Journal of Nutrition and Food Security
Volume:8 Issue: 3, Aug 2023

In the current situation, ensuring food security and maintaining it, especially due to growing demand and significant population growth on the one hand and excessive and incorrect use of limited and non-renewable resources and reserves and the emergence of challenges such as climate change on the other hand is very important.  According to the World Bank, food security is achieved when all people have access to enough food at all times to live a healthy life. This has three aspects: "food availability", "access to food" and "sustainability in food intake" (Eslami AR, 2021). The threat of declining food security due to climate change is one of the major challenges of the 21st century. The impact of climate change on agricultural benefits and food security depends on the scale of climate change (Marzban et al., 2023) .

Background: 

Recently due to adverse effects of synthetic antioxidants, there has been a growing interest in the application of natural essential oil in vegetable oils. The present study investigated the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of clove essential oil (CEO) and its addition to sesame oil.

composition and antioxidant activity of clove essential oil The CEO was prepared and analyzed by GC-MS. Then, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were determined. The CEO at different concentrations (0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.08%) and TBHQ (0.02%) were added to sesame oil and samples were stored at 60 °C for 5 weeks. Peroxide value (PV), p-Anisidine value (p-AV), total oxidation (TOTOX) value and Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) were determined in sesame oil samples every week for 35 days. A total of 5 components including eugenol (96.25%), eugenol acetate (1.88%), trans-Caryophyllene (1.66%), α-humulene (0.16%), and caryophyllene oxide (0.06%) were determined as the main components of CEO.

The TPC of CEO was 345.95±7.85 mg GAE/g. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of CEO for DPPH (IC50) and FRAP methods was estimated 0.83 ± 0.11 mg/ml and 112.37±8.81 mM Fe2SO4. It was shown that peroxide, p-AV, TOTOX, and TBARS values of all sesame oil samples increased during 5 weeks of storage at accelerated conditions. TBHQ showed better function in preventing oil oxidation, but CEO had acceptable function especially in 0.08% concentration.

The CEO in vegetable oil due to high phenolic content could retard lipid peroxidation. It could be mentioned that CEO could be considered as an alternative of synthetics ones in vegetable oils.

Food security is one of the basic needs of humans and is regarded as a priority in the development goals of all countries. This study aimed at an epidemiological assessment of food security in healthcare centers affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS).

In this analytical cross-sectional study, information on food security, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, education, smoking, hypertension, domestic violence, psychological status, and demographic characteristics were extracted using SINA health records. A total of 60625 mothers referring to MUMS healthcare centers were studied from May 2017 to June 2019. Food security was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Multinominal logistic regression was run to assess the relationship between study variables and food security adjusted for important potential confounders.

The mean age of participants was 42.01±14.3 years. Also, 64.7% (N=39209) of the participants had food security; 25.3% (N=15321) suffered from mild food insecurity; 6.7% (N=4044) suffered from moderate, and 3.4% (N=2051) suffered from severe food insecurity. Physical activity, BMI, education, nationality, smoking, and psychological distress were significantly associated with odds of severe food insecurity in comparison to normal food security (P<0.05). However, there was no significant association between having diabetes, hypertension, fast foods, and domestic violence, and odds of severe food insecurity.

Nearlytwo-thirds of households had food security and a positive significant association was observed between variables and odds of food insecurity. Further research, however, is needed to consolidate the findings

Water quality is the most important factor for consumers. Therefore, monitoring and controlling water quality is of particular significance in different human communities such as universities. The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of drinking water in some universities in Iran.

In this study, the physicochemical parameters and heavy metals including lead, cadmium, nickel, arsenic, and chromium in drinking water were determined in nine Iranian universities. Then, the efficacy of several treatment methods was evaluated in the removal of heavy metals, including boiling process in two stages, 5 min boiling, 5 h boiling, and filtration process.

Physicochemical properties of drinking water in all samples were appropriate. Hardness levels were higher than the World Health Organization standards. However, this parameter was lower than the national standard of Iran (500 mg/l caco3). Nevertheless, cadmium content was not detected in any samples, and nickel and chromium content was below the permissible limit.  Lead content was equal to the limit in three samples, and arsenic content was equal to the limit in four samples. Water purification methods including boiling and water purifier were satisfactory and significantly reduced pollutants.

It is suggested to check drinking water quality in universities randomly

Studies have shown that children’s food preferences play a main role in the formation of long-term eating habits and nutritional patterns in their future lives. This study aimed to investigate food preferences of primary students in Yazd, Iran.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 420 primary school students of Yazd, both male and female, using two-stage sampling method. The data collection tool was a self-administered questionnaire including demographic variables and food preferences checklist. The data were entered in SPSS 23 software and analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test. The significance level of the tests was considered as P-value < 0.05.

Starchy food category with the mean score of 3.70±0.44 was reported as the highest food preference and protein category (3.17±0.69) was reported as the lowest food preference among food categories in students. Gender, economic status, and body mass index (BMI) were related to students’ food preferences (P < 0.05). The median score of food preference for vegetables, fruits, and proteins in girls was higher than boys (P < 0.05), and for starchy food, fast foods, snacks, and fats was higher for boys than for girls (P < 0.01). The mean score of starchy food preference in students with lean and normal BMI was higher than students in overweight and obese group (P= 0.01).

Starchy food and protein categories were reported as the highest and lowest food preferences among primary school students, respectively. It seems necessary to pay special attention to increase the awareness of students as well as their parents and primary schools principals about healthy foods in childhood and healthy food environments.

COVID-19 ushered in a new era of devastating economic and social conditions and sustainable food chains around the world. One of the most vulnerable groups in this situation was the elderly. This study aims to investigate the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security of the elderly living in Isfahan, Iran.

Written informed consent was obtained from 350 old people before entering the study. Data were collected using socioeconomic status and FaCPS-FSSM food security questionnaires; there were eight items which measured food security among the elderly.

41.7% (n=146) of the elderly had complete food security. In addition, 29.4% (n=103), 20% (n=70), and 8.9% (n=31) of participants suffered from food insecurity without hunger, food insecurity with moderate hunger, and food insecurity with severe hunger, respectively. There was a significant association between socioeconomic factors, such as age, education level, family size, the number of children and food security (P<0.001). Meanwhile, variables of gender, ethnicity, the total number of children, and marital status were not significantly associated with food security (P>0.001). In addition, there was a significant association between economic factors such as employment status, homeownership, having health insurance, receiving food aid, being supported by philanthropic organizations, and food security (P<0.001).

Considering the high prevalence of food insecurity among the elderly, special attention should be paid to factors contributing to this issue; they should be translated into improved food security for the elderly by removing risk factors and strengthening protective factors.

Dehydration, as a common problem in older adults, plays a significant role in morbidity and mortality. The elderly are more susceptible to dehydration and fluid deficiency due to age-related factors. There is not much literature concerning fluid intake in older adults. This study aims to investigate fluid intake and dehydration prevalence in older people and compare the accuracy of potential markers in the detection of dehydration.

This cross-sectional study was done on 127 old people (48 males and 79 females) selected from a nursing home in Shiraz, Iran. Socioeconomic status was assessed via interview. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), urine specific gravity (USG), urine color (UC) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), extracellular water (ECW), intracellular water (ICW), and total body water (TBW) were measured. The fluid intakes were recorded using a beverage and fluid intake questionnaire. Total fluid intakes were compared using two fluid intake guidelines (European guidelines and US guidelines) as well. Furthermore, anthropometric indices were measured.

The mean age of participants was 73.01± 5.70 year. Fluid intake was 2.32 ± 0.48 liter/day.  Based on urine specific gravity (USG) (˃1.020) and SBP (SBP ˂ 100 mmHg), 9.4% and 14.2% of the participants were dehydrated respectively. Among all hydration criteria, ECW had the highest potential for detection which identified 72.4% of participants as dehydrated. Among fluid intake guidelines, US guidelines were the best in dehydration diagnosis (112 individuals out of 127).

Although urinary markers and physical indexes (SBP and HR) could not be used to determine hydration status, BIA measurements, especially ECW, have the potential to detect dehydration. In addition, daily fluid intakes are still practical for assessment of hydration status.

Women in conflict are vulnerable to health and nutrition risks. Anemia and underweight are the common risks faced by women particularly in war torn countries. Yemen is one of the most affected places that has a fragile public health system due to the conflict. Increasing conflict has put women’s health and wellbeing at risk and has severely affected their nutritional development. Therefore, this study aims to examine the association between underweight and anemia with different risk factors among married women in Yemen.

This study used the data from Yemen demographic health survey-2013 (YDHS-2013) of married women aged 15-59 year. Bivariate and multivariate logistic models were used to study the association between anemia and underweight with various socio-economic and maternal health risk factors.

A positive and significant association of socio-economic and maternal health risk factors was found with anemia and underweight.  Women belonging to more prosperous groups had the lowest odds of underweight [OR=0.30, P<0.001)] and anemia [OR=0.61, P<0.001). The study also examined some key risk factors like breast feeding, iron supplements and contraceptive use among women and found a positive and significant association of these risk factors with underweight and anemia.

Nutritional challenges have to be addressed especially in the country like Yemen. The results clearly indicate that women in Yemen are facing acute nutritional risks of underweight and anemia. Therefore, policy interventions are required to address their nutritional needs and also empower them economically to minimize these nutritional risks. Moreover, nutrition related interventions are required to attain the targets for sustainable development goals in Yemen

Leghemoglobin is an oxygen transporter and a hemoprotein found in nodule roots of nitrogen fixator plants from Leguminosae family. Leghemoglobin is produced in response to presence of bacteria belonging to Rhizobia family. Structurally, leghemoglobin is similar to hemoglobin and has a kind of heme iron structure.  Study of leghemoglobin as a heme iron containing agent can open up a new way for treatment and natural prevention of iron deficiency anemia and substitution with mineral iron salts.

Five different cultivars of alfalfa plants including Esfahani, Bammi, Yazdy, Nik shahri, and Hamedani were cultivated in gardening farm of the faculty of agriculture in Shahid Chamran University in a linear form. Cultivation was done with biological fertilizer containing Sinorhizobium meliloti for test groups and without fertilizer for sham groups. After 60 days, the samples were harvested, and the amount of leghemoglobin produced in nodules was quantified using LaRue and Child fluorometric method.

The results from five cultivars of alfalfa planted with biological fertilizer showed a significant increase in viscosity of leghemoglobin in nodules of the test group in comparison with sham group (P<0.0001). Moreover, the high viscosity of leghemoglobin in nodules of Bammi cultivar indicated the capacity of this plant to produce leghemoglobin in Ahvaz.

According to the findings of this study, Bammi cultivar of alfalfa is a good option for future studies and even production of high amounts of leghemoglobin in Khuzestan Province.

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a gastrointestinal ulcer caused by gastric acid. Aging, smoking and alcohol, stressful life, and family history are directly related to PUD. Oxidative stress and inflammation are the most important mechanisms involved in PUD. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of dietary inflammatory index (DII) with the risk of PUD.

In this case-control study, data from 100 newly diagnosed peptic ulcer patients and 150 healthy individuals were analyzed. DII was assessed based on dietary intake data collected through a 174-item validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). To calculate DII, 36 nutrients and food components were used after adjusting the energy intake. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) regarding the association between DII and PUD risk were estimated by logistic regression.

The mean DII score in patients (0.43±1.88) was significantly higher than the mean DII in healthy individuals (-2.88±2.00) (P=0.005), i.e. patients had received more inflammatory diet. In the crude model of PUD, odds increased significantly in the third and fourth quartiles of DII score compared to the lowest quartile (OR of third quartile vs first quartile: 2.65, 95% CI:1.27-5.52, respectively; and OR of fourth quartile vs first quartile: 2.33, 95% CI:1.12-4.85, respectively; P- trend=0.001). After checking multiple potential confounders, OR in third and fourth quartiles remained high and there was no change in the results.

These findings suggest that more pro-inflammatory diets, indicated by higher DII scores, may increase the risk of PUD. Therefore, anti-inflammatory diet may play a protective role against PUD.

Childhood obesity and overweight have become major public health problems worldwide. To combat this problem, effective, sustainable, and consistent strategies are needed. In this study, the long-term effect of a school-based intervention for weight reduction was evaluated in primary school students in Tehran, Iran.

This was a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in 12 primary schools in a low- to middle-class district in Tehran, Iran. The participants were 334 overweight or obese primary school students (girls =164) based on World Health Organization standards, equally distributed in the intervention (n=167) and comparison (n=167) groups. It was a multi-component intervention and included nutrition education and increased physical activity (PA), a lifestyle modification program for parents, and changing the food items sold in canteens of the schools. Body mass index Z-score [BMI-Z] was determined as the primary outcome and measured at baseline, three months after baseline, at post-test (after 18 weeks), and follow-up (13-month). In total, 205 students (59.5%) completed the follow-up. Analyses were carried out based on the intention-to-treat principle using linear mixed models.

After 13 months, the BMI Z-score decreased in both intervention and comparison groups. However, the change was more significantly observed in the intervention group (adjusted change: 0.098, 95% CI: (0.03-0.16) compared with comparison group (P=0.003(. The intervention had a more significant effect on BMI Z-score among girls (adjusted change: 0.36, 95% CI: (0.27-0.45) compared with the comparison group (P<0.001)( than among boys (adjusted change: -0.14, 95% CI: (-0.23- -0.05) compared with the comparison group (P=0.002).

The intervention was an effective way to reduce BMI in the girls and the effect lasted for a relatively long time.

Food insecurity is recognized as a serious public health problem worldwide. Since pregnant women are among the most vulnerable groups and their food insecurity may cause complications during pregnancy and on their newborns, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between food security and body mass index (BMI) of pregnant women in eastern Iran.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 335 pregnant women in 10 health centers in the east of Iran. Participants were selected by random cluster sampling. Data were collected using standard questionnaires including 18-item household food security survey module (HFSSM) designed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and nutritional evaluation forms.

The mean scores of the HFSSM of all pregnant women were 7.2±4.3. The household food security of pregnant women was significantly related to the occupation of spouses, mother's education, monthly salary, private home, and mother's age (P<0.05). There was no significant relationship between food security and BMI (P=0.98).

Based on the results, few people have food security. Pregnancy in older age, lower-income, and education affected the household food security. Appropriate strategies and policies are necessary to combat this problem.

Nowadays, increasing the use of pesticides to manage the agriculture production resulted in increased pesticide residues in final products and concerns about environmental pollution and prevalence of emerging diseases. This study aims to investigate the residual amount of Phosalone toxin in the early and late varieties of peach orchards in Saman city located in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province.

In this study, 60 samples of early and late peach varieties of peach orchards were selected randomly. Phosalone residues in early and late peach varieties before and after washing, and after peeling were extracted by QUECHERS method and the amount of extracted toxin were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The data were analyzed using SPSS v.24 software.

Phosalone residues in early peach varieties before and after washing were 3.55 ± 0.94 and 0.31 ± 0.29 mg/kg, respectively. The concentration of Phosalone residues in unwashed early and late peach varieties before washing was 3.17 ± 0.97 mg/kg but decreased to 0.64 ±0.74 mg /kg after washing. Peeling reduced 97.79% of the Phosalone residues in late peach.   Early and late peaches covered by the plant pathology clinic and unwashed late peaches not covered by plant pathology clinic were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the Iranian national standard (2 mg/kg).

Washing and peeling the peach significantly decreased the toxin residues. In order to minimize the risk of exposure to Phosalone residues, integrated pest control management programs are essential.

Depression in adolescents is one of the major public health concerns that can affect educational attainment and social relationships and impose a high economic burden on society. Previous studies have provided limited information on the relationship between a healthy diet and depression in adolescents. The present study aimed to investigate the association of Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) with depression scores among adolescent girls.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 734 adolescent girls aged 12-18 years. Data on dietary intakes were collected using a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and diet quality was assessed based on HEI-2015. The Iranian validated version of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to evaluate depression. To explore the association between HEI-2015 and depression, logistic regression was used in crude and adjusted models.

The prevalence of a high depression score in the study population was 33.8%.  After controlling for potential confounders, girls with the highest adherence to HEI-2015 compared to those with the lowest adherence had a 37% lower prevalence of depression (OR: 0.63; 95% CI 0.40 to 1.00, Ptrend=0.03). This finding remained significant after adjustment for confounding variables (age, energy intakes, physical activity, and BMI percentile).

Greater adherence to HEI-2015 was associated with lower odds of depression in female adolescents. Prospective studies are necessary to confirm these results and clarify whether a causal relationship exists.

Chaya is a drought tolerant, fast growing, perennial and nutritionally rich leaf. Its nutritional values vary depending on the environment and agronomic practices.

Proximate compositions, minerals, and phytochemicals analysis of the newly introduced Chaya leaf grown at Dire Dawa (arid land), Ethiopia, were determined using official standard methods.

 Moisture content, protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, and carbohydrate were 5.63, 23.96, 8.98, 2.87, 9.05, and 49.49%, respectively. In addition, the energy content of leaf was found 374.62 kcal/100g. Mean values of each mineral such as calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) were 253.68, 68.02, and 4.85 mg/100g, respectively. Phytochemical analysis revealed that phenols, tannin and hydrogen cyanide contents of Chaya leaf were 1916.66, 176.53, and 102.00 mg/100g, respectively.

Proximate composition, minerals, and phytochemicals make the plant valuable and a health promoting diet for communities settled in dry areas of the country. Therefore, Chaya has the potential to contribute to food and nutrition security, and health for the community suffering from malnutrition in drought prone areas.

Autochthonous fruits such as Guavijú have beneficial health properties through their bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. This study aims to evaluate nutritional composition, phytochemical performance, total content of polyphenols, antioxidant capacity, and bioactive compounds of Guavijú (Eugenia pungens) fruits.

Macronutrients were analyzed using Anthrona method for carbohydrates, Kjeldahl method for proteins, and Soxhlet method for total fat. Phytochemical screening was performed to detect phenols, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, steroids and triterpenoids, as well as leukoanthocyanidins and quinones. The total content of polyphenols was obtained using Folin-Ciocalteu method. Antioxidant capacity was determined by ORAC method, and the identification of bioactive compounds was carried out through LC-QqQ MS/MS.

Macronutrients were found in proportions of 33.4%, 5.5%, and 4.5% for carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, respectively. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols and triperthenoids. The total polyphenol content was 46.6 mg/g. Antioxidant capacity was 11394±705 μmol/100 g.

The identified bioactive compounds were cyanidin, delphinidin, enotein B, quercetin, and myricitrin. The results revealed that beneficial health properties due to the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity, which constitutes a food, can prevent diseases.

It has been known that healthy nutrition is important in increasing immunity and reducing diseases. Lack of some nutrients can lead to a decrease in the function of the immune system and, as a result, an increase in the probability of infections or their exacerbation. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating knowledge, attitude and nutritional practice related to COVID-19 in the students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences.

The present descriptive and analytical study was conducted in 2022 on 350 students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences. The research tools included a demographic checklist and a questionnaire of knowledge, attitude and nutritional practice related to COVID-19, used in a similar study. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS 24 software using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance, independent t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient.

The mean age of the subjects was 22.15±4.98 year.  The mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and nutritional behavior of students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences regarding COVID-19 were 23.17 ±4.17, 18.04 ±3.29, and 41.64 ±7.16, respectively. The results showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between the knowledge score with the educational level and history of infection with COVID-19 and the nutritional practice score with the variable of history of infection with COVID-19 (P < 0.05). Also, there was a positive and significant correlation between Knowledge, attitude, and practice.

According to the results of the study, the studied students had a relatively good knowledge, attitude, and practice towards nutritional issues related to COVID-19; however, there is still room for improvement.

In 2019, a new coronavirus causing a flu-like syndrome was discovered in Chinese province of Hubei and there was a subsequent outbreak in Wuhan in December 2019. The severity and mortality of COVID-19 are affected by several preexisting comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A more severe complication of COVID-19 in patients with diabetes could be due to the fact that hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, as important features of diabetes mellitus, are associated with a higher expression rate of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2). ACE-2 can act as the entry site for SARS-CoV-2 to lung cells. Furthermore, in diabetes mellitus, increased inflammatory responses and impaired immune function are often present. Glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) are the characteristics of the diet that can affect glycemic control and insulin resistance. These two characteristics could possibly affect infections through their effect on gut microbiota composition, free radical synthesis, and mitochondrial loading. Therefore, it can be proposed that dietary GI and GL might be important factors in the development of COVID-19.

Although many studies have been conducted to compare the effect of adherence to a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) with a low-fat diet (LFD) on anthropometric indices and body fat percentage, there is still no definite conclusion in this regard. Therefore, the present study aims to summarize results of studies comparing a LFD and a LCD on weight loss.

A systematic search of databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Cochran Library was performed up to November 2020. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effect of adherence to a LCD with a LFD on anthropometric indices and body fat percentage were included. Search results were limited to English-language publications. Sixty-three RCTs, including 7660 participants, were selected for the present study.

Pooled analysis indicated that adherence to LCD was significantly associated with a greater reduction in BMI (SMD = - 0.07, 95% CI: -0.14,-0.001; P = 0.04), weight (kg) (SMD = - 0.22, 95% CI: - 0.31, - 0.12; P ≤ 0.001), and percentage of body fat mass (SMD = - 0.28, 95% CI: -0.48, - 0.08; P = 0.006) compared to LFD. However, no significant difference in changes of kilogram of body fat mass and waist circumference was observed between the two diet programs.

Overall, adhering to LCD was more effective than LFD in losing weight and body fat percentage.