نسرین امیدوار

The optimal food basket is a scientific and powerful tool for developing food and nutrition policies, executive planning and assessment of programs to ensure food security and maintain the nutritional health of the community. This cross-sectional study was carried out with the aim of a) revising the optimal food basket of Iranians-2013 based on the principles of sustainable food and nutrition systems as a guide for policy making in the field of food and nutrition; and b) compiling a thrifty optimal food basket of Iran-2023 as a necessary tool in welfare and social support studies and planning.

After collecting opinions of experts and stakeholders from various fields, data of the reports on the comprehensive study of the food consumption patterns and the nutritional status of the Iranian households and individuals, 2017–2018, and information of the statistics center (quantity of consumption of food groups by people, quantitative share of food items, average and price range of food groups, necessary quantities of energy, macronutrients and micronutrients) as well as the Iranian food composition table were used as inputs of the model. Energy, protein and nutrients were defined for age and sex groups based on the latest WHO/FAO references as 100% of the energy needs in the optimal food basket, at least 95% of the energy requirements and 80% of the key nutrients (vitamin B2, vitamin A, Fe and Ca) for the thrifty food basket were covered. Considerations of national and international dietary guidelines promoting health and preventing diseases included fats, 15–30%; carbohydrates, 55–75%; proteins, 10–15%; saturated fatty acid, less than 10%; simple sugars, less than 10% energy; and total vegetables and fruits, more than 400 g. Solver was used as a Microsoft Excel add-in program to optimize the optimal and thrifty food basket values. To apply sustainability considerations, two environmental indicators of water and carbon footprint were calculated for the baskets.

The recommended per capita quantities of food in grams per day for the optimum food basket of Iran-1402 included bread, 290; rice, 70; pasta, 25; legumes and nuts, 30; potatoes, 70; vegetables and fruits, 200; red meat, 30; white meat (chicken and fish), 60; eggs, 40; dairies, 300; vegetable oils, 35; and sugar, 30. In the key micronutrients, riboflavin and vitamin A were provided more than the necessary quantity and iron and calcium in a range of 80–85% of the requirement. The optimal food basket designed-2023 included 5% less water footprint and 2% less carbon footprint than that the optimal food basket did for 2013. Mild increases in the environmental sustainability of the optimal food basket-2023 was majorly due to decreases in the share of meats, fruits and rice and increases in the share of legumes, compared to the food basket-2013. Increasing the quantity of dairy products is one of the reasons that weaken the environmental sustainability of the novel optimal food basket.

Availability of sufficient appropriate nutrition is a human right and a prerequisite for comprehensive sustainable development. Optimum and thrifty food baskets include a big step towards a healthier and more prosperous future for everyone. It is necessary to design and implement food and nutrition policies at macro-levels and continuously assessment and monitoring of their effects on the households and individuals.

Dairy consumption is affected by several factors, including physical and economic accesses and individual preferences. Considering that social networks can reflect views of their users, this study was carried out to explain perspectives of Iranian Instagram social media users regarding dairy product consumption.

Data were collected using directed qualitative content analysis approach. Studied areas included hashtags that were collected based on the objectives of the study with the purposeful sampling method on Instagram, January 2011 to March 2021. The MAXQDA software was used for content coding and analysis. Validity of data was assessed using criteria of validity, transferability, trust and confirmation.

A total of 782 posts with desired characteristics were collected. The most important themes identified in the posts of Iranian Instagram users included positive effects of dairy products in preventing diseases, necessity of consuming dairy products, safety and quality of dairy products, frauds in dairy products, disadvantages of consuming dairy products in causing diseases and harming the environment and animals and obstacles to dairy consumption such as high prices and poverty of the people. Some users tried to guide others to consume dairy products and introduced new products of dairy industries such as enriched dairy products and probiotics.

Considering broadly increasing use of social networks, production of scientifically sound contents by experts can be the major suggestion of the present study to improve awareness of the users of these networks. Due to the importance of dairy consumption, it is recommended to set educational programs according to the needs of different age groups in the country's media. Results of the present study can be used by the policymakers in adopting right policies on dairy consumption.

Based on available evidence, dietary diversity may change with aging. Decreases in dietary diversity score of the elderly people may be affected by various factors, including their demographic and socioeconomic status. The aim of this study was to assess and compare demographic and socioeconomic statuses associated with dietary diversity score (DDS) of the elderly people living in Tehran City, in 2017 and 2021.

In this longitudinal study, 368 elderly people [204 (55.4%) women and 164 (44.6%) men] over 60 years of age were assessed at two-time points of 2017 and 2021. Demographic and socioeconomic information were assessed using a questionnaire and dietary intake was assessed using 24-h food recall questionnaires for two non-consecutive days. Dietary diversity score was calculated based on Kant method. Statistical analysis was carried out using R software and mixed effect model.

The mean ±SD (standard deviation) of age of the elderly people was 67.06 y ±5.52 and 70.89 y ±6.48 in 2017 and 2021, respectively. Moreover, mean ±SD of the elderlies’ dietary diversity score in 2017 (5.07 ±1.20) was higher than that of 2021 (4.94 ±1.09) (p < 0.05). After adjusting the effects of all demographic and socioeconomic variables in the model, higher education compared to under-diploma education had direct relationships with dietary diversity scores  (β = 0.794; p < 0.001). Due to the longitudinal design of the study, differences in the effects of the higher education on dietary diversity scores between 2017 and 2021 was -0.151, meaning that these effects decreased by 0.151 in 2021, compared to the baseline year; however, non-significantly (β = -0.151; p = 0.416). Elderly people living in households with size of three or more (β = 0.614; p < 0.01) had higher dietary diversity score compared to those who lived alone (β = 0.652; p < 0.05). Differences in the effects of households size of three or greater on DDS between 2017 and 2021 was non-significance (β = -0.091; p = 0.712). Having middle (β = 0.971; p < 0.001) and high (β = 0.417; p < 0.01) incomes was directly linked to higher DDS compared to low incomes. Differences in the effects of income levels on dietary diversity scores between the two period of the study was not significance (p > 0.05).

findings indicated that having university education, higher income and living in households with the size of 3 or more were the most important demographic and socioeconomic characteristics associated with higher DDS in elderly people living in Tehran City. Studies with longer periods of time can reveal more definitive results regarding the effects of socioeconomic statuses on diet quality of elderly people.

To-date, no studies have assessed phenotypes of frail in the elderly people living in Tehran and their relationships with nutritional status. The aim of this study was to investigate prevalence of frailty and its relationships with malnutrition in elderly people living in Tehran, 2021–2022.

In this cross-sectional study, 508 elderly people over 60 years old living in Tehran were selected using systematic random cluster sampling method. General information were collected using general questionnaires, physical function using two-part questionnaire of activities of daily living and daily activity with the help of instrumental activities of daily living tool validated for the elderly and quality of life using valid 12-item SF12 questionnaires. The 12-item questionnaires on quality of life; validity and reliability of which were verified in the Iranian society was applied. Frailty was carried out using Fried et al. 5-indices, including 1) slow walking, 2) muscle weakness, 3) fatigue, 4) low physical activity, and 5) unintentional weight loss. Muscle strength was assessed using hand grip dynamometer. Malnutrition assessment was carried out using standard 2-part MNA (mini nutritional assessment) questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) were carried out using standard methods and body mass index was calculated.

The mean and standard deviation of the age of the elderly people were 71.09 y ±6.88 years. The number of men and women participating in the study was almost equal (50.6% men and 49.4% women). In total, 51.4% of the participants were pre-frail and 23% were frail. More than half of the participants had low muscle strength (54.3%). After adjusting effects of confounders in comparison with healthy individuals, the probability of frailty in people at risk of malnutrition (95% CI: 1.63–5.67; OR = 3.04) and the probability of pre-frailty in the two groups of at risk of malnutrition (95% CI: 5–11/21–04; OR = 10.37) and malnutrition (95% CI: 5.31–5.31; OR = 7.18) were significantly higher (p < 0.05).

In this study, nutritional status was strongly associated to frailty. Identifying nutritional problems associated with muscle weakness and malnutrition can be used in health and nutrition planning of this age group.

Intersectoral collaboration, as a key component of interventions in addressing complex public health problems, can be structured, selective, and designed to be constructive. Social network analysis can help examine and strengthen such collaborative structures with a systemic approach. This policy brief aims to suggest operational steps and an optimal structure of stakeholder engagement for better governance of the national food assistance program for vulnerable groups.

This policy brief presents a collaborative structure for governing the national food assistance program for vulnerable groups, as a part of a comprehensive social support system. The authors call for attention to the number of suggestions to improve the quality of formulation and implementation of this program, which is facilitated by a network perspective.

The stage of community readiness to make changes or accept childhood obesity prevention programs has an essential role in the eventual success and sustainability of such programs. The current study aims to review the background of community readiness and investigate its importance in planning and implementing childhood obesity prevention programs.

The literature search in this scoping review was conducted in English databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The keywords were “community-based study," “community readiness," “community preparedness," “community readiness model," “childhood obesity,” and “prevention program." Finally, 36 studies were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

The community readiness model (CRM) is the most frequently used conceptual framework for assessing the community’s readiness for a specific issue or problem. Studies have shown that cross-sectional community readiness assessment is a common tool in community-based childhood obesity prevention programs. It is also shown that findings on readiness in childhood obesity prevention interventions have been used with three main objectives including assessing intervention effectiveness, providing evidence-based planning services to adopt appropriate strategies and actions, and identifying community capacity and its changes.

Assessing the stage of community readiness before developing lifestyle interventions, to prevent and control childhood obesity and conduct appropriate interventions for its improvement, is critical for the potential success and effectiveness of such interventions.

The aim of this study was to analyze contents of Grades 1–6 textbooks in Iran, regarding food and nutrition literacy domains and their components.

This study included content analysis of primary school textbooks (Grades 1–6) in 2019–2020 academic year. Analysis included all pages of 41 books of primary schools (4878 pages). Data collection was carried out using checklists comprised of three principal domains of food and nutrition literacy, including cognitive, skill and value-attitude as well as their components. The research tool reliability was assessed based on the agreement rate between the two coders, using Holsti method. The reliability assessment was 85.29%.

Of all the food and nutrition literacy components in the books, 92% were related to the cognitive domain whereas 8% belonged to the skill domain of food and nutrition literacy. The value-attitude domain, including nutritional tendency, nutritional health values and cultural and social issues related to foods were mostly missing. Critical factors of food and nutrition literacy in primary school curriculum included media literacy, skills linked to food label analysis, and interactive and critical food and nutrition skills.

In conclusion, revision of the textbook contents and curriculums is necessary to ensure that they provide acceptable levels of food and nutrition-linked skills, promoting positive attitudes of healthy eating.

Sustainable provision of food for adequate access and benefit for population and continuous monitoring of food security is one of the main tasks of governments to ensure food and nutrition security of individual, family and community as an important right. The purpose of this review is to present strategies for improving food and nutrition security in critical situations such as the COVID-19 epidemic.

This research was prepared based on the results of series of focused group discussion of experts panels of related fields such as nutrition, food technology, agriculture, economics and epidemiology which were performed in Academy of Medaical Sciences.

In this advocacy paper, challenges and practical strategies in the short and long term for reducing all of the adverse effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on food and nutrition security of the community in various aspects of management, support, education and research, extension and supervision are discussed.

Cooperation and coordination of different sections is very important for improving food and nutrition security in the current crisis and decisions must be implemented immediately.

The aim of the present study was to assess associations between nutrient adequacy ratio and mean adequacy ratio with body shape index and waist-to-height ratio in free-living elderly in Tehran city, Iran.

In this cross-sectional study, 583 elderly people (304 women and 279 men) aged 60–80 years from Tehran were selected using systematic cluster sampling method. Demographic questionnaire, activity of daily living, instrumental activity of daily living and two 24-h dietary recalls were used to assess general characteristics, physical function and dietary intakes of the participants, respectively. Nutrient adequacy ratio of energy, protein and 11 micronutrients and their means were calculated. Anthropometric measurements, including height, weight and waist circumference were carried out using standard methods and body shape index and waist-to-height ratio were calculated.

The median (interquartile) of body shape index was 0.082 (0.086–0.079) and the mean ±standard deviation of WHtR07 was 0.06 ±0.07. The mean waist-to-height ratio of females was higher than that of males and the median body shape index  of females was lower than that of males. After adjusting for the effects of all confounders, associations of mean adequacy ratio with waist-to-height ratio and body shape index were not significant. Nutrient adequacy ratios of energy and protein were directly linked to waist-to-height ratio and body shape index respectively and nutrient adequacy ratio of thiamine was inversely linked to body shape index.

: No associations were detected between the adequacy of dietary intake and the two indicators of body fat distribution status after controlling for the confounding factors (lifestyle, demographic and socioeconomic factors).

Due to the importance of food environment of the public dining places in promoting sustainable diets, the present study was carried out to analyze canteen menu of the School of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology sustainability and to develop a sustainable lunch menus.

First, nutrition information and quantity per capita of foods served within the last 20 days were asked from the food service manager of the canteen during the second semester of 2019–2020. The frequency of each food served, as well as food waste durung their preparation and consumption were recorded. Quantities of carbon, water and land footprints, costs and nutrient-rich food (NRF) index of the foods in the  two menus  were calculated. Then, a sustainable food menu for each two menus was designed in order to minimize water, carbon and land footprints and cost, as well as maxmizing NRF  through goal programming method.

Foods served in Menu 1, had higher mean water (P=0.011), carbon (P=0.001) and land footprints (P=0.022) and higher costs (P=0.001) but lower NRF (P=0.001), compared to those served in Menu 2. The average daily non-compostable, compostable and recyclable wastes included 19660, 6320 and 9010 g, respectively. Replacing the sustainable food menu designed for Menu 1 could decrease carbon, total water and land footprints and costs by 10, 13, 22 and 6%, respectively, and increased the NRF profile by 8%. Furthermore, replacing the sustainable menu designed for Menu 2 could result in 25, 23, 27 and 28% decreases in carbon, total water and land footprints and costs, respectively, and increased the NRF profile by 23%.

Replacement of the current menus with sustainable ones and planning to decrease food wastes are recommended to achieve national targets of resistive economy and sustainable development and to promote sustainable diets.

Formulation of the National Nutrition and Food Security Document (NNFSD) is an important effort in the field of operationalizing Iran’s upstream food and nutrition documents. This study aimed to assess and analyze the performance of the Specialized Nutrition and Food Security Working Group in achieving strategic goals of NNFSD.

Qualitative content analysis was carried out on existing documents of the Supreme Council of Health and Food Security. The executive quality of the sessions was assessed on the basis of three indicators, including existence of evidence-based reports, clear approvals, and follow-up of approvals. The main themes were presented separately for the strategic objectives in the form of three broad categories, including challenges, approaches, and related actions. The qualitative analysis of data was performed using MAXQDA software.

Most of the Specialized Working Group’s sessions only focused on five of the seventeen strategic goals, including decreasing the main risk factors of agricultural and food products, decreasing the amounts of salt, sugar, and fats in foods and drink, while increasing average intake of the basic items in food basket, stablishing food fortification, and increasing nutritional literacy of target groups. Of 71 sessions held, the quality of 16 sessions (22.5%) was acceptable and only 43 approvals (31.2%) out of 138 in working group’s sessions were followed up and performed.

The need for serious and documented follow-up of approvals, improving presented reports with referring to sufficient evidence, and also more comprehensive coverage of issues and problems in the field of food and nutrition confirms the necessity of revision, strengthening performance and management of the mentioned working group.

Overweight and obesity are public health concerns in adolescence that can be affected by socio-cultural factors. The aim of this study was to determine and compare overweight and obesity among female adolescents of Azeri and Kurd ethnicity living in Urmia city.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 female students (Azeri=219; Kurd=131) aged 16-18 years old. Schools were selected by stratified cluster random sampling and in each school; students were selected through simple random sampling. Socio-economic and demographic data were collected by face-to-face interview. Adolescents’ weight and height were measured using standard techniques. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) cutoffs were used for determining overweight and obesity. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23 and independent-samples t-test and chi-square test were used to compare quantitative and qualitative data among Azeri and Kurd groups.

The mean )SD) age was 16.8 (0.8) among Kurd and 16.7 (0.7) Azeri participants. Among Azeri participants, the prevalence of obesity was 49 (22.4) based on CDC cutoff and the prevalence of overweight was 65 (29.7) based on WHO cutoff. Among Kurd participants, the prevalence of obesity was 14 (10.7) based on CDC cutoff and the prevalence of overweight was 16 (12.2) based on WHO cutoff. The prevalence of both obesity and overweight was higher among Azeri participants than Kurd participants (P<0.05). The mean )SD) body mass index (BMI) and BMI-for-age z-score was 23.5 (4.5) Kg/m2 and 0.5 (1.3) among Azeri participants and 21.9 (4.2) Kg/m2 and 0.1 (1.2) Kurd participants, respectively. BMI and BMI for age z-score was significantly higher among Azeri than Kurd participants (P<0.05).

The study showed that prevalence of obesity based on CDC cutoff and prevalence of overweight based on WHO cutoff among Azeri participants was higher than Kurds. Furthermore, BMI and BMI-for-age z-score was higher among Azeri participants than Kurds.

Food and nutrition, whether before or after consumption, play a role of utmost importance in forming and maintaining cultural characteristics of humans. Economic, cultural, and social factors and conditions could affect the access and control of food products as well as meeting various tastes in this regard. Similar to signs, food and the manner of its consumption could reflect cultural implications about humans. Alongside the aforementioned components, gender and power are also considered social factors which influence populations’ foodways, i.e. the types of production, distribution, and consumption of food products. Food and the manner of consumption demonstrate one’s economic and cultural capitals; albeit they are also linked to the human physique along with cultural significance and implications on another level. As a sociocultural consideration of the human physique, gender is represented within the food system in various ways, exploiting food related capacities to show a cultural reflection of genders in such depictions. As a result, food alongside its significance and implications are constantly present and influential in the modern cultural world. As a general description, the present study seeks to provide answers to the following main questions with focus on the notions of power and gender involved within the food system: first, how do various components of power and gender influence the role of nomadic men and women, regarding the local food system of Lak nomads who live in Lorestan province, Iran, in various stages of food production, provision, and consumption? And second, what are the differences and diversities between men and women’s power with respect to controlling, providing, and consuming food products? Food and human nutrition have always been the focus of anthropologists. Within an evolutionist approach framework, Lewis Henry Morgan pointed out that the history of the evolution of human societies could be identified from the early phases to late stages, according to the techniques used for gaining access to food resource. In fact, humans’ skills in gaining access to food as well as their ability to control food resources and processing them has resulted in the distinction and superiority of human beings over other animals. A symbolic approach to food could be traced within humans’ cultural lifetime and the beliefs of pioneering anthropologists. In this regard, James Frazer could be mentioned in particular, who narrates the symbolic applications of food and its resources in different aspects of human life among diverse nations, cultures, and societies. The difference in food-related preferences and tastes in all dimension, formed through the habitus of various classes and strata, is regarded by Pierre Bourdieu as a means for identifying distinctions as well as the reproduction of hierarchies and differences. At a macro level, food could also be a sign of power or weakness of various social strata. In his book, Bourdieu points out that similar to their tastes in music, arts, and clothing, the wealthy exploit food to assert distinction from lower strata. Such an influence of food is reminded by Mainz as sweetness and power through his works. These approaches are used in the present study as a set of inspiring, sensitizing ideas and beliefs, so as to provide a closer understanding of the subject at hand. Obtaining answers and a clear image of posed questions require a long, profound exploration of the culture being studied. Since ethnography seeks to understand intended phenomena through the perspective of those who are closely related to the subject, it is used in this study as the appropriate method for discerning the significance and implications that bring about gender and its interpretations among nomads. The research strategy of ethnography is used as a means to understand the significance and living environment through the views of actors who gain access to the living experiences of nomads and obtain the intended meanings. For data collection, ethnographic interviews and a participatory observation of employed techniques are required. As James Spradley had intended, the ethnography in this study is used as a process involving endless cycles of reviewing and dealing with new questions that introduce tremendous dynamism and flexibility to ethnography, in line with collecting massive data so as to reach a thorough understanding of the subject at hand. Findings show that in the studied society, food involves numerous symbolic and sociocultural levels and applications. In this society, food is considered as a component in which countless implications are present in various dimensions of the society’s sociocultural life. Gender is a significant component in food production, distribution, and consumption, which has brought about a different form of power to women regarding access and consumption of food products. Being close to food products and resources is an important symbol for women. Additionally, the food system is an important element for demonstrating gender-related features of a culture during the stages of production, distribution, and consumption. In case of the society studied in this inquiry, women and their extent of influence in family are expressed majorly through the extent of power and authority over the management of food resources, which could be bestowed upon their relatives (esp. female members) by women as a gift. Men employ the strategy of arranging parties and catering in order to obtain influence, power, and social status. Food is used by both men and women in various ways to gain access to a social base, friendly relationships, and power. Food is an effective means to build distinctive identities for men and women. Such distinct, gender-related identities have offered different levels of access and relations for men and women with respect to food. In a nomadic society, the empowerment of gender-related norms could be seen in daily interactions involving the food system; norms that, the majority of times, are reflective of biological differences and their implications. The impact of gender and its implications can always be seen on how men and women are present in such a food system along with the extent of their powers.

  Food and nutrition have an important role in human health, specially in children and adolescents. In this regard, the importance of knowledge and skills for healthier food choices is will accepted. Therefore, assessing the information sources and educational materials available to the public, particularly the textbooks used in formal education at the national level is of great importance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of food and nutrition literacy (FNL) components in high school textbooks in Iran. The study was based on content analysis. The study population included all high schools (grades 7 to 9) with a total of 33 books. Therefore, the sample size comprised 4499 pages and their content was analyzed using a FNL component checklist. Validity of the tool was confirmed by referring to relevant scientific literature, as well as the views of experts from the fields of nutrition and curriculum design. The reliability of the research tool was assessed based on the agreement rate between the two coders, using Holst method, which was 84.88%. The total number of FNL components in the three domains of cognitive, skill and value in the text, images and questions of the studies textbooks was 439, of which the cognitive domain of FNL with 308 units (70.16%) had the highest frequency. Then skill domain with 96 units (21.86%) was the second frequent area, while the value-attitude domain of FNL had the lowest frequency: 35 units (7.97%). Very low attention given to FNL and its components in the text, images and questions of high school textbooks, especially with regard to skill and value-attitude domains and high instrumental application of food and nutrition concepts call the need for re-evaluation of the textbooks. Based on the results, there is a need to revise the content of these textbooks to ensure proper coverage of FNL main issues for adolescents.

The word policy is a statement by an authoritative body with intent to act in order to maintain or alter a condition in the society. A food policy for example, is any decision, program or project that is endorsed by a government agency, business, or organization, which effects how food is produced, processed, distributed, purchased, protected or disposed. Based on article six of the overall health policy this document relates to, “ensuring food quality and equitable utilization of a healthy food basket, suitable and adequate provision of water and clean air, and public sports facilities that uphold safety standards of health products for national , regional and global standards”. It comprises one of the main health policies in Iran. In the present context, health policy research is undertaken after evaluating and analyzing the current policies in each section of the general health policy document (i.e. food and nutrition safety, prevention of noncommunicable disease, education and research in food safety etc) successful food and nutrition policies in similar countries are reviewed, and indicators for monitoring article six of the overall health policy document was assessed. Moreover, based on upstream documentation, the most appropriate interventions for the next five years are suggested. Stakeholder analysis determined the most important interventions at an international and national level (i.e. research, education ,collaboration, production, food. supply and demand). The most important interventions aimed at promoting food and nutrition safety based upon expert panel views were: A. Incorporation of food and nutrition programs, food safety, preventing noncommunicable disease, sustainable food and nutrition, respecting economic, cultural, and ecological aspects, B. Sovereignty, trusteeship and leadership of the high council of health and food safety, C. Development of food and nutrition observation system and program evaluation for informed policy making. There is a strong need to address nutrition, prevent noncommunicable disease, promote food safety and prevent poverty.

Anthropology is a discipline that its aim is to understand human and its place in the natural order of things. On the one hand, Anthropology examines affairs that are simple and normal and on the other hand, it examines ambiguous Affairs. According to this, current article is in nutritional anthropology by an ethnographic approach and inspired by the vision of cultural ecology and it examines patterns and ways of nutritional consumption of Koma and cultural belief relate to it in a region in south of Sabzevar. Results of this examination indicate that there is a considerable importance for this pasturage plant in context of animal husbandry communities of the studied region. Due to the importance and function of the plant in the life cycle of region, a certain cultural formations and image of this plant is formed in the studied society. The cultural image has been tried to protect this plant with unholy construction mechanism. In fact, because of the importance of the Koma in the environmental and economic level of the animal husbandry context of the region, from cultural level, a kind of cultural interaction and a kind of preservation culture is created. This kind of protection culture would affect the thought and action of regional actors in the field and their relation with the plant.

The subsidy targeting program through cash transfer in Iran, established in 2010, has influenced the quality of social life as well as nutritional status of Iranian households. In this qualitative study, views and understanding of urban women in Tehran about the program was evaluated. This study was part of a research project entitled “Effectiveness of subsidy targeting through cash transfer on food security and nutritional status of urban population in Tehran: evaluation of a program”. To collect data, seven semi-structured focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with 76 women who have experienced the effects of cash transfer program on their households as mother, wife or daughter. Based on open sampling, with the aim of maximum variation of the participants’ experiences, three socio-demographically diverse distinct from the north, centre and south of Tehran metropolis were selected. All the FGDs were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data collection and analysis were done simultaneously using the Constant Comparative Methods in the qualitative research. In the face of initial manifest goals of the subsidy targeting program through cash transfer to reduce social inequalities and poverty at multiple levels, this program has in practice increased the relative deprivation and social gaps in residents of Iranian metropolises like Tehran. FGDs showed that social observability and participation of members of household in social events has decreased as major components of social capital. Moreover, most of the participants believed that the dependency ratio has gone into reverse down in urban households in Tehran and couples in reproductive age have ever-increasingly become dependent on aged members of their families for managing their livelihood. Some women believed that this program has increased the domestic violence and decreased their hope to the future of their children which in turn could led to lower childbearing and population growth. In contrast, some women evaluated it as a good program, which was not implemented well. Cash transfer Program in Tehran has raised negative and positive viewpoints in women based on its impacts on inflation and household expenditures which their understanding and analysis can be useful in conducting the future steps of the program.

Several studies have shown that parents of overweight/obese children sometimes perceive their child's weight as normal. This can affect their level of concern and follow ups to correct their child's weight. This study aimed to evaluate association between maternal weight status and self-efficacy in controlling child’s weight-related behavior with their perception of their child's weight status. A total of 159 overweight/obese first grade students and their mothers from two districts of Tehran city were studied. Their height and weight were measured, and maternal BMI and children's BMI z-scores were calculated. Socio-demographic characteristics of the family, mother's self-efficacy and perception of their child's weight were assessed by a questionnaire through interview. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factors effecting mother's perception. Mean age of children was 6.7±0.34 years. Among the children, 20.1% were overweight and 79.9% were obese, while 48% and 35% of the mothers were overweight and obese, respectively. About 77% of the mothers had misperception about their child's weight status. There was no significant relationship between the mother's occupation, education and weight status with misperception of child weight. Maternal self-efficacy in controlling the child’s weight related behaviors was low in 23.8% of the mothers; while it was medium and high in 50.3 and 25.8%, respectively. There was a reverse but insignificant association between self-efficacy and weight status of children. Considering the critical role of parents, especially mothers in the process of child obesity management, informing mothers on the definition and importance of desirable body weight in children and proper means to combat it is a priority.

Food and nutrition system of each ethnic group includes important cultural component and their ways of interaction with environment. Food is not merely a biological and metabolistic entity، but it relates to various aspects of human life including the culture. Color، taste، preparation methods، consumption and utilization tools، distribution way of food at different levels and aspects including social، customs، rituals of birthday، preparation، distribution، and gendered considerations in relation to food consumption and nutrition all show complexity of food systems in human societies and how food is by nature contextualized in the culture. In this view، the main objective of this study was to examine indigenous food and nutrition of Lak ethnic group living in rural and nomadic districts of Lorestan province. In particular، this study seeks to describe richly the socio-cultural aspects of indigenous food and nutrition system of Lak ethnic group with a focus on their social relationships in the community، gender-based division of labor in food system or foodways، food habits and cultural symbolism of food in the local culture of the community and how the environmental factors influence the food system and foodways of this ethnic group. To obtain the objective of the research، quantitative research methods including ethnographic methods (such as the ethnographic interviews، participant observation، and documentary studies) were used in this study. Throughout ethnographic research، the scholars took an open and amenable approach to emerging new questions to develop a deeper understanding and thick description of the subject through taking a iterative procedures in collecting or making and analyzing the data and field-notes. The results of this study indicate that there is a considerable diversity in producing، disseminating and consuming and intaking foods among Lak people living in rural and nomadic districts of Lorestan including in nutritional sources، nutritional rituals and mores، method of hunting and food gathering، food choices، way of purchasing food from the market and food intake. Foodways and food system of Lak people are intensely configured in their socio-cultural and environmental context، interlocking to their identity image، social relationships، kinship and family roots، gender relations، and their environmental lifestyles in the community and ecological characteristics of Lorestan.

Empowering public health nutritionists is necessary to achieving millennium development goals and meet the country''s nutritional issues. This study assessed the educational needs of public health nutritionists working in the health system in Iran. This study implemented two qualitative and quantitative phases from January 2010 to March 2012. Fifty-five informants in nutrition were invited to participate in the qualitative (Delphi technique) study. For the first round، a 65-item closed questionnaire in 9 competency areas and 3 open questions were designed by reviewing existing literature and the job description for Iranian public health nutritionists. The results of the first round were used to develop a second round questionnaire with 77 items that was sent to the previous participants. In the quantitative phase of the study، a needs assessment questionnaire with 42 items was designed in accordance with the results of the Delphi study. The questionnaire was sent to the public health nutritionists working with the offices of the dean of health at medical universities (70 participants). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data in using SPSS-18. The informants scored technology (91%)، nutrition science (88%)، and communication and advocacy (85%) as essential competency areas. The most cited educational needs for public health nutritionists were nutrition science (95%)، technology (93%)، and leadership and management (90%(. Sources of knowledge in competency areas included job training programs (29. 07%)، experience (28. 33%)، and formal education (11. 80%). The viewpoints of the public health nutritionists indicated most educational needs (>70%) included advocacy and communication، assessment and analysis، evaluation and cultural، social and political aspects. It is recommended to promote capacity building and revise the educational curriculum of the university program for public health nutritionists to provide more emphasis on skills-based competency.

To assess vitamin D status of 9-12 years old primary school children in Tehran during fall and winter 2007-8. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study Setting: Primary schools of Tehran city, Iran.

A total of 1111 9-12 years old children (573 boys and 538 girls) from 60 primary schools were enrolled in the study. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and serum levels of calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, 25(OH)D, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), osteocalcin (OST), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) were assessed for all the participants. Dietary calcium intake was also evaluated using a quantitative food frequency questionnaire (qFFQ) for a sub-sample of the study population (n=503). Vitamin D sufficiency was defined based on serum levels of 25(OH)D as either ≥ 37nmol/L (criterion 1) or ≥ 50 nmol/L (criterion 2).

Daily intake of calcium did not differ significantly between boys and girls (929.6± 436.7 mg and 909.5±465.5 mg, respectively). However, based on the first criterion, some 86% of the children had vitamin D deficiency with 38.3% of severe deficiency (25(OH)D < 12.5 nmol/L). By using the second criterion, prevalence of vitamin D deficiency rose to 91.7%. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was higher in girls than in boys by either criterion. Serum levels of 25(OH)D inversely correlated with iPTH (r= -0.154, p<0.001) and BMI (r= -0.092, p=0.002) but directly correlated with duration of sun exposure (r= 0.115, p<0.001).

The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among school children (especially girls) warrants immediate interventions for proper nutritional support.

Inadequate intake of Calcium and vitamin D is one of the common health problems، especially among the children in developed as well as developing countries، including Iran. Fortification of foodstuff، specially milk and dairy products، is being used as a major strategy to combat this problem in many countries. This study aimed to evaluate sensory desirability and compliance with vitamin D and Calcium-fortified milk، among 9-11 year-old schoolchildren in the city of Tehran.

This cross sectional study was conducted in two phases including sensory evaluation and compliance with vitamin D and Calcium fortified-milk in schoolchildren. The first phase was performed by a panel of 212 schoolchildren from both sexes using a 5- point hedonic questionnaire with both images and words. And، the second phase was carried out on 200 children using an 8-item questionnaire.

In sensory evaluation 44. 4% of the students described the taste of the fortified milk as bad، while in the compliance study 85% of children were satisfied with the taste of vitamin D and Calcium - fortified milk. Only less than half of the students agreed with the continuation of the fortification program.

Calcium and vitamin D fortification، resulting in unpleasant changes in the taste of milk، can challenge fortified milk distribution program for children. Further study is needed to provide a formulation that would result in a higher compliance among schoolchildren.