Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism - Volume 17, issue 1

Authors: Godos, Justyna | Lanza, Giuseppe | Ferri, Raffaele | Caraci, Filippo | Cano, Sandra Sumalla | Elio, Iñaki | Micek, Agnieszka | Castellano, Sabrina | Grosso, Giuseppe

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Diet and sleep represent key behavioral risk factors for major non-communicable diseases. Dietary factors may modulate systemic inflammation and potentially affect the human brain functionality, finally affecting the sleep-wake cycle. In this context, the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) has been studied as a tool to investigate the dietary inflammatory potential and its relationship with a variety of health conditions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to perform a systematic revision of observational studies on the inflammatory potential of the diet assessed through the DII and sleep features. METHODS: A systematic search of observational studies …on DII and sleep features was conducted on Pubmed and EMBASE electronic databases. The Meta-analyses Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines were used to plan the methodology. Studies identified through the search were selected according to inclusion/exclusion criteria. RESULTS: The systematic search and review led to the selection of 13 studies. Most studies including the general population reported an association between higher inflammatory potential of the diet and worse sleep quality and suboptimal sleep duration. Some studies also reported an association with daytime sleepiness and sleep apnea. However, some studies including younger individuals (i.e., college students or young employees) reported null findings. Four studies conducted in individuals with a variety of health conditions also showed some relation between DII and sleep features, although results were not fully consistent. CONCLUSIONS: Data published so far suggests an association between DII and sleep features. However, lack of randomized clinical trials and better designed observational studies, imply that further research on this matter is warranted to understand whether a causal relation could explain current findings. Show more

Keywords: Dietary inflammatory index, diet, inflammation, sleep quality, sleep duration, insomnia, daytime sleepiness

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-240008

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 1-14, 2024

Authors: Guenaoui, Nawel | Mouhoubi-Tafinine, Zina | Amessis-Ouchemoukh, Nadia | Saimi, Meriem | Saidi, Hakima | Ayad, Rabha | Sadou, Dyhia | Moumeni, Lynda | Ouchemoukh, Salim

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Honey, a product of the beehive with high nutritional and taste value, is a food much appreciated by consumers for its nutritional value and therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. OBJECTIVE: The main objectives of this work are to evaluate the quality of Algerian honeys, their chemical composition, their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-browning enzyme activities, and to confirm the qualitative superiority of local honeys over imported honeys. METHODS: Six local and imported honeys are analyzed for their physicochemical parameters, floral origin, phenolic compound content and in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. …The enzymatic browning inhibitory power of Algerian honeys is also tested. RESULTS: The pollen study shows that the four local honeys were of monofloral origin, while the two imported honeys are pollen-free. Local and imported honeys are compared on 17 physico-chemical and biological parameters. The results reveal that single-flower honeys generally meet international standards in terms of HMF and proline content, unlike imported honeys. These honeys have lower antioxidant levels than other honeys: polyphenols (161 to 248 mg GAE/100 g) and flavonoids (64 to 74 mg QE/100 g). There is a correlation between honey color, antioxidant contents and biological activities. CONCLUSION: Darker Algerian honeys have higher antioxidant content and better biological properties than others samples. Show more

Keywords: Algerian honeys, physicochemical parameters, phenolic compounds, anti-inflammatory, anti-browning, apples

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-230037

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 15-33, 2024

Authors: Iskender, Hatice | Yildiz, Nesibe | Dokumacioglu, Eda

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: A healthy and quality lifestyle is built upon the fundamental pillars of healthy nutrition, quality sleep, physical activity, and stress management. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to examine the attitudes towards healthy eating and nutrition literacy knowledge levels of university students who have received health education. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 295 students who were studying in the field of health sciences. The study includes questions from three separate sections. The first section contains a socio-demographic characteristics form, the second section contains the Healthy Nutrition Attitude Scale (ASHN), and the third …section contains the Nutrition Literacy Scala (NLS). RESULTS: The mean ASHN score of our study was 71.38±11.7, while the mean NLS score was 19.80±4.2. When our scale scores were categorized, the ASHN score was found to be high, while the NLS score was borderline. A positive significant relationship was found between the scale score averages of ASHN and NLS. As students’ scores on healthy eating attitudes increase, it has been observed that their nutrition literacy scores also increase. CONCLUSIONS: We can say that health education is important in developing healthy eating habits among university students. Show more

Keywords: Healthy nutrition, nutrition literacy, university students

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-230050

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 35-42, 2024

Authors: Ersoy, Nesli | Bölek, Ertuğrul Çağri | Farisoğullari, Bayram | Çinar, Nur | Garipoğlu, Gökçen | Çolak, Seda | Tekgöz, Emre | Yilmaz, Sedat | Karadağ, Ömer | Özgürtaş, Taner

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate Behçet’s syndrome (BS) patients’ regarding anthropometric measurements, daily energy and nutrient intake, and the MD adherence of patients. METHODS: 100 consecutive patients with BS were prospectively enrolled in two rheumatology outpatient clinics. Mid Upper Arm circumference (MUAC), Triceps skinfold thickness (TST), Mid Upper Arm Muscle Circumference (MUAMC), and Mid Upper Arm Muscle Area (MUAMA) measurements of patients were compared with Turkish reference values. Participants’ daily energy and nutrient intake were categorized by the ‘MD Adherence Score.’ RESULTS: Thirty patients (30%) had only mucocutaneous involvement. According to reference values, 47%, 36%, …14%, and 27% of the participants had low percentile values (<50. percentile) for MUAC, TST, MUAMC, and MUAMA, respectively. Walnuts (35%), eggplant (35%), and tomatoes (13%) were reported as the most prominent foods for symptom exacerbations. The mean MD adherence score was 23.5±6.5 (male: 23.2±6.9; female: 24.2±5.9) points and the adherence status was average (60%) and poor (35%) in the majority of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Food consumption is important regarding symptom occurrence and multidisciplinary management of BS. Some participants had poor adherence to the MD. Increased waist/hip ratio, BMI, and decreased TST and MUAMA may indicate body muscle mass and unhealthy eating patterns. Patients with BS need encouragement for healthy eating habits. Show more

Keywords: Behçet’s syndrome, nutrition, dietary habits, disease activity, mediterranean diet

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-230053

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 43-52, 2024

Authors: Kargar, Aylar | Kızıltan, Gül

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In recent years, plant-based diets and their effects on health have gained attention. This diet has become a preferred dietary style for managing obesity. Weight gain is influenced by various factors, such as low body image perception and obesity prejudice. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of plant-based diets among female students and their associations with obesity prejudice and body self-perception. METHODS: The research was conducted with 450 female university students. The anthropometric measurements were obtained based on self-reporting. the GAMS-27 Obesity Prejudice Scale and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relationship Questionnaire …(MBSRQ) were applied to evaluate obesity prejudice and body self-perception, respectively. RESULTS: The study found no significant differences in anthropometric measurements between omnivores and vegetarians (p  > 0.05). However, 78.6% of the students showed some level of tendency toward prejudice or prejudice against obesity. There was no significant relationship between body weight, BMI, and obesity prejudice in both dietary groups (p  > 0.05). Yet, vegetarians had significantly lower mean scores on the MBRSQ, indicating body image dissatisfaction (p  < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: While the anthropometric measurement and prejudice against obesity did not yield notable results, significantly lower scores on the MBSRQ indicated greater dissatisfaction with body image in vegetarians. Show more

Keywords: Vegetarianism, anthropometric measurements, GAMS-27 obesity prejudice scale, obesity prejudice, Multidimensional Body-Self Relationship Questionnaire (MBSRQ), body self-perception

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-230056

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 53-63, 2024

Authors: El Mokhtari, Oussama | Anzid, Karim | Levy-Desroches, Susan | Montero López, María del Pilar | Cherkaoui, Mohamed | Hilali, Abderraouf

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The traditional Moroccan diet is typical of the Mediterranean diet (MD), but there have been few studies of the adherence of Moroccans adolescents to this diet and associated factors. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate MD adherence and its association with socioeconomic factors, nutritional status and dietary intake in a sample of secondary school pupils in the Rif region of Morocco. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of a sample (n  = 302) of Moroccan Riffian adolescents (13–18 years) from three secondary schools, we measured adherence to MD with the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and teenagers questionnaire (KIDMED). …A score below 8 was qualified as poor to average adherence to MD, while an optimal adherence was defined as a score of 8 or higher. Bivariate analyses and a logistic regression model were used to examine associations between adherence to MD and socioeconomic factors, nutritional status and dietary intake. RESULTS: Only 14.9% of adolescents had an optimal adherence to the MD (score≥8 points), 72.8% had average adherence (score 4–7) and 12.3% had poor adherence to the MD (score≤3). The factors associated with optimal adherence to MD were female sex (OR 2.28; 95% CI 1.07 –4.85; p  = 0.031), high monthly family income > 8000 MAD (OR 7.10; 95% CI 1.52 –33.1; p  = 0.013) and living in an apartment (OR 3.85; 95% CI 1.43 –10.3; p  = 0.007). For others factors such as nutritional status and dietary intake, no associations were observed. CONCLUSION: We found a low level of adherence to the MD among adolescents in the Rif region, supporting the hypothesis that the dietary pattern of these Moroccan adolescents is in a transitional state characterised by a shift away from the traditional MD. The findings of this study suggest that interventions to optimize MD adherence should target boys, shared residences and lower income families. Show more

Keywords: Mediterranean diet, KIDMED index, nutritional status, dietary intake, Moroccan Riffian adolescents

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-230066

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 65-80, 2024

Authors: Tursun, Serkan | Şahin, Yaşar | Alçiğir, Mehmet Eray | Çínar, Miyase | Karahan, İrfan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cafeteria diet (CAF) is a succesful tool for establishing animal obesity model. This study purposed to show immunoexpression and oxidant-antioxidant status in the various organ tissues of Wistar rats fed CAF. METHODS: Two groups (six rats per group) of Wistar albino rats were fed CAF and standard chow (control) diets for eight weeks. After experimental procedure, the animals were sacrificed. Intestine, stomach, liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lung, and pancreas tissues were sent to Pathology Department and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor- κB (NF-κB) and cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB-1) immunoexpressions were assessed. Also, plasma liver function tests …and lipid levels were measured total oxidant capacity (TOC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were evaluated in both plasma and liver tissue. RESULTS: The immunoexpressions of NF-κB, iNOS and CB-1 were higher in the experiment group for all tissues. TOC was significantly higher in the experiment group, for both plasma and liver tissue (p  < 0.001 and p  = 0.02). TAC was higher in the experiment group’s plasma measurement (p  = 0.02), while there was no difference in the liver tissue between experiment and control groups (p  = 0.11). CONCLUSION: CAF-induced obesity may be related to increased immunoexpression and oxidative damage in the various organs. Systemic problems should be considered and these phenomenon should be studied more comprehensively. Show more

Keywords: Cafeteria diet, obesity, immunoexpression, oxidative stress, total antioxidant capacity

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-230068

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 81-91, 2024