Pro-vegetarian dietary pattern and risk of breast cancer: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

There are a few conflicting results from studies assessing the association between plant-based diets, particularly pro-vegetarian dietary pattern (PDP), and breast cancer (BC) incidence. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between PDP and BC odds in the Iranian population.

METHODS

This case-control study was conducted on 134 women with BC and 265 without cancer (control). Participants were selected from two referral hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Also, a validated food frequency questionnaire was used to collect food information. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between PDP and BC and the association between PDP and BC by menopausal status.

RESULTS

It was observed that in two models of logistic regression, the chance of BC was lower in the second and last tertile (T) than in the first tertile of PDP (model 1-T2: odds ratio (OR) = 0.39; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.23-0.67; P = 0.001, and T3: OR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.26-0.73; P = 0.002-model 2: T2: OR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.24-0.74; P = 0.003, and T3: OR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.27-0.88; P = 0.017). Also, according to menopausal status, the odds of developing BC in post-menopausal women in the second and last tertile of PDP was significantly lower than the first tertile in both logistic regression models.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings revealed that Iranian women who followed PDP had a lower chance of developing BC. Also, we found that a diet high in plant-based foods and low in animal products is beneficial for reducing BC odds, particularly for post-menopausal women.

Diet quality indices and their relationship with dyslipidemia in adults: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Food habits may influence a range of modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) including dyslipidemia. This study was conducted to find whether healthy eating index (HEI) and dietary quality index-international (DQI-I) were associated with the risk of dyslipidemia among the Iranian adults in Shiraz.

METHOD

In this study, 236 participants with the age of 20-50 years were recruited from Shiraz medical centers through random cluster sampling. The HEI-2015 and DQI-I scores were computed using dietary intakes based on a 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Logistic regression was utilized to estimate the relation between HEI-2015 and DQI-I score and lipid profile.

RESULTS

Individuals in the greatest adherence to the HEI-2015 was associated with reduced odds ratio (OR) of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the crude model (OR: 0.46 and OR: 0.30). This association was significant after adjustment for potential confounders (OR: 0.40 and OR: 0.31). Also, we observed significant association between DQI-I with TC and LDL in crude model (OR: 0.42 and OR: 0.45). In the adjusted model, participants in the last tertile of DQI-I were 55%, 58% and 57% less likely to have abnormal TC (OR: 0.45), LDL (OR: 0.42) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (OR: 0.43), compared those in the first tertile.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, higher adherence to DQI-I score was related to lower LDL and total cholesterol and higher HDL levels. Furthermore, in participants with higher adherence of HEI-2015 score, LDL and total cholesterol level were lower.

The association between empirical dietary inflammatory pattern and colorectal cancer risk: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in Iran. Inflammation plays an essential role in developing CRC. A dietary pattern called the empirical dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP) has recently been designed based on the inflammatory potential of the diet. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the impact of EDIP on the risk of CRC.

METHODS

The current case-control study was conducted on 142 controls and 71 CRC cases in three general hospitals and Hospital Cancer Organization in Tehran, Iran. We calculated EDIP by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The association between EDIP and CRC were evaluated by logistic regression. The level of significance was p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The results revealed that people who were in the highest tertile of the EDIP had higher odds of CRC (in the adjusted model: odds ratio (OR) = 3.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.38-10.14; P = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated the potential role of dietary-induced inflammation in developing CRC. In the current study, an increase in the intake of red meat, processed meats, and refined grains was observed in the higher EDIP tertiles compared to the lower tertiles. Consequently, to decrease the risk of CRC, it is recommended to reduce the consumption of these foods.

The relation between dietary quality and healthy eating index with bone mineral density in osteoporosis: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

In this study, we aimed to illustrate the association between the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and Dietary Quality Index (DQI) with bone mineral density (BMD) among postmenopausal Iranian women with osteoporosis compared to the healthy control.

METHODS

In the current case-control study, 131 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and 131 healthy postmenopausal women participated. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess the lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck BMD. The subjects completed a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and then HEI and DQI were calculated based on the FFQ data. Crude and adjusted multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relation between HEI and DQI with the odds of the femoral and lumbar BMD.

RESULTS

According to the results, participants in the last tertile of HEI were more likely to have higher femoral and lumbar BMD in the crude model (odds ratio (OR) = 0.38; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.20-0.71 and OR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.10-0.40, respectively) and also in the adjusted model (OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.20-0.78 and OR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.10-0.41, respectively). Also, in terms of DQI-I, participants in the last tertile were more likely to have higher femoral and lumbar BMD in the crude model (OR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.12-0.45 and OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.15-0.55, respectively) and also in the adjusted model (OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.14-0.58 and OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.17-0.67, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study supported the hypothesis that high-quality diets with healthy patterns can be clinically effective in maintaining bone health. Thus, recommendations regarding the consumption of nutrient-rich food groups in a healthy diet can serve as a practical non-pharmacological strategy against osteoporosis.

Association between ultra-processed foods intake with lipid profile: a cross-sectional study

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) intake and lipid profile in Iranian people. The study was performed on 236 individuals with the age range of 20-50 years in Shiraz, Iran. Food intakes of the participants were evaluated using a 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) which was previously validated in Iranian populations. In order to estimate the ultra-processed foods intake, classification of NOVA food group was used. Serum lipids including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured. The results showed that mean of age and body mass index (BMI) of the participants were 45.98 years and 28.28 kg/m², respectively. Logistic regression was used to evaluation the relation between UPFs intake and lipid profile. Higher UPFs intake was associated with increased OR of TG and HDL abnormality in both crude (OR 3.41; 95% CI 1.58, 7.34; P-trend = 0.001 and OR 2.99; 95% CI 1.31, 6.82; P-trend = 0.010) and adjusted models (OR 3.69; 95% CI 1.67, 8.16; P-trend = 0.001 and OR 3.38 95% CI 1.42, 8.07; P-trend = 0.009). But, there were no association between UPFs intake and other indices of lipid profile. Also, we found significant associations between UPFs intake and dietary nutrient profiles. In conclusion, UPFs consumption could worsen the nutritional profile of the diet and lead to negative changes in some indices of the lipid profile.

Food insecurity, body mass index, socio-economic status, and food intake in lactating and non-lactating mothers with children under two years

BACKGROUND

food insecurity (FI) is considered as an essential public health problem which may have detrimental effects on people's health. The aim of present study was to evaluate FI, body mass index, quantity and quality of food intake in lactating and non-lactating mothers with children under two years.

METHODS

in this cross-sectional study 307 mothers (237 lactating and 70 non-lactating) were participated. Socio-economic and demographic information were gathered by questionnaires. FI of families was evaluated by the questionnaire of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Household Food Security. For assessing quality and quantity of food intake of mothers, dietary diversity score (DDS), diet quality index-international (DQI-I) and nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) were calculated. Weight and height of participants were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Finally, Chi-squared test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

in this study the rate of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity in mothers was 0.3%, 39.2%, 42.3%, and 18.2%, respectively. Among the determinants of BMI, household food security status had the greatest effect (Beta=-1.584, P < 0.001) and mother age had the least effect (Beta = 0.101, P = 0.013). Mother's occupational and educational status, having facilities, physiological status of mother, and house size had significant correlation with NAR. Mother's occupational and educational status, and having facilities had significant relationship with DDS, too. Also, the significant correlation of Mother's education, having facilities, and physiological status of mother with DQI-I were found.

CONCLUSIONS

we found that Household food security status had the most effect on BMI of mothers. In this study, the best nutrient adequacy and dietary diversity were found in the obese group and the most diet quality was found in the normal weight group.

Carbohydrate quality indices and colorectal cancer risk: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth and third most common cancer in Iran and the world, respectively. Carbohydrates can lead to the proliferation of cancer cells, including CRC. The current study aimed to investigate the association between glycemic load (GL), insulin load (IL), glycemic index (GI), insulin index (II), low-carbohydrate diet score (LCDS), and carbohydrate quality index (CQI) with CRC odds.

METHODS

The present case-control study was performed on 71 CRC cases and 142 controls in the Hospital Cancer Organization and three general hospitals in Tehran, Iran. We calculated the dietary GI, GL, IL, II, CQI, and LCDS by a validated food frequency questionnaire.

RESULTS

The results indicated that people who were in the highest tertile of the GI had higher odds of CRC compared to the lower tertile (in the adjusted model: odds ratio (OR) = 3.89; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.71-8.84). On the contrary, people who were in the highest tertile of the CQI and LCDS had significantly lower odds of CRC compared to the lower tertile (in the adjusted model: tertile (T) ₂-OR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.11-0.53 and T₃-OR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.06-0.39 for CQI and T₂-OR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.13-0.79 and T₃-OR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.10-0.82 for LCDS). Also, IL was positively associated with the odds of CRC after adjusting for confounding factors (T₂-OR = 2.46; CI: 1.08-5.61 and T₃- OR = 2.80; 95% CI: 1.07-7.31). Regarding the GL, only individuals who were in the second tertile had significantly higher odds of CRC compared to the first tertile (OR = 2.42; CI: 1.07-5.47).

CONCLUSION

According to the findings, it is recommended to use a diet with high-quality carbohydrates and low GI and GL to minimize the odds of developing CRC. People should also be encouraged to have a balanced carbohydrate intake.

How do carbohydrate quality indices influence on bone mass density in postmenopausal women? A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Carbohydrates are the primary energy source in Asian countries, including Iran. An emerging method can be used to measure the quality of carbohydrates, including the carbohydrate quality index (CQI), which includes a variety of components. Low-carbohydrate diet score (LCDS) has been proposed as a new method of scoring micronutrient intake that could provide a reasonable explanation for the link between diet and the risk of chronic diseases.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between CQI, LCDS, glycemic index (GI), glycemic load (GL), insulin load (IL), and insulin index (II) with bone mass density (BMD) in postmenopausal women.

METHOD

In this case-control study, 131 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis/osteopenia and 131 healthy postmenopausal women aged 45-65 participated. The dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) method measured the BMD of the lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck. A validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake. Logistic regression were used to evaluate the relation between GI, GL, II, IL, CQI, and LCDS with BMD.

RESULTS

Diets with higher GI increased the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis, but LCDS and CQI decreased the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that a higher intake of fruits and vegetables and receiving various dietary vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds may be a useful way to prevent osteopenia in Iranian women.

Dietary Antioxidant Capacity Indices are Negatively Correlated to LDL-Oxidation in Adults

INTRODUCTION

Former research studies have demonstrated controversial associations between dietary indices and oxidative stress biomarkers including oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and malondialdehyde (MDA). So, in this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the association of dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC), oxidative balance score, and phytochemical index (PI) with ox-LDL/MDA in a healthy adult population of Shiraz, Iran.

METHODS

236 individuals participated in this cross-sectional study. DTAC, OBS, and PI were calculated using a 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), which was previously validated in Iran. We measured ox-LDL and MDA in blood samples of the participants using commercially existing kits. Crude and adjusted models of linear regression were used to evaluate the relation of dietary indices with ox-LDL and MDA.

RESULTS

There was a significant association between ox-LDL and DTAC in both crude (β = -1.55; 95% CI: -2.53, -0.58; P-trend = 0.002) and adjusted (β = -1.65 95% CI: -2.66, -0.64; P-trend = 0.001) models. Also, a negative association was observed between ox-LDL and PI in the crude (β = -1.26 95% CI: -2.33, -0.29; P-trend = 0.01) and adjusted (β = -1.36 95% CI: -2.38, -0.34; P-trend = 0.01) models.

CONCLUSION

Results of this study showed that DTAC and PI were inversely associated with ox-LDL as markers of lipid peroxidation. But no correlations were seen between MDA and dietary antioxidant indices.

Determinants and consequences of food insecurity in families having children under the age of 2 years

Background: Today, food insecurity is recognized as an important public health problem that can have detrimental effects on families. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the determinants and consequences of food insecurity in families having children under the age of 2 years. Method: In this cross-sectional study, 307 mothers and their children under the age of 2 years were selected by stratified random sampling. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected by completing questionnaires through face-to-face interview. Household food insecurity (HFI) status was determined using the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) household food security questionnaire. Results: Based on the results, 67.4% of families were high food secure. Low and very low food security was 25.7% and 6.9%, respectively. House size (Beta = -0.019, 95% CI: -0.029, -0.009), father's job (Beta = -4.758, 95% CI:-6.777, -2.738), father education (Beta = -0.370, 95% CI: -0.717, -0.023), and economic status (Beta = -0.628, 95% CI: -0.809, -0.448) were significantly related to the USDA total food insecurity score (p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that children birth weight, father's body mass index (BMI), and mother's waist circumference had a significant positive correlation with weight for age (Z-score) of children. Children's birth weight, father's BMI, and HFI status had significant and positive correlation with weight for length (Z-score). Moreover, the significant association between children's birth height, mother's BMI, and mother's waist circumference with length for age (Z-score) were observed (p < 0.05). Conclusion: We found the father's job was the most effective factor in food insecurity and economic status of the family was in the second place. Also, HFI had a relationship with weight status of children under the age of 2 years.