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Background and objective: Malnutrition is a very common clinical disorder risk factor in elderly people, which is not diagnosed in most cases and, therefore, remains untreated. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in free-living elderly people and its relationship with socioeconomic factors (SEF) in the elderly subjects in Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. Methods: To assess the nutritional status of the free-living elderly people (n=2000 using cluster sampling, 917 male/1045 female, aged>60), the standard Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used. Socio-economic information was obtained through interviews. Results: In 42.7% of the subjects the nutritional status was satisfactory, 12.0% were malnourished, and the remaining 45..3% were at risk of malnutrition. The MNA score was associated with some of the SEF, and the proportions of malnourished subjects were higher in females, rural subjects, the illiterate, subjects living alone, and the unemployed . Prevalence of central obesity in females and males was 63.1% and 18.6%, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of this study are alarming. The government, physicians, and nutrition experts need to be aware of the problem and its dimenensions. Nutritional status was associated with some socio-economic factors. In particular, problems such as loneliness and poverty have to be addressed.

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Background and objective: Investigations show that gender may have an important role in cardiovascular disease. Some authors have reported differences in risk factor profiles between men and women, while others have been unable to reach such conclusions. The objective of this study was to determine and compare the profile of conventional risk factors and hematologic-metabolic parameters and relative risk between male and female patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data between 1994 and 2006 on 594 MI patients (70.2% male and 29.8% female). The gender subgroups were compared with regard to selected blood parameters and risk factors. Male ratio and relative risk of MI were also determined. Results: The average age, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were significantly different between males and females (p<0.05). The mean Hb and Hct in males with and without hyperlipidemia (HLP) and a family history of MI were significantly different (p<0.05). Relative risks of HLP, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension (HTN) for females were higher than males in all age groups. The relative risk was 6.16 times higher for females with three factors─ HLP, DM, and HTN─ combined. Hyeprlipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension were more common among women (p<0.001) Conclusions: The results of this study confirm that the relative risks of HLP, DM, and HTN in causation of MI in women were higher than men in all age groups. With the exception of MCV, the other hematological parameters in men were higher than in women with MI, while metabolic parameters in women were higher than in men.

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Background and Objectives: Presently there are several methods for determination of the extent of lactose hydrolysis in milk, some of which, despite high precision and reliability, are not used extensively due to their high cost. The objective of this study was to compare effectiveness 3 of such methods, namely, HPLC, freezing point measurement, and chloramines-T, with a view to finding a suitable and less expensive method. Materials and Methods: The lactose content of skimmed milk samples was measured, followed by treatment for 4 hours with β-galactosidase to hydrolyze lactose and then determining the extent of hydrolysis using the HPLC, freezing point, and chloramines-T methods. Results: The β-galactosidase exerted its maximum effect during the first 2 hours, resulting in reduction of the lactose content to less than 0.5% of its original value. In the HPLC method, the percentage of relative standard deviation (%RSD) for the milk samples after 2 hours treatment with the enzyme was more than 40% and the reproducibility was not desirable. With regard to the freezing-point method, after a 2-hour decreasing trend of the freezing point the rate of decrease slowed down. The freezing point decreased about -0.274 ºC after 4 hours, such that for every 1% hydrolysis of lactose the freezing point decreased by 0.0028 ºC. Furthermore, no linear relationship was observed between the freezing point and the rate of lactose hydrolysis at rates higher than 88%. Finally, in the chloramines-T method, it was shown that with increasing lactose hydrolysis, the consumption of sodium thiosulfate decreased, the trend slowing down after 2 hours. On the whole, in the preliminary stages of hydrolysis (the first 60%) the amounts of lactose determined by the 3 methods was almost similar, but after that the chloramines-T method gave figures slightly different from those given by the other 2 methods. Conclusions: Since the correlation between the HPLC and the freezing point methods was very high (r2 =0.9976), it can be concluded that the freezing point can be recommended as an appropriate, simple, precise and rapid method for the assessment of lactose concentration, as well as determining its hydrolysis extent, in enzyme-treated milk. Furthermore, the chloramine-T method can be said to be suitable for determination of lactose in untreated milks.

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Background and Objective: Poverty is one of the most important malnutrition risk factors. As one-third of the households headed by mothers are in the population’s lower deciles of income, their children are more vulnerable to malnutrition. This study was performed to assess the nutritional status of under-5-year old children in mother-headed households under coverage of the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation of Tehran in 2005. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which the sample households were randomly selected, proportionately, from 8 regions (in the northern, southern, eastern, western, and central parts of Tehran) of the Tehran Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation. In each region, all the under-5-year old children (n=137) in those mother-headed households who had active health files and whose mothers had signed the informed consent entered the study. Data were collected through interviews with mothers, using a questionnaire containing items on demographic characteristics of the household and the children’s diet history of the first and second years of life the interviewers were experienced nutrition (BSc) graduates. In addition, anthropometric measurements were made using standard methods. To determine the nutritional status, weight and height figures were compared with the US National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) standards. Data were analyzed using the Epi-info and SPSS software. Results: The findings showed that (1). The mean age of the mothers was 31 ± 4.7 years, 67% of them had 2 or 3 children, less than 10% were working, 47 % lived in rented accommodation, and their highest level of education (42%) was guidance-school education (2). About 95% of the children had been fed colostrum and 67% had been breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months of life (3). Complementary feeding and family food introduction had started for 55% and 30% of the children at a suitable age, respectively (4). The prevalence rates of underweight, wasting, overweight, and stunting were 11%, 6%, 5% and 10%, respectively (5). Based on the logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (OR) of underweight in girls was 6.39 as compared to boys (CI 95%: 1.56-27.35), and the OR of underweight in children of illiterate or elementary-education level mothers was 6.29 as compared with the children of mothers with guidance-school education (CI 95%: 1.23-29.60). Conclusion: This study showed that the under-5-year old children in the mother-headed households suffer from different degrees of malnutrition. Programs and activities, such as mothers’ education in living skills and increasing their literacy level, as well as targeted food aid/subsidies along with nutrition education, are highly recommended to improve the present situation

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Background and Objectives: Most of our food habits and preferences originate during childhood. Following an adequate and balanced diet from childhood is one of the most important factors in preventing degenerative diseases in adulthood. Thus, determining children’s food consumption patterns is a high health priorities. The present study was initiated to determine meal and snacking patterns of primary school children during 2003-2005 in Tehran. Methods and Materials: A total of 761 male and female primary school children (378 grade 1, 383 grades 2 to 5) from all the 19 Educational Areas in Tehran, selected by multistage cluster sampling, were included in the study. General information was collected in 2 parts, by interviewing (1). the students, and (2). the students’ mothers or caregivers. For collecting information on food consumption during the previous month the 24-h-recall technique and a snack-frequency questionnaire were used. Results are reported as means ± standard deviations and frequency distributions. Results: The mean daily intakes of energy among the first and other grade students were 1910±551 and 2014±539 kcal, respectively. As compared to RDA, energy intake (95% RDA for grade 1 and 91% for other grades) and iron intake (86% for other grades) were inadequate, while the intakes of other nutrients were adequate. The mean intakes of energy, protein and some of the B vitamins among girls were higher than among boys (P<0/05). The largest proportions of daily energy were supplied by lunch (%28) and the afternoon snack (%22). Snacks provided about 40% of the daily total energy intake. Densities of protein and fat (per 1000 Kcal) were higher in the main meals, while those of carbohydrate, calcium and vitamin C were higher in snacks in both boys and girls. The iron density was almost the same in the main meals and snacks. Fruits and confectionary products were consumed as snacks by almost all of the students during the week. Conclusion: Snacks have a significant role in meeting daily energy and nutrients needs of primary school children. In some cases the role of snacks was even more significant in fulfilling energy needs than that of main meals (e.g. breakfast). It is very important to implement appropriate educational programs aiming at improvement of children's food choices.

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Introduction and Objective: Iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia are one the most important health problems in the world. Iron supplementation can reduce both Zn absorption and plasma vitamin C concentration. In this study, effects of iron supplementation with and without ascorbic acid on Zn and vitamin C status in iron-deficient university female students have been studied. Material and Methods: This study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Sixty non-anemic iron-deficient (NAID) girls were selected from 289 female students at Fatemeh Zahra (PBUH) dormitory, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran. They were divided randomly into 2 groups, receiving either 50 mg/d elemental iron supplement (group I, intervention) or the supplement plus 500 mg/d ascorbic acid (group II, control) for 12 weeks. Blood analysis was made at the beginning and the end of the 6th and 12th weeks in the two groups. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin concentrations were measured using cell-counter and ELISA, respectively. Serum zinc and iron concentrations were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and plasma vitamin C was analyzed by the 2, 4-DNPH method. The Student's t and repeated-measures tests were employed to analyze the data using the SPSS software. Results: The serum zinc level was not initially significantly different between the two groups. It decreased from 80.94.2 to 68.92.7 and from 81.24.5 to 66.12.9 µg/dl by the 6th week in groups I and II, respectively (p<0.001), but by the 12th week it increased significantly to the pre-intervention value of 792.9 µg/dl (p<0.01) in group I and, non-significantly, to 70.53.1 in group II. On the other hand, plasma vitamin C increased from 3.00.1 to 3.30.2 mg/l (NS) in group 1 and from 2.7.0.1 to 4.20.2 mg/l (p<0.01) in group II by the 6th week. The incremental trend in group II continued between the 6th and 12th weeks (3.30.2 to 4.70.3 mg/l in group I, and 4.20.2 to 7.10.2 mg/l in group II in both cases p<0.001). Serum ferritin and iron levels increased significantly in both groups (p<0.01). Conclusion: Iron supplementation with and without vitamin C in iron-deficient female students causes serum Zn reduction after 6 weeks. However, the decreasing trend stops after repletion of iron stores, the Zn level returning to the baseline value. Twelve weeks of iron supplementation does not seem to cause reductions in the serum zinc and plasma vitamin C levels in this age group.

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Background and objectives: Increasing evidence suggests that a high dietary intake of n-3 fatty acids attenuates inflammation in chemically induced colitis, but there is no report the effect of different dietary oils on Citrobacter rodentium-induced colitis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fish oil, canola oil, and safflower oil on Citrobacter rodentium-induced colitis in mice. Materials and methods: Groups of 9 mice were fed isoenergetic diets varying only in fat composition for three weeks, before and 10 days after Citrobacter rodentium inoculation. The distal colon was assessed for the histopathology score, bacterial count, and host immune response factors. Results: While the bacterial count was similar in all groups, the histopathology score was at minimum level in the fish oil group, followed (in an increasing order) by canola oil, safflower oil, and chow-diet groups. Conclusion: Our results indicate that in the Citrobacter rodentium-induced colitis model, fish oil, the richest source of omega-3 fatty acids, is most effective in attenuating inflammation. Fish oil has no effect on the number of the bacteria.

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Background and objectives: The translation of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) is vital in therapeutic regimens in breast cancer. The repression of its expression could be attributed to regional CpG island methylation in exon1. We aimed to explore the association of plasma levels of folate, vitamin B12 and total homocysteine (tHcy) with the hypermethylation status of ERα genes in breast cancer patients. Materials and methods: The hypermethylation status was determined in dissected tissues from 137 primary breast cancer patients aged 28-85 years, using methylation-specific PCR. In addition, the plasma levels of folate and vitamin B12 of the patients were assessed by automated chemiluminescence, and their total plasma homocysteine was determined by HPLC. The logistic regression analysis was used for analyzing the data after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Results: Hypermethylation at ERα was observed in 51.1% of the participants. It was related positively to smoking history and duration of exposure to estradiol, and inversely with ER translation. After adjustments for confounding factors, an inverse association was also found between the hypermethylation status of ERα gene and the plasma levels of folate (OR=0.187 95%CI, 0.052-0.668) and vitamin B12 (OR=0.185 95%CI, 0.036-0.953). The data also showed that the risk of hypermethylation at ERα gene increased with the high plasma levels of tHcy (OR=9.61 95%CI, 1.26-73.2). Conclusion: It may be concluded that a high plasma tHcy level can potentially increase the risk of hypermethylation of the ERα gene, while plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels may reduce the risk, in cancer patients

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Background and objectives: There is growing evidence indicating the benefits of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in attenuation of colitis. On the other hand, some studies have shown that n-3 fatty acids can ameliorate inflammation in colitis. The aim of this study was to examine the interaction between different dietary oils and intestinal microflora in an experimental model of colitis. materials and Methods: Eight week-old BALB/C mice (n=9) were fed isocaloric diets varying only in fat composition for 4 weeks. A group fed the chow diet served as control. The diets contained 20% fat from fish oil, canola oil, safflower oil, or beef tallow. Colitis was induced by intracolonic administration of acetic acid on day 21. Inflammation, fecal microflora and serum lipid profile were compared among the groups one week after induction. Results: The highest degree of inflammation was seen in the chow-diet group, followed by safflower-, canola-, and fish oil-fed groups (p<0.05). As compared to the experimental groups, the number of fecal bacteroideceae was significantly higher (p<0.05), and the number of fecal bifidobacteria significantly lower, in the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, fish oil could reduce the plasma level of triacylglycerole significantly (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicate that n-3 fatty acids can affect intestinal microfloral populations in favor of increasing the number of bifidobacteria. They might be recommended as an adjunct therapy to patients with colitis.

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Background and Objectives: Information of the effects of different types of fat on liver pathology are limited. The present study was designed to compare the effects of a fish-oil containing diet, a diet with a fat composition based on the Iranian fat consumption pattern, and a standard diet on pathologic changes in the Wistar rat liver. Materials & Methods: Thirty female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to one of three diets: a standard diet (containing soy bean-oil), a diet containing fish oil, and one containing mixed oil based on the Iranian population fatty acid intake. Dams in each group were fed one of the diets during pregnancy and lactation, and the pups were weaned onto the same diet. Hepato-cellular pathology in pups was assessed on days 21 and 70 postnatal. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Fish oil-fed and Iranian mixed oil-fed pups showed more ductular cell hyperplasia on day 70 postnatal, as compared to the soy bean oil-fed pups (p=0.005). The pathologic changes increased from day 21 to day 70 in all the 3 groups (p=0.002). The magnitude of the increase was significant in the fish oil-fed rats (p=0.007). Conclusion: A diet containing fish oil as the only fat source and a diet with the Iranian population fatty acid intake pattern may lead to pathologic changes in the rat liver. It seems this adverse effect increases by age of the animal.

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Background and Objectives: Information on the effects of different types of fat on insulin sensitivity is limited. The present study was designed to compare the effects of feeding a fish oil-containing diet, a diet containing an oil mixture based on the Iranian fat consumption pattern, and a standard diet from the fetal period till puberty on the serum glucose and insulin sensitivity in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to three dietary groups: a standard diet (containing soy bean-oil), a diet containing fish oil, and a diet containing an oil mixture based on the Iranian population fatty acid intake. Dams in each group were fed one of the diets during pregnancy and lactation, and in each case the pups born were weaned onto the same diet. Fasting serum glucose level (by photometry) and insulin (by ELISA) were measured in the pups and insulin sensitivity was calculated at puberty. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and the one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: The fasting serum insulin level and insulin sensitivity in the fish oil-fed group were significantly lower (P=0.018) and higher (P=0.002), respectively, than in the other two groups. Conclusion: It seems a diet containing fish oil (rich in long chain omega-3 fatty acids) causes a higher insulin sensitivity, as compared to diets containing either soy bean oil (rich in omega-6 fatty acids) or mixed oil based on the Iranian dietary fatty acid pattern (rich in saturated fatty acids).

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Background and objectives: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with overweight and obesity. It is also considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. Almost one-third of Iranian adults are afflicted with MetS, with a higher prevalence among women. In this study the relationship of dietary pattern with the metabolic syndrome among non-menopausal women (18-50 yr) in District 13 of Tehran was determined. Materials and Methods: This was a nested case-control study using the Tehran Lipid Glucose Study (TLGS) data on 920 non-menopausal women (18-50 yrs) as the case group. The control group was an equal number of subjects matched for age. Dietary intakes were assessed with a 168-iteme semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (26 food groups). Using factor analysis, the predominant food patterns were identified. The odds ratio of MetS (defined according to the International Diabetes Federation guidelines) and its components was calculated using logistic regression, after adjusting for confounding variables. Results: Two predominant dietary patterns were identified. The desirable food pattern was characterized by the consumption of raw vegetables, fruits, starchy vegetables, olives, fried vegetables, low-fat d high-fat dairy products, legumes, nuts, eggs, oil, whole grains, fish, and chicken. In the undesirable food pattern the widely consumed food items included soft drinks, commercial fruit juices, cookies and high-sugar sweets, ready-to-eat foods, mayonnaise, snacks (potato chips and puffed corn), oil, pickles, organ meats, refined grains, meat, and salt. After adjustment for various confounding variables (energy intakes, energy expenditure, education level, job, family history of diabetes or stroke, smoking, and BMI), the desirable food pattern was found to be inversely associated with MetS (odds ratio=0.87 95% confidence interval: 0.16-0.73, P-value <0.001) and hyperglycemia (odds ratio=0.34 95% confidence interval: 0.13-0.87, P-value <0.05). No associations were observed between MetS and the undesirable food pattern, and of the components of MetS only triglyceride level was associated with this food pattern (odds ratio=2.17 95% confidence interval: 1.09- 4.32, P-value <0.001). Conclusion: The desirable food pattern is significantly inversely associated with the metabolic syndrome, whereas the undesirable food pattern has no association. Keywords: Metabolic syndrome, Food pattern, Non-menopause women, Factor analysis

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Background and Objectives: A deficiency of folate or vitamin B12, particularly in tissues with a high cell replication rate, could inhibit RNA and DNA synthesis, DNA methylation, as well as cell maturation. Therefore, a sufficient intake of these vitamins in childhood is of vital importance. Since there are no published reports on the status of folic acid and vitamin B12 in Iranian children, the present study was conducted to assess serum and red blood cells concentrations and some related factors in healthy 3-6 year-old children in Tehran, Iran, 2010. Subject and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study, in which 228 children, 3-6 year old (105 girls and 123 boys), were selected by random systematic cluster sampling from 20 (out of 270) day-care centers in Tehran. A 2-ml non-fasting blood sample was drawn from each child and analyzed for serum and red blood cell folate and vitaminB12 by the RIA method. SPSS.16 was used for data analysis, the statistical tests being t-test, Chi-square and ANOVA. Results: There were no significant differences between the 2 sexes with regard to age, weight, height, BMI, RBC folate, or serum folate and vitamin B12 levels. Based on the serum folate level, 9.6% and 37.8% of the children suffered from severe and mild deficiency, respectively 52.6% had normal folate serum levels. The data also showed that 97.4% of the children had a normal serum vitamin B12 level, only 2.6% being mildly deficient. As judged by the RBC folate level, of 105 children (60 boys and 45 girls), 1% and 37% had severe and mild deficiency, respectively, an absolute majority (62%) having normal levels. The distributions of serum folate, serum vitaminB12, and RBC folate levels were not statistically different between boys and girls. Similarly, no associations were observed between the RBC folate level, serum folate level, or serum vitamin B12 level and age, weight, height, family size, birth order, or head of the family. There were positive significant correlations between serum folate on the one hand and RBC folate (r=0.4 , p<0.001) and serum vitamin B12 (r=0.8 , p<0.001) on the other hand. Furthermore, folate, RBC folate, and serum vitamin B12 were all positively related to father’s education (p=0.01), mother's education (p=0.008) and father’s job status (p<0.027). In addition, the vitamin levels were higher in children of the working mothers, as compared to those of non-working mothers (p<0.036). There were no differences between the 2 groups with regard to other variables. Conclusion: Folate deficiency is highly prevalent, while the deficiency of vitamin B12 is low, among Tehrani preschoolers. It is recommended to design and implement suitable intervention programs. Major components of such programs should be mothers’ nutrition education and improving family food consumption patterns with particular emphasis on optimum utilization of folate sources, particularly vegetables. Keywords: Folic acid, Vitamin B12, Preschoolers

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Background and Objective: There is evidence on reciprocal effects of insulin and desacylghrelin (DAG), but associations between secretions of hormones (insulin and DAG) and saturated and unsaturated proportions of edible oils in high-fat diets have not been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of different sources of dietary fat and the extent of fatty acid saturation on plasma insulin and DAG levels and determine the association between DAG and insulin action in rats. Materials and Methods: Weaning male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups to be fed on one of 4 high-fat diets containing, as the source of fat, butter (HF-b), soybean oil (HB-S), olive oil (HF-O), or fish oil (HF-F). A fifth group was put on a standard diet (SD). Blood samples were collected after 8 weeks at non-fasting state and after a 24h fast. Body weight, food intake, and plasma parameters – glucose, insulin, DAG, and HOMA-IR, as an insulin resistance index – were measured. Results: Body weight and food intake in the HF-S and HF-B groups were higher than in the other groups (p<0.05). In the HF-B group the fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR were both higher as compared to the ST, HF-O or HF-F group (p<0.05). In addition, the fasting DAG level in the HF-B group was lower than in HF-F, HF-O or ST group (p<0.05). Finally, the HF-F group had a significantly higher DAG level than the HF-S group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Diets containing polyunsaturated ω-3 and monounsaturated fatty acids cause lower weight gains and energy intakes. It is likely that these dietary fats could bring about a decrease in appetite through increasing the DAG level, thereby causing weight reduction. It is concluded, then, that they may have a role in lowering HOMA-IR or insulin level. Keywords: Fish oil, Olive oil, Soybean oil, Butter, Insulin resistance, Desacyl-ghrelin

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The effects of probiotic yoghurt consumption on blood pressure and serum lipids in type 2 diabetic patients: Randomized clinical trial Ejtahed H1, Mohtadi Nia J*2, Homayouni Rad A3, Niafar M4, Asghari Jafarabadi M5, Mofid V6 1- M.Sc in Nutrition Science, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. 2-*Corresponding author: Associate Prof, Dept. of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. E-mail: jmohtadinia@yahoo.com 3- Assistant Professor, Dept. of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. 4- Associate Professor, Dept. of endocrinal glands, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. 5- Assistant Professor, Dept. of Statistics and Epidemiology and National Public Health Management Center (NPMC), Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. 6- M.Sc in Food Technology, Iran Dairy Industries Company, Tehran, Iran. Received 18 Mar, 2011 Accepted 10 Jun, 2011 Background and Objective:Considering the high prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of probiotic yoghurt on blood pressure and serum lipid concentrations in these patients. Materials and Methods:In this controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 60 patients (23 males and 37 females) with type 2 diabetes and an LDL-cholesterol level higher than 100 mg/dL were assigned to one of two groups. Subjects in the intervention group consumed daily 300 gr of probiotic yoghurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis, and those in the control group consumed daily 300 gr of conventional yoghurt, for 6 weeks. Dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and serum lipids concentrations were measured at the baseline and at the end of the study. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software, the statistical tests being analysis of covariance and paired-samples t-test. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure remained unchanged in both groups, while the total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations decreased by 4.54% and 7.45% in the intervention group, respectively, as compared with the control values (P = 0.008 andP = 0.004, respectively). However, no significant differences were observed between the initial and final triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol concentrations in the intervention group. Conclusion:Consumption of probiotic yoghurt can decrease the total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patients however, it has no effect on blood pressure. This study shows that probiotic yoghurt may help reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors in type 2 diabetes. Keywords: Probiotic yoghurt, Type 2 diabetes, Blood pressure, Serum lipids

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Background and Objective:French fries are a food product with an upward consumptuion trend in Iran. Because of high oil uptake during frying, French fries are an energy-dense food item, providing a very large number of calories to the body. Therefore, efforts to reduce the rate of oil uptake by this popular food item would contribute to the public’s health. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of blanching and coating of potatoes with methyl cellulose and tragacanth on French-fries oil uptake and qualitative properties. Materials and Methods:Strips of potato (Agria variety) were prepared, blanched in water or a calcium chloride solution (0.5%), coated with a solution of methyl cellulose (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% ), tragacanth (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%), methyl cellulose (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% ) and sorbitol (0.5%), or tragacanth (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%) and sorbitol (0.5%) and deep-fried. Oil uptake, moisture content, and color of the French fries were measured and their sensory properties determined and compared with those of control samples. Results: Blanching and hydrocolloid coatings of the samples brought about a decrease in oil uptake and increases in moisture content and texture tenderness of the potato strips (p<0.01). Blanching in calcium chloride alone reduced oil uptake by 8.61%. In comparison with the control samples, coating with methylcellulose (1.5%) with sorbitol (0.5%) decreased oil uptake from 19.85% to 16.29%. Blanching in calcium chloride resulted in a significant 5%increase in moisture content. The hydrocolloid coatings caused significant increases in moisture content and resistance to cutting of the samples (P<0.01), such that the highest moisture content (44.60%) was obsereved in the samples coated with methyl cellulose (1.5%). Tragacanth at aconcentartion of 1.5% with sorbitol at a concentartion of 0.5% brought about the highest resistance (211/13 Newton) to cutting. The findings also showed that hydrocolloid coatings resulted in significant incremets in the L * b *, a * factors of the French fries color as compared to the control samples. However, there were no significant differences among samples with regard to sensory characteristic. Conclusion:It can be concluded that methylcellulose is a more suitable coating than tragacanth for French fries. A coating containing 1.5% methyl cellulose is the best coating for potato strips due to less oil uptake, higher moisture content, and better texture and color. Coatings of methylcellulose and tragacanth plus sorbitol result in noticeabe differences in oil uptake and other qualitative properties. However, for economic reasons it is not essential to use sorbitol in coatings for potato strips. Keywords: French fries, Fried potatoes, Sorbitol, Methyl cellulose, Tragacanth, Fat reduction

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Background and Objective:This study was conducted to determine the relationship between stunting and major dietary patterns among the first-grade pupils in Tehran in 2008. Materials and Methods:In this case-control study, children’s height (n=3147) was measured in 5 areas of Tehran by expeienced nutritionists using standard protocols. Children with a height lower than the 5th percentile of height for age of the CDC2000 standard were considered as stunted (n = 86, the case group). Control children were selected randomly from among healthy, non-stunted children with the same age and sex (n=308). Data on demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, birth weight and length, and duration of breast feeding were collected using standard questionnaires. In addition, two 24-hour dietary recall questionnaires were completed for each subject on 2 cosecutive days by interviewing their mothers. Factor analysis was used to identify major dietary patterns. Logistic regression models were adjusted for sex, mother's age and education, father's education, birth weight, family size, and energy intake. Results: There were significant differences between the stunted children and their control group with regard to sex, birth weight, age of mother, and parents' education of (P<0.05). Based on the 24-hour dietary recalls, the mean consumptions of dairy products (308±167 g/day) and dried fruits and nuts (2.58±9 g/day) in the case group were significantly lower than the respective control values (7.15±26 and 382±232 g/day, respectively p<0.05). However, consumption of the fat and oils group in the case group (37.85±29 g/day) was higher than in the control group (30.94±22 g/day P< 0.05). Three dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis: dietary pattern 1, high in bread, potatoes, fats, eggs, relish, other vegetables, sugar, and soft drinks dietary pattern 2, high in leafy vegetables, fast foods, nuts, other cereals, fruits, legumes, and offal and dietary pattern 3, high in biscuits and cakes, chicken, dairy products, fruits, etc. Dietary patterns 1 and 2 were not significantly associated with stunting, while children in the third quartile of dietary pattern 3 had a lower risk for stunting as compared to those in the first quartile of that dietary pattern (p<0.05). Conclusion: It seems that following dietary patterns high in protein (e.g., dairy and meat products) and carbohydrate (e.g., fruits and biscuits/cakes) may reduce the risk of stunting in children. Keywords: Children, Stunting, Factor analysis, Dietary pattern

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Background and Objective: Height measurement is an important part of nutritional assessment especially in children. However, in such cases as hospitalized or certain kinds of malformations or disabilities, height cannot be measured accurately. We aimed to determine appropriate height predictors in Iranian healthy children for further use in disabled and/or hospitalized children. Materials and Methods: A total of 730 apparently healthy children aged 7-11 years old from both sexes from Tehran, Meshed and Rasht were enrolled in a cross sectional study. Height, Demi Span (DS), Half Span (HS), arm length (AL) and tibia length (TL) were all measured using a measuring tape. Results: Linear regression models were established between height, DS, HS, AL and TL. For boys AL (R2=0.783) and TL (R2=0.837) and for girls AL (R2=0.720), TL (R2=0.765), HS (R2=0.771) and age (R2=0.775), respectively, entered the linear regression model. When height predictors were evaluated individually for each city, only in Tehran DS also entered the regression model. Conclusion: Concordance of different percentiles of height estimates based on AL with those of actual height proposed this measure as a reliable height proxy for this age group in clinical as well as field practice. Keywords: Actual height, Body size, Healthy children

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Background and Objective: Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics are categorized as functional foods believed to play a major role in enhancement of public health. The purpose of this study was to determine the publication rate in the field of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics, indexed in Medline and Web of Science. Materials and Methods: This study was a Scientometrics study. Extracting data from Medline was limited to "title" in screen and years 1996-2011 with keywords “probiotic*, prebiotic*, synbiotic*”. Using software Find-string: Dr. Biglu, data was extracted. In the web of science all data was extracted with selecting SSCI and SCI-E, screen section limited to "title" and years 1993-2011 with the same keywords. Results: A growing rate in the publishing of pro, pre and synbiotics was observed and predicted to resume in the upcoming years. Iran was the 20th, 15th and 9th country in publishing articles related to probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics, respectively. Conclusion: The increasing trend of publication on pro, pre and synbiotics may result from the increased interest among researchers to find more effective pro, pre and synbiotics regarding their health benefits and the underlying mechanisms, which may in turn be due to the greater attention consumers pay to functional foods. Keywords: Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, Data bases

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Background and Objective: Although bread is a staple food, it is a poor source of dietary fiber and has a high glycemic index, which may increase the prevalence of diabetes. The addition of resistant starch and β-glucan with a prebiotic effect can improve the nutritional value of this valuable nutrient. Material and Methods: Different amounts of β-glucan (0.8%, 1%, 1.2% w/w) and resistant starch (5.5%, 8%, 10.5%) were added to wheat flour and to one sample with 4% BG and 0.5% RS. Their effect on bread quality in terms of moisture, specific volume, bread firmness, sensory evaluation, and bread salting during storage were evaluated. Results: The results of bread quality suggested that the addition of prebiotic β-glucan and resistant starch increased moisture but decreased crumb firmness during 5 d of storage over that of the control sample. During storage, crumb firmness of all samples increased significantly and was the same as the staling sensory results of bread. BG had no significant effect on specific volume and RS decreased specific volume. The chewiness, crust, texture, color, appearance, aroma, and taste/flavor of all samples were evaluated as being the same or slightly better than the control. Conclusion: Β-glucan and resistant starch had no significant effect on the sensory properties of bread, but did increase shelf life. Water absorption and moisture retention increased and staling decreased. Keywords: β-glucan, Resistant starch, Prebiotica, Functional food, Bread quality