceptibility to cancer. The role of physical activity in susceptibility to colorectal cancer has received special attention; so that the findings resulted out of most of these studies indicate the effect of physical activity in reducing the risk of suscptibility to colorectal cancer (4, 5). In fact, there is a reverse relationship between physical activity and colorectal cancer, in such a way that the risk of colorectal cancer in people with physical activity in their free time is 27% less than people without physical activity are (6). Severe physical activity is associated with the reduced risk of colon cancer, so that the relative risk of proximal and distal colon cancer in severe physical activity group compared with no physical activity group was 0.73(95% CI, 0.66–0.81), and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.68–0.80), respectively (7). People who have a history of continuous physical activity during the past 20 yr have more benefits from the protective effects of exercise in reducing the risk of occurrence of colon cancer (4). In men and women with high physical activity, incidence of colorectal cancer compared to those with little or no physical activity reduced by 40%–50% (8). In people that during their leisure time had at least 60 min of daily physical activity compared to those who had physically active for 10 min or less, the hazard ratio of colorectal cancer was 0.57 (95% CI, 0.41–0.79). Hazard ratio for colon cancer was 0.56 (95% CI, 0.37–0.83) and for rectal cancer was 0.59 (95% CI, 0.34–1.02) (9). In recent years, mechanisms by which physical activity reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, were not entirely clear, albeit assumptions such as changes in the material in gastrointestinal transmit time, changes in immune function as well as changes in prostaglandin levels, insulin, insulin-like growth factors, bile acid secretion, serum cholesterol as well as pancreatic and gastrointestinal hormone profiles are presented. There is currently limited empirical data in epidemiologic studies on humans and animals in order to approve each of these mechanisms in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer; therefore, it is probable that beneficial effect of physical activity in reducing colorectal cancer has been due to the combined effects of these factors and other unknown factors (10). Doctors recommend physical activity for the general population with the aim of reducing the burden related to colorectal cancer. However, doctors do not need a full understanding of this mechanism. Therefore, in health education programs and medical advice for reducing the risk of colorectal cancer, physicians must pay particular attention to the protective effect of exercise and physical activity, and at the same time conduct scientific and biological surveys to achieve a clearer understanding of the beneficial mechanisms of physical activity in reducing risk of colorectal cancer

Prevalence of the Skipping Breakfast among the Iranian Students: A Review Article

Background: Adolescence is an important period since the establishment of dietary pattern can also affect the adulthood. This study aimed to estimate the overall prevalence of skipping breakfast among Iranian students. Methods: The international and national databases, including Medline, Scopus, Science Direct, Embase, Web of sciences, Google Scholar, MagIran, and SID were searched 1945-2016 as per case. All studies addressing the prevalence of skipping breakfast among Iranian students were extracted. Results: Out of 322 records, 24 articles remained for meta-analysis. The total pooled prevalence of skipping the breakfast was 0.216 (95% CI: 0.213-0.22), the girls had a higher percentage for skipping breakfast compared with boys (26% vs. 18%). Conclusion: Skipping breakfast is more prevalent in girls. Interventions are required to promote breakfast consumption in the targeted Iranian students, especially the girls

Predict the future incidence and mortality of breast cancer in Iran from 2012-2035

Global Breast Cancer (BC) is the most common non-skin malignancy, nearly a third of newly diagnosed cancers in the United States and the second leading cause of mortality in women throughout the world was BC (1, 2). Between 1975 and 2000 the burden of BC has doubled, that is attributable to the increase in life expectancy and spread of unhealthy lifestyle (3). Nevertheless, these trends are not visible in early onset of BC, as the rates have been more or less stable in most countries in the past 20 yr (4). As for mortality rates, they have been progressively decreasing, particularly in younger women, due to the improved treatment and primary detection (5). In Iran with increasing life expectancy and the aging of the residents, the incidence and mortality of BC will increase in the future years (6). In GLOBOCAN project, the expected number of new cancer cases or deaths in a country or region in 2015–2035 is computed by multiplying the age-specific incidence/mortality rates estimated for 2012, by the corresponding expected population for 2015–2035. In Iran, based on the GLOBOCAN project in 2012, the number of BC in woman was 9795 case and the number of new case have an increase in the next few years, so in 2015, 2020, 2025, 2030 and 2035 the number of new cases were 10982, 12684, 14920, 17346 and 19328, respectively. Therefore, in 2035 compare 2012 the numbers of new case were nearly 2 times. In addition, in 2012, the numbers of death from BC was 3304 and in the next few years, we have increase in the number of death from BC, so in 2015, 2020, 2025, 2030 and 2035 the numbers of deaths were 3742, 4394, 5248, 6220 and 7138. We expect that Iranian population structure, the greatest increase in the number of new cases and deaths from BC observe in age group (ages >= 65), so in 2035 compared to 2012, the number of new case and mortality will be 3 times, while in the age group below 65 yr, the increase is about 1.8 time

Physical activity in adolescent girls and their perceptions of obesity prevention in Shahr-e Kord, Iran

Background: Regular physical activity (PA) has positive effects on physical, psychological and social health in the individual and the community. Reduced PA is a major global problem that is increasing in prevalence every day. The present study aimed to determine the status of PA among adolescent girls and their perceptions of obesity prevention. Materials and Methods: The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 308 randomly-selected female high-school students in in Shahr-e Kord, Iran. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model and the Standard Physical Activity Questionnaire and were then analyzed in SPSS-16 using statistical tests including the Chi-square test and Pearson's and Spearman's Correlation Coefficients. Results: According to the results, 217 (70.1%) of the adolescents had light PA, 84 (27.3%) had moderate and only 8 (2.6%) had severe physical activity. The adolescents obtained mean scores of 39.61±19.46 in knowledge, 31.88±15.04 in perceived susceptibility, 34.76±19.82 in perceived severity, 43.11±2.6 in perceived benefits of PA and 39.94±1.93 in perceived barriers. The mean score of perceived susceptibility, perceived severity and perceived benefits were higher in those with moderate physical activity compared to those with light physical activity (P < 0.001). Conclusion Given the status of PA in the participating adolescents and their low knowledge and poor perceptions of obesity and its relationship with regular physical activity, it is necessary to develop and implement health education and promotion interventions that aim to raise knowledge, generate interest in physical activity and its regular practice and, more importantly, make this behavior persistent

Study of distribution of elderly population in Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari Province from 1966 to 2011

Background and aims: Nowadays, the age structure of Iran is transitioning from youth to elderly. Although, the elderly population are still accounted for a small portion of the population; however, the population growth rate of this age group is growing compared to the growth of the total population. Therefore, understanding of the changes of this population is necessary. This study aimed to identify the distribution of population aged 60 years and more, in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province from 1966 to 2011. Methods: The data obtained from the national censuses from 1966 to 2011 as well as the national Statistical Center and Governor’s Office of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province. Due to incomplete data of 1956, these data were excluded. Results: In 1966, 6.34 of the national total population was over 60 years compared to 6.27 in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province. In 2011, 7.68 of population in this province was over 60 years in comparison with 8.21 reported for the total population of Iran. Conclusion: Due to rapid growth of the elderly population in the country as well as Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, considering the needs of this age group is an important necessity

Factors associated with cigarette smoking in central parts of Iran

This study aims to assess factors associated with cigarette smoking in central parts of Iran. Materials and methods: We used the data of the post intervention phase of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) that was conducted in 2007. Logistic regression was used for calculating crude and adjusted Odds Ratios (OR). The group with the least prevalence of smoking was considered as the Reference Group (RG) and the OR for other parts of the variable was calculated based on the RG and reported with a confidence interval of 95%. Findings: Generally, 9513 individuals participated in the study, of which 13.5% were smokers (26.2% of men and 0.8% of women). The OR for cigarette smoking in men compared with women in (RG) was 13.89 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 7.44-24.82). Among rural areas, compared with urban areas in (RG), the OR was 0.98 (95% CI 0.82-1.15); and among elementary education level compared to illiterate individuals the OR was 4.37 (95% CI 1.68-10.76). The OR in individuals in the age group 35-44, compared with the age group of 65 and older in (RG) was 2.49 (95% CI 1.81-3.45). The place most used for cigarette smoking was streets (72.1%); and the main reason for starting or continuing cigarette smoking, according to smokers' opinions, was pleasure and fun. Conclusion: The highest number of smokers was in 35-44 years men, in rural areas, with elementary education level; so, they are the ones who need more attention through implementation of educational programs for awareness, improved attitudes and practices, and smoking cessation programs