Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism - Volume 14, issue 1

Authors: Qirani, Ida Ayu Devi | Ningsih, Winda Mulia | Sartika, Ratu Ayu Dewi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Underweight is one of the most common forms of undernutrition suffered by children and has implications for both short and long term health problems. Characteristics of children, parents, and environment are factors affecting underweight in children, especially aged 24–59 months. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to find out the dominant factors affecting underweight in children aged 24–59 months in Java Island. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used secondary data from Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS) 2014. There were 1,270 children aged 24–59 months who were involved in this study. We conducted univariate analysis, bivariate analysis using chi-square, …and multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: This study found that 20.2% of children in Java were underweight. Based on bivariate analysis, variables that significantly associated (p  < 0.05) with underweight were low birth weight (LBW), acute respiratory infection (ARI), diarrhoea, frequency of eating milk and dairy products, parental education level, and underweight father. Furthermore, based on multivariate analysis, low consumption of milk and dairy products was the dominant factor in this study (OR = 1.80). CONCLUSION: Factors related to underweight can be used to determine appropriate prevention and treatment in community levels, such as by promoting a balanced nutrition program and healthy behaviour. Show more

Keywords: Underweight, children under five, Indonesia, IFLS 2014

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-200482

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 1-12, 2021

Authors: Mekhoukhe, Aida | Mohellebi, Nacer | Mohellebi, Tayeb | Deflaoui-Abdelfettah, Leila | Medouni-Adrar, Sonia | Boulekbache-Makhlouf, Lila | Madani, Khodir

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: the present work proposed to extract Locust Bean Gum (LBG) from Algerian carob fruits, evaluate physicochemical and rheological properties (solubility). It aimed also to develop different formulations of strawberry jams with a mixture of LBG and pectin in order to obtain a product with a high sensory acceptance. METHODS: the physicochemical characteristics of LBG were assessed. The impact of temperature on solubility was also studied. The physical and the sensory profile and acceptance of five Jams were evaluated. RESULTS: composition results revealed that LBG presented a high level of carbohydrate but low concentrations of fat …and ash. The LBG was partially cold-water-soluble (∼62% at 25°C) and needed heating to reach a higher solubility value (∼89% at 80 °C). Overall, the sensorial acceptances decreased in jams J3 which was formulated with 100% pectin and commercial one (J5). The external preference map explained that most consumers were located to the right side of the map providing evidence that most samples appreciated were J4 and J2 (rate of 80–100%). CONCLUSION: In this investigation, the LBG was used successfully in the strawberry jam’s formulation. Show more

Keywords: Locust bean gum, boiling water treatment, solubility, strawberry jam, sensory proprieties

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-200493

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 13-24, 2021

Authors: Kelishadi, Roya | Qorbani, Mostafa | Motlagh, Mohammad Esmaeil | Heshmat, Ramin | Ardalan, Gelayol | Bahreynian, Maryam

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the association of nutritional intake and aggression among a nationally representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents. METHODS: This nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted on a multi-stage sample of 14880 students, aged 6–18 years, living in 30 provinces in Iran. Parents were asked to report the dietary intake of their children as frequency of food groups and/or items. The validated questionnaire of the World Health Organization-Global School-based Health Survey (WHO-GSHS) was used to measure components related to aggression including physical fight, verbal aggression, and being bullied by other students. RESULTS: …Participants consisted of 13486 students (90.6% participation rate) with mean age of 12.47 years (95% CI: 12.40, 12.54); 49.2% were girls, and 75.6% lived in urban areas. Physical fighting was more prevalent among urban boys[(48.63%), CI (46.75, 50.5)] while bulling was the most common aggressive behavior among boys [(29.7%), CI (28.03, 31.42)] and girls [(25.26%), CI (23.66, 26.93)] living in urban areas. Daily consumption of fast foods, sweets, soda, salty snacks and fried foods was higher among those participants who reported frequent experience of physical aggression and bullying. Bullying to others increased significantly with consumption of fast food (Odds ratio: 1.43, CI: 1.07, 1.92) and red meat (Odds ratio: 1.14, CI: 1.02, 1.28). Salty snack consumption showed a significant association with physical fighting (Odds ratio: 1.29, CI: 1.15, 1.44). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that some unhealthy foods might affect the mental health of children and adolescents. Improving dietary habits should be considered for prevention of violence in the vulnerable pediatric age group. Show more

Keywords: Aggression, nutrition, children, adolescents

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-200405

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 25-36, 2021

Authors: Gaddi, Antonio Vittorino | Savo, Maria Teresa | Capello, Fabio | Castiglione, Gaetano

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pasta plays an important role in human nutrition, nevertheless its organoleptic, structural and bromatologic properties have not been completely studied. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to compare the ultrastructure pasta cross-sections produced with reduced mechanic stress and low heat exposure technique (Pietro Massi Technology ™) to common samples obtained with traditional technology in order to assess if a different process can alter the ultrastructure of starch and then, its digestibility. METHODS: A comparative study was performed on the ultrastructure of pasta using scanning electron microscopy (S.E.M). 55 were pasta cross-sections made with Pietro Massi technology, 33 …were samples from different pasta factory produced using traditional process, for a total of 88 samples analysed. RESULTS: According to an Index based on what it was observed at one slide at S.E.M we classified samples and compared the number of grains, caves and canals visible, their dimensions in μm and average size of grains. The number of grains in group 1 (9.06±5.01) in group 2 (5.71±5.77), in group 3 (5.93±7.65) resulted significative more elevated compared to group 4 (0.73±2.58); in group 1 and group 2 the number of caves observed was higher than group 4. The size in μm of canals resulted significantly more elevated in group 1 than group 3 (p  = 0.008), group 2(p  = 0.013), and group 4 (p  = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The analysis of average size of caves and canals in μm, the number of caves and grains demonstrated in samples obtained with Massi technology elevated values compared to samples obtained with traditional technique. The number of caves, grains and canals visible in the starch surface demonstrate the high quality of this pasta because they likely ensure penetration of water during cooking, facilitating at the same time the penetration of pancreatic amylases during digestion, suggesting a better digestibility in pasta produced according to this methodology. Show more

Keywords: Index, starch, quality, technology, food-production

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-200518

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 37-47, 2021

Authors: Michalis, Athanassios | Panagiotakos, Demosthenes B. | Costarelli, Vassiliki

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Food insecurity seems to be positively correlated with increased risk of malnutrition and poor health. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to develop and validate the Greek version of Adult Food Security Survey Module (AFSSM). METHODS: The AFSSM was translated to the Greek language forward and backward twice and subsequently was administered to 94 healthy adult individuals living in Greece. The participants had to complete the tool twice, within a period of 15 days. Fifty of the above participants also took part in a specifically designed structured interview, designed to assess food insecurity, for …comparison purposes with the tested tool. Socioeconomic and anthropometric characteristics were also assessed. RESULTS: There was a significant positive correlation between the Greek AFSSM (AFSSM-Gr) and the results of the specifically designed structured interview, assessing food insecurity (r  = 0.376, p  <  0.01). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of reliability for the Greek AFSSM was good (α= 0.763). There was also a significant negative correlation between the age of the participants and the score of the AFSSM-Gr (r  = –0.307, p  <  0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The AFSSM-Gr can be considered as a useful tool for assessing Food Insecurity. Show more

Keywords: Food insecurity/security, adult food security survey module, validation, Greece

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-200449

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 49-56, 2021

Authors: Kanellopoulou, Aikaterini | Katelari, Angeliki | Notara, Venetia | Antonogeorgos, George | Rojas-Gil, Andrea Paola | Kornilaki, Ekaterina N. | Kosti, Rena I. | Lagiou, Areti | Panagiotakos, Demosthenes B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Children’s dietary behaviors seem tract into adulthood and as a result preventing strategies to establish healthy behaviors from early stages of life are needed. Nutrition knowledge is essential for behavioral change. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the status of parental health related to their children’s nutrition literacy level through their perceptions mainly of healthy eating attitudes METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Greece among 1,728 schoolchildren aged 10–12 years old. The sample was collected in the school setting during the school years of 2014–2016. Children completed anonymously a self-administered questionnaire about their knowledge and perceptions …of a healthy diet while their parents completed another suitable questionnaire about family health status. RESULTS: Paternal BMI status and hypertension were inversely associated with the level of nutrition literacy of their children by b  = –0.043 (95%CI: (–0.082, –0.003; p  = 0.036) and by b  = –0.600 (95%CI: –1.181, –0.019; p  = 0.043), respectively. Parental health status, specifically, paternal diabetes and maternal dyslipidemia were associated with children’s higher level of nutrition literacy by b  = 0.729 (95%CI: 0.002, 1.456; p  = 0.049) and by b  = 0.730 (95%CI: 0.086, 1.374; p  = 0.026), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Parental health status partially affects, either negatively or positively, the level of nutrition literacy of their children. This impact depends on whether parents follow nutritional recommendations to improve their health. Show more

Keywords: Parental health, nutrition literacy, childhood obesity, dietary behaviors, health literacy

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-200470

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 57-67, 2021

Authors: Natalia Latif, Benedicta | Sartika, Ratu Ayu Dewi | Widiartha, Fani

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The prevalence of central obesity has been increasing rapidly in recent decades. Central obesity, measured by waist circumference, is the most dangerous type of obesity since it is closely related to chronic diseases, metabolic complications, and high COVID-19 infection rates. The objective of this study was to identify the dominant factor of central obesity among the adult population. The study used secondary data from a 2017 cross-sectional study conducted at Bojong Gede Public Health Center, Bogor Regency, Indonesia. A total of 85 men and women aged 25–64 years old were selected through purposive sampling and included in the analysis. The …association between risk factors and central obesity were measured through chi-square bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression multivariate analysis using IBM SPSS application version 22. The prevalence of central obesity was 70.6%. The results showed that sex (women), total blood cholesterol level (hypercholesterolemia), energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate intake (>110%personal nutritional needs) were significantly associated with central obesity (p -value <  0.05). Hypercholesterolemia was the most dominant risk factor for central obesity (p -value = 0.032; OR = 4.21; 95%CI = 1.131–15.667) adjusted for confounders. Show more

Keywords: Adults, blood cholesterol level, bogor regency, central obesity

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-200499

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 69-77, 2021

Authors: Khatun, Holima | Mitra, Mousumi | Das, Koushik | Chattopadhyay, Atiskumar | Nandi, Dilip Kumar

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is a global health issue that can be alleviated by functional foods. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of composite oil (CO) of sesame seed oil (SSi O) and Vicia faba seed oil (SVf O) on inflammatory factors, ROS generation level, and cell apoptosis level on high lipid diet (HLD) induced hyperlipidemic rat model. METHODS: Hyperlipidemic rat model was developed by feeding HLD to the experimental rats for eight weeks. Male albino rats weighing around 200–210 g were randomly divided into three equal groups: group I: …control, received a normal diet; group II: received HLD for eight weeks, and group III: received the HLD with CO orally. After 60 days of treatment, the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-10; tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-18, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cell apoptosis were serially assessed. RESULTS: After eight weeks of CO treatment, TNF- α, IL-18, CRP, and oxidative ROS generation significantly decreased in CO treated group (group III) compared to group II. On the other hand, IL-10 levels significantly increased in CO treated group compared to group II animals. It was also observed that the percentage of the late apoptotic cell reduced considerably in the CO treated group (group III) compared to HLD-fed animals (group II). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the CO could prevent CVDs via suppressing oxidative stress, and ameliorating inflammation and apoptosis in hyperlipidemic rats. Show more

Keywords: Sesame, Vicia faba , cell apoptosis, ROS, IL-10, TNF- α

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-200500

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 79-89, 2021

Authors: Lavandera, Jimena Verónica | Reus, Verónica | Saín, Juliana | Bernal, Claudio Adrian | González, Marcela Aida

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Arachidonic (20:4n-6) and docosahexaenoic (22:6n-3) acids interaction affects brain structure and function. Unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) generate oxygenated lipid-derived eicosanoids which modulate the inflammatory response. The presence of trans fatty acids (TFA) in neuronal membranes can favor to generation of pro-oxidant metabolites. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect of supplementation with TFA to diets containing different proportions of FA, on the oxidative stress (OS) generation and the inflammatory response in mice brain and liver. METHODS: CF1 mice were fed diets (16 weeks) with olive (O), corn (C) or rapeseed (R) oils. OS parameters and gene …expression of some key liver and brain enzymes involved in OS production were evaluated. RESULTS: In brain and liver, lipoperoxidation was increased and catalase activity was decreased in C. In brain, glutathione was diminished by supplementation with TFA in all diets and histological sections showed lymphocytes in O and C. In liver, decreased amount of lipid vacuoles and increased of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and PPARγ mRNA levels were observed in R and Rt. IL-1b and IL-6 in serum were augmented in O and Ot. CONCLUSIONS: Rapeseed oil could have protective effects on the development of OS and inflammation, while TFA supplementation did not showed marked effects on these parameters. Show more

Keywords: Edible oils, inflammation; trans fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, cyclooxygenase, monounsaturated fatty acids

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-200508

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 91-106, 2021