Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism - Volume 17, issue 2

Authors: Elfane, Houda | Sahel, Khadija | El-Jamal, Sanaa | Barakat, Imane | El Ayachi, Mohammed | Belahsen, Rekia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Healthy eating habits among mothers both before and throughout pregnancy are beneficial for their own well-being, the fetus and the child in adulthood. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to study the link between the quality of the diet of parturients and the birth weight of newborns. METHODS: The diversity scores (DDS) and dietary variety scores (DVS) were used to assess the quality of the diet, and the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) and the nutrient adequacy ratio were calculated and compared in 200 parturients (Controls) who gave birth to normal-weight (NW) newborns and 200 parturients (Cases) who …gave birth to low birth weight (LBW) newborns. RESULTS: Mean DDS was 7.01±1.36 in controls and 4.55±1.60 in cases. The mean DVS was 13.31±3.28 in controls vs 8.11±4.60 in the cases (P  < 0.001). The MAR index of controls 0.84±0.004 was higher compared to cases 0.70±0.004. The lowest NAR values are found for calcium (0.60±0.02 vs 0.34±0.01), iron (0.66±0.01 vs 0.50±0.01), folates (0.68±0.011 vs 0.48±0.009) in controls and cases respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The diets of women with LBW newborns do not meet the basic nutritional needs for a successful pregnancy and childbirth. Show more

Keywords: Low birth weight, normal weight, diatery diversity scores, diatery variety scores

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-230040

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 93-105, 2024

Authors: Aslan, Serkan | Köksal, Eda | Karaboğa, İhsan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Sugary drink and junk food consumption increases during the withdrawal period, leading to subsequent psychological and metabolic alterations. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the relationship of sucrose consumption with serum insulin levels, leptin levels, brain Dopamine-2 receptor (D2R) expression, food consumption, and anxiety-depression findings in morphine-withdrawal rats. METHODS: Thirty-six male Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups: Control, sucrose-free, 5% sucrose, 10% sucrose, 20% sucrose, and an addiction test. Saline was intraperitoneally injected to the control group, and morphine was intraperitoneally injected to the other groups for 14 days. After 14 days, naloxone …was administered to the addiction test group, and addiction symptoms were observed and this group was sacrificed on the same day. Other groups were fed ad libitum with different concentrations of sucrose solution for one week. Behavioral parameters were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Leptin and insulin concentrations in serum and D2R levels in brain tissues were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. D2R concentrations in brain tissues were evaluated utilizing immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: We observed decreased food consumption and increased fluid consumption in rats that consumed sucrose water during the withdrawal period. The level of depression and binge eating behavior was elevated in groups consuming sucrose, and the 10% sucrose group had the highest carbohydrate consumption and anxiety levels. In addition, the 10% sucrose group had the lowest brain D2R expression. The leptin level was highest in the 20% sucrose group. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the possible effects of sugary drinks consumed during the withdrawal period. Show more

Keywords: Sucrose, morphine, withdrawal, anxiety, depression, dopamine 2 receptor (D2R)

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-230072

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 107-122, 2024

Authors: González-Contreras, Alonso | Durán-Agüero, Samuel | Parra-Soto, Solange

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJETIVE: To determine the association between the frequency of warning labels reading (WLR) in foods, with dietary patterns and Body Mass Index in older adults (OA). METHODOS: Secondary analysis study, carried out using the National Health Survey 2016–2017 database. Information about older adults’ dietary patterns, front-of-package food labeling, anthropometric and demographic data were analyzed. Chi-square test was used for the statistical analysis and logistic regression. RESULTS: The number of participants was 1,510 (≥60 years old). It was noted that WLR in OA is associated with greater compliance with dietary guidelines with respect to fish consumption (p … < 0.01), dairy products (p  < 0.001), type of dairy (p  < 0.001), whole grain cereals (p  < 0.001), pulses (p  < 0.05), fruits (p  < 0.01), sugary drinks (p  < 0.001) and water (p  < 0.001), without significant differences in the consumption of vegetables (p  = 0.167) and sugar-sweetened juices (p  = 0.382), also without differences between WLR and Body Mass Index (p  = 0.678). CONCLUSIONS: This study presents innovative data on older adults since it evaluates the behavior, the frequency of reading warning labels (WLR) in foods with dietary patterns, Chile, which is the first country in the world to have a warning labels mandatory. Show more

Keywords: Older adult, front labeling, dietary pattern, body mass index

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-230079

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 123-132, 2024

Authors: Moravejolahkami, Amir Reza | Chitsaz, Ahmad | Hassanzadeh, Akbar | Paknahad, Zamzam

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The relationship between dietary modification and Multiple Sclerosis (MS)-related disability has been emphasized in several researches. AIMS: To determine whether a co-administration of anti-inflammatory-antioxidant rich diet and synbiotics might improve clinical manifestations in progressive MS patients. METHODS: The study involved 70 patients with progressive MS (primary-progressive, secondary-progressive, and progressive-relapsing) who were randomized to receive either intervention (synbiotics capsule plus an anti-inflammatory-antioxidant-rich diet) or placebo. Quality of Life (QOL), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and depression-anxiety scores were evaluated before and after the follow-up. Analysis of covariance was performed for final analysis (SPSS v.14). …RESULTS: Significant reductions were seen in EDSS (2.6±1.1 to 2.4±1.0, P  < 0.001), State Anxiety Inventory (53.7±10.3 to 47.8±10.6, P  < 0.001), and QOL scores after four months of intervention. No significant difference was seen across the depression severity (Δ for intervention = –2.2±5.5 vs. Δ for control = –0.6±5.7; P  = 0.264). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a combination of synbiotics and diet could be a promising strategy to improve severity and clinical manifestations of progressive MS. Show more

Keywords: Synbiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, antioxidants, microbiota, progressive multiple sclerosis, randomized controlled trial

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-230098

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 133-147, 2024

Authors: Vigna, L. | Gori, F. | Bamonti, F. | Tomaino, L. | Zaccagna, C.A. | Cighetti, G. | Dellanoce, C. | Gregori, D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Antioxidant administration can significantly alleviate smoking-mediated oxidative stress. In our previous research, using a concentrated mixed juice powder led to significant reduction in oxidative status markers and improved lung function among smokers. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of different antioxidant formulations of the retail product Juice Plus+® on oxidative status and lung function in healthy smokers via a a Bayesian Network (BN) analysis. METHODS: At baseline and after 3 months’ supplementation, pulmonary function, cardiovascular risk factors, and oxidative status were assessed in 101 smokers, randomized into three groups: placebo (P), fruit/vegetable (FV), and fruit/vegetable/berry …(FVB) group. BN analysis was performed via Monte Carlo simulations. Statistical significance was assigned as p  < 0.05. RESULTS: No significant interaction was observed in P (network score –101.4, p  = ns), whereas overall fit significantly improved in both FV (network score –185.7, p  = 0.01) and FVB (–293.7, p  = 0.003). Moreover, P group’s respiratory parameters appeared unrelated to the biochemical structure, whereas those of the FV and, to a greater extent, FVB groups were definitely related to it CONCLUSIONS: BN analysis demonstrated that the FV and FVB formulations contain nutraceutical compounds capable of synergistically acting and improving antioxidant modulation and respiratory function in smoking subjects Show more

Keywords: Nutraceuticals, fruits, vegetables, berries, antioxidants, respiratory function, bayesian networks

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-230107

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 149-164, 2024

Authors: Barakat, Imane | Elfane, Houda | El-Jamal, Sanaa | Elayachi, Mohammed | Belahsen, Rekia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the determinants of the weight status of a population is important to be considered in actions aimed at improving public health. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to study the sociodemographic, nutritional and anthropometric factors associated with overweight and obesity in an adult Moroccan population. METHODS: This study focused on 507 adult subjects from the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region in Morocco, according to a validated conceptual and methodological framework. Sociodemographic data were collected using a questionnaire, physical activity (PA) was assessed by the Marshal questionnaire, dietary intakes were estimated by a “dietary history” type survey. Anthropometric parameters …were also measured using impedancemetry and a tape measure. RESULTS: The majority of the study population was 20 to 29 years old, females, urban and had an medium socio-economic level (SEL). The population’s dietary intake was high in calories, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, sugars, and sodium; and low in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, iron, calcium and zinc. Univariate analysis revealed that overweight and obesity are associated with the 30–39 yrs age group, average SEL, insufficient PA, high intakes of calories, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, as well as with high waist circumference and excessive body fat percentage. CONCLUSION: Factors associated with overweight and obesity were identified in the study population, revealing a coexistence of high intakes of energy and macronutrient and low intake of several micronutrients. The prevalence of deficiencies and excesses of these intakes testifys of a double burden of malnutrition in this population. The results are very relevant for guiding nutritional education actions among this population. Show more

Keywords: Anthropometry, food intake, malnutrition, physical activity, weight status

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-230109

Citation: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 165-178, 2024