Journal of School of Public Health and

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Background and Aim: Food insecurity implies a limited ability to secure adequate and safe food or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways. The nutrition transition in Iran is taking place in the context of rapid demographic change and urbanization in spite of underweight, obesity and overweight increased, especially among women. It is usually expected that food-insecure people have an inadequate food intake, less body fat, and body weight. However, several studies in developed countries have shown a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity among food-insecure household members, especially women. Under weight and overweight or obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in the developed countries and is assuming to become a serious health problem in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the association between food insecurity and socio-economic factors in households and body mass index among urban women in Dezful in 2008.

Materials and Methods: A total of 400 household were randomly selected by two stage sampling from different areas in Dezful. Heights and weights of all women were measured based on standard protocols, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. BMI status was defined based on cut-off values recommended by NIH( under weight = BMI<18.5, normal weight 18.5< BMI< 25, overweight 25≤BMI<30 and obesity BMI≥30 Women provided detailed demographic and food insecurity information via a face- to- face interview. Information on food insecurity was collected using the instrument originally developed by USDA. All analysis was conducted using the SPSS statistical package.

Results: The prevalence of household food insecurity was %37.6 and 42.8% of the women were overweight, and 12% obese, respectively. Results showed that, BMI was positively associated with food insecurity, women's age and family size and inversely associated with , race and economic status (p <0.05).

Conclusion: It is evident that household food insecurity, overweight and obesity coexist in Dezful. Women age, family size, race and economic status were recognized as associated factors with food insecurity but other factors didn't show significant relationship. There is lack of published information regarding food insecurity and some factors affecting with body weight status therefore, it is necessary to perform such studies in other regions too.

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Background and Aim: Malfunction in the energy homeostasis central system resulting from melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) mutations is considered to be an important factor in development of obesity. Although physical activity can weaken the effect of obesity-related genes, very few investigations have been carried out in relation to the MC4R gene. This study was conducted to investigate the association between physical activity and body mass index (BMI) in different MC4R genotypes (rs17782313).

Materials and Methods: A sample of 400 individuals was randomly selected from among subjects participating in the Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study (IMOS). Their weights and heights were measured and their dietary intakes and physical activity data assessed using validated questionnaires. In addition, the different MC4R genotypes (rs17782313) were determined in the subjects by the PCR-RFLP method. Finally, using the adjusted multiple linear regression model, the probable effect of physical activity on BMI in different MC4R polymorphisms (rs17782313) was determined.

Results: Only in individuals with the CT genotype was a statistically significant association (p<0.05) observed between body mass index and physical activity (hr/d and METs-hr/wk).

Conclusions: Physical activity, particularly in heterozygous MC4R polymorphism individuals (rs17782313), can play an effective role in reducing body mass index.

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Background and Aim: Considering the protection of, and safeguarding, the health of industrial workforce, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the personnel of Abadan oil refinery in the south-west of Iran and factors related to it.

Materials and Methods: The study included 721 oil refinery staff members randomly selected based on the yearly occupational health examination records. The information recorded included anthropometric measurements and blood test results; in addition, Breslow lifestyle and Global Physical Activity (GPAQ) questionnaires were completed for each subject.

Results: The mean body mass index (BMI) was 28.2 for men and 27.5 for women. The prevalence of obesity and overweight were 29.8% and 48.7%, respectively. Further analysis of the data showed that the prevalence rates were different between men and women; while 48.6% and 30.24% of the men suffered from overweight and obesity, respectively, the corresponding proportions among women were 50% and 15%. Overweight and obesity were associated with age, fasting blood glucose level, lipid profile and hypertension (in all cases    p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among Abadan oil refinery staff is higher as compared to the mean values in the general population in Iran or to personnel of other industries globally. Development and implementation of public educational programs with particular emphasis on high-risk individuals, such as middle-aged people and those with a low socioeconomic status, and focusing on healthy lifestyle and rotation shift workers can be effective, resulting in improvements in physical and general health of the personnel.

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Background and Aim: Considering the importance of children's dietary patterns in the general health and vitality of the population in the future and the effect of maternal depression on performing maternal tasks  and responsibilities regarding children's eating habits and behaviors, this study was designed and conducted to determine the relationship between maternal depression and children's dietary patterns.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study included 313 primary school children in Tehran in the first semester of the academic year 2018-2019 selected through stratified cluster sampling. The following questionaires were used to collect the data: general and demographic questionnaires  related to mothers and children, the Beck standard questionnaire to assess maternal depression, and a food frequency questionnaire to assess the children’s food patterns. The SPSS-22 and Stata-13 were used to analyze the data. Using exploratory factor analysis the dominant food patterns of the children were determined. The statistical tests used for data analysis included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients.
Results: Data analysis showed the prevalence of depression among the mothers and the dominant dietary pattern among the children to be 31.3% (n=98)  and vegetarian dietary patterns, respectively. The children’s body mass index, heights and waist circumference were significantly positively associated with with some of the dietary patterns (p<0.05). However, no significant association was found between maternal depression and the children's dietary patterns (p>0.05).
Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, maternal depression has no significant association with children's dietary patterns. Conducting similar studies with larger sample sizes are recommended.