Journal of Nutrition and Food Security
Volume:8 Issue: 4, Nov 2023

coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can infect animals and humans. This family causes a range of respiratory infections in humans (Mattioli et al., 2020b) with symptoms from the common cold to more severe illnesses such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Acute Respiratory Syndrome. COVID-19 is one of the new cases of coronavirus, with the possibility that it can be transmitted to humans in this new strain (Aghili et al., 2021).

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease known for inflammation and hyper-proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes (Luo et al., 2020). 2-3% of the population suffer from psoriasis (Parisi et al., 2013). Emotional distress in psoriasis patients impairs quality of their life. Moreover, they suffer from the burden of comorbidities like obesity, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome (Armstrong et al., 2013b), and hypertension (Armstrong et al., 2013a) through the increase in psoriasis severity. The pathogenesis of psoriasis is not well understood yet. It is concluded from the interactions between genetic predisposition and the environmental risk factors, such as diet, alcohol consumption, stress, obesity, and smoking (Ricketts et al., 2010). One pathogenesis of psoriasis is amplifying T-cells and dendritic cells from the immune system, which releases various pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines with simultaneous activation of growth factors (Al-Harbi et al., 2020). Moreover, oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production causes inflammation (Wacewicz et al., 2017). High free radicals have harmful effects through structural changes on proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. The increase in oxidants leads to active antioxidant defense mechanisms (Lobo et al., 2010).

Since most studies evaluating the prevalence of hospital malnutrition in Iran have only been conducted on a specific group of patients, the present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition in several different hospital wards.

The nutritional status of 284 hospitalized patients was evaluated using the PG-SGA short form and compared according to demographic data and body mass index (BMI). Demographic and SGA domains were compared across BMI categories. Malnutrition degree was also compared.

Among the participants, 37.0% (n=105) had moderate malnutrition and 51.1% (n=145) had severe malnutrition. Comparing differences within patients according to their BMI status, there were no significant differences according to age, hospitalization duration, and current food intake status. Only sex and cause of hospitalization showed significant differences. Most of male participants had normal weight and were hospitalized for non-GI disorders (P=0.001 and 0.031, respectively). As expected, the scores obtained from weight, food intake, and symptoms sections of the questionnaire were higher in underweight patients in comparison to other BMI categories. Comparison of the same characteristics as per malnutrition status showed that people with high risk of malnutrition were older (P= 0.023), had oral food intake (P=0.007) and normal BMI (P=0.001).

The number of patients at high risk of malnutrition was relatively significant in the study. A high frequency of malnutrition was observed among individuals with normal BMI. Screening tools in addition to BMI should be used to detect patients at risk of malnutrition.

Due to its stimulatory effects, caffeine is one of the most frequently consumed mood and behavior altering beverages. It is commonly used to improve alertness in cases of fatigue after prolonged work. Health authorities recommend not to exceed a daily intake of <200 mg/day. The purpose of this study is to measure the prevalence of unsafe caffeine daily consumption (>200 mg/day), detect caffeine withdrawal and intoxication symptoms, and investigate the relationship between caffeine intake and stress and sleeping hours.

168 anesthesiologists answered a questionnaire during the period of April to July 2022. After estimating daily consumption of caffeine, anesthesiologists were classified into either safe level group (daily consumption ≤ 200 mg/day), or unsafe level group (daily consumption >200 mg/day); then, further analysis was done.

Almost 80% of the total participants were unsafe consumers. Junior doctors and registrars (group J) had a statistically higher caffeine consumption than consultants (group S) (433.9±228.7 mg versus 363.6±244.5 mg, respectively; P=0.017). Additionally, 45% of group J experienced intoxication symptoms, and 54% experienced withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms had a significantly higher prevalence in group J compared to group S (P=0.001 and P=0.004, respectively). Finally, no significant correlation was found between average daily caffeine consumption and daily sleeping hours and stress scale score (P=0.831 and P=0.324, respectively).

The consumption of caffeine-containing drinks among anesthesiologists was very high. Junior anesthesiologists specifically reported higher caffeine consumption, more intoxication and withdrawal symptoms, and a higher stress score than consultants.

Obesity is an important predictor of diabetes. Defining the risk of diabetes among obese subjects is important for preventive health strategies. This study aims to compare the 5-year incidence of diabetes in obese and non-obese adult participants aged 20-70 years in a large population sample of central Iran.

In this prospective study, 9964 people aged 20-70 years were selected between 2014 and 2015 using multi-stage cluster sampling from Yazd Greater Area, Iran. Participants with diabetes were excluded and non-diabetic individuals were evaluated for incident diabetes after a five-year follow-up. Logistic regression was used to find the association between obesity and 5-year incidence of diabetes in bivariate, and multivariate adjusted models for age, sex, physical activity, medical history, marital status, smoking, and education.

Out of the initial 9964 participants, 1383 (14%) were excluded due to prevalence of diabetes. The remaining 8413 (86.0%) participants were re-examined in 2019-2020. After five years of follow up, diabetes occurred in 6.6% (n=556) of the participants. The incidence of diabetes in obese men and women was 10.4% (n=109) and 9.9% (n=264), respectively; however, it was 4.5% (n=143) and 2.8% (n=40) in their non-obese counterparts (P<0.01). After multivariate analysis, obesity was associated with a higher likelihood of diabetes in men (OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.33-2.35), women (OR=2.23, 95% CI: 1.55-3.21), and overall (OR=1.99, 95%CI: 1.60-2.48). Similar findings were obtained in participants aged under and over 60 years (P<0.05).

There was a positive association between obesity and 5-year incidence of diabetes in an Iranian adult population. Interventions are required to change lifestyle in the adult population especially in younger participants to prevent obesity and diabetes.

In the current scoping review, nutrition transition and its consequences in Iran have been reviewed, and relevant health improvement policies have been described.

This was an analytical study which concerned demographic, economic and socio-political context, nutrition, dietary patterns and related metabolic syndrome, or their consequences among Iranian population in recent decades.

In the last decades, socio-economic problems increased food insecurity, and unhealthy diet has been common. The prevalence of obesity was higher in urban areas compared with rural areas. There was also a high prevalence of nutritional risk factors; food choices tended to be less healthy; high-fat food choices has been increased, and there was lower physical activity. The prevalence of non-communicable diseases and metabolic syndrome including hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus are progressively elevated.

Urgent preventive strategies and policies by the government and healthcare community are essential. These strategies are necessary for promoting national health, increasing life expectancy, and decreasing metabolic syndrome, diet-related and lethal diseases including cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.

Magnetic nanoparticles attract increasing interest due to their use in cancer therapy and as drug carriers for several other diseases. The present study investigates the physiochemical properties of quercetin-conjugated superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles and their effects on breast cancer cell line MCF-7.

A simple precipitation method was used to prepare the Poly Ethylene Imine (PEI)-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles; they were then conjugated with flavonoid-compound quercetin on the surface via carboxylic/amine group using nanoprecipitation method. Then, the physical and chemical parameters were calculated using Zeta-sizer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and extract release patterns at 37 and 42 0C. Finally, the toxicity level of this quercetin- conjugated nanosystem on the MCF-7 cells was investigated by MTT assay.

The results showed that the prepared nanosystem attained about 74% of quercetin inclusion, 91.2 nm size, 65.1 mV zeta potential, spherical morphology and a controlled release. Compared to Fe3O4 nanoparticles and pure quercetin, MTT and microscopy analysis revealed that quercetin-conjugated Fe3O4 nanoparticles induced considerable cytotoxicity, and morphology changes against MCF7 cells.

Quercetin-conjugated Fe3O4 nanoparticles have appropriate physiochemical properties; they can be a suitable carrier for drug delivery and a promising therapy for candidates.

Pistachio butter is produced from ground roasted pistachio nuts.

In this study, different formulas of low-fat pistachio butter with 0, 5 and, 10% of pistachio meal and 0, 1 and, 2% of mono- and diglyceride were examined in terms of physicochemical, sensory, and nutritional characteristics.

In the fourth month of storage, the highest oil separation (12.4%) from the product was observed in pistachio butter without emulsifier and meal (P≤ 0.05). The most value of carbohydrates and the least value of oil content were observed in the pistachio butter containing 10% meal. The lowest anisidine and peroxide value was detected in the formula with higher content of emulsifier (2%). The pistachio butter formulas without or with 5% meal showed a better green color (lower 'a' value). The pistachio butter with higher values of the meal obtained the least spreadability score.

 The formula containing 1% mono- and diglyceride and 5% pistachio meal was selected as the best low-fat pistachio butter.

Cross-contamination between food, equipment, and contact surfaces during food processing may occur with some pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli and S. aureus. This study was conducted to investigate the bactericidal potential of ozonized water spray in food contact surfaces (plastic, glass, steel, and ceramic) for the inactivation of E. coli and S. aureus isolated from traditional yogurt.

Two isolated bacteria were tested for antibiotic resistance and the strains were exposed to ozonized water with concentration of 4 mg/l for 0, 2, and 10 minutes and after drying on food contact surfaces (FCS).

E. coli and S. aureus were defined as multidrug-resistant. Ozonized water inhibited two bacteria growth on the FCS after two minutes. On plastic, glass, and ceramic surfaces, E. coli was more sensitive than S. aureus, while S. aureus on steel surface was more sensitive than E. coli.

Based on the results, it is recommended to use the ozonized water spray at 4 mg/l concentration to disinfect surfaces in contact with food, especially glass and ceramic surfaces.

Observance of food hygiene is considered an important principle to prevent humans from contracting diseases and also to protect the environment from contamination. Health workers are on the front line forces of the health system. Therefore, promoting the health of health workers has an important role in promoting community health. The aim of this study is to investigate the determinants of food hygiene based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) in health workers in Urmia.

In this descriptive-analytical study, 300 health workers in rural health centers of Urmia city were selected and entered into the study by census method based on inclusion criteria. Data collection tools included 3 parts: demographic characteristics, knowledge questionnaire, attitude and behavior, and health belief model questionnaire. Data were collected and analyzed using interviews.

The mean age of the workers was 36.76±7.61 year. The attitude and behavior of observing food hygiene had a statistically significant relationship with work experience, knowledge, attitude, gender, marital status, and level of education (P<0.05). Based on linear regression test, in all studied constructs, 30% of the variance of food hygiene behavior was explained. The predictive power of perceived efficiency was higher than other constructs (β=0.45).

In designing educational interventions, the variables of self-efficacy, perceived benefits, perceived susceptibility, and perceived sensitivity should be emphasized as the most important predictors of food hygiene behaviors in health workers.

Cash transfer (CT) is one of the strategies used by many developing countries to improve food security and nutritional status of lower socio-economic groups. This study aims to assessing household food insecurity (HFI) and viewpoints of women after CT program in rural population of Tehran province by both quantitative and qualitative methods.

After making arrangements with rural health centers of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, 250 households were selected from five rural of Iran with different socio-economic status (SES) by cluster sampling. Locally adapted Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), food frequency, and SES questionnaires were completed, and height, weight, and waist circumference of adult females were measured. .Data on families' coping strategies were collected through 7 focus-group discussions.  

The frequency of mild, moderate, and severe HFI was 22.3, 22.3, and 16.0%, respectively. SES negatively affected HFI (P<0.001), and HFI negatively influenced food-group consumption (P<0.001). Most of the women reported strategies like borrowing from family and friends, skipping meals, and eating less food by mothers.

It seems that in spite of CT program, the prevalence of HFI among Iranians in rural areas was relatively high and consumption of food groups in FI households was low.

COVID-19 pandemic has evidently influenced people's lifestyle, particularly their health. In this study, the authors examined the association between dietary intake and lifestyle changes, and COVID-19 infection in adults living in Bojnurd, Iran.

In this cross-sectional study conducted on 4425 adults from Bojnurd city, Iran, regarding changes in food consumption, physical activity, sleep duration, and the history of COVID-19 infection; data were collected online using a researcher-designed questionnaire. The associations between lifestyle changes and COVID-19 infection were assessed by multivariate- adjusted logistic regression models.

There were significant associations between lower odds of COVID-19, increased legumes consumption (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.96), and increased physical activity (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.95) during the pandemic; this was while increased intakes of refined grain (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.63), butter oil (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.73), processed meat (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.82), fast foods (OR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.40), honey (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.64), and coffee (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.24, 2.09) were associated with higher odds of infection. Moreover, higher sleep duration (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.52), increased intake of multivitamins/minerals (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.35, 2.05), vitamin D (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.47), and vitamin C (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.26, 1.84) were significantly associated with higher odds of infection, compared to the cases with no change.

Increased intake of refined grain and high-fat foods may be associated with lower odds of infection. However, the cross-sectional design of the present study precludes causal inferences.

White egg powder provides essential amino acids compounds. This study aims to investigate the theory that a regular consumption of white egg powder would improve weight gain and appetite in children with malnutrition.

The present experimental study was conducted among children aged 3-6 years with mild to severe malnutrition referred to Ghadir Mother and Child Hospital affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from April to October 2017. The malnourished children received egg white protein (1 g/kg of their current body weight) for 3 weeks. Weight loss as a primary outcome and weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ), height-for-age Z-score (HAZ), weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ), and BMI-for-age Z-score (BAZ) were measured as secondary outcomes, assessed at baseline and after six weeks of study.

Of the 23 children included, 20 finished the study. Weight increased in all children although it was not significant (P = 0.101). A lower appetite was seen at the end of the intervention, but it was not significant (P = 0.575). Malnutrition based on WHZ and BAZ decreased compared to the baseline measurement, while the changes were not significant. Regarding other markers, no statistically significant changes were found compared to the baseline measurement.

The addition of white egg powder to complementary nutrition could not improve weight gain and appetite in malnourished children. Further research with a larger study population and longer intervention time is needed to demonstrate the clear effect of egg white on improving malnutrition in children.

Malnutrition is relatively common in hemodialysis (HD) patients, which increases the risk of mortality. Seven Point Subjective Global Assessment (7-point SGA) tool is recommended to evaluate and monitor malnutrition in HD patients. The aim of this study was to investigate malnutrition using 7-point SGA in HD patients referred to dialysis centers in Gorgan city (north-eastern of Iran) in 2020.

The nutritional status of 133 HD patients referred to Gorgan city dialysis center in 2020 were assessed using the 7-point SGA tool. Weight, percentage of fat, and muscle mass were measured by Omron BF511. Height was measured using the SECA portable stadiometer. Serum hemoglobin levels were recorded based on the latest recorded routine tests during the last month. A demographic information questionnaire was completed for all individuals. Medications and supplements taken by patients as well as visits by a nutrition consultant and adherence to a special diet were investigated by reviewing the medical file and asking the patient.

Out of 133 patients, 43.61% had no malnutrition and 56.39% had moderate malnutrition. The nutrition status was not different regarding gender and education level, but was different regarding household size (P=0.032). Patients with moderate malnutrition were older and had less weight and body mass index (BMI), but there was no statistically significant difference between height, dialysis time span, body fat and muscle mass percentage, and serum hemoglobin concentration.

This study showed a considerable rate of malnutrition in HD patients, which should be regarded by clinicians and health policymakers.

Sports nutrition knowledge is one of the essential needs of coaches. However, there is no standardized questionnaire in Persian to assess coaches' nutritional knowledge and information. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of Persian version of the Coach Sports Nutrition Questionnaire (CSNQ).

CSNQ was translated-re-translated according to the WHO standard method, following Iranian culture and eating habits. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed by test-retest method, correlation coefficient and internal reliability by Cronbach's alpha, and differential validity by independent t-test. 123 Iranian coaches completed the questionnaire.

The total internal reliability of the questionnaire assessed by Cronbach's alpha was 0.73. The intragroup correlation of the questionnaire, assessed by the test-retest method, was 0.71. Moreover, the comparison of the coaches with different levels of education was found to be significant (P < 0.001).

The Persian version of the questionnaire regarding the coaches' nutrition sports knowledge has acceptable reliability and validity. It can help other studies and evaluate sports nutrition knowledge in Persian coaches.

In school age children, a healthy nutritional behavior can prevent double burden of malnutrition and chronic diseases. Nutritional education has a key role in adopting a healthy lifestyle. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational package on the nutritional knowledge and practices, physical activity (PA), and body mass index (BMI) of elementary school children in Zahedan, southeast Iran.

In this quasi-experimental before-after study, a total of 734 elementary school children‎, aged 10–14 years, recruited by census sampling method completed the survey. Each student received 8 hours of training and they were provided with a booklet that included a weekly chart for recording intake of food groups and PA by students for 3 months. A semi-structured questionnaire that included questions on the students' nutritional knowledge, eating behavior, PA performance, and BMI before and after the intervention was used for data collection. Paired t-test, McNemar's, and Friedman tests were used for data analysis.

Before the intervention, the mean score of nutritional knowledge was 7.5 and the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity was 17.4% and 0.4%, respectively. After the intervention, the results showed a significant increase in the nutritional knowledge scores, the number of days with 30 min PA per week, and the frequency of consumption of dairy products, animal protein, and fruits. Also, in comparison with before intervention, a significant decrease was found in the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity of school children after the intervention.

This multifaceted nutritional education intervention was associated with improved nutritional knowledge score, PA, and being underweight in elementary school children.

Sanctions are a type of forfeit aimed at forcing the subject to obey the desired political will. Since sanctions affect various components of the economic sectors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of sanctions on food intake of households living in Khorasan Razavi province, Iran.

To investigate the effect of sanctions on food intake of households living in Khorasan Razavi province, the survey data of the National Statistics Center of Iran (NSCI) on cost and income was used. 2129 households (number of households in 2017: 702, 2018: 726 and 2019: 701) were studied. In the N4 program, macronutrients and micronutrients were calculated. The studied variables were analyzed based on four income categories. In the SPSS software, quantitative variables of 2017 to 2019 were reviewed by ANOVA test and variables in pairs of the same period were reviewed by post hoc Tukey test.

The analysis showed that by intensifying sanctions, the cost of food has increased more than the average of income, and prices of all food groups spesifically healthy food groups have increased. The diet quality index has decreased significantly. The lower-income classes had the most insufficient dietary intake of micronutrients and the gap between dietary intake of different income classes increased during the study.

Sanctions have affected the dietary intake due to the rise in the price of food expenditure and as a result people tend to consume cheaper and lower quality food.

Many households in urban areas suffer from severe food insecurity. In Ethiopia, current economic recession, pandemic, locust invasion, and conflict, disproportionately aggravated the problems. This study aims to assess food insecurity in household and its factors in the Eastern Ethiopia.

A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted to assess 616 households in urban areas of Eastern Ethiopia using simple random sampling. FANTA Indicator Guide (v.3) Questionnaires were used as data collection tool. Then, the information was entered into Epi-data version 3.02 and exported to SPSS version 21. To determine factors affecting household food insecurity, binary regression analysis was performed, and a p-value of < 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval was considered statistically significant. Model fitness was checked using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test.

  The prevalence of household food insecurity was 41.7% (95% CI: 37.4–45.6). The following factors were determined as food insecurity predictors: household head's sex [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=1.75, 95% CI: 1.08–2.84], household head's education (AOR= 0.52, 95% CI: 0.33–0.99), mother's occupation [AOR= 0.3, 95% CI: 0.19–0.57], households with the medium wealth index (AOR =1.72, 95% CI: 1.06–2.78) and households with the lowest wealth index (AOR=4.01, 95% CI: 2.35–6.86).

The prevalence of household food insecurity in urban areas of Eastern Ethiopia is high. The food insecurity was significantly affected by residency, education, occupation, and wealth index. The government should focus on socio-economic policies targeting the vulnerable and improve their economic status.

There is a close relationship between food insecurity and diabetes. It has been shown that some socio-economic factors can affect Type I diabetes. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between food insecurity and some socio-economic factors with type 2 diabetes in patients referring to Diabetes Clinic of Buali Hospital in Zahedan city.

This case-control study was conducted on 450 patients with type 2 diabetes as the case group and 450 similar participants without diabetes as the control group in 2021. The data were collected for the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and food insecurity by the 18-item USDA household food security questionnaire.

The results showed that food insecurity was significantly higher in case group (7.27±5.25) compared to the control group (6.44±5.82). Participants with higher income had lower food insecurity (P=0.0001). Married participants had higher food security compared to other status in both groups (P=0.0001). Individuals with higher education had better food security and diabetic individuals had lower education compared to healthy people (P=0.001). Employee and housewife in case group had higher food security compared to participants with other jobs (P=0.0001).

Food insecurity was higher in diabetic patients and socio-economic factors had a close relation with food insecurity. Policy makers must consider strategies for improving socio-economic factors in Zahedan city.

Although some studies have reported that flavonoids can be associated with anti-obesity effects, the putative effects of hesperidin, as a subgroup of flavonoids, on anthropometric parameters are inconclusive. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to determine the effect of hesperidin supplementation on anthropometric measures in adults.

A comprehensive literature search was performed until February 2022 in electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The pooled results were obtained by a random-effects model.

A total of nine RCTs enrolling 493 participants were identified. Seven studies had illustrated the effect of hesperidin on weight, eight on body mass index (BMI), five on waist circumference (WC), two on waist to hip ratio (WHR), and two on hip circumference (HC). The results of the pooled analysis showed no significant changes in body weight (0.01 kg, 95% CI: -0.22, 0.24), BMI (-0.02 kg/m2, 95% CI: -0.16, 0.13), and WC (-0.48 cm, 95% CI: -1.52, 0.55) after hesperidin supplementation compared to the control group (P > 0.05). Qualitative assessment of other anthropometric indices also showed no beneficial effect of hesperidin in reducing WHR and HC values; however, these findings are not conclusive because of the limited number of studies.

The present study provides no evidence that hesperidin supplementation is effective in improving anthropometric measures. More high-quality RCTs especially among overweight and obese individuals are needed to strengthen the evidence.