Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism - Volume 12, issue 2

Authors: Rasouli, Ahmadreza | Moludi, Jalal | Foroumandi, Elaheh | Shahsavari, Saeed | Ebrahimi, Behzad

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Emotional eating is one of the important factors in etiology of obesity and eating disorders. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare gender differences in response to emotional eating and to identify the anthropometric indices and dietary intake factors correlation with emotional eating. METHODS: A sample of 247 subjects from three schools in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in Iran was participated in the study. Each participant filled out a general ten-item and an emotional eating fourteen-item questionnaire. Statistical analyses of the study were conducted by an independent t -test, a chi-square, Pearson correlations and logistic …regression using the SPSS version 19. RESULTS: The findings of this investigation indicated that body mass index (BMI) (r  = – 0.759, p  <  0.0001 and r  = – 0.818, p  <  0.0001), waist circumference (WC) (r  = – 0.217, p  = 0.014 and r  = – 0.182, p  = 0.048) and dietary energy intake (r  = – 0.221, p  = 0.012 and r  = – 0.186, p  = 0.024) correlated significantly with emotional eating in female and male groups, respectively. The female had higher emotional eating score versus the male (6.56±1.56 and 6.47±1.21, respectively). Marital status, smoking, recent weight loss, and weight gain, were the strong predictors of the emotional eating. CONCLUSIONS: Knowing predicting factors of emotional eating and understanding the fact that gender differences could affect chances of being emotional eater can help us provide appropriate nutritional and psychological educational programs in the community. This can in turn control the emotional eating status and consequently lead to beneficial outcomes on the level of individuals’ health in the society. Show more

Keywords: Emotional eating, dietary intake, gender, anthropometric indices, obesity

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-180247

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 131-139, 2019

Authors: Tambalis, Konstantinos D. | Panagiotakos, Demosthenes B. | Sidossis, Labros S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Frequent sweet consumption constitutes a significant health issue among children which leads to a predisposition towards overweight and cardiovascular disease risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of sweet consumption and to identify associated lifestyle factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional, observational study. Population data derived from a health survey carried out in 2015 on a representative sample of 177091 children aged 8 to 17 years. Sweet consumption and dietary habits were evaluated using questionnaires (KIDMED index). Frequency of sweets consumption constitutes a question of KIDMED and it was classified as rare or frequent. Physical activity status, screen …time and sleeping habits were assessed through self-completed questionnaires. RESULTS: More boys than girls (19.6% vs. 17.5%, p  < 0.001) consumed sweet frequently (more than twice daily). Sweet consumption was strongly associated with unhealthy dietary habits such as skipping breakfast and fast food consumption. Adjusting for several covariates, insufficient dietary habits, insufficient sleep and increased screen time were increased on participant’s odds of being frequent sweet consumers by 80% (95% CI 0.17–0.23), 18% (95% CI1.05–1.29) and 218% (95% CI 1.96–2.41) in boys and by 80% (95% CI 0.17–0.24), 31% (95% CI1.17–1.47) and 241% (95% CI 2.15–2.72) in girls. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent sweet consumption was associated with an unhealthy lifestyle profile. Show more

Keywords: Sweet consumption, dietary habits, children, adolescents, lifestyle factors

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-180250

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 141-151, 2019

Authors: Jimenez, Ana Molina | Oliva, Sara Lopez | Vilar, Elena Garicano | de Cuevillas, Begoña | Morais Moreno, Maria del Carmen | Gabella de Prado, Joaquina | Diaz, Elena Avila | Mauro Martin, Ismael San

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Alterante-day fasting regimens have been suggested as a possible approach for calorie restriction and weight loss. The aim was to compare the effect of a 6-week weight loss regimen based on the Mediterranean diet versus the Mediterranean diet with 5-day semi-fast, in achieving weight loss in overweight or obese people. METHOD: Randomized, controlled, prospective, semi-clinical trial of 41 participantes, aged 30 to 65 years, with overweight type II (BMI >27) or obesity (BMI >30). Subjects were distributed by randomization in group 1 (Mediterranean diet + semi-fast) and group 2 (standard hypocaloric Mediterranean diet). Anthropometric measurements were taken …and eating habits of the participants were recorded. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found when comparing anthropometric measurements between groups. Similar changes were observed between the two groups. However, when analysing anthropometric measurements inter-group, statistically significant differences (p <0.05) were obtained within each group. CONCLUSION: The low calorie Mediterranean diet and the low calorie Mediterranean diet + semi-fast diet used in this study appear to be equally as effective in decreasing body weight, fat mass, visceral fat mass and waist circumference. However, semi-fast regimens may be superior to daily restriction regimens in facilitating weight loss. These findings add to the growing body of evidence showing that altenate-day fasting regimens may be implemented as another viable option for weight loss in overweight and obese populations. Show more

Keywords: Fasting, Mediterranean diet, fat mass, body mass index, obesity.

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-180257

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 153-161, 2019

Authors: Djaja, Nanny | Permadi, Inge | Witjaksono, Fiastuti | Soewondo, Pradana | Abdullah, Moerdani | Agustina, Rina | Ali, Soegianto

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Involving natural food ingredients in controlling blood glucose in diabetic patients has been widely studied. However, there is little information about the effect of the ingredients on improvement of clinical, laboratory, and gut function markers. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to examine the effect of Job’s tears-enriched yoghurt on weight, fasting blood glucose, GLP-1, and Calprotectin in patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. METHODS: Sixty male and female subjects with T2DM participating in this study were divided in two groups; received yoghurt (control group/C) and Job’s tears-enriched yoghurt (treatment group/T). Subjects use metformin only were …allowed. Job’s tears seed was extracted using a standard process. Height and weight were measured. Laboratory examination for fasting blood glucose, GLP-1, and calprotectin were performed using standard methods. Appropiate statistical analysis tests were applied to examine variables change within and between groups. Significancy was set at p <0.05. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-180258

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 163-171, 2019

Authors: Vard, Bahareh | Vatankhah, Zahra | Riahi, Roya | Karimi, Golgis | Motlagh, Mohammad Esmail | Heshmat, Ramin | Qorbani, Mostafa | Kelishadi, Roya

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Childhood weight disorder is a major public health problem worldwide. Although high income countries are facing to obesity, middle and low-income countries are struggling with a double burden of nutritional disorders. OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between early life factors with weight disorders and central obesity among children and adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional multi-centric study was conducted on 14400 students, aged 7-18 years in 2015 as a national surveillance program. Students were selected by random cluster sampling from 30 provinces of Iran. Early life factors were obtained via validated questionnaire from parents. Physical examination and …anthropometric indices were documented. Weight disorders were includes underweight, excess weight based on World Health Organization growth charts and abdominal obesity. RESULTS: Students with low birth weight had higher odds for underweight than students with normal weight (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.03-1.65). The odds of excess weight in students with high birth weight were 36% higher than students with normal birth weight (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04-1.79,). In multivariate model, consuming cow’s milk in the two first years of life, prolonged breast feeding, high birth weight, and low pre-conception mother’s weight was associated with abdominal obesity. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the importance of early life factors on weight disorders in particular obesity and abdominal obesity of children and adolescents in later life. Show more

Keywords: Weight disorders, double burden of nutrition disorders, early life factors, anthropometric indices

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-180261

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 173-185, 2019

Authors: Orang, Zahra | Mozaffari-Khosravi, Hassan | Sivandzadeh, GholamReza | Pantovic, Ana

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Serum phospholipid omega-3 fatty acid levels in patients suffering from both type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) are lower than in their healthy counterparts. Omega-3 supplementation can be effective in controlling glycemic indices in T2DM, and in improving lipid profiles in T2DM and NAFLD as well. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on glycemic control and lipid profile in patients with T2DM and NAFLD. METHODS: In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 60 patients with T2DM and NAFLD were enrolled. The participants were randomly divided …into two groups. The omega-3 group (OG) received capsules containing omega-3 fatty acids (2g/d), and the placebo group (PG) received placebo capsules (2g/d) during a12 week period. Dietary intake was assessed with 24-hour dietary recalls. Fasting blood samples and anthropometric measurements were collected at the baseline and after 12 weeks. Serum levels of glycemic indices (fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)) and lipid profile (levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c)) were measured. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients completed the study. Paired t-test revealed no significant differences in the baseline measurements between the two groups. At the end of the study compared with the PG, the OG had a significant reduction in serum TG levels. However, there was no significant effect of omega-3 supplementation on the other parameters: the mean FBG or HbA1c concentration, neither on TC, LDL-c and HDL-c levels. CONCLUSION: Two grams per day of omega-3 supplementation after 12 weeks led to a significant reduction in serum TG levels in patients with T2DM and NAFLD. However, no significant effects were observed on FBG, HbA1c, TC, LDL-c, and HDL-c levels. Show more

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Omega 3 fatty acids, HbA1c

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-180265

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 187-196, 2019

Authors: Kabir, Fariha | Nahar, Kamrun | Rahman, Muhammad Mizanur | Al Mamun, Abdullah | Faruk, Muhammad | Hossain, Muhammad Hemayet | Subhan, Nusrat | Alam, Muhammad Ashraful

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Beetroot (Beta vulgaris ) has been reported to possess many benefits and medicinal properties. However, the protective effect of beetroot against isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial damage has not been clarified sufficiently yet. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of beetroot on oxidative stress, fibrosis, and myocardial damage in ISO-induced rats. Our investigation revealed that ISO administration markedly increased the oxidative stress parameters, while the level of cellular antioxidants and catalase activities were decreased in ISO-administered rats. Beetroot supplementation and gallic acid treatment to ISO-administered rats prevented the rises of lipid peroxidation products malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and advanced …protein oxidation product concentration. Moreover, elevated activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatinine kinase-muscle brain enzymes activities in ISO-administered rats were also lowered by both gallic acid and beetroot supplementation. Furthermore, gallic acid and beetroot supplementation prevented the inflammatory cells infiltration and fibrosis in ISO-induced rats. In conclusion, these results suggest that beetroot supplementation is capable of protecting ISO-administered myocardial infarction in rats probably by preventing oxidative stress. Show more

Keywords: Beetroot, gallic acid, isoprenaline, fibrosis, inflammation

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-180263

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 197-209, 2019

Authors: Michou, Maria | Panagiotakos, Demosthenes B. | Mamalaki, Eirini | Yannakoulia, Maria | Costarelli, Vassiliki

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Parental feeding practices can affect children’s eating behavior and diet quality. Greek children seem to have poor diet quality and high rates of obesity. Measuring parental feeding practices could facilitate in the formation of target interventions aiming at improving children’s eating behaviours. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to develop and validate the Comprehensive Parental Feeding Questionnaire (CPFQ) in the Greek language. METHODS: The sample consisted of 399 parents (71.2% mothers) of children 2–12 years old. A translation to the Greek language of the CPFQ tool, was conducted followed by a repeatability test, …explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis, measures of internal consistency test and factor correlations. RESULTS: Factor analysis resulted in a final questionnaire of 42 items distributed over 6 factors. Cronbach alpha values were adequate (0.64–0.89) and the correlations between factors were low (rho = –0.212 – 0.405). In addition, mothers use more the “child control” feeding practice (p  = 0.002), parents with girls use more the “monitoring” feeding practice (p  = 0.010) and normal weight parents use less the “restriction” feeding practice (p  = 0.047), in comparison to overweight parents. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the reliability and validity of the CPFQ for the Greek population. Show more

Keywords: Comprehensive parental feeding questionnaire, validation, Greece, parental feeding practices

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-180275

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 211-221, 2019

Authors: Kelishadi, Roya | Heidari-Beni, Motahar | Esmaeil-Motlagh, Mohammad | Pourmasoumi, Makan | Malekshah, Akbar Fazel-Tabar | Qorbani, Mostafa

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nutrient patterns play a role as an interface between food patterns and the food metabolome integrating measurements. The nutrients can improve our knowledge about the reason of some chronic diseases. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to identify the major nutrient patterns in adolescents and to assess their relationship with obesity. METHODS This is a nationwide cross-sectional study. Usual dietary intakes were collected using a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). RESULTS Dietary data were analysed in 4288 subjects aged 11.43±3.23 years. Subjects in the fourth quartile of the first …nutrient pattern tended to have higher weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference than those in the first quartile. Individuals in the fourth quartile of the second nutrient pattern had significantly lower means of weight, WC and hip circumference than those in the first quartile. The third nutrient pattern was not correlated with any alteration in BMI and wrist circumference in boys as well as in BMI, waist circumference and wrist circumference among girls. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicated that second nutrient pattern which mostly characterized by high consumption in mono-unsaturated fatty acid, poly-unsaturated fatty acid, potassium, calcium, vitamin E, biotin and vitamin K was associated with lower risk of obesity, while first nutrient pattern with high amounts of carbohydrate, thiamin, iron and manganese was correlated with higher risk of obesity. Show more

Keywords: Anthropometry, diet, nutrient intake, children

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-180278

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 223-234, 2019

Authors: Babalhavaeji, Soude | Saidijam, Massoud | Khodadadi, Iraj | Oshaghi, Ebrahim Abbasi | Tavilani, Heidar

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Deleterious consequences of a high- fat diet have been established. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of kiwifruit (as a rich source of antioxidants) on the activity and gene expression of NADPH oxidase in high- fat diet (HFD) fed hamsters. METHODS: Thirty male Syrian hamsters were divided into six groups and fed control diet, control diet with kiwifruit (1.86 or 3.73 g/kg), or HFD (15% butter fat 0.05% cholesterol) with or without kiwifruit (1.86 g/kg or 3.73 g/kg) for eight weeks. RESULTS: The results revealed that gene expression levels of …gp91phox and p47phox, activity of NADPH oxidase, and level of TBARS were significantly increased in the liver of high fat diet group compared with control normal group (p  < 0.001). NADPH Oxidase activity and gene expression levels of gp91phox and p47phox were significantly decreased in groups fed high- fat diet supplemented with kiwifruit (p  < 0.05). Moreover, in comparison with control high-fat diet group, a significant decrease was observed in TBARS levels of high- fat diet supplemented with 3.73 g/kg kiwifruit (p  < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of kiwifruit in high-fat diet fed hamsters may improve hepatic oxidative stress by preventing lipid peroxidation and reducing the activity and gene expression of NOX2. Show more

Keywords: High- fat diet, kiwifruit, NOX2, oxidative stress

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-180281

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 235-246, 2019