Adequacy of Nutrients Intake among Jordanian Pregnant Women in Comparison to Dietary Reference Intakes.

Objective: Maternal nutrition is considered an important pillar in the pregnancy outcomes for both mother and infant. A mother's malnutrition and inadequate nutrient intake is associated with many undesirable pregnancy outcomes. Hence, assessing the nutritional status of the mother in the early stages of the pregnancy and preventing any inadequacy can preclude many health problems for both mother and infant.

A high weekly dose of cholecalciferol and calcium supplement enhances weight loss and improves health biomarkers in obese women.

Obesity, a chronic condition associated with several life-threatening diseases, affects a significant proportion of the global population and has long been associated with vitamin D deficiency. The prevalence of both obesity and vitamin D deficiency has increased dramatically in Jordan in recent decades, especially among women. Few studies in Jordan and the surrounding area address this issue.

Fast Foods, Sweets and Beverage Consumption and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Case-Control Study in Jordan.

Background: The effects of consuming fast foods, sweets and beverages on the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) are unclear. The aim of this case-control study was to assess possible associations between the consumption of different fast foods, sweets and beverages and CRC risk in a Jordanian population. Methods: Two hundred and twenty diagnosed CRC cases and 281 controls were enrolled.

Fast foods perception among adolescents by gender and weight status.

Background: Fast food restaurants have become widespread in both developed and developing countries due to nutritional and economic transitions. The frequency of fast food intake is relatively high among adolescents; however, fast food consumption is positively associated with total energy intake and obesity in adolescents.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the perception of Jordanian adolescents towards fast foods relative to gender and obesity.

Association between mass media and body weight concern among Jordanian adolescents' residents of Amman: the role of gender and obesity.

Objectives: Body image in the mass media promotes an unrealistic picture of body shape that leads to body dissatisfaction among adolescentsQuery. Therefore, the study presented in this paper aimed to assess the association between mass media and adolescents' weight concerns and perceptions of body weight and shape.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on school adolescents aged between 15 and 18 years during the academic year 2013-2014.

Dietary patterns and colorectal cancer.

Background & Aims: Dietary pattern and lifestyle have been reported to be important risk factors in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the mechanism of action of dietary factors in CRC disease is unclear. The aim of this study is the examination of several dietary choices and their potential association with the risk of developing CRC.

Consumption of Whole Grains, Refined Cereals, and Legumes and Its Association With Colorectal Cancer Among Jordanians.

Background The role of whole grains, refined cereals, and legumes in preventing or initiating colorectal cancer (CRC) is still uncertain. The aim of this study is to examine the possible association between the consumption of whole grains, refined cereals, and legumes and the risk of developing CRC among Jordanian population. Methods A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary data with regard to intake of whole grains, refined cereals, and legumes.

Macro- and micronutrients consumption and the risk for colorectal cancer among Jordanians.

Objective: Diet and lifestyle have been reported to be important risk factors for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the association between total energy and nutrient intake and the risk of developing CRC has not been clearly explained. The aim of our study is to examine the relationship between total energy intake and other nutrients and the development of CRC in the Jordanian population.

Food groups and the risk of colorectal cancer: results from a Jordanian case-control study.

The role of diet in colorectal cancer (CRC) in Jordan has not been studied previously. This study aimed at examining the association between food groups (including grains, fruits, vegetables, milk, and meat and legumes) and CRC risk in Jordan. We compared intakes of the different food groups among CRC patients (n=167) and matched controls (n=240) by age, sex, occupation, and marital status.

Fruit and vegetable intake among Jordanians: results from a case-control study of colorectal cancer.

Background: Diets that include fruits and vegetables have been suggested as one way to reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC); however, the association between consuming fruits and vegetables and CRC risk is not clear. The objective of the present study is to compare fruit and vegetable intake between 2 groups of Jordanians and further investigate this possible relationship.

Methods: A history of fruit and vegetable consumption was obtained from 220 people with CRC and 281 healthy controls, all of whom were from Jordan.

Nutrient intake and lifestyle factors by diabetes status of Circassians and Chechans in Jordan.

Objectives: Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in Jordan. However, little is known about nutrient intakes of minority groups in Jordan with and without diabetes. Our study aimed to examine if the intake of energy, macronutrients and some micronutrients differed between normal and diabetic adults among Circassians and Chechans in Jordan.

Validation of a food frequency questionnaire to assess macronutrient and micronutrient intake among Jordanians.

The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) among a convenience sample of healthy adults in Jordan. A modified version of the questionnaire known as Diet History Questionnaire I, which measures dietary intakes over a 1-year period, was administrated to 101 apparently healthy men and women recruited from three large medical centers in Jordan. Fifty-five participants completed the modified FFQ and three 24-hour recalls.

Physical inactivity, water intake and constipation as risk factors for colorectal cancer among adults in Jordan.

Background: Physical activity has been found to play a role in cancer prevention. The purpose of this matched case-control study was to investigate the association between physical activity levels, water intake, constipation and colorectal cancer (CRC).

Materials And Methods: Two hundred and thirty-two patients diagnosed with CRC (125 male, 107 female) were enrolled in this case-control study.

Stage of change of 6 health-related behaviors among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aims: Assessing patients' current stage of change toward 6 healthy behaviors related to diabetes control. Behaviors studied were smoking cessation (2) regular exercise; (3) consuming 5 servings or more of fruits and vegetables; (4) decreasing intake of refined sugar; (5) reducing saturated fat; and (6) self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG).

Methods: Stage of change (SOC) for several diabetes control-related behaviors was assessed for 737 patients with type 2 diabetes using a staging algorithm.

Prevalence of food insecurity among women in northern Jordan.

Food insecurity--not having sufficient quantities of good-quality foods--is inversely related to physical and mental health and directly related to poor dietary intake. The objectives of this research were to (a) measure the prevalence of food insecurity among women in northern Jordan, (b) study the socioeconomic factors associated with an increased risk of food insecurity, and (c) investigate the relationship between household food insecurity and women's reported body-weight. This cross-sectional study was conducted using an interview-based questionnaire.

Food insecurity is related to glycemic control deterioration in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background & Aims: Poor glycemic control has been shown to play a major role in the development and progression of diabetes complications. This cross-sectional study tested the hypothesis that food insecurity may deteriorate glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of food insecurity among type 2 diabetics in a major hospital that serves the area of northern Jordan, and to investigate its relation to glycemic control.

Inhibition of the formation of advanced glycation end products by thymoquinone.

The inhibitory activity of thymoquinone, a major quinone from black seeds (Nigella sativa) against the formation of advanced glycation end products was studied using the hemoglobin-δ-gluconolactone, human serum albumin-glucose, and the N-acetyl-glycyl-lysine methyl ester-ribose assays. A comparison was made with the inhibitory activity of aminoguanidine. The cytotoxicity of thymoquinone was studied by the release of lactate dehydrogenase from platelets and the levels of plasma thiols.

Gestational nutrition improves outcomes of vaginal deliveries in Jordan: an epidemiologic screening.

Adequate and balanced nutrition during gestation is essential for achieving healthy pregnancy outcomes. This retrospective survey tested the hypothesis that maternal nutrition (macronutrients intake, micronutrients intake, and weight gain) during gestation will impact gestational outcomes (gestational age, birth weight, and labor spontaneity). The objectives of this study were to test the impact of macronutrients and micronutrients consumed during gestation, pregestational weight and weight gain during gestation on gestational age, birth weight, and labor spontaneity among Jordanian women.

Developing a food exchange list for Middle Eastern appetizers and desserts commonly consumed in Jordan.

AIM: This study was conducted to develop a meal-planning exchange list for Middle Eastern foods commonly included in the Jordanian cuisine. Forty types of appetizers and another 40 types of desserts were selected; with five different recipes for each item. Recipes were collected from different housewives and Arabic cookbooks.

The association between periodontal disease and obesity among adults in Jordan.

Aim: To determine the relationship between periodontitis and overweight/obesity among Jordanians.

Material And Methods: A systematic random sample of 340 persons aged between 18 and 70 years was selected from those who accompanied patients during their visit to the outpatient clinics in the medical centre of Jordan University of Science and Technology in north of Jordan. All participants underwent periodontal examination, had anthropometric measurements, and completed the questionnaire.

Developing a meal-planning exchange list for traditional dishes in jordan.

This study was conducted to develop a meal-planning exchange list for traditional combination dishes in Jordan. A total of 80 traditional dishes were selected from local cookbooks and through interviews with housewives. To minimize individual variations in preparation methods, five different recipes for each dish were collected and averaged.

Assessment of nutritional status among ESRD patients in Jordanian hospitals.

Objective: Our objective was to assess nutritional status and compare quality of treatment among hemodialysis patients in public and private hospitals in Jordan.

Design: We utilized a cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Our setting involved hospital hemodialysis units.

Hypoxia inducible factor pathways as targets for functional foods.

The etiology of most chronic angiogenic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, diabetes complications, and cancer includes the presence of pockets of hypoxic cells growing behind aerobic cells and away from blood vessels. Hypoxic cells are the result of uncontrolled growth and insufficient vascularization and have undergone a shift from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism. Cells respond to hypoxia by stimulating the expression of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF), which is critical for survival under hypoxic conditions and in embryogenesis.

In vitro anti-proliferative activities of ellagic acid.

The potential cytotoxic and anti-proliferative activities of ellagic acid (a naturally occurring bioactive compound in berries, grapes, and nuts) was evaluated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), normal human lung fibroblast cells HEL 299, Caco-2 colon, MCF-7 breast, Hs 578T breast, and DU 145 human prostatic cancer cells. Ellagic acid at concentration in the range 10-100 micromol/L did not affect the viability of normal fibroblast cells during a 24-hour incubation. An increase in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence of approximately 18-21% was observed in normal cells incubated with ellagic acid.

Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-1 activity by the soybean Bowman-Birk inhibitor.

Inductively coupled plasma analysis of soybean Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI) indicated that BBI was a metalloprotein which contained magnesium, calcium, and zinc at 0.40, 0.43 and 0.