Introduction: Obesity and overweight are major underlying factors for many chronic diseases. Cons... more Introduction: Obesity and overweight are major underlying factors for many chronic diseases. Considering the increasing obesity among people with low levels of physical activity especially administrative personnel, assessing obesity prevalence and its relationship to lifestyle patterns in sedentary jobs plays a key role in finding appropriate solutions for this problem. Material and Methods: All male personnel working in administrative posts at Jondi-Shapour University of Medical Sciences filled out questionnaires on some aspects of their lifestyles; their anthropometric data were also obtained. Study variables were body mass index (BMI), body fat percent (BFP), physical activity patterns, smoking and drug usage. Body fat percentage was measured by the BIA method using on Omron BF-300 analyzer. Statistical data were analyzed by ANOVA, t-and Pearson coefficient tests using SPSS version 11.5. Results: Prevalences of overweight and obesity among male personnel were 26 and 52 percent, respectively. Seventy-one percent reported no exercise in their daily activity. A significant reverse relationship was found between physical activity and BMI, BFP and waist circumference (r = -0.31, -0.32, -0.34, respectively, P<0.001). Ninety-five percent used to go to work driving their own vehicles or using public transportation. There was a significant relationship between the ways they attend their work, BMI, and BFP. BMI and BFP were significantly higher among older subjects. No significant relationship was found between subjects' BMI and their ethnicity, education levels, smoking habits, drinking tea and coffee, working period, having breakfast and drug usage. Conclusion: Considering the association between low physical activities and high BMI and BFP, it is suggested that university personnel should be made aware of their daily calorie intakes and need to arrange a regular plan for their physical activity.
Breast cancer survivors are highly motivated to seek information about food choices to reduce ris... more Breast cancer survivors are highly motivated to seek information about food choices to reduce risk of cancer recurrence and improve their quality of life. This cross-sectional study aims to determine food intake practices and its association with quality of life among Iranian breast cancer survivors. A total of 100 breast cancer survivors aged from 32 to 61 years were recruited from the Oncology Clinic at Golestan Hospital. European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used to determine QoL. Eating practices was evaluated by validated questionnaire modified from the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) study. Nutritional status was assessed by Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Approximately 94% of subjects were identified as well-nourished and 6% were moderately malnourished. Mean scores for all functional domains of QoL in wellnourished cancer survivors were higher than those in malnourished cancer survi...
Following fast increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes among Iranians, diabetes self-care ac... more Following fast increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes among Iranians, diabetes self-care activities are important. This cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding diabetes among 100 Iranian type 2 diabetics (61 female, 39 male) aged between 37 to 66 years, attending the out-patient Diabetes Clinic at Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. A face-to-face interview was done and a validated knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaire was used to determine knowledge, attitude and practices of diabetes patients. The mean duration of diabetes among patients was 4.05 ± 1.4 years. Fifty three percent of patients had good glycemic control (HbA1c level (=<7%)). The results showed that attitude related to diabetes was acceptable in the majority; while knowledge and self-care practices were insufficient. The overall mean (± SD) score of the knowledge, attitude and practice of patients based on KAP questionnaire was in medium level (17.37± 2.23) in which total maximum possible score was 29. KAP score was low for 9 % of patients. There was significant association between low level of education (primary) or not having formal education with poor KAP score about diabetes compare to higher level of education [illiterate: OR=2.6, 95% CI= (0.23-30.80), primary: OR=0.23, 95% CI= (0.43-1.27), P<0.05]. While there was no significant association between the KAP scores and HbA1c level. As the consequence of low awareness of diabetes among patients affects their ability of self-care management and lead to negative impact on outcome of diabetes. Patients need to be educated on how to prevent diabetes complications. Health care providers should promote self-care activities in the process of diabetes education.
Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is a complex disorder defined by a cluster of interconnected fac... more Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is a complex disorder defined by a cluster of interconnected factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular atherosclerotic diseases and diabetes mellitus type 2. Metabolic syndrome is becoming more common in the world and in Iran as well. Researchers are not sure whether the syndrome is due to one single cause, or all of the syndrome's risk factors are related to obesity. Objective: This research determined an association between metabolic syndrome and BMI in nurses in Ahvaz, Iran. Method: This is a cross-sectional study; the present study was carried out in the industrial oil city of Ahvaz, State of Khuzestan, Iran. For this study, the participants included 417 Iranian male and female nurses, aged between 23 and 65 years, non-pregnant (for women), and with at least 1 year's work experience. In total 450 nurses signed the consent form for participation in the project and agreed to complete the study questionnaires. A blood test was conduct...
To our knowledge there has been no study investigating the impact of freeze-dried strawberry (FDS... more To our knowledge there has been no study investigating the impact of freeze-dried strawberry (FDS) supplementation on metabolic biomarkers of atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study was carried out to determine the effects of FDS supplementation on glycemic control, biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation and serum total antioxidant status in subjects with T2D compared to matched control subjects. Thirty-six subjects with T2D (23 females; mean body mass index 27.90 ± 3.7; mean age 51.57 ± 10 years) were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group consumed 2 cups of FDS beverage (50 g of FDS is equivalent to 500 g of fresh strawberries) or macronutrient matched placebo powder with strawberry flavor daily for 6 weeks in a randomized double-blind controlled trial. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intakes, hemoglobin (Hb)A1c, antioxidant status, C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed at baseline and 6 weeks post-in...
The effect of ovariectomy and accompanying sudden loss of circulating gonad hormones on spatial l... more The effect of ovariectomy and accompanying sudden loss of circulating gonad hormones on spatial learning performance in the young adult rats was examined. We hypothesized that spatial learning and memory in a considerable number of women who undergo a surgical menopause and estrogen deprivation before their natural menopause be impaired. In this study, we used 26 Wistar rats (approximately five months of age) and divided them into two groups: intact and ovariectomized (OVX). They were tested for spatial reference memory in Morris water maze 6 weeks after OVX. The results showed that the performance of OVX group in the water maze was significantly lower than the control group. Although, mean path length decreased across blocks in both groups, OVX rats had significantly longer path length than controls across blocks 2-6 (P<0.05). OVX rats had lower percent of total time spent in target quarter than controls in probe trials (P<0.05). Body weight gain was significant only in OVX g...
Iron-deficiency anemia is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency worldwide. Iron-deficiency an... more Iron-deficiency anemia is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency worldwide. Iron-deficiency anemia has particular negative consequences on women in their childbearing years, and its prevention is a high priority in most health systems. This interventional study assessed the effect of nutrition education on hematologic indices, iron status, nutritional knowledge, and nutritional practices of high-school girls in Iran. Sixty healthy 16- to 18-year-old girls were randomly selected from two high schools in the city of Ahvaz and divided into two equally matched groups, one that received nutrition education, and one that did not. The education group received instruction in face-to-face sessions, group discussions, and pamphlets for 2 months. The control group did not receive any information during the study. Hematologic tests, corpuscular indices, and serum ferritin levels were measured at baseline and after 2 months. Food-frequency questionnaires were administered and histories taken,...
Objective. The aim of the present study was to compare the serum levels of total antioxidant stat... more Objective. The aim of the present study was to compare the serum levels of total antioxidant status (TAS) and 25(OH) D3 and dietary intake of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with those of normal subjects. Method. Thirty-seven MS patients (31 women) and the same number of healthy matched controls were compared for their serum levels and dietary intake of 25(OH) D3 and TAS. Sun exposure and the intake of antioxidants and vitamin D rich foods were estimated through face-to-face interview and food frequency questionnaire. Results. Dietary intake of antioxidants and vitamin D rich foods, vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate was not significantly different between the two groups. There were also no significant differences in the mean levels of 25(OH) D3 and TAS between the study groups. Both groups had low serum levels of 25(OH) D3 and total antioxidants. Conclusion. No significant differences were detected in serum levels and dietary intake of vitamin D and antioxidants between MS patients and healthy controls. All subjects had low antioxidant status and vitamin D levels.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare nutrients intake, anthropometric, biochemical an... more Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare nutrients intake, anthropometric, biochemical and psychiatric indices between shift working and day-time nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in which ninety eight female nurses (55 day-time workers and 43 shift workers) from six educational hospitals of Jondi-Shapour University of medical sciences, Ahvaz, Iran were participated. A questionnaire including dietary, anthropometric, disease history and lifestyle pattern questions was completed and 3-day 24-hour recalls, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were collected. Serum hs-CRP and 25(OH)D3 concentrations were measured by immunoturbidimetric and electrochemiluminescent immunoassay method, respectively. Anthropometric indices were measured according to World health organization standard protocol. Independent sample t and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: There was a lower dietary intake of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, magnesium and iron in shift worker compared with day-time nurses (p &lt; 0.05). No significant differences in serum hs-CRP concentrations, serum 25(OH)D3 levels, vitamin D deficiency percentage, hemoglobin and hematocrite concentrations, and also anthropometric and psychiatric variables were found between two groups. Duration of exposure to sunlight was significantly higher in shift workers than in day time nurses. Engagement time in weekly physical exercise was around 11 times greater in day-time nurses compared with the shift work nurses (p = 0.001). Conclusions: This study showed that shift working is associated with some nutritional deficiencies and sedentary lifestyle among female nurses.
To compare freeze-dried strawberry (FDS) beverage and strawberry-flavored drink effects on lipid ... more To compare freeze-dried strawberry (FDS) beverage and strawberry-flavored drink effects on lipid profile and blood pressure in type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients. In a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, 36 subjects with T2D (23 females; mean ± SE age: 51.57 ± 10 years) were randomly divided into two groups. Participants consumed two cups of either pure FDS beverage (each cup containing 25 g freeze-dried strawberry powder equivalent to one serving of fresh strawberries; intervention group) or an iso-caloric drink with strawberry flavoring (similar to the FDS drink in fiber content and color; placebo group) daily for 6 wk. Anthropometric measurements, 3 d, 24 h dietary recall, and fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and at weeks 6 intervention. After lying down and relaxing for approximately 10 min, each participant's blood pressure was recorded in triplicate with 5 min intervals; recordings were made at baseline and the trial end-point. Each participant's li...
Introduction: Obesity and overweight are major underlying factors for many chronic diseases. Cons... more Introduction: Obesity and overweight are major underlying factors for many chronic diseases. Considering the increasing obesity among people with low levels of physical activity especially administrative personnel, assessing obesity prevalence and its relationship to lifestyle patterns in sedentary jobs plays a key role in finding appropriate solutions for this problem. Material and Methods: All male personnel working in administrative posts at Jondi-Shapour University of Medical Sciences filled out questionnaires on some aspects of their lifestyles; their anthropometric data were also obtained. Study variables were body mass index (BMI), body fat percent (BFP), physical activity patterns, smoking and drug usage. Body fat percentage was measured by the BIA method using on Omron BF-300 analyzer. Statistical data were analyzed by ANOVA, t-and Pearson coefficient tests using SPSS version 11.5. Results: Prevalences of overweight and obesity among male personnel were 26 and 52 percent, respectively. Seventy-one percent reported no exercise in their daily activity. A significant reverse relationship was found between physical activity and BMI, BFP and waist circumference (r = -0.31, -0.32, -0.34, respectively, P<0.001). Ninety-five percent used to go to work driving their own vehicles or using public transportation. There was a significant relationship between the ways they attend their work, BMI, and BFP. BMI and BFP were significantly higher among older subjects. No significant relationship was found between subjects' BMI and their ethnicity, education levels, smoking habits, drinking tea and coffee, working period, having breakfast and drug usage. Conclusion: Considering the association between low physical activities and high BMI and BFP, it is suggested that university personnel should be made aware of their daily calorie intakes and need to arrange a regular plan for their physical activity.
Breast cancer survivors are highly motivated to seek information about food choices to reduce ris... more Breast cancer survivors are highly motivated to seek information about food choices to reduce risk of cancer recurrence and improve their quality of life. This cross-sectional study aims to determine food intake practices and its association with quality of life among Iranian breast cancer survivors. A total of 100 breast cancer survivors aged from 32 to 61 years were recruited from the Oncology Clinic at Golestan Hospital. European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used to determine QoL. Eating practices was evaluated by validated questionnaire modified from the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) study. Nutritional status was assessed by Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Approximately 94% of subjects were identified as well-nourished and 6% were moderately malnourished. Mean scores for all functional domains of QoL in wellnourished cancer survivors were higher than those in malnourished cancer survi...
Following fast increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes among Iranians, diabetes self-care ac... more Following fast increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes among Iranians, diabetes self-care activities are important. This cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding diabetes among 100 Iranian type 2 diabetics (61 female, 39 male) aged between 37 to 66 years, attending the out-patient Diabetes Clinic at Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. A face-to-face interview was done and a validated knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaire was used to determine knowledge, attitude and practices of diabetes patients. The mean duration of diabetes among patients was 4.05 ± 1.4 years. Fifty three percent of patients had good glycemic control (HbA1c level (=<7%)). The results showed that attitude related to diabetes was acceptable in the majority; while knowledge and self-care practices were insufficient. The overall mean (± SD) score of the knowledge, attitude and practice of patients based on KAP questionnaire was in medium level (17.37± 2.23) in which total maximum possible score was 29. KAP score was low for 9 % of patients. There was significant association between low level of education (primary) or not having formal education with poor KAP score about diabetes compare to higher level of education [illiterate: OR=2.6, 95% CI= (0.23-30.80), primary: OR=0.23, 95% CI= (0.43-1.27), P<0.05]. While there was no significant association between the KAP scores and HbA1c level. As the consequence of low awareness of diabetes among patients affects their ability of self-care management and lead to negative impact on outcome of diabetes. Patients need to be educated on how to prevent diabetes complications. Health care providers should promote self-care activities in the process of diabetes education.
Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is a complex disorder defined by a cluster of interconnected fac... more Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is a complex disorder defined by a cluster of interconnected factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular atherosclerotic diseases and diabetes mellitus type 2. Metabolic syndrome is becoming more common in the world and in Iran as well. Researchers are not sure whether the syndrome is due to one single cause, or all of the syndrome's risk factors are related to obesity. Objective: This research determined an association between metabolic syndrome and BMI in nurses in Ahvaz, Iran. Method: This is a cross-sectional study; the present study was carried out in the industrial oil city of Ahvaz, State of Khuzestan, Iran. For this study, the participants included 417 Iranian male and female nurses, aged between 23 and 65 years, non-pregnant (for women), and with at least 1 year's work experience. In total 450 nurses signed the consent form for participation in the project and agreed to complete the study questionnaires. A blood test was conduct...
To our knowledge there has been no study investigating the impact of freeze-dried strawberry (FDS... more To our knowledge there has been no study investigating the impact of freeze-dried strawberry (FDS) supplementation on metabolic biomarkers of atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study was carried out to determine the effects of FDS supplementation on glycemic control, biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation and serum total antioxidant status in subjects with T2D compared to matched control subjects. Thirty-six subjects with T2D (23 females; mean body mass index 27.90 ± 3.7; mean age 51.57 ± 10 years) were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group consumed 2 cups of FDS beverage (50 g of FDS is equivalent to 500 g of fresh strawberries) or macronutrient matched placebo powder with strawberry flavor daily for 6 weeks in a randomized double-blind controlled trial. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intakes, hemoglobin (Hb)A1c, antioxidant status, C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed at baseline and 6 weeks post-in...
The effect of ovariectomy and accompanying sudden loss of circulating gonad hormones on spatial l... more The effect of ovariectomy and accompanying sudden loss of circulating gonad hormones on spatial learning performance in the young adult rats was examined. We hypothesized that spatial learning and memory in a considerable number of women who undergo a surgical menopause and estrogen deprivation before their natural menopause be impaired. In this study, we used 26 Wistar rats (approximately five months of age) and divided them into two groups: intact and ovariectomized (OVX). They were tested for spatial reference memory in Morris water maze 6 weeks after OVX. The results showed that the performance of OVX group in the water maze was significantly lower than the control group. Although, mean path length decreased across blocks in both groups, OVX rats had significantly longer path length than controls across blocks 2-6 (P<0.05). OVX rats had lower percent of total time spent in target quarter than controls in probe trials (P<0.05). Body weight gain was significant only in OVX g...
Iron-deficiency anemia is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency worldwide. Iron-deficiency an... more Iron-deficiency anemia is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency worldwide. Iron-deficiency anemia has particular negative consequences on women in their childbearing years, and its prevention is a high priority in most health systems. This interventional study assessed the effect of nutrition education on hematologic indices, iron status, nutritional knowledge, and nutritional practices of high-school girls in Iran. Sixty healthy 16- to 18-year-old girls were randomly selected from two high schools in the city of Ahvaz and divided into two equally matched groups, one that received nutrition education, and one that did not. The education group received instruction in face-to-face sessions, group discussions, and pamphlets for 2 months. The control group did not receive any information during the study. Hematologic tests, corpuscular indices, and serum ferritin levels were measured at baseline and after 2 months. Food-frequency questionnaires were administered and histories taken,...
Objective. The aim of the present study was to compare the serum levels of total antioxidant stat... more Objective. The aim of the present study was to compare the serum levels of total antioxidant status (TAS) and 25(OH) D3 and dietary intake of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with those of normal subjects. Method. Thirty-seven MS patients (31 women) and the same number of healthy matched controls were compared for their serum levels and dietary intake of 25(OH) D3 and TAS. Sun exposure and the intake of antioxidants and vitamin D rich foods were estimated through face-to-face interview and food frequency questionnaire. Results. Dietary intake of antioxidants and vitamin D rich foods, vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate was not significantly different between the two groups. There were also no significant differences in the mean levels of 25(OH) D3 and TAS between the study groups. Both groups had low serum levels of 25(OH) D3 and total antioxidants. Conclusion. No significant differences were detected in serum levels and dietary intake of vitamin D and antioxidants between MS patients and healthy controls. All subjects had low antioxidant status and vitamin D levels.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare nutrients intake, anthropometric, biochemical an... more Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare nutrients intake, anthropometric, biochemical and psychiatric indices between shift working and day-time nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in which ninety eight female nurses (55 day-time workers and 43 shift workers) from six educational hospitals of Jondi-Shapour University of medical sciences, Ahvaz, Iran were participated. A questionnaire including dietary, anthropometric, disease history and lifestyle pattern questions was completed and 3-day 24-hour recalls, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were collected. Serum hs-CRP and 25(OH)D3 concentrations were measured by immunoturbidimetric and electrochemiluminescent immunoassay method, respectively. Anthropometric indices were measured according to World health organization standard protocol. Independent sample t and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: There was a lower dietary intake of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, magnesium and iron in shift worker compared with day-time nurses (p &lt; 0.05). No significant differences in serum hs-CRP concentrations, serum 25(OH)D3 levels, vitamin D deficiency percentage, hemoglobin and hematocrite concentrations, and also anthropometric and psychiatric variables were found between two groups. Duration of exposure to sunlight was significantly higher in shift workers than in day time nurses. Engagement time in weekly physical exercise was around 11 times greater in day-time nurses compared with the shift work nurses (p = 0.001). Conclusions: This study showed that shift working is associated with some nutritional deficiencies and sedentary lifestyle among female nurses.
To compare freeze-dried strawberry (FDS) beverage and strawberry-flavored drink effects on lipid ... more To compare freeze-dried strawberry (FDS) beverage and strawberry-flavored drink effects on lipid profile and blood pressure in type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients. In a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, 36 subjects with T2D (23 females; mean ± SE age: 51.57 ± 10 years) were randomly divided into two groups. Participants consumed two cups of either pure FDS beverage (each cup containing 25 g freeze-dried strawberry powder equivalent to one serving of fresh strawberries; intervention group) or an iso-caloric drink with strawberry flavoring (similar to the FDS drink in fiber content and color; placebo group) daily for 6 wk. Anthropometric measurements, 3 d, 24 h dietary recall, and fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and at weeks 6 intervention. After lying down and relaxing for approximately 10 min, each participant's blood pressure was recorded in triplicate with 5 min intervals; recordings were made at baseline and the trial end-point. Each participant's li...
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