Hypertension in people living with HIV on combined antiretroviral therapy in rural Tanzania.

Exposure to anti-retroviral therapy in HIV infection has been associated with hypertension, but whether and to what extent HIV-related factors and anti-retroviral treatment contribute to hypertension is not well defined; in addition, data are particularly scarce in Sub-Saharan Africa. Aim of the study was to investigate prevalence and awareness of hypertension in a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) on anti-retroviral therapy in rural Tanzania, and to identify possible predictors of hypertension. A cross-sectional study on hypertension in PLWHIV was conducted at Tosamaganga District Hospital, Iringa Region, Tanzania.

Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle Habits during Pregnancy: Is There an Association with Small for Gestational Age Infants? An Italian Single Centre Experience.

Background: The small-for-gestational-age (SGA) in infants is related to an increased risk of developing Non-Communicable Diseases later in life. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is related to lower odds of being SGA. The study explored retrospectively the association between SGA, maternal MD adherence, lifestyle habits and other SGA risk factors during pregnancy.

Lifestyle Changes and Body Mass Index during COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: An Italian Online-Survey.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a period of contingency measures, including total or partial lockdowns all over the world leading to several changes in lifestyle/eating behaviours. This retrospective cohort study aimed at investigating Italian adult population lifestyle changes during COVID-19 pandemic "Phase 1" lockdown (8 March-4 May 2020) and discriminate between positive and negative changes and BMI (body mass index) variations (ΔBMI).

Methods: A multiple-choice web-form survey was used to collect retrospective data regarding lifestyle/eating behaviours during "Phase 1" in the Italian adult population.

Folate status in women of childbearing age with obesity: a review.

Several studies have described a positive association between elevated BMI and birth defects risk. Data on plasma concentration of folate in pregnant women with obesity have shown values far below those recommended, regardless of diet, while folate levels should increase before pregnancy to reduce neural tube defects. We report a descriptive review of the most recent studies (from 2005 to 2015) to evaluate folate status through a population of women of childbearing age affected by obesity.