Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is one of the most important enzymes for removal of the free radicals, and the main protective factor for lipoproteins against oxidative agents. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of eight weeks’ rope training on paraoxonase-1 enzyme, insulin resistance and lipid profiles in inactive overweight and obese girls.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in Iranian Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University of Tabriz, from November 2016 to January 2017. In this study, 20 healthy overweight and obese in-active girls (20-25 Yr) volunteered and randomly assigned into exercise (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. Exercise protocol was rope training was 8 week for 4 day per week in 45 minute per day. Some anthropometric indexes of subjects were measured before and after exercise. A fasting blood sample was collected as pre-test and post-test, followed by 48 hours of physical inactivity to measure serum levels of PON1 enzyme, Insulin, lipid profiles and other blood variables. Analysis of the data was performed by paired and independent samples t-tests by using the SPSS software, version 20 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). The criterion of statistical significance was set as P<0.05.
Results: The paired samples t-test results showed that after exercise intervention, in exercise group, the values of all variables (except low-density lipoprotein) were significantly changed. Also, to compare with control group, the values of PON1 enzyme (P=0.024) and maximum oxygen consumption (P=0.006) significantly increased and insulin resistance index (P=0.028), triglyceride (P=0.046) and body fat percent (P=0.001) were significantly decreased (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that performing rope training for 8 weeks induced positive changes in paraoxonase-1 enzyme, insulin resistance index, maximum oxygen consumption and some lipid and anthropometric indices in overweight and obese young girls. Therefore, according to these results, rope training, as an aerobic activity it can be useful for all people especially in overweight and obese to control blood fats, body composition and prevent diseases due to obesity such as cardiovascular disease. 

Background: Anemia is the most common nutritional disorder in the world in which iron deficiency is one of its main causes. The prevalence of obesity and risk of iron deficiency anemia in these individuals is increasing. The present study examined the association between iron deficiency, dietary intake and obesity and obesity-induced inflammation in female students.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran, from May to March of 2016. A total of 170 female students were selected by stratified random sampling. Being in the age of 18-35 years, having a regular menstrual cycle, not following a specific diet and not taking any medication or dietary supplements that could affect iron status were indicators of inclusion in the study. General information and physical activity questionnaire were completed and a semi-quantitative feed frequency questionnaire was used to obtain food intake information. Anthropometric indicators including weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and body fat were measured. Obesity was evaluated with 3 different definitions. Biochemical indices such as iron, hemoglobin, hematocrit, transferrin, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin, and hs-CRP were also measured.
Results: The dietary intake of iron and some nutrients related to iron (including energy, protein, vitamin C and calcium) showed no significant difference in dietary intake between different groups of obesity definitions. Serum iron levels and hemoglobin concentration had a significant negative correlation with BMI and hs-CRP concentrations (P=0.026 and P=0.01 respectively). The relationship between transferrin levels and total iron binding capacity with the index of waist circumference was positive and significant (P=0.040, P=0.034, respectively). Also, there was a significant positive correlation between obesity and hs-CRP levels (P=0.014). There was no significant relationship between other evaluated factors with different degrees of obesity.
Conclusion: Chronic obesity and inflammation which could be caused by obesity, can contribute to iron deficiency, regardless of dietary iron intake.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common medical complications in pregnancy, which is associated with many serious consequences for mother and her fetus. Body mass index (BMI) in pregnant women is considered as one of most effective factor for the incidence of GDM. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between BMI at pregnant women in the early months of pregnancy and the incidence of GDM.
Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the case of six hundred fifty-nine pregnant women who referred to health centers in Kermanshah City from September 2010 to September 2012 by convenience sampling method were selected and investigated. This study was sponsored by Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Height and weight were measured for each woman at the beginning of pregnancy and maternal body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on height and weight measurements. Then the pregnant women were divided into four groups based on BMI: thin (BMI less than 18.9 kg/m2), normal (BMI between 19 kg/m2 and 24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI between 25 kg/m2 and 29.9 kg/m2) and obese (BMI more than 30 kg/m2). Those women who had diabetes at the beginning of pregnancy were excluded from the study. GDM was considered as fasting blood glucose ≥92 between 26-30 weeks of gestation.
Results: The mean±SD age of pregnant women was 27.7±5.85 year and the mean of BMI was 24.4±4.0 kg/m2. The GDM was shown in 30.7% of women. Association between BMI and GDM were statistically significant (P<0.001). The risk of GDM onset was 1.24 times, for each unit increased in BMI, (P<0.001). The risk of GDM was significantly higher in overweight [OR=2.97, CI (2.01-4.39)] and obese [OR=16.89, CI (8.46-33.70)] women. Being underweight increased the risk of GDM onset up to 1.19 times, but not significant.
Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between maternal BMI in pregnant women at the beginning of pregnancy with GDM onset. Increased BMI is correlated with an increase in the incidence of GDM.

Background: TRX training is a new training method that has beneficial effects on improving balance and strength. However, the role of these types of training on the factors associated with function and mitochondrial biogenesis is not understood. Therefore, the purpose of present study was to determine the effect of eight weeks of TRX training on serum levels of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and citrate synthase in overweight women.
Methods: All subjects gave written informed consent after a detailed description of the study procedures. The protocol of this study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Sport Sciences Research Institute (SSRI) in Iran. The present study was experimental and was conducted in Shahid Ghaffari women's club in Tehran under the supervision of Alzahra University from May 2018 to January 2019. For this purpose, 30 overweight women after primary alignment on basis of body mass index (25-30 kg/m2) were divided into two groups: control (n=14) and TRX training (n=16). The TRX training protocol was performed for eight weeks and 3 sessions per week, which included 6 main movements (squat, rear deltoid row, biceps curl, chest press, low row, rotational ward) that lasted 60 minutes per session. According to consideration the physical condition of each person, the subjects were free to modulate the exercise intensity by changing the body inclinations. Each exercise provided 4 sets of 12 repetitions separated by one-minute rest. Blood sampling was performed in two stages of pre-test and 48 hours after the last session of the exercise in overnight fasting state. After collection of serum samples, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to measure serum levels of PGC-1α and citrate synthase.
Results: The results showed that TRX training caused no significant change in the body weight and body mass index compared to the control group. In addition, TRX training increased significantly the serum levels of PGC-1α and citrate synthase compared to the pre-test and the control group.
Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicated that eight weeks of TRX training could increase serum levels of PGC-1α and citrate synthase in overweight women.

Background: Today, overweight and obesity are major health concerns in developed and developing countries. Meanwhile, the issue is particularly important in children due to its consequences in adulthood. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of overweight and obesity in preschool children in Kerman, Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted from December to March of 2016 among 731 preschool children (5 to 6 years old) who were selected using convenience sampling. The nutritional status of children was assessed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) expert committee guideline and based on body mass index (BMI) curves for age for boys and girls. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 21 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Chi-square test was used for data analysis, and the significance level was considered less than 0.05.
Results: In this study, 376 boys (51.5%) and 355 girls (48.5%) were investigated. The mean and standard deviation of the age of the participants was 68.7±4.2 months, 53% of these children were first children of the family and 30% of them were only children. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.2% and 8.1% respectively. There was no significant relationship between overweight and obesity with gender, number of siblings and parents' education. There was a borderline difference in birth order (P=0.05) and the frequency of overweight and obesity in the firstborn children was more than other birth orders.
Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was high in preschool children. Since these risk factors in children are predictors of chronic diseases during adulthood, we need to design and implement interventions to decrease the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children.