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Background and Objectives: Dietary diversity score (DDS) is a general index for assessing the whole dietary intake. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between dietary diversity score (DDS) on the one hand and obesity and central adiposity on the other hand in female students in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Subject and methods: A random sample of 289 healthy female university students aged 18-28 years, representative of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences female students, participated in this cross-sectional study. A validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate the usual dietary pattern. DDS was calculated based on scoring 5 food groups. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured according to the standard protocols. The subjects were categorized based on quartile cut-points of dietary diversity score. Results: Means (±SD) of body mass index, waist circumference, and DDS were 25.9±5.1 kg/m2 and 85.5±14 cm, and 6.78±1.12, respectively. The probability of both obesity and central obesity decreased with quartiles of DDS (odds ratios among quartiles for obesity were 1.00, 0.39, 0.30, and 0.20 (P<0.04) and for central adiposity 1.00, 0.53, 0.35, and 0.20 (P<0.03). Subjects in the lowest DDS quartile had the highest risk for being overweight. Conclusion: There are inverse associations between DDS and obesity or central adiposity in Isfahani female university students. Further prospective investigations will be needed to confirm these findings. Keywords: Dietary diversity score, Food variety, Obesity, Central adiposity, Overweight

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Background and Objective: Most of the information on the adverse health effects of trans fats has been mainly obtained from studies done in western populations very little information is available in this area from the Middle-East. The objective of this study was to determine the association between consumption of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVOs) and non-HVOs and circulating levels of inflammatory markers among Tehrani female-teachers 40-60 years old. Materials and Methods: Usual dietary intakes of 486 apparently healthy women were assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The vegetable oils consumed were catagorized into PHVOs (commonly used for cooking in Iran) and non-HVOs (sunflower, corn, canola, soybeanm., and olive oils) Anthropometric measurements were made and fasting blood samples were taken for measuring inflammatory markers. Results: The energy-adjusted daily intakes of PHVOs and non-HVOs were 23±11 and 22±10 g/d, respectively. After controlling for potential confounders, the plasma levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecules (sICAM-1) of the women in the top quintile of PHVOs intake (as compared to the lowest quintile) were 45% (Ptrend< 0.01), 66% (Ptrend< 0.1), 72% (Ptrend< 0.05), and 22%( Ptrend<0.01), respectively. In contrast, a higher consumption of non-HVOs was associated with lower circulating levels of CRP (-23%, Ptrend=0.05), TNF-α (-29%, Ptrend<0.01), SAA (-24%, Ptrend<0.01), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 (-19%, Ptrend<0.05) when the top intake quantile was compared with the lowest . Adjustment for body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, and lipid profile slightly attenuated the associations in some cases. Conclusion: Higher intakes of PHVOs are associated with elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers, while higher intakes of non-HVOs are associated with lower plasma levels of these biomarkers in female-teachers. Keywords: Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, Inflammation, Trans fatty acids, Cardiovascular disease, Women

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Background and Objective:Little information is available on the effects of monounsaturated fatty acid-rich (MUFA-rich) diets on the serum adipocytokine levels. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a MUFA-rich diet on the serum levels of insulin, visfatin and IL-6 in overweight women (25.0≥ BMI ≥ 2.9.9). Materials and Methods:This randomized cross-over clinical trial included 17 overweight women aged 20-50 years with a mean BMI of 27.6±2 kg/m2. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups consuming either a saturated fat-rich (SFA-rich 16% SFA and 8% MUFA) or a MUFA-rich (16% MUFA and 8% SFA) diet for 6 weeks, with a 2-week washout period between the 2 periods. The percentages of energy derived from the other macronutrients were similar in the two diets. Biochemical assessments were done at the beginning and at the end of each period. Paired t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean proportions of MUFA intakes were 13% and 7% of the total energy intake for MUFA- and SFA-rich diets, respectively, the corresponding values for SFA being 8.5% and 14%. The mean changes in the serum visfatin, insulin and IL-6 levels were not significantly different between the two diet periods however, for serum visfatin levels, the difference (0.7± 0.5 vs 0.4± 0.4 nanogr/ml) was marginally significant (P=0.08). Adjustment for potential confounders did not alter these findings (P=0.1). Conclusion:The difference between the two diets as regards their effects on the serum insulin and adipocytokine levels did not reach statistical significanec (it was only marginal). We recommend conducting long-term interventional studies with larger sample sizes to be able to draw more definite conclusions. Keywords: Visfatin, Overweight, Monounsaturated fatty acids, Insulin, Interleukin-6

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Background and Objective: Some cardiovascular risk factors are more prevalent in Middle Eastern countries than in other parts of the world. Lifestyle-related factors, including diet, might account for this discrepancy. We aimed to identify the association between food intake patterns and cardiovascular risk factors among Iranian adult women. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 486 apparently healthy Iranian women aged 40–60 years were studied. A Willett-format FFQ was used to collect dietary data. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) concentrations, lipid profiles, and blood pressure were measured. Diabetes was defined as FPG > or = 126 mg/dl diagnosis of dyslipidemia was based on Adult Treatment Panel III and that of hypertension on Joint National Committee VI recommendations. The presence of at least 1 or 2 of the 3 major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes) was also evaluated. Results: We identified 3 major (healthy, Western, and Iranian) eating patterns. After controlling for potential confounders, the subjects in the top quintile of the healthy dietary pattern were less likely to have dyslipidemia [odds ratio (OR), 0.36 95% CI, 0.19-0.53], hypertension (OR, 0.33 95% CI, 0.17-0.60), at least 1 (OR, 0.30 95% CI, 0.18-0.58), and at least 2 risk factors (OR, 0.39 95% CI, 0.20-0.77) compared with the lowest quintile. In contrast, those with greater adherence to the Western dietary pattern had greater odds for cardiovascular risk factors (OR, 2.59-3.11 P < 0.05). The Iranian dietary pattern was significantly associated with dyslipidemia (OR, 1.73 95% CI, 1.02-2.99) and at least 1 risk factor (OR, 1.89 95% CI, 1.05-3.20). The major dietary patterns were not associated with diablets risk. Conclusion: It seems that major dietary patterns are associated with cardiovascular risk factors among Tehranian women. Keywords: Food intake patterns, Cardiovascular, Risk factor, Women

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Background and Objectives: The association between dietary acid load and cardiovascular disease risk has not been examined among patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). The purpose of the present study was to assess the association between dietary acid load based on potential renal acid load (PRAL) and protein: potassium ratio scores, and cardiovascular disease risk in patients with DN.

 Materials & Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, 547 DN patients were enrolled. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the dietary intake. Standard methods were also employed to assess the biochemical and anthropometric measures.

Results: The results showed that the low PRAL group had lower hemoglobin (Hb)A1c (5.7% ±0.5% versus 7.8% ± 0.5%; P = 0.01), triacylglycerols (246.9 ± 2.3 mg/dL versus 257.4 ± 2.3 mg/dL; P = 0.006), systolic blood pressure (103.6 ± 0.7 mmHg versus 106.1 ± 0.7 mm Hg; P =0.03), creatinine and fasting blood sugar than the high PRAL group. Pro:K was positively related to HbA1c (5.8% ± 0.5% versus 7.6% ± 0.5%; P = 0.03); however it was inversely associated with low-density lipoprotein and waist circumference.

Conclusion: Both PRAL and Pro:K were positively related to HbA1c in patients with DN. However, biochemical and kidney-related markers depended on the Pro:K and PRAL status.

Keywords: Dietary acid load, Cardiovascular diseases, Diabetic nephropathy