What Could Aid in Slowing Down Cognitive Function?

The objective of this research was to assess the relationship between cognitive function, physical activity level, nutritional and depression status in the elderly. Materials and Methods. A total of 200 individuals (≥ 65 years) were included in the study. General characteristics of the individuals, biochemical findings, nutritional habits, 24-hour physical activity level and food consumption records were assessed. Cognitive function and depression status were screened by the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (S-MMSE) and Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-SF), respectively. Results. Thirty-eight (19%) of the 200 individuals were diagnosed with dementia. On the evaluation of all the individuals, moderate and statistically significant negative correlation (r=-0.558, p < 0.01) was found between the S-MMSE and GDS-SF values. In addition, a moderate and statistically significant positive correlation was found between the S-MMSE and physical activity level values (r=0.553, p < 0.01). Vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, and zinc intakes were lower in women than in men (p < 0.05). Moreover, it was observed that the vitamin B3 and calcium intakes were below the recommended daily intake in both the genders. Conclusions. Proper nutritional treatment and increasing the levels of physical activity may aid in slowing down the progression of dementia

Effect of body composition on the athletic performance of soccer referees

Nutrition plays an important role in improving sports performance. The present study aimed at nutritional assessment and examined the relationship between athletic performance and body composition in soccer referees at different levels. The study participants were 120 male soccer referees. 5, 10 and 30 metres (m) sprint tests to measure speed and cooper test for physical fitness were applied in the referees. Participants were divided into two groups as city and class soccer referee. The anthropometric measurements, excluding fat mass (FM) (%), were higher in class referees. Fat mass (%) differences (14⋅1 ± 4⋅28 v. 12⋅3 ± 4⋅41) were statistically significant (P < 0⋅05). Daily energy and nutrient intakes were similar. The inadequacy percentages of energy, vitamin A and calcium were the highest (29⋅2, 30⋅0 and 34⋅2 %, respectively). It was found that a negative significant correlation between FM% and cooper test score (P < 0⋅01; r = −0⋅35), a positive significant correlation between FM% and 5, 10 and 30 m sprint test scores (P < 0⋅01, r = 0⋅38; P < 0⋅01, r = 0⋅38 and P < 0⋅01, r = 0⋅48, respectively). Similarly, there was a negative significant correlation between waist circumference (WC) and cooper test score (P < 0⋅01; r = −0⋅31), a positive significant correlation between WC and 5, 10 and 30 m sprint test scores (P < 0⋅01, r = 0⋅33; P < 0⋅01, r = 0⋅40; P < 0⋅01, r = 0⋅33, respectively). Nutritional recommendations for soccer referees should be made specific to the individual, considering body composition, training intensity and match frequency by a dietician

Grand Challenges in global eye health: a global prioritisation process using Delphi method

Background We undertook a Grand Challenges in Global Eye Health prioritisation exercise to identify the key issues that must be addressed to improve eye health in the context of an ageing population, to eliminate persistent inequities in health-care access, and to mitigate widespread resource limitations. Methods Drawing on methods used in previous Grand Challenges studies, we used a multi-step recruitment strategy to assemble a diverse panel of individuals from a range of disciplines relevant to global eye health from all regions globally to participate in a three-round, online, Delphi-like, prioritisation process to nominate and rank challenges in global eye health. Through this process, we developed both global and regional priority lists. Findings Between Sept 1 and Dec 12, 2019, 470 individuals complete round 1 of the process, of whom 336 completed all three rounds (round 2 between Feb 26 and March 18, 2020, and round 3 between April 2 and April 25, 2020) 156 (46%) of 336 were women, 180 (54%) were men. The proportion of participants who worked in each region ranged from 104 (31%) in sub-Saharan Africa to 21 (6%) in central Europe, eastern Europe, and in central Asia. Of 85 unique challenges identified after round 1, 16 challenges were prioritised at the global level; six focused on detection and treatment of conditions (cataract, refractive error, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, services for children and screening for early detection), two focused on addressing shortages in human resource capacity, five on other health service and policy factors (including strengthening policies, integration, health information systems, and budget allocation), and three on improving access to care and promoting equity. Interpretation This list of Grand Challenges serves as a starting point for immediate action by funders to guide investment in research and innovation in eye health. It challenges researchers, clinicians, and policy makers to build collaborations to address specific challenge

Yaşlılarda Fiziksel Aktivite Düzeyi, Beslenme Durumu ve Bilişsel Fonksiyon Arasındaki İlişkinin Değerlendirilmesi

Ilhan, A., Assessment of Relationship Between Physical Activity Level, Nutritional Status and Cognitive Function in Elderly, Hacettepe University Institute of Health Sciences, MSc Thesis in Community Nutrition Program, Ankara, 2017. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between physical activity level, nutritional status and cognitive function in elderly. A sample of 200 individuals providing research criteria and aged 65 years or older, who applied to Ankara University, Ibni Sina Hospital Geriatrics Clinic, were included in study. In scope of this study; general characteristics of individuals and their disease information, biochemical findings collected from medical files, nutrition habits, 24-hour physical activity and food consumption records were questioned. In addition, anthropometric measurements were taken. Cognitive function and depression status werescreened by Standardized Mini Mental State Examination (S-MMSE) and Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-SF), respectively. SPSS 23 statistical package program was used for statistical analysis of the data. 38 of 200 (19%) individuals were diagnosed with dementia.Those with dementia and without dementia were divided into two groups. The mean age of the group with dementia was 78.97±6.52 years and the mean age of the non-demented was 73.77±7.38 years.The mean scores of S-MMSE, GDS-SF and physical activity level (PAL); it was found 23.37±4.65, 6.66±3.19 and 1.36±0.23, respectively for women and 25.01±4.64, 5.21±3.24 and 1.52±0.28respectively for men. When all the participants were evaluated; it was found that negative, moderate and statistically significant correlation (r=-0.558,p<0.01) between S-MMSE and GDS-SF values. There was a positive, moderate and statistically significant correlation between S-MMSE and PAL values (r=0.553,p<0.01). In addition, there was a negative, moderate, and statistically significant correlation between GDS-SF and PAL values (r=-0.404,p<0.01). In women vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6 and zinc intakes were lower than men (p<0.05). It has been determined that the intakes of vitamin B3 and calcium of women and men are below the requirement. Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels (43.5 (36.5) U/L) of demented individuals were found to be significantly higher (27.5 (35.5) U/L) than non-demented according to routine biochemical findings. Dementia is a progressive disease that seriously threatens elderly individuals. Proper nutritional treatment and increasing levels of physical activity may slow the progression of the disease. Nutritional status is closely related to cognitive function level. Therefore, nutritional treatment should be an important component of multidisciplinary treatment of dementia and should not be overlooked. Keywords: Cognitive function level, nutritional status, physical activity levelİlhan, A., Yaşlılarda Fiziksel Aktivite Düzeyi, Beslenme Durumu ve Bilişsel Fonksiyon Arasındaki İlişkinin Değerlendirilmesi, Hacettepe Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü Toplum Beslenmesi Programı Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Ankara, 2017.Bu araştırma yaşlılarda fiziksel aktivite düzeyi, beslenme durumu ve bilişsel fonksiyon arasındaki ilişkinin değerlendirilmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır.Çalışmaya Ankara Üniversitesi İbni Sina Hastanesi Geriatri Kliniği’ne başvuran, araştırma kriterlerini sağlayan, 65 yaş ve üstü toplam 200 birey dahil edilmiştir.Araştırma kapsamında bireylerin genel özelliklerine ilişkin bilgiler, hastalık bilgileri, dosyalarından alınan biyokimyasal bulgular, beslenme alışkanlıkları, 24 saatlik fiziksel aktivite ve besin tüketim kayıtları sorgulanmış ve antropometrik ölçümleri alınmıştır. Bilişsel fonksiyon durumu Standardize Mini Mental Test (SMMT), depresyon durumu Geriatrik Depresyon Ölçeği-Kısa Form (K-GDÖ) ile taranmıştır.Verilerin istatistiksel analizleri için SPSS 23 paket programı kullanılmıştır. Araştırmaya katılan 38 bireye (%19) demans tanısı konmuştur. Bireyler demansı olan ve demansı olmayan olarak iki gruba ayrılmıştır.Demansı olan grubun yaş ortalaması 78.97±6.52 yıl, demansı olmayan grubun yaş ortalaması 73.77±7.38 yıldır. SMMT, K-GDÖ ve fiziksel aktivite düzeyi (PAL) ortalama skorları,kadınlar için sırasıyla 23.37±4.65, 6.66±3.19 ve 1.36±0.23;erkekler için sırasıyla 25.01±4.64, 5.21±3.24 ve 1.52±0.28bulunmuştur.Çalışmaya katılan tüm bireyler değerlendirildiğinde; SMMT ile K-GDÖ değerleri arasında negatif yönlü, orta düzey ve istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki (r=-0.558, p<0.01); SMMT ile PAL değerleri arasında pozitif yönlü, orta düzey ve istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki bulunmuştur (r=0.553, p<0.01). Ayrıca, K-GDÖ ile PAL değerleri arasında negatif yönlü, orta düzey ve istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki bulunmuştur (r=-0.404, p<0.01).Kadınlarda enerji, B1 vitamini, B2 vitamini, B3 vitamini, B6 vitamini ve çinko alımları erkeklere kıyasla daha düşüktür. Kadın ve erkeklerin günlük B3 vitamini ve kalsiyum alımları gereksinmenin altındadır. Rutin biyokimyasal bulgulara bakıldığında demansı olan bireyleringama glutamil transferaz (GGT) düzeylerinin (43.5 (36.5) U/L) demansı olmayanlara kıyasla(27.5 (35.5) U/L) istatistiksel olarak anlamlı derecede daha yüksek olduğu görülmüştür (p<0.05). Demans yaşlı bireyleri ciddi şekilde tehdit eden progresif bir hastalıktır. Uygun beslenme tedavisi ve fiziksel aktivite düzeyinin arttırılması hastalığın ilerleyişini yavaşlatabilir. Beslenme durumu bilişsel fonksiyon ile yakından ilişkilidir. Bu yüzden, beslenme tedavisi demansın multidisipliner tedavisinin önemli bir bileşeni olmalı, göz ardı edilmemelidir

Is There the Role of Endocrine Disruptors in Autism Spectrum Disorder?

The maintenance of human health and generation depends on the perfect functioning of hormones and similar signal carrier substances, which are vital for metabolism, growth-development, mental functions, immune system and reproduction. Infants and young children are more sensitive to contaminants in food than adults. Exposure to endocrine disruptors in infancy and early childhood is important for the development of childhood diseases. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects both the individual with the disorder and his or her entire family, and has a life-long and often destructive effect. The factors that cause ASD are not definitively known, but there are findings that it is genetically based. Environmental factors may also lead to ASD. Especially, bisphenol A (BPA), lead and mercury exposure have been reported to be associated with increased risk of ASD. Impairment of the GABAergic signal, which has an important role in the production of neural networks, and thyroid hormone function is considered as possible mechanisms for the observed relationships. A large number of research has been carried out on the effects of both genetic and environmental factors. In recent studies, pregnant women's body fluids (urine, serum) endocrine disruptive substance content and the prenatal body load of chemicals measured and the effects of these on children and their relationship to ASD are examined. Although there are studies on the relationship of endocrine disruptors with ASD, more studies are needed on this subject. In this review, it was aimed to evaluate the possible relationship between ASD and endocrine disruptors according to current study results

Greenhouse Gas Emission and Water Footprint of the National Diet in Turkey: Results from Turkey Nutrition and Health Survey 2017

The study aimed to assess and characterize the sustainability of the national diet in Turkey and its association with diet quality, dietary requirements, and sociodemographic factors. Dietary intake was assessed using 24 h recalls from the Turkey Nutrition and Health Survey 2017 (TNHS-2017) (n = 12,527). The environmental footprints were assessed with two environmental indicators: greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) and water footprint (WF). Diet quality was assessed using the diet quality index (DQI) and dietary diversity score (DDS). The dietary GHGEs was 3.21 ± 2.07 kg CO2-eq/person/day and the dietary total WF was 2832 ± 1378 L/person/day. The DQI and DDS were 62.26 ± 8.28 and 6.66 ± 1.31, respectively. Total energy intake was significantly higher in the highest GHGEs and total WF tertiles (2238 ± 722 and 2383 ± 701 kcal, respectively) compared to lower GHGEs and total WF tertiles. Individuals with higher diet-related GHGEs and total WF had a higher daily intake of nutrients with the exception of the percentages of energy supplied from carbohydrates, percentages of meeting nutrients according to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA), DQI (excluding DQI total, moderation, and overall balance score), and DDS scores (p < 0.001). GHGEs and total WF value of the national diet in Turkey are lower than the world average. The results would help develop dietary guidelines to encourage sustainable dietary choices