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Background: Nowadays obesity has become a universal problem. Many studies have been done on obesity and abdominal adiposity. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake, and obesity and abdominal adiposity in female students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This cross–sectional study was conducted on 160 female university students in the age range of 18-30 years. All participants were randomly selected. Validated semi-quantitative FFQ was used to assess the entire dietary component intake. Physical activity was assessed by the standard physical activity questionnaire. The relationship between PUFA intake and anthropometric indices was evaluated by linear and logistic regression, and correlation test. All analysis was performed by SPSS version 10. Findings: The prevalence of obesity, abdominal adiposity, and overweight was 2.5%, 1.3%, and 9.4%, respectively. The mean values of weight, BMI and waist circumference (WC) were 56.21 kg, 21.88 kg/m2, and 70.94 cm, respectively. The mean daily intake of fat and PUFA were 74.11 and 17.54 gr, respectively. Conclusion: The current study indicated that there was no significant correlation between PUFA intake and weight, waist circumference, obesity and abdominal adiposity, and overweight among female students (P > 0.05).

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Adiponectin, hormone secreted by adipose tissue, which is inversely associated with body fat mass. This hormone has anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties. Concentration of adiponectin reduces in metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases and dyslipidemia. Thus, the aim of the present study was to review the recent evidences about association between serum adiponectin level and lipid profile. PubMed was searched from 2002 to October 2011, by using the following

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Statistics showed that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the cause of approximately half of mortalities in industrial countries and fatty acids consumption can increases hypercholesterolemia. One of the major sources of dietary fats is dairy products. This article reviews the studies and papers on the relationship between dairy fats and lipid profiles. After searching in PubMed database using keywords such as "cholesterol, milk cream, dairy fat, blood lipid, milk fat and cardiovascular disease", more than 200 articles were obtained. Then we limited our search to English language, full text available and published from 2002 to 2011. Finally, 14 articles were selected. Some cohorts indicated that dairy fat increased the risk of cardiovascular disease; however, other studies revealed no association between dairy fat intake and cardiovascular risks. In a study, for example, the effect of dairy consumption had an inverse association with metabolic syndrome and another study showed the low prevalence of CVD among subjects that had high consumption of milk in their diets. There were conflicting results on the relationship between dairy fat and CVD. Further prospective studies are required to better distinguish this associations.

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Background: Omega-3 fatty acids have established beneficial effects for cardiovascular disease. The use of omega-3 supplements for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was proposed. The purpose of this study was to review the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids intake and NAFLD. Methods: In this study, the terms such as NAFLD, omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexanoic acid, and eicosapentanoic acid were searched in PubMed search engine. 15 studies on NAFLD and omega-3 were found. Four of these studies were not fully available. Three studies were not strong in terms of design. Therefore, 8 studies were chosen. Findings: The results showed that omega-3 is a regulator of gene expression in the liver. Human studies have established that consumption of omega-3 have a role in reducing the hepatic steatosis, improving insulin sensitivity and decrease the inflammatory marker. More clinical trials should be conducted to confirm these findings. Conclusion: Omega-3 fatty acids may improve symptoms associated with NAFLD, but more studies should be done in this area.

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Background: Although, most of the experimental studies demonstrated that conjugated linoleic acid has effects on metabolic syndrome, but the number of human studies in this area are limited and the result of these studies are controversial. This systematic review was conducted to summarize the literature from clinical trials and experimental studies regarding the effect of each conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers on component of metabolic syndrome. Methods: Relevant studies were identified by searching scientific databases of PubMed and ISI during 2000 until 2012. Clinical trials and experimental studies regarding the effect of 9 cis, 11 trans and 10 trans, 12 cis and mixed CLA on component of metabolic syndrome including insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia and hypertension were included in this systematic review. From 320 articles that were found in this area, 24 articles that had the inclusion criteria were selected. Findings: Most of the experimental studies have shown that conjugated linoleic acid can improve insulin resistance and lipid profile in animals, whereas clinical trials could not demonstrate this effects of CLA on humans. Conclusion: Each isomers of CLA have different effects, that is, 9 cis, 11 trans have role in reducing insulin resistance and improving lipid profile and 10 trans, 12 cis isomers have role in improving hypertension.

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 Background: Current studies show high increase of obesity worldwide. Regarding the increment of prevalence of obesity, overweight and central obesity in Iranian community and its association with lifestyle and social and professional structures, anthropometrics indices and the prevalence of mentioned problems need to be assessed in future studies. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight, obesity and central obesity among students of School of Medicine in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 215 students of different courses and degrees in School of Medicine were selected by cluster randomized stratified sampling method. The questionnaires were completed and their anthropometrics were determined by a standard protocol. Findings: None of the females and 5.88% of the males afflicted with overweight (Body Mass Index or BMI > 25); none of the females and 3.92% of the males with obesity (BMI > 30), 5.31% of the females and 4.95% of the males with central obesity. There was a slight difference between the subjects with or without these disorders. The prevalence were directly associated with the age increase and family history. Conclusion: There were no statistical significant differences regarding the prevalence of obesity, overweight and central adiposity in different age, sex and family history groups.

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In recent years, heavy metal contamination of rice in different parts of the world has raised concerns about its safety and provoked crisis in it's global production and trade. In Iran, also some studies have reported on the heavy metal contamination of native products. However, the concentration of heavy metals in rice grain could be influenced through preparation and cooking. this study aimed to review the related literature in order to categorize the most important studied elements in cooking which has impact on its the heavy metal concentration. The scientific databases were searched  and 51 relative  articles were obtained from 1994 to 2012 from which 18 scientific papers  were chosen and  reviewed. Result of review literature revealed that cooking method, heavy metal concentration in cooking water, temperature of cooking water, type of heavy metal, type of cooking utensil, rice variety and the volume ratio of rice to water were regarded as the influential factors which were discussed for their individual or combined effects. Cooking method seems to have the greatest impact , however its effect seems to be dependent on the type of contaminant element. Using the cooking methods which cooking water is not removed during the cooking, Heavy metal concentration of cooking water effectively increases the concentration of the cooked rice. with the exception of a few evidence on the aluminum transmission in to the cooked rice, difference in cooking utensil, do not have impressive effect. Rice variety, the volume of raw rice as well as the primary concentration of heavy metals in raw rice, all have minor effects on the heavy metal content of cooked rice.

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Background: Little is known about the effects of a low energy dense diet on weight maintenance and cardiovascular risks following a recent weight reduction. Therefore, we assessed if weight maintenance, lipid profiles and glycemic control differ between low energy density diet and usual diet consumers following a recent weight reduction. Methods: Seventy patients with the history of weight reduction in the recent one year were recruited in this randomized controlled clinical trial study in a parallel design. Test group were administered a low energy density diet contained 30% fat, 15% protein and 55% carbohydrate while the control group administered a usual diet including 35% fat, 15% protein and 50% carbohydrate for 7 months. 3 days food records were used for assessing the dietary intake. Biochemical markers and anthropometric measures were done according to the standard protocol. Findings: Weight reduced in low energy density diet consumers compared to usual diet consumers (-0.3±0.2 vs. 1.3±0.4%, P=0.002). The results was the same regarding waist circumference (-0.4±0.2 vs. 0.3±0.1%, P=0.004). Fasting blood sugar also decreased in low energy density diet group (-9.5±0.8 vs. 0.4±1.0%, P=0.0001). Low energy density diet group had a drop in percent change of their total cholesterol (-0.4±0.5vs2.05±0.4%, P= 0.04) and LDL-cholesterol (4.8±0.9 vs. -0.3±0.9%, P= 0.002). Conclusion: Our findings confirmed beneficial effects of low energy density diet on attenuating weight regain in subjects with history of recent weight reduction. It might be derived from higher consumption of fruits, vegetables and fiber among low energy density diet than usual diet consumers. 

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Background: There is conflicting evidence on the influence of carbohydrate intake and risk of hypertriglyceridemic waist (HW) phenotype. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between dietary carbohydrate intake and the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 442 Iranian female teachers in the age range of 20–60 years old. Validated dish based semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (DFQ) was used to determine usual dietary intakes. HW phenotype was defined as serum triglyceride concentrations ≥150mg/dl and concurrent waist circumference≥88 cm.  Findings: No significant statistical differences were found in the age, waist circumference, physical activity levels as well as current estrogen use and prevalence of obesity across quintiles of carbohydrate intake. Participants in the highest quintile of carbohydrate intake had higher intakes of energy, fat, whole grains, refined grains, fruits, vegetables and dietary fiber compared with those in the lowest quintile. No significant difference was found in protein intake across quintiles. The prevalence of HW in the highest quintile of carbohydrate intake compared with the lowest quintile were 24.4% and 15.9%, respectively (P-value = 0.60). Conclusion: Carbohydrate intake had significant association with hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype among a group of Iranian adult women. More longitudinal studies are needed.

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Background: Sedentary lifestyles, along with diets low in fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates and high in fat and total energy are increasing among adolescents. These unhealthy behaviors associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Healthful dietary behaviors, such as fruit and vegetable consumption among adolescents had been reported as inadequate. The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with the fruit and vegetable consumption among high school students applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to identify influential variable that be addressed through intervention effort. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, multiple-stage randomized sampling was used to select 648 high school students in Isfahan who completed a questionnaire assessing variables of Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB): attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control (PBC), intention, and fruit and vegetable consumption. The statistical analysis of the data included descriptive tests, bivariate correlations, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and liner regression. Findings: The mean age of participants was 15.63 (SE=1.02) years old. Average daily fruit and vegetable intake reported that about 1.75 and 1.36 per day for girls and 1.46 and 1.25 for boys. The results indicated that the theory performs very well for the explanation of intention and accounted for 43% of the variance. Perceived behavioral control was the strongest predictor of intention, followed by attitude and subjective norms. Conclusions: The findings of this paper show that promotion of students’ perceived behavioral control, and intention to high fruit and vegetable consumption should be priorities of any programs aimed at promoting healthy behaviors among students. It is also concluded that planned behavior theory the may be used as a framework for promoting healthy eating behaviors among adolescents.

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Background: Patients knowledge and perceptions from hypertension and related nutrition as a central factor has important role in hypertension controlling. This study aimed to determine relationship between illness perceptions and nutritional knowledge with eating behaviors on rural hypertensive patients.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 671 hypertensive patients were selected as a multi-stage random sampling with inclusion criteria from the rural areas of Ardabil city in 2013. Data collecting instrument include from 4-part questionnaire included demographic questions and questions about dietary knowledge, illness perception and 3-day food registering questionnaire. Data were collected by trained health workers with Interview and nutritional data include macronutrients (Fat, Cholesterol, Protein, Carbohydrate and Total Energy) extracted with Nutritionist 4 (N4) software Analyzed using Excel 2007, SPSS - 18 and Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, considering the significance level at 0.05.Findings: 74% of participants were female; mean (SD) age was 50.2 ± 6.4 years, duration of disease 5.9 ± 4 years. Majority of participants 75.9% (509 patients) had elementary education. Patient illness perception and knowledge was moderate. Fat intake was 92.1gr, protein 110.3 g and carbohydrates 317 g per day, also the average daily energy intake was 2539 kcal. Perception scores correlated positively significant with nutritional knowledge (P< 0.01, r=0.583) and negatively significant correlated with fat(P< 0.01, r= - 0.352), cholesterol(P< 0.01, r= - 0.09), energy intake(P< 0.01, r= - 0.318), systolic (P< 0.01, r= - 0.614) and diastolic blood pressure(P< 0.01, r=0.400). Nutritional knowledge as well as was found a significant negatively correlation with mean fat, cholesterol, energy intake, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Regression model showed that the nutritional knowledge and illness perception can be predicted 47.8% of systolic blood pressure variance.Conclusion: Patients nutritional perceptions was not satisfactory, patient’s energy intake and fat intake were higher than recommended amounts by related scientific organizations.

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Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world and one of fifth most common cancers in Iran. Sedentary lifestyle and a diet rich in fat and meat, and poor in cereals, fiber, fruit and vegetable are suggested to increase the incidence of CRC. The aim of this study is to review available studies on fruits, vegetables and colorectal cancer.Methods: We searched Pub Med and Google Scholar databases with keywords Rectal cancer, Colon Cancer, Colorectal cancer, cohort study, Randomized Trial, Fruit, Vegetable. Finally 60 studies were included in this review.Findings: The risk of colon cancer in relation to fruit and vegetable consumption has been reported in epidemiologic studies. Results of studies on the effect of fruit and vegetables and adenomatous polyps are inconsistent.In cohort studies, the weaker relationship between consumption of fruits, vegetables and risk of CRC compared to the case – control studies was observed. Components or specific subgroups of fruits and vegetables are associated with CRC risk.Conclusion: Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables does not reduce colorectal cancer risk, but low consumption of fruit and vegetables is associated with increased risk of CRC. Consuming fruits and vegetables have favorable effects on health and reduced risk of other chronic diseases and their recommended daily intake.

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Abstract: Objective: This study is a systematic review of unhealthy dietary pattern and its effects on the incidence and control of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus type 2. Method: The survey is performed in ISI, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases, Pubmed, Iran Medex and MagIran for the main keywords which were consists of: "diabetes mellitus", "insulin resistance", "metabolic syndrome", "dietary pattern" and other related key words. Results: All journals, E-books, seminars and symposiums were focused. The search is limited to 1992 to 2011. The prospective cohort study, randomized clinical trials and cross sectional studies were selected based on their title, abstract and full text of the materials. After deleting the experimental surveys and studies which were focused on children and adolescents, 738 materials were extracted. The results show that "Western" dietary patterns rich in: red meat, fried and processed dishes, refined cereals, carbohydrate with high glycemic index has statistically significant effects in incidence of hyperglycemia. Conclusions: Adherence to the unhealthy food habits which is rich in trans fatty acids and saturated fatty acids, refined carbohydrate with high glycemic index is related to the insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and risk of diabetes type 2