The effect of aerobic exercise and barley β-glucan on blood glucose, body composition and blood pressure of diabetic women

Background: The incidence of type 2 diabetes increases with aging, unhealthy diets, obesity and sedentary lifestyles. The aim of this study was to investigate the combinational effect of a 12-week aerobic exercise and barley β-glucan (BBG) on blood glucose, body composition and blood pressure in women with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 24 women with the mean age of 49 years and a blood glucose level of 110-280 mg/dl were purposefully selected and randomly divided into three groups: a) group of aerobic exercise with diet (n=8), b) diet group (n=8) c) control group (n=8). The diet group consumed one barley bread, containing 4 g of β glucan, each day for 12 weeks. The group of aerobic exercise, who was on diet, participated in a progressive walking program with the intensity of 60-70 of maximal heart rate in addition to diet program (barley bread). Blood glucose, weight, fat percentage, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were measured in pre-and post-training. Results: Results showed a significant decrease in the blood glucose level in the experimental groups compared to the control group, while no major changes were observed in body composition and blood pressure. Conclusion: It seems that the combined program (aerobic training with diet) or consumption of β-glucan alone can decrease blood glucose in patients with diabetes

Major Dietary Patterns in Relation to Stunting among Children in Tehran, Iran

To the best of our knowledge, no information is available to link major dietary patterns to stunting during childhood, although dietary patterns are associated with chronic diseases. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between major dietary patterns and stunting in the first grade pupils of Tehran in 2009. In this case-control study, 86 stunted children (defined as height-for-age of less than the 5th percentile of CDC2000 cutoff points) were enrolled from among 3,147 first grade pupils of Tehran, selected using a multistage cluster random-sampling method. Participants for the control group (n=308) were selected randomly from non-stunted children (height-for-age more than the 5th percentile of CDC2000 cutoff points), after matching for age, sex, and area of residence. Dietary data were collected using two 24- hour dietary recalls through face-to-face interview with mothers. Factor analysis was used for identifying major dietary patterns. Mean consumption of dairy products (308\ub1167 vs 382\ub1232 g/day, p<0.05), dried fruits and nuts (2.58\ub19 vs 7.15\ub126 g/day, p<0.05) were significantly lower among stunted children than those in the control group. Three major dietary patterns were identified: \u2018traditional dietary pattern\u2019 that was dominated by bread, potato, fats, eggs, flavours, vegetables other than leafy ones, sugar, drinks, and fast food; \u2018mixed dietary pattern\u2019 that was dominated by leafy vegetables, fast foods, nuts, fats, cereals other than bread, fruits, legumes, visceral meats, sugars, eggs, and vegetables other than leafy vegetables; and \u2018carbohydrate-protein pattern\u2019 that was dominated by sweets and desserts, poultry, dairy, fruits, legumes, and visceral meats. No significant relationships were found between traditional and mixed dietary patterns and stunting. Individuals in the third quartile of carbohydrate-protein dietary pattern were less likely to be stunted compared to those in the bottom quartile (OR: 0.31, 95% CI 0.13-0.78, p<0.05). Adherence to dietary patterns high in protein (e.g. dairy, legumes, and meat products) and carbohydrates (e.g. fruits, sweets, and desserts) might be associated with reduced odds of being stunted among children

Why has the taxing policy on sugar sweetened beverages not reduced their purchase in Iranian households?

ObjectiveThis study aimed at analyzing the effectiveness of the policy of taxing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) on their purchases during the last decade in Iranian households.MethodsThe present mixed method study was done in 2017 in four phases: (1) A meta-review of the fiscal policies during the last decade, (2) Collecting existing data on soft drinks’ production, price, and household expenditure during the last decade, (3) Conducting 19 semi-structured interviews with key informants, and (4) Facilitating a national meeting to achieve a consensus on the recommendations and future implications.ResultsDocument reviews showed that based on the Permanent Provisions of National Development Plans of Iran, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) should announce the list of health threatening products to increase taxation for them. The government is allowed to impose taxes on domestically produced and imported SSBs. The average household expenditure on SSBs increased in the rural and urban households of Iran during 2006–2016 in spite of taxation. In the different key informants’ opinion, only value-added tax (VAT) was implemented among different fiscal policies, and the other parts, including tax and tolls were debated.ConclusionThe present research findings further proposed some suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of financial policies in reducing the prevalence of NCDs in Iran

Some determinants of Stunting in children of Tehran

AbstractBackground and aim:Stunting indicates longWterm effects of inadequate nutrition and/or health.This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing stunting among first grade primary schoolchildren in Tehran, Iran 2008.Material and Method:This is a case-control study. The subjects were selected from 3147 Childrenwhose height was measured using standard protocols. 86 stunned children (Case group) and 308children with normal height recruited for the study, using a cluster sampling method in 5 districts ofTehran. Stunting was defined as the height for age below the 5th percentile of CDC2000 standard.The tool for data collection was a questionnaire including questions about children's birth weightand height, duration of breast feeding and demographic characteristics. Data were analyzed bySPSS14 and using Chi-square, student t-test and multivariate logistic regression.Results: The prevalence of stunting was %3.7 among children. Means for birth weight andduration of breast feeding were 2.9±0.6 kg, 17.4± 8.7 months, respectively among stunted childrenwhich were significantly lower than non stunted children (3.2 ± 0.5 kg 20± 7.7 months,respectively) (P<0.05).The parents of stunted children had lower education (P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that odds ratio of stunting among children is 4.6 for childrenwith "birth weight of lower than 3Kg" compared to children with "birth weight higher than 3Kg"(CI= 95%; OR:1.4-14.7). Odds ratio of stunning was also 3.3 (CI= 95%; OR: 1.1-9.2) amongchildren with "breast feeding less than 3months" compared to "breast feeding more than 3 months" .It was also 6.7 (CI= 95%; OR: 1. 1-9.2).Conclusion:This study showed that the prevalence of stunting is relatively low in Tehran. Primaryhealth care during pregnancy and breast feeding in first 3 month of life were shown as the mostimportant factors influencing stunting.Key Words: Children, Stunting, Birth weight, Breast feeding, Parents educationCorresponding Author:Fatemeh Esfarjani. Department of Food and Nutrition Policy and PlanningResearch, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Sciencesand Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.REFERENCES-ACC/SCN (2000). Fourth Report on the World Nutrition Situation.Geneva: ACC/SCN in collaboration with IFPRI.-Amigo H et al (2001). Growth deficits in school children. Journal of Nutrition. 13 (2) 251-254.-Biswas S Bose K (2010). Sex differences in the effect of birth order and parents educational status on stunting: A studyon Bengalee preschool children from eastern India, HOMO. Journal of Comparative Human Biology. 61 (4) 271-276.-Blake J (1981). Family size and the quality of children. Demography. 18 (4) 421-42.-Bronte-Tin Kew J DeJong G (2004). Children's Nutrition in Jamaica: Do household structure and household economicresources matter? Social Science& Medicine.58 (3) 499-514.-De Onis M and Blössner M (2003). The World Health Organization Database on Child Growth and methodology andapplications. International Journal of Epidemiological association 32 (4) 518-26.-Fesharakinia A Sharifzadeh Gh R Zarban A (2008). [Investigation of nutritional status in elementary school students ofSouth Khorasan province: East of Iran]. Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal. 2(3) 47-72. (Persian).-Frangillo EA de Onis M Hanson KMP (1997). Socioeconomic and demographic factors are associated with WorldwidePatterns of Stunting and Wasting of Children. Journal of Nutrition, 127 (2) 2302-9.-Ghorbani J (1998). [A study of malnutrition at the primary school students in Zanjan]. Journal of Zanjan University ofmedical Science & Health Service, 23 (6) 24-31. (Persian).-Gibson R Ferguson EL (1998). Nutrition intervention strategies to combat zinc deficiency in developing countries.Nutrition Research Reviews. 11. 115-31.-Heer DM (1986). Effect of number, order, and spacing of siblings on child and Adult Outcomes: An overview ofCurrent Research. Biodemography and Social Biology. 33 (1-2) 201-4.-Ibrahim SA Maksoud AAE Nassar MF (2002). Nutrition stunting in Egypt: which nutrient is responsible? EasternMediterranean Health Journal, 8(2-3) 272-8.-Kariuki F Monari J Kibui M et al (2002). Prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition. Journal of National Institute ofPublic Health. 51(1) 44-50.-Kikafunda J et al (1998).Risk Factors for Early Childhood Malnutrition in Uganda. J Pediatrics. 102 (4) E45.-Killic I et al (1998). The effect of zinc-supplemented bread consumption on school children with asymptomatic zincdeficiency. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 26 (2) 167-71.-Lwambo N et al (2000). Age patterns in stunting and anaemia in African school children: A cross-sectional study inTanzania. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 54(1) 36-40.-Marquis GS et al (1997). Association of Breastfeeding and Stunting in Peruvian Toddlers: An Example of ReverseCausality. International Journal of Epidemiology. 26 (2) 349-356.-Marshall WA Tanner JM (1970). Variations in the pattern of pubertal changes in boys. Archive of Diseases inChildhood. 45 (239) 13-23.-Ninh N et al (1996). Zinc supplementation increases growth and circulating insulin- like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) ingrowth- related Vietnamese children. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 63 (4) 514-9.-Prasad AS (1996). Zinc deficiency in women, infants and children. Journal of American College of Nutrition, 15 (2)113-120.-Ricci J Becker S (1996). Risk factors for wasting and stunting among children in Metro Cebu, Philippines. TheAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 63 (6) 966-75.-Rosado JL et al (1997). Zinc supplementation reduced morbidity, but neither zinc nor iron supplementation affectedgrowth or body composition of Mexican preschoolers. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 65 (1) 160-1-Semba R et al (2008). Effect of parental formal education on risk of child stunting in Indonesia and Bangladesh: Across-sectional study, lancet. 371 (9609) 322-328-Shah SM et al (2003). Prevalence and correlates of stunting among children in rural Pakistan. Pediatrics International,45(1) 49-53.-Shekholeslam R et al (2000). Current status and trends in the 10-years indices of malnutrition in children under 5 years.Iranian journal of Epidemiology. 4 (1) 21-28.-Sichieri R et al (1993). Nutrional status of children and occupational categories of the family in rural community ofParana Brazil. Cad saude publica. 9 (1) 28-35.-Taguri A et al (2008). Risk factors for stunting among under-fives in Libya. Public Health Nutrition, 12 (8) 1141-9.-Taheri f A Fesharakinia Saadat Joe A (2001). The prevalence of underweight, wasting and stunting in 6-12 years oldchildren of Birjand. Journal of Birjand University of Medical Sciences. 8 (1) 22-27.-Trahms C Mckean K (2008). Nutrition during Infancy in: Mahan LK, Escott-Stump S. Krause's food, nutrition and diettherapy, Missouri, Saunders co.-Unicef Statistics (2008). World Wide Prevalence of malnutrition among children under 5 years. availableat:[http://www.childrenfo.org/areas/malnutrition](Accessed January)-Yang XL et al (2010). Analysis of influencing factors for stunting and underweight among children aged 3-6 years in15 counties of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Zhonghuz Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi. 31 (5) 506-509

Schools′ cafeteria status: Does it affect snack patterns? a qualitative study

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate patterns of students′ snacks habits regarding to their schools′ cafeteria status in Tehran by focus group discussion (FGD) technique. Methods: Participants were 240 students (12-15 years old), selected from12 middle-schools in Tehran. The field study consisted of 24 FGDs sessions; involving 8-10 participants. Collected data were coded, categorized and analyzed using constant comparative method. Results: Over half of the students believed that snack consumption is necessary. Although, majority of students believed that their schools′ cafeterias are not acceptable, they noted them as one of the necessary parts of school. Nearly half of the children were complaining of unvaried and expensive food items. The most purchased items were: Cookies, sandwiches with mayonnaise and ketchup, soft drinks and chocolate milk. Most of the students were interested in having roles in their cafeterias. Conclusions: Schools′ cafeteria are significant sources of supplying adolescents′ snacks, so developing hygienic stores containing healthy and nutritious food items is a key element to affect their snack selection positively. Reaching this goal requires a multi disciplinary approach through participation of students, school staff, parents, and the support of community and media

Determinants of stunting in school-aged children of Tehran, Iran

Background: Limited data are available indicating associates of stunting among Iranian children. This study was conducted to investigate determinants of stunting in first grade primary school children of Tehran in 2007. Method: In this case-control study, 3147 school children were selected by multistage cluster random sampling method from 5 districts of Tehran. Anthropometric measurements were done and stunting was defined as height for age less than the 5 th percentile of CDC2000 cut-off points. Eighty six stunted children were identified and considered as case group. After matching for age, sex and residence area, 308 non-stunted children were randomly selected as control group. Required data were collected by trained nutritionists using questionnaires. Results: Stunting was prevalent among 3.7% of the study population (girls 4.4% vs. boys 2.8%, P 3000 g were less likely to be stunted (OR: 0.25: 95% CI: 0.11-0.54) compared with those with a birth weight of 35 years) was associated with greater odds of being stunted (3.01; 1.19-7.60) compared with being born to younger mothers (160 cm were less likely to be stunted (0.04; 0.005-0.37) than those whose fathers′ height was less than 160 cm. Conclusions: We found that birth weight, maternal age and fathers′ height are the major contributing factors to stunting in this group of Iranian children. Taking into account the determinants of stunting might help policy makers designing appropriate interventions

Major Dietary Patterns in Relation to Stunting among Children in Tehran, Iran

To the best of our knowledge, no information is available to link major dietary patterns to stunting during childhood, although dietary patterns are associated with chronic diseases. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between major dietary patterns and stunting in the first grade pupils of Tehran in 2009. In this case-control study, 86 stunted children (defined as height-for-age of less than the 5th percentile of CDC2000 cutoff points) were enrolled from among 3,147 first grade pupils of Tehran, selected using a multistage cluster random-sampling method. Participants for the control group (n=308) were selected randomly from non-stunted children (height-for-age more than the 5th percentile of CDC2000 cutoff points), after matching for age, sex, and area of residence. Dietary data were collected using two 24- hour dietary recalls through face-to-face interview with mothers. Factor analysis was used for identifying major dietary patterns. Mean consumption of dairy products (308±167 vs 382±232 g/day, p<0.05), dried fruits and nuts (2.58±9 vs 7.15±26 g/day, p<0.05) were significantly lower among stunted children than those in the control group. Three major dietary patterns were identified: ‘traditional dietary pattern’ that was dominated by bread, potato, fats, eggs, flavours, vegetables other than leafy ones, sugar, drinks, and fast food; ‘mixed dietary pattern’ that was dominated by leafy vegetables, fast foods, nuts, fats, cereals other than bread, fruits, legumes, visceral meats, sugars, eggs, and vegetables other than leafy vegetables; and ‘carbohydrate-protein pattern’ that was dominated by sweets and desserts, poultry, dairy, fruits, legumes, and visceral meats. No significant relationships were found between traditional and mixed dietary patterns and stunting. Individuals in the third quartile of carbohydrate-protein dietary pattern were less likely to be stunted compared to those in the bottom quartile (OR: 0.31, 95% CI 0.13-0.78, p<0.05). Adherence to dietary patterns high in protein (e.g. dairy, legumes, and meat products) and carbohydrates (e.g. fruits, sweets, and desserts) might be associated with reduced odds of being stunted among children

The effect of aerobic exercise and barley β-glucan on blood glucose, body composition and blood pressure of diabetic women

Background: The incidence of type 2 diabetes increases with aging, unhealthy diets, obesity and sedentary lifestyles. The aim of this study was to investigate the combinational effect of a 12-week aerobic exercise and barley β-glucan (BBG) on blood glucose, body composition and blood pressure in women with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 24 women with the mean age of 49 years and a blood glucose level of 110-280 mg/dl were purposefully selected and randomly divided into three groups: a) group of aerobic exercise with diet (n=8), b) diet group (n=8) c) control group (n=8). The diet group consumed one barley bread, containing 4 g of β glucan, each day for 12 weeks. The group of aerobic exercise, who was on diet, participated in a progressive walking program with the intensity of %60-70% of maximal heart rate in addition to diet program (barley bread). Blood glucose, weight, fat percentage, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were measured in pre-and post-training. Results: Results showed a significant decrease in the blood glucose level in the experimental groups compared to the control group, while no major changes were observed in body composition and blood pressure. Conclusion: It seems that the combined program (aerobic training with diet) or consumption of β-glucan alone can decrease blood glucose in patients with diabetes

The Role of Policymakers in Potential Strengthening to Improve the Safety of the Vegetable in the Supply Chain: SWOT Analysis during COVID-19

Fresh vegetables can play an important role in health and food security. This study aimed to assess the safety of the vegetable supply chain in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic by strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted in two phases in 2021. First, in the cross-sectional study, 192 staff were randomly selected from five major centers of vegetable retail centers. Then, semi-structured interviews were done with ten stakeholders, and a SWOT analysis was completed. Results: Half of the participants had desirable hygienic practices, 39.6% had acceptable, and 8.9% had weak practice scores. The practice of participants whose educational level was BSc and above was better than that of illiterates (OR =15.38, 95% CI =1.61-14.57, P=0.01). SWOT analysis results identified a poor shelf-life of vegetables, weak technology in planting, harvesting, and distributing vegetables. Conclusion: Policymakers can utilize the practical solutions for taking action in the potential strengthening of vegetable safety in the supply chain to improve public health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Risk assessment of lead and cadmium concentrations in hen's eggs using Monte Carlo simulations

Abstract The hen egg is one of the main sources of cheap, great quality, and nutritious food. This study aimed at determining the level of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in hen eggs and at assessing the carcinogenic and non‐carcinogenic risks caused by the consumption of hen eggs collected in Iran. A total of 42 hen eggs from 17 major brands were randomly sampled from supermarkets. Lead and cadmium concentrations were determined by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). Additionally, using the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) method to calculate dietary exposure, target hazard quotient (THQ), and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), the related human health risk associated with ingesting these hazardous metals for adults was evaluated. The average Pb and Cd concentrations in whole eggs were 7.16 ± 0.248, and 2.83 ± 0.151 μg kg−1, respectively, which were less than the maximum permitted levels, established by FAO/WHO and the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI). Pb and Cd concentrations were significantly correlated at the 0.05 level (r = 0.350). Regarding the levels of Pb and Cd in eggs, overall, the estimated weekly intake (EWI) of these metals for adults by egg consumption was determined 0.014 and 0.007 mg/week, respectively, which were lower than the risk values suggested. The carcinogenic and non‐carcinogenic indexes of Cd and Pb indicated that the adult population in Iran was safe (THQ Pb and Cd <1, ILCR <10−6 Pb). It should be emphasized that this research primarily focuses on egg consumption, which may account for a relatively small portion of Iranian consumers' overall exposure to Pb and Cd. Therefore, a comprehensive study on the risk assessment of these metals through whole‐diet foods is recommended. The findings showed that lead and cadmium levels in all evaluated eggs were suitable for human consumption. Adults' Pb and Cd exposure from eating eggs was significantly lower than the risk levels established by Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), per the exposure assessment. According to the THQ values of these dangerous metals, which were below one value, egg eating by Iranian consumers does not present a non‐carcinogenic risk. In addition, this finding provides accurate and reliable information for policymakers to improve food safety status to reduce public health hazards