Beyond transmission: Dire need for integration of nutrition interventions in COVID-19 pandemic-response strategies in Developing Countries like Pakistan.

Synergistic associations between infection and nutrition are well known. Impact of nutrition interventions on the outcomes have been scientifically assessed and reported. The role of nutrition in limiting the infection related morbidity and mortality does not appear to be a debatable question but nutrition interventions do not appear to be an essential part of current COVID-19 management strategies.

Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes Associated with Medical Nutrition Therapy by Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Pregnant Women with Malnutrition: An Evidence Analysis Center Systematic Review.

Malnutrition during the critical period of pregnancy has significant health outcomes for both the mother and her offspring. Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) by a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) may help mitigate negative health effects, although studies that support the role of the RDN have not been comprehensively evaluated. The objective was to explore the health effects of MNT by an RDN on maternal and infant outcomes in pregnant women with malnutrition.

Vitamin D Supplementation during Pregnancy: An Evidence Analysis Center Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Given the high rates of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women and possible effects on offspring health, a systematic review on this topic was conducted to help inform future practice guidelines.

Objective: To evaluate associations between maternal vitamin D supplementation, maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations, and health outcomes.

Methods: A PubMed literature search was conducted to identify studies that examined the health effects of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and infant health outcomes published from 2000 to 2016.

Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Maternal and Infant Outcomes of Pregnancy-An Evidence Analysis Center Systematic Review.

Background: While obesity presents specific acute and long-term risks to the pregnant woman and her offspring, the effects of bariatric surgery on pregnancy outcomes are undetermined.

Objective: A systematic review was performed according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Library process to determine the effects of bariatric surgery on both maternal and infant health outcomes of pregnancy.

Design: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed was conducted to identify studies published from years 2000 to 2015 that examined the health effects of pregnancy after bariatric surgery.

Maternal Nutrition during Early Pregnancy and Cardiometabolic Status of Neonates at Birth.

Objective: To explore the impact of maternal body weight on maternal nutrition and micronutrient status in early pregnancy and potential impact on metabolic status in newborns.

Methodology: The EU FP7 project GIFTS was conducted from Jan 2012 to May 2014. Demographic details and anthropometric measurements of women in the first trimester of pregnancy were obtained.

Role of HbA1c in predicting risk for congenital malformations.

Aims: Association between conventionally identified hyperglycemias and rates of congenital abnormalities is known; however there is less information about role of HbA1c in determining gestational hyperglycemias and associated risks. This study tried to explore the association between HbA1c in women without known diabetes at first antenatal visit and risk of congenital malformations (CM) among Saudi women living at Al-Madinah Al-Monawarah.

Methods: Eleven hundred and eighty (1180), healthy, first-trimester pregnant Saudi females without known diabetes, were selected from various antenatal care clinics of Al-Madinah Al-Monawarah city.

Diabetes education and care in a developing country: observations from Karachi, Pakistan.

Objective: To explore the kind of care being received by a sample of middle income group subjects with diabetes in Karachi.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Place And Duration Of Study: Raana Liaquat Ali Khan College of Home Economics, Karachi from January 2009 to September 2009.

Changing pattern in the risk factors for diabetes in young adults from the rural area of Baluchistan.

Objective: To observe changing pattern in the risk factors for diabetes as overweight, obesity, smoking, hypertension and family history of diabetes in young adults in the rural area of Baluchistan.

Methods: A community based observational study was carried out in the rural area of Baluchistan by conducting two surveys, in the years 2002 and 2009 respectively. The survey was further subdivided into two groups i.

Risk assessment of Pakistani individuals for diabetes (RAPID).

Objective: To develop and evaluate a risk score to predict people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes in Pakistan.

Methodology: Cross sectional data regarding primary prevention of diabetes in Pakistan. Diabetes risk score was developed by using simple parameters namely age, waist circumference, and family history of diabetes.

Temporal changes in the prevalence of diabetes, impaired fasting glucose and its associated risk factors in the rural area of Baluchistan.

Aims: To observe temporal changes in the prevalence of diabetes, impaired fasting glucose and its associated risk factors in the rural area of Baluchistan province of Pakistan according to American Diabetes Association criteria by comparing the two surveys done in 2002 and 2009.

Methodology: This community based survey of 1264 subjects aged 25 years and above was conducted from February 2009 to February 2010 in sixteen villages of southern Baluchistan. The temporal changes were assessed in comparison with a similar survey conducted seven years previously.

Pakistan National Diabetes Survey: prevalence of glucose intolerance and associated factors in the Punjab Province of Pakistan.

Aims: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and their relationship to age and obesity were estimated in Punjab, Pakistan by a population-based survey done in 1998.

Methods: Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed in a stratified random sample of 1852 adults aged >or=25 years. The diagnosis of diabetes and IGT were made on the basis of WHO criteria.

Efficacy of dietetics in low resource communities: dietary intake and BMI of type 2 diabetics living in Karachi before and after receiving dietician's guidance.

This study was planned to assess the dietary intake of diabetic subjects and kind of dietary modification they have made after individualised dietary guidance. Information on clinical and dietary profile of 200 subjects was recorded at first visit of BIDE. Dietary guidance was given by dietician.

Determination of reference values for elevated fasting and random insulin levels and their associations with metabolic risk factors among rural Pakistanis from Sindh Province.

Aim: To assess insulin levels and their association with metabolic risk factors (family history of diabetes, abnormal glucose tolerance, hypertension, overweight and android obesity) among a representative group of Pakistan.

Methods: The study data was taken from the database of a population-based survey conducted in Sindh Province, Pakistan, in 1994 to assess the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Through stratified random sampling; oral glucose tolerance tests were performed in 967 adults; every fifth sample was estimated for fasting and random (2-hour post-75 gm glucose load) insulin levels.

Glycemic control, hypertension and chronic complications in type 2 diabetic subjects attending a tertiary care centre.

Background: This study was carried out to assess the association of glycemic control and hypertension with chronic complications in type 2 diabetic subjects attending a tertiary care centre in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: This was a cross sectional analytical study. First visit of type 2 diabetic subjects to the outpatient department of Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, from September 1996 to December 2001, were analyzed for this study.

Relationship among fatness, blood lipids, and insulin resistance in Pakistani children.

Observations on associations between fatness and metabolic risks among South-East Asian adults have resulted in devising lower thresholds of body mass index (BMI) for them. Metabolic abnormalities, including type 2 diabetes, are now also appearing in children and are associated with obesity. There has not been much work done to identify indicators of metabolic risks among South Asian children.

Frequency of statin use in type 2 diabetics having macrovascular disease- at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Karachi.

Background: During the last two decades with the introduction of statins large reductions in cholesterol concentrations were easily and safely achievable and this led to studies that demonstrated benefits of statin use. But only fewer than one fourth of adults with coronary heart disease were receiving lipid-lowering drugs in a cross sectional health survey done in England. Thus this study was designed to evaluate the frequency of statin use in type 2 Pakistani diabetic subjects with macrovascular disease attending a tertiary care unit in Karachi, Pakistan.

Frequency of chronic complications of type II diabetes.

Objective: To assess the frequency of chronic complications of type II diabetes in subjects attending a tertiary care unit in Karachi, Pakistan.

Design: A cross-sectional analytical study.

Place And Duration Of Study: First visit of all type II diabetic subjects attending the outpatient department of Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology from September 1996 to December 2001.

Fatness, lipids, insulin sensitivity, and life style of children from high and low risk families.

Background: Children show variation in certain diabetes related risk factors according to the family history. Early detection of high risk groups could prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. Insulin level and fatness of Pakistani children has never been compared according to family history.

Food habits and nutrient density of diets of Pakistani children living in different urban and rural settings.

Food habits and nutrient density of diets of six groups of rural and urban school children aged 10-12 years were compared. Data were collected from three-day food records. In the UK, data were collected during October-November 1994 and in Pakistan during April-May 1995.