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Background and Objective: High prevalence of obesity is closely associated with a prominent rise in the incidence of hypertension, both of which result in a major increase in cardiovascular disease risk. Several studies also suggest obesity as a major risk factor for systemic inflammation. The purpose of this study was to determine associations between metabolic and anthropometric indicators on the one hand and serum levels of high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) and blood pressure in overweight and obese women on the other hand, as well as determine the predictors of hsCRP level and blood pressure in this population. Materials and Methods: Subjects were recruited by convenience sampling from health care centers and schools in Tehran in winter. From among volunteers 200 women meeting the study criteria were selected and their fasting blood samples collected. Dietary intake was assessed, anthropometric measurements were made, and the related laboratory tests (total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and hsCRP) were performed. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: Serum levels of hsCRP were significantly associated with those of glucose(p=0.015, triglycerides (p=0.005), total cholesterol(p=0.002), body mass index (BMI)(<0.0001), waist circumference (WC)(p<0.001), and fat mass (FM) (p<0.0001). Also, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly associated with serum levels of glucose(p=0.018), triglycerides (p=0.011), BMI (p<0.0001), WC(p<0.0001), FM(p=0.005) and WHR(p=0.049). In different regression models, WC and FM were found to be predictors of hsCRP (p= 0.020, 0.015), wheras BMI was a strong predictor of SBP (p <0.0001). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that waist circumference and fat mass are the predictors of hsCRP, while body mass index is the main predictor of systolic blood pressure, in Tehrani obese and overweight women with waist circumference more than 88cm. Keywords: Obesity, Inflammation, Hypertension, Body mass index

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Background and Objective: Poor vitamin D status has been associated with impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of daily intakes of Iranian yogurt drink doogh fortified with vitamin D or vitamin D + calcium on anthropometric and glycemic status in type-2 diabetes patients. Materials and Methods: Ninety patients with type-2 diabetes were randomly allocated to one of three groups as follows: group1: plain doogh group 2: vitamin D-fortified doogh (fortified with 500 IU vitamin D3 and 150 mg Ca/250 mL) group 3: vitamin D + calcium–fortified doogh (fortified with 500 IU vitamin D3 and 250 mg Ca/250 mL). The subjects took their respective doughs twice per day for 12 weeks. Anthropometric markers (weight, body mass index, and waist circumference), fasting serum glucose (FSG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured before and after the intervention. Results: In both groups 2 and group 3, the mean serum 25(OH)D3 level increased significantly (P>0.001). As compared to group 1, in groups 2 and 3 the decreases in FSG [-12.9±33.7 mg/dL (P = 0.015) and -9.6±46.9 mg/dL (P = 0.035), respectively], Hb A1c [-0.4±1.2% (P<0.001) and -0.4±1.9% (P , 0.001), respectively], HOMA-IR [-0.6±1.4 (P = 0.001) and -0.6±3.2 (P , 0.001), respectively], and waist circumference (WC -3.6±2.7 and -2.9±3.3, respectively P<0.001 for both) were significantly higher. An inverse correlation was observed between changes in serum 25(OH)D3 and FSG (r = 20.208, P = 0.049) and HOMA-IR (r = 20.219, P = 0.005). Conclusion: Daily consumption of vitamin D–fortified doogh with or without added calcium, improves anthropometric and glycemic status in diabetic patients. Keywords: Vitamin D, Calcium, Glycemic control, Anthropometry

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Background and Objectives: The National Food and Nutrition Surveillance (FNS), with the aim of providing information for policy makers, was established in Iran since 2014. For the first couple of years, it focused on the problem of vitamin D deficiency. The scope of this paper is to translate information about the vitamin D status to policy. Materials and Methods: In total, 667 apparently healthy children aged 5-18 years were randomly selected from six regions of Iran (West Azerbaijan, Semnan, Lorestan , South Khorasan, Khozestan, and Fars). Blood samples were obtained after an overnight fasting in two seasons (winter and summer). Results: About 93% and 72% of the children had undesirable vitamin D status (25(OH)D<50 nmol/L) in winter and summer, respectively. In all provinces, the mean serum 25(OH)D increased in summer significantly, with the highest rise in West Azerbaijan. Conclusions: Repeatedly reported high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D has made the policy makers to urgently implement a high-dose supplementation program (50’000 IU/mo) in schools. By this means, it can be expected that calcidiol concentrations increase about 42 to 50 nmol/L, and then during summer, the prevalence of deficiency would return to the baseline (~72%). Based on our findings, in summer, the highest concentrations of 25(OH)D will reach to the range of 85-103 nmol/L that even with 2SD, the peak concentration will still be far from toxic levels. Continuation of vitamin D supplementation for children during summer is, therefore, recommended. Keywords: Vitamin D Deficiency, Children, Seasonal change, Supplementation