Investigation of the Volume of Food Waste in Qaem and Imam Reza Hospitals in Mashhad, Iran

Objective: Food waste is a progressive concern and is contributed to reduce energy and protein intake. The aim of this study is to investigate the amount of food waste in different wards of Qaem and Imam Reza hospitals of Mashhad. Design and subjects: This cross-sectional study was performed during one week in the Imam Reza and Qaem hospitals. The study population consisted  of 425 patients in some wards of two hospitals. We selected participants non-randomly from patients who are hospitalized in two hospitals. The rate of food waste was measured just in lunch meal by using the food residual observational check list. All statistical analyses were done through SPSS version 16. Descriptive statistic was used to define baseline characteristics. Independent sample T-test was used for comparison of food waste between main course and appetizer, crosstab and chi-square test for comparing the main course and appetizer waste based on sex, hospitals and wards and ANOVA used for comparison of age between different degrees of food waste. Results: In this study 13.9% of the patients left their food in plate entirely. Food wastage in appetizer was significantly higher than main course (P < 0.001). Also less patients in Qaem hospital than Imam Reza left all of their food (27.84 vs 22%) (p=0.003). Food wastage in the Heart ward was significantly higher than other wards (P=0.006). Conclusion: Food waste vary by the different hospitals and wards, so in order to decrease the food waste, serving meals based on the wards and patient requirements is a good solution

Nutritional requirements and actual dietary intake of adult burn patients

Background: Nutritional support of the burn patient is essential to optimize, host immune defenses and to promote prompt wound healing. Furthermore, the increased needs in calorie requirement of burned patients, the composition of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in their diet is important. The purpose of this study was to evaluate energy, macronutrient and micronutrient intake and comparing with Reference Daily Intake (RDI) in adult burn patients. Methods: Sixty thermally injured patients who were hospitalized in a burn care Imam Reza hospital in Mashhad, Iran, were included in this cross-sectional study. Information about actual intake was collected by ‘nutrient intake analysis (NIA) through direct observation. Individual nutritional intakes were assessed with the use of nutritionist 4 software and Data was analyzed by SPSS version 18. Results: The mean of energy, carbohydrate and protein intake was significantly lower than the mean total energy requirement and carbohydrate and protein RDA (

Depression and anxiety symptoms are associated with white blood cell count and red cell distribution width: a sex-stratified analysis in a population-based study

Background: Depression and anxiety are two important mood disorders that are frequently associated with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Hyper-inflammation is related to both CVDs and psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety. Therefore, inflammation may partially explain the relationship between depression and cardiovascular disease. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between symptoms of depression/anxiety disorders and serum hs-CRP and inflammation linked conditions in a large Iranian population. Methods: Symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders and serum hs-CRP levels were measured in 9,759 participants (40% males and 60% females) enrolled in MASHAD study. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were evaluated with Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. According to the scores of depression and anxiety, individuals were categorized into four groups of no or minimal, low, moderate and severe categories. Results: The median serum hs-CRP concentration increased with increasing severity of depression and anxiety disorders. Male participants with severe depression had significantly higher levels of hs-CRP (p <0.001); however, this relationship was less marked among women (p = 0.04). Subjects with severe anxiety also had significantly higher levels of hs-CRP (p <0.001). Moreover, women with severe depression and anxiety had higher BMI. There was also a positive association between current smoking habit and depression/anxiety disorders. Conclusion: Depression and anxiety disorders are associated with elevated levels of hs-CRP, particularly among men. There were also a significant positive association between depression/anxiety disorders and inflammation linked conditions such as smoking and obesity; however, in the case of obesity this association was only present in women

Effect of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on antibody titers to heat shock protein 27 in adolescent girls

Objective: Although vitamin D deficiency is associated with several inflammatory conditions, there have been few studies on the effects of vitamin D supplementation on markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of high dose vitamin D supplementation on heat shock protein 27 antibody (anti-Hsp27) titres in adolescent girls. Methods: Five hundred and fifty adolescent girls received vitamin D3 at a dose of 50,000 IU/week for 9 weeks. Demographic, clinical, biochemical markers including serum fasting blood glucose, lipid profile and anti-Hsp27 titers as well as hematological parameters including white blood cell count (WBC), and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) were determined in all the subjects at baseline and at the end of the study. Results: Serum vitamin D increased significantly, from 6.4 (4.2-9.6) ng/mL to 35.6 (25.8-47.5) ng/mL (P <0.001) following the intervention. Furthermore, serum anti-Hsp27 titers were significantly lower after the 9 week vitamin D administration period [0.22(0.12-0.33) OD vs. 0.19(0.11-0.31) OD; P=0.002]. A significant correlation was found between serum anti-Hsp27 and RDW (r=0.13, p=0.037). The reduction in RDW values after intervention were particularly evident in subjects with the greatest increase in serum vitamin D levels. Conclusions: High-dose vitamin D supplementation was found to reduce antibody titers to Hsp 27. Further randomized placebo-controlled trials are warranted to determine the long time effect of vitamin D administration on the inflammatory process especially that associated with chronic disease

A Mediterranean diet is associated with improved total antioxidant content of human breast milk and infant urine

Background: The composition of breast milk (BM) is dynamic and can be influenced by maternal variables that include the diet and nutritional status. This study examined the association between maternal adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and total antioxidant content of BM and infant urine. Methods: We collected 350 BM samples from mothers and urine samples from their infants. The dietary intakes of the mothers were recorded using a validated 65 items-food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The total antioxidant status of the samples was assessed using the ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and thiol quantification assays. Milk protein, calcium, and triglyceride (TG) were also determined using standard biochemical kits. Results: Subjects with the highest MedDiet scores were among the women in the highest tertile (T3) for consumption of dietary fiber, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and seeds, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and the lowest consumption of red meat, sweetened beverages, and sodium, compared to women in the first tertile (T1) with the lowest MedDiet scores. After adjustment for potential confounders, the individuals in the highest tertile for MedDiet score had a significantly higher level of milk DPPH, and infant urinary DPPH than the lowest tertile and had a significantly higher level of milk protein, FRAP and infant urinary FRAP compared to the T2 (P < 0.05). In addition, the mothers in the T3 for the MedDiet pattern had a significantly lower level of milk TG compared to those within the T1 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings show that a high maternal adherence to a MedDiet can affect BM composition and their infants' urine

Anemia is associated with cognitive impairment in adolescent girls: a cross-sectional survey

Anemia is associated with impairment in oxygen transport, affecting an individual’s physical and mental wellbeing, and work performance. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of anemia and its possible association with serum antibody titers to Hsp27 (as an indicator of cellular stress), cognitive function, measures of emotion, sleep patterns in adolescent girls. A total of 940 adolescent girls were assessed to evaluate neuropsychological function with validated questionnaires. A complete blood count was determined as part of the assessment of hematological parameters. Serum anti-Hsp27 was measured for each subject. Among the total of 940 participants, 99 girls (10.5%) were anemic [hemoglobin <12(g/dl)]. Serum anti-HSP27 was significantly higher in anemic compared to healthy girls (p<0.05). There was no significant differences in depression, aggression, insomnia, daytime sleepiness and sleep apnea score between two groups. However, the total cognitive abilities score was significantly lower in the anemic girls (76.8±2.1 versus 85.7±2.5, p = 0.002). Logistic regression analysis showed that anemic girls were 1.73 times more likely than non-anemic girls to have cognitive impairment (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07-2.78; P = 0.025). Anemia was associated with elevated levels of anti-HSP27 and supports the hypothesis that cellular stress may be associated with anemia. Anemia was adversely associated with an assessment of cognitive abilities and was an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment in this grou

Passive smoking is associated with cognitive and emotional impairment in adolescent girls

It is well established that smoking is associated with impaired mental health and sleep problems. However, the possible effects of passive smoking on cognitive and emotional characteristics have not previously been evaluated in adolescents. We investigated the association between passive smoking and cognitive and emotional function, and sleep patterns in 940 adolescent girls. The girls were divided into 2 groups [305 exposed subjects and 635 non-exposed subjects (the controls)]. The passive smokers had a significantly lower cognitive function and higher depression, aggression, and insomnia scores compared to the control group (P <0.05). No significant difference was detected with respect to day-time sleepiness and sleep apnea. Logistic regression analyses showed that the passive smokers were more likely than the controls to have cognitive impairments, depressive mood, aggressive behavior and insomnia. Adolescent passive smokers had significant differences in their cognitive abilities and emotional function

Impact of a Nordic diet on psychological function in young students

Background: There has been a rapid increase in the prevalence of psychiatric and psychological disease, and this has attracted interest in identifying modifiable lifestyle factors that may affect an individual’s mood. Diet is one potential lifestyle factor that may affect psychological function. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between adherence to the health-promoting Nordic diet (ND) with neuropsychological function in young women. Methods: The study comprised 181 female students aged between 18 and 25 years. Psychological function was evaluated using a series of standardized questionnaires, including the Cognitive Ability Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Epworth Sleep Scale and Quality of Life Questionnaire. A validated food frequency questionnaire, which included 65 types of foods, was used to evaluate the amount of different foods consumed. Results: Evaluation of the dietary composition of the participants showed that the rate of adherence to the ND was positively associated with total energy, carbohydrates, protein, fibre, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, folate, phosphorus, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, carotene, whole grain, legumes, cabbage/vegetables, vegetables and fruit (p<0.05). Linear regression showed cabbage/vegetable consumption was inversely related to scores of stress (β=–0.04; p=0.038) and anxiety (β=–0.02; p=0.049) and directly associated with the quality-of-life score (0.02; p=0.036). Conclusions: Adherence to a ND with a high intake of cabbage/vegetables was inversely associated with stress and anxiety scores and directly associated with health-related quality of life

Efficacy of low-fat milk and yogurt fortified with vitamin D<inf>3</inf> on systemic inflammation in adults with abdominal obesity

Background The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is increasing globally and is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disease, and cardiovascular disease. Vit D deficiency is also associated with increased systemic inflammation. The current study aimed to determine the efficacy of low-fat milk and yogurt fortified with 1500 IU nano-encapsulated vitamin D, on systemic inflammation in abdominal obese participants. Method This multi-center study was conducted using a 2.5-month parallel total-blind randomized clinical trial design. Two hundred and eighty nine subjects were allocated to four groups: low-fat milk fortified by 1500 IU nano-encapsulated vitamin D3 (200 mL/day). Simple milk (200 mL/day), low-fat yogurt fortified by 1500 IU nano-encapsulated vitamin D3 (150 g/day), and simple yogurt (150 g/day). Results The results showed that serum levels of neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) were significantly lower before and after the intervention in fortified dairy groups. The results showed that serum levels of neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, and RDW before and after intervention in the fortified dairy groups were significantly lower (p < 0.05). The values of = neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelets to lymphocyte ratio, and RDW to platelets ratio (RPR) reduced significantly in the fortification group (p < 0.05). Conclusion Fortification with nano-encapsulated vitamin D3 of dairy products may decrease inflammation in individuals with abdominal obesity