Dietary diversity score is related to obesity and abdominal adiposity among Iranian female youth.

Objective: To assess the relationship between diet and disease, consideration of whole-diet indices may be more informative than single-nutrient intake. The present study was conducted to report the relationship among dietary diversity score (DDS), obesity and abdominal adiposity among female university students.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Dairy consumption and circulating levels of inflammatory markers among Iranian women.

Objective: Although recent studies have shown an inverse relationship between dairy consumption and metabolic abnormalities, we are aware of no study evaluating the association between dairy consumption and circulating levels of inflammatory markers. The current study was undertaken to assess the association between the consumption of high-fat and low-fat dairy products and circulating levels of inflammatory markers among Tehrani women aged 40-60 years.

Design: In a cross-sectional study of 486 apparently healthy women aged 40-60 years, we assessed usual dietary intakes by means of an FFQ.

Soy-protein consumption and kidney-related biomarkers among type 2 diabetics: a crossover, randomized clinical trial.

Objective: Renal disease is a major problem among diabetic patients. The type of protein consumed may affect alterations in kidney-related biomarkers in these patients. This study sought to assess the effects of soy-protein consumption on renal-related markers among type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy.

Evaluation of fatty acid content of some Iranian fast foods with emphasis on trans fatty acids.

Although the disadvantages of trans fatty acids (TFAs) are widely mentioned, limited data are available on the TFAs contents of Iranian foods, including fast foods. The aim of this study was to quantify the amounts of common fatty acids in several fast foods in Iran, with specific focus on TFAs. The most commonly consumed fast foods in Iran: sausage, calbas, hamburgers and pizzas, were randomly selected seven times from products available in supermarkets and restaurants.

Obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors in a representative population of Iranian adolescents and adults in comparison to a Western population: the Isfahan Healthy Heart Programme.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to develop reference data for the Iranian population for anthropometric values and cardiometabolic data in comparison with those in Americans, as representative of a Western population.

Design: The present cross-sectional survey, conducted as part of the baseline survey of a community-based interventional study (the Isfahan Healthy Heart Programme), used a two-stage clustering design and was conducted in 12 600 randomly selected adults (> or =19 years of age) and 2000 adolescents (aged 11-18 years) living in three cities in the central part of Iran. For comparison with a Western population, comparable data for Americans were derived from the data sets of the Second and Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES II and NHANES III).

Fatty acid composition of commercially available Iranian edible oils.

Background: Trans-fatty acids (TFAs), unsaturated fats with at least one double bond in the Trans configuration, are industrially formed in large quantities when vegetable oils are partially hydrogenated. This study was undertaken to quantify the amounts of the common fatty acids in several commercial oils marketing in Iran.

Methods: The most consumed commercially available brands of vegetable oils were randomly selected from products available in supermarkets.

Do lifestyle interventions affect dietary diversity score in the general population?

Objective: The dietary diversity score (DDS) is a good indicator of diet quality as well as of diet-disease relationships; therefore, the present study was undertaken to reveal the effect of a lifestyle intervention on this index.

Design: A baseline and three evaluation studies were conducted in two intervention districts (Isfahan and Najaf-Abad) and a reference area (Arak), all located in central Iran. The Isfahan Healthy Hearth Programme (IHHP) targeted the entire population of nearly 2 million in urban and rural areas of the intervention communities.

Do lifestyle interventions work in developing countries? Findings from the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Objective: To assess the effects of a comprehensive, integrated community-based lifestyle intervention on diet, physical activity and smoking in two Iranian communities.

Methods: Within the framework of the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program, a community trial was conducted in two intervention counties (Isfahan and Najaf-Abad) and a control area (Arak). Lifestyle interventions targeted the urban and rural populations in the intervention counties but were not implemented in Arak.

Red meat intake is associated with metabolic syndrome and the plasma C-reactive protein concentration in women.

Although red meat consumption has been related to the prevalence of diabetes, few data are available showing the relation among red meat intake, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome. We aimed to identify the association between red meat intake, metabolic syndrome, and circulating concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a surrogate measure of inflammation. In a cross-sectional study of 482 Tehrani female teachers aged 40-60 y, we used a FFQ to assess red meat intake.

Home use of vegetable oils, markers of systemic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction among women.

Background: Most knowledge about adverse health effects of trans fats was mainly derived from studies done in Western populations of European or American origins; few data are available in the understudied region of the Middle East.

Objective: We assessed the association between consumption of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVOs) and non-HVOs and circulating concentrations of inflammatory markers among Tehrani women aged 40-60 y.

Design: Usual dietary intakes were assessed with a food-frequency questionnaire among 486 apparently healthy women.

Dietary patterns among pregnant women in the west-north of Iran.

This study was conducted to assess the food consumption pattern and nutrient intakes of pregnant women residing in Maku-the west north of Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 284 pregnant women (142 from urban area and 142 from rural areas) participated. Subjects were interviewed privately, face-to-face.

Food intake patterns may explain the high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among Iranian women.

Some cardiovascular risk factors are more prevalent in Middle Eastern countries than in other parts of the world. Lifestyle-related factors, including diet, might account for this discrepancy. We aimed to identify the association between food intake patterns and cardiovascular risk factors among Iranian adult women.

Major dietary patterns in relation to general obesity and central adiposity among Iranian women.

Studying the links between dietary patterns and obesity is especially relevant for Middle-Eastern populations because of their high prevalence of a particular type of obesity, the so-called Middle-Eastern pattern, and their diets' unique characteristics. Therefore, we wondered if major dietary patterns are related to the prevalence of general obesity and central adiposity among Iranian women. In this cross-sectional study of 486 women aged 40-60 y, usual dietary intakes were evaluated using a FFQ and anthropometric measurements.

Soy protein intake, cardiorenal indices, and C-reactive protein in type 2 diabetes with nephropathy: a longitudinal randomized clinical trial.

Objective: Several short-term trials on the effect of soy consumption on cardiovascular risks are available, but little evidence exists regarding the impact of long-term soy protein consumption among type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy. To determine the effects of long-term soy consumption on cardiovascular risks, we measured C-reactive protein (CRP) and kidney function indexes among type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy.

Research Design And Methods: This longitudinal randomized clinical trial was conducted among 41 type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy (18 men and 23 women).

Dietary and non-dietary determinants of central adiposity among Tehrani women.

Objective: To determine the correlates of central adiposity.

Design: Population-based cross-sectional study.

Subjects: A total of 926 women (aged 40-60 years) from all districts of Tehran.

Dietary soya intake alters plasma antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome.

Postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome are at high risk of oxidative stress. Several studies have suggested possible antioxidant properties of soya, but little evidence is available regarding the effect of soya on oxidative stress in postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of soya consumption on plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic risks in individuals with normal body mass index and normal waist circumference.

Background: Risk of cardiovascular diseases increases in Asian adults within the normal limits of body mass index and waist circumference.

Objective: To determine a point of body mass index and waist circumference above which the chances of having cardiovascular risk factors increased.

Methods: Data on anthropometric indices, blood pressure and biochemical measures were collected in a cross-sectional study of 3447 participants (1781 males and 1666 females) with normal body mass index (19 to <25 kg/m for both sexes) and normal waist circumference (<102 cm for men and <88 cm for women).

Particle size of LDL is affected by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) step II diet in dyslipidaemic adolescents.

The objective was to determine the effects of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) step II diet on LDL and HDL particle size in dyslipidaemic adolescents. Forty-four dyslipidaemic adolescents, aged 10-18 years, participated in this case-control study. The control diet was a diet similar to what most Tehranian adolescents eat.

Soy consumption, markers of inflammation, and endothelial function: a cross-over study in postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome.

Objective: To determine the effects of soy consumption on markers of inflammation and endothelial function in postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome.

Research Design And Methods: This randomized cross-over clinical trial included 42 postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome. Participants were randomly assigned to consume a control diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension [DASH]), soy protein diet, or soy nut diet, each for 8 weeks.

Dietary patterns and markers of systemic inflammation among Iranian women.

Few studies have examined the contribution of major dietary patterns to markers of systemic inflammation. This study was conducted to evaluate the association of major dietary patterns with markers of systemic inflammation among Iranian women. In a cross-sectional study of 486 healthy women aged 40-60 y, we assessed usual dietary intakes by means of an FFQ.

Dietary patterns, insulin resistance, and prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in women.

Background: Although individual foods and nutrients have been associated with the metabolic syndrome, whether dietary patterns identified by factor analysis are also associated with this syndrome is not known.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the association of major dietary patterns characterized by factor analysis with insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome among women.

Design: Usual dietary intakes were assessed in a cross-sectional study of 486 Tehrani female teachers aged 40-60 y.

Soy inclusion in the diet improves features of the metabolic syndrome: a randomized crossover study in postmenopausal women.

Background: Little evidence exists regarding the effects of soy consumption on the metabolic syndrome in humans.

Objective: We aimed to determine the effects of soy consumption on components of the metabolic syndrome, plasma lipids, lipoproteins, insulin resistance, and glycemic control in postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome.

Design: This randomized crossover clinical trial was undertaken in 42 postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome.

Better dietary adherence and weight maintenance achieved by a long-term moderate-fat diet.

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of a long-term moderate-fat diet (30 % energy from fat) v. a low-fat one (20 % energy from fat) on metabolic risks. The study was a randomised, prospective 14-month trial on overweight and obese patients (eighty-nine overweight and obese men and women).