Radiosynthesis and in Vivo Evaluation of [11C]MPC-6827, the First Brain Penetrant Microtubule PET Ligand.

Abnormalities of microtubules (MTs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of many CNS diseases. Despite the potential of an MT imaging agents, no PET ligand is currently available for in vivo imaging of MTs in the brain. We radiolabeled [11C]MPC-6827, a high affinity MTA, and demonstrated its specific binding in rat and mice brain using PET imaging. Our experiments show that [11C]MPC-6827 has specific binding to MT in brain, and it is the first MT-binding PET ligand.

The present and future disease burden of hepatitis C virus infections with today's treatment paradigm - volume 3.

The total number, morbidity and mortality attributed to viraemic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections change over time making it difficult to compare reported estimates from different years. Models were developed for 15 countries to quantify and characterize the viraemic population and forecast the changes in the infected population and the corresponding disease burden from 2014 to 2030. With the exception of Iceland, Iran, Latvia and Pakistan, the total number of viraemic HCV infections is expected to decline from 2014 to 2030, but the associated morbidity and mortality are expected to increase in all countries except for Japan and South Korea. In the latter two countries, mortality due to an ageing population will drive down prevalence, morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, both countries have already experienced a rapid increase in HCV-related mortality and morbidity. HCV-related morbidity and mortality are projected to increase between 2014 and 2030 in all other countries as result of an ageing HCV-infected population. Thus, although the total number of HCV countries is expected to decline in most countries studied, the associated disease burden is expected to increase. The current treatment paradigm is inadequate if large reductions in HCV-related morbidity and mortality are to be achieved.

Strategies to manage hepatitis C virus infection disease burden - volume 3.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic was forecasted through 2030 for 15 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and the relative impact of two scenarios was considered: increased treatment efficacy while holding the annual number of treated patients constant and increased treatment efficacy and an increased annual number of treated patients. Increasing levels of diagnosis and treatment, in combination with improved treatment efficacy, were critical for achieving substantial reductions in disease burden. A 90% reduction in total HCV infections within 15 years is feasible in most countries studied, but it required a coordinated effort to introduce harm reduction programmes to reduce new infections, screening to identify those already infected and treatment with high cure rate therapies. This suggests that increased capacity for screening and treatment will be critical in many countries. Birth cohort screening is a helpful tool for maximizing resources. Among European countries, the majority of patients were born between 1940 and 1985. A wider range of birth cohorts was seen in the Middle East and Asia (between 1925 and 1995).

Historical epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in select countries - volume 3.

Detailed, country-specific epidemiological data are needed to characterize the burden of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection around the world. With new treatment options available, policy makers and public health officials must reconsider national strategies for infection control. In this study of 15 countries, published and unpublished data on HCV prevalence, viraemia, genotype, age and gender distribution, liver transplants and diagnosis and treatment rates were gathered from the literature and validated by expert consensus in each country. Viraemic prevalence in this study ranged from 0.2% in Iran and Lebanon to 4.2% in Pakistan. The largest viraemic populations were in Pakistan (7 001 000 cases) and Indonesia (3 187 000 cases). Injection drug use (IDU) and a historically unsafe blood supply were major risk factors in most countries. Diagnosis, treatment and liver transplant rates varied widely between countries. However, comparison across countries was difficult as the number of cases changes over time. Access to reliable data on measures such as these is critical for the development of future strategies to manage the disease burden.

Maternal nutrition in pregnancy and metabolic risks among neonates in a Pakistani population, a pilot study.

The aim of this study was to observe the association between maternal undernutrition and metabolic risk indicators in newborns at birth. Fifty-nine expectant mothers between 28 and 40 weeks of gestation were included after obtaining their informed consent. Mothers were divided into undernourished, normally nourished and overnourished groups. A total of 54 deliveries were followed-up, and cord blood samples were collected. Metabolic status at birth was assessed by determining the cord blood concentrations of glucose, insulin and lipids and by measuring insulin resistance through homeostasis model assessment. Metabolic risk indicators in the offspring were compared following mothers' nutrition status (under and normal nourished groups). We found that concentrations of glucose (5.31±2.01 v. 4.69±2.22 mmol/l, P=0.01), total cholesterol (2.51±1.52 v. 1.84±0.66 mmol/l, P=0.04), triglycerides (0.85±1.12 v. 0.34±0.24 mmol/l, P=0.00) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholestrol (1.26±0.93 v. 1.02±0.50 mmol/l, P=0.04) were significantly high in the offspring born to undernourished mothers. LDL-cholestrol remained significantly high in the undernourished group even after adjustment for potential confounders. Furthermore, a weak association was observed between maternal body fat mass with serum leptin (r=0.272, P=0.05) and maternal body mass Index with LDL-cholestrol in the cord blood (r=0.285, P=0.05). Our results showed that offspring of undernourished mothers had a relatively higher metabolic risk profile including LDL-cholestrol compared with normal nourished group, suggesting that maternal undernutrition may influence metabolic risk markers of the newborn at birth. We recommend that these results should be confirmed by a longitudinal study with a larger sample size.

Laboratory-confirmed invasive meningococcal disease: effect of the Hajj vaccination policy, Saudi Arabia, 1995 to 2011.

Saudi Arabia (SA) experienced two large invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) outbreaks during the 2000 and 2001 Hajj pilgrimages. In 2002, polysaccharide quadrivalent ACWY vaccines became mandatory for Mecca and Medina pilgrims/residents older than two years. This study aimed to analyse IMD surveillance data among citizens, residents and pilgrims in SA from 1995 to 2011, focusing on changes before and after the new vaccination policy. For all laboratory-confirmed IMD cases in the national surveillance database from 1995 to 2011, serogroup and age were retrieved. The cases' seasonal distribution as well as the case fatality ratios (CFR) were obtained. For Saudi citizens/residents and Hajj pilgrims, annual rates were calculated using mid-year population estimates. The Student's t-test was used to compare means between the pre-epidemic (1995-1999) and post-epidemic (2002-2011) periods, excluding outbreak years. From 1995 to 2011, laboratories notified 1,103 cases. Between the pre- and post-epidemic periods, mean annual IMD rates decreased from 0.20 (standard deviation (SD): 0.1) to 0.06 cases/100,000 (SD: 0.06; p=0.02), mean numbers of Hajj-related cases from 13 (SD: 9.3) to 2 cases/year (SD: 2.3; p=0.02) and the mean age from 31 (SD: 1.3) to 18 years (SD: 1.4; p<0.01). The CFR in Saudi citizens (10.4) was lower than among foreign pilgrims (28.9) and decreased from 19.3% (SD: 1.8) in the pre-epidemic to 11.4% (SD: 7.0; p=0.04) in the post-epidemic phase. The decrease of annual IMD rates, CFR and Hajj-related cases between the pre- and post- vaccine era suggests a possible positive effect of the mandatory ACWY vaccination for pilgrims/residents in Mecca and Medina. Regular surveillance with an annual data analysis is necessary to monitor trends and circulating serotypes and to implement appropriate public health measures to avoid new IMD epidemics during upcoming Hajj seasons.

Saudi Arabian expatriate worker fitness-screening programme: a review of 14 years of data.

Expatriate workers must be medically examined in their country of origin at accredited centres prior to their arrival in any Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country and are reexamined when they enter the country. This review investigated the epidemiological profile of registered expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia who were found medically unfit to work. A descriptive analysis was performed on 4,272,480 records of a Ministry of Health database from 1997 to 2010. The greatest proportion of workers was from Indonesia (34.3%). The total proportion of unfit expatriate workers was low (0.71%). The highest rate of unfitness was among workers from Ethiopia (4.06%), followed by Somalia (2.41%). Hepatitis B infection was the most common cause (57.5%), followed by noncommunicable diseases (21.2%) and hepatitis C infection (17.4%). This review suggests that the total number of workers registered in the Saudi Ministry of Health was underestimated, and the rate of unfit workers was lower than for other GCC countries, suggesting that standards and quality assurance in Saudi laboratories require revision.

Glycaemic trend during Ramadan in fasting diabetic subjects: a study from Pakistan.

The aim of this questionnaire based survey was to assess the glycaemic control care and management of our fasting diabetic subjects. This retrospective study was carried out at Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, its affiliated centers and Memon Diabetic Centre of Karachi. Data was collected by a questionnaire including socio-demographic data, duration of diabetes, life style, diet and treatment during and preceding Ramadan of year 2004. All Known diabetic Muslim subjects except children below 10 years were included. The subjects were asked if they had observed any of the hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic symptoms. The major severity of the symptoms was assessed depending upon the assistance needed. The plasma glucose level during these episodes was recorded where it was available. During the month of Ramadan 327 out of 453 subjects (72.5%) fasted. Mean age of subjects was 50.3 +/- 12.6 years. Average duration of diabetes was 9.3 +/- 7.3 years. Majority of the subjects (96.3%) fasted with type 2 diabetes while only 3.7% fasted with type I diabetes. Subjects fasted for an average of 25 days. Overall prevalence of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia was 21.7 and 19.8%, respectively. Only 4.0% had major hypoglycemic episodes, while 8% had major hyperglycemic episodes. The present study suggests that all diabetic subjects who intend to fast should be counseled before Ramadan about change in medication timings and dose, dietary changes and pattern of physical activity and about role of self-monitoring of blood glucose especially during acute symptoms.

Socioeconomic differences in housewife's ability to take nutritional care.

OBJECTIVE: To explore socio-economic differences in 'Nutritional Care Potential' (NCP) of housewives belonging to three distinctively different income groups living in urban areas of Karachi. METHODS: Data was collected from families living in small, medium and large sized houses located in the authorized urban residential areas of Karachi. A total of 180 housewives (60 each for low, middle and high income groups) were interviewed. Trained data collectors visited the households, interviewed the housewives about family's socio-demographic characteristics and their own nutritional knowledge, health locus of control and decision making. RESULTS: The total NCP scores increased with income level (Low = 14.8+/-5.6; Middle 16.58+/-5.5; High = 17.28+/-5.3) but the difference was statistically significant only between low and high income groups (t-test P = 0.015). The mean nutrition knowledge score of low income group was lower (mean score = 11.7+/-4.1) and significantly different from both middle (mean score = 13.5+/-3.4 t-test P = 0.013) and high income group (mean score = 14.2+/-4.0, t-test P = 0.001). All the three income groups had firmer belief in internal health locus of control (mean score less than one out of a total of 4). Though, the mean score was highest for the high income group and lowest for the middle income group but the difference were not statistically significant. There were no marked differences in decision making power of the three groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study document socioeconomic difference in nutrition care potential. Though nutrition care potential of housewives was not found to be commendable at any income level, the fact that it is low at lower income levels indicates that poor nutritional status at lower income level is not because of income only.

Assessment of linear growth of affluent urban Pakistani adolescents according to CDC 2000 references.

BACKGROUND: The appropriateness of using international reference data for assessing growth of children and adolescents from developing countries has been debated. If the growth performance in at least those sections of the society that may be considered affluent has reached the levels represented by the international reference, the case for adoption of the NCHS reference would be strong. Findings from studies in younger children indicate appropriateness of these standards but data from older children are lacking. AIM: The study aimed to compare the linear growth of affluent Pakistani adolescents living in Karachi with the NCHS reference so as to assess the appropriateness of using these standards for assessing the growth status of Pakistani adolescents. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data were collected from 876 girls and 819 boys aged 10-15 years studying in well known and established affluent urban public schools in Karachi. A portable stadiometer (Minimeter by CMS, London) was used for measuring heights. Heights were compared using the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC 2000) reference values to assess growth status. RESULTS: The mean ages of boys and girls were 12.82 and 12.63, respectively. Mean Height for Age Z score (HAZ) (-0.02) was very close to CDC 2000 reference values but the growth pattern was not similar. Younger children were relatively taller and the older children were shorter than CDC standards. Mean HAZ scores for 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15-year-old boys and girls were 1.12 and 1.03, 0.54 and 0.55, 0.47 and 0.26, 0.29 and -0.21, -0.08 and -0.64, -0.19 and -0.53, respectively. The mean HAZ for boys (0.12) was slightly higher and that for girls slightly lower (HAZ = -0.14) than the reference population. Even among the relatively affluent group of children studied HAZ scores increased with relative socio-economic status. CONCLUSIONS: Although in terms of averages for 10-15-year-old boys and girls the height status was not very different from CDC standards, the growth curves of Pakistani children was slightly different from CDC 2000 standards. Further studies are needed to assess the appropriateness of using international growth standards for assessing height status of Pakistani adolescents.

Food insecurity in metropolis of the developing world--observations from central district of Karachi, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of household food insecurity at various income levels in urban areas of Karachi. METHODS: A cross sectional survey of different localities in the central district of Karachi was carried out. The data was collected through household interviews of housewives conducted by trained nutritionist. Housewives were interviewed about food security status of the household. RESULTS: A total of 797 families were visited from the central district of Karachi. Mean Food Security Score increased with income level. The difference was statistically significant (ANOVA) between 1st and second (P=0.000) and 2nd and 3rd group (P=0.000) but not between 3rd and fourth group. At the very low and low income levels 83% & 51% families respectively were food insecure in any degree, while this percentage was very low at the middle (6.3%) and high income level (1.8%). The difference in prevalence of food insecurity between the VLI and LI, and, LI and MI income groups was statistically significant (chi.sq. test, p<0.001 in each case). Hunger (because of lack of money) was experienced in the preceding year only by "very low income" (37%) and "low income" families (17%). Use of coping strategies was most frequently mentioned for parents and then for children and only occasionally for infants or grand parents. Females were more likely to be effected by food insecurity than males. Meat, milk and fruits were the food groups which were preferred and considered healthy but were avoided because of lack of money by a majority (51%-86%) of families. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of having an impression of being an affluent city of Pakistan, the prevalence of food insecurity with and without hunger is rampant not only among very low income (slum dwellers) but also among low income families of Karachi.

Prevalence of diabetes, impaired fasting glucose and associated risk factors in a rural area of Baluchistan province according to new ADA criteria.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and diabetes in an adult rural population on the basis of fasting blood glucose (FBG) alone using American Diabetic Association (ADA) criteria and to assess the prevalence of and association between selected risk factors such as obesity, family history of diabetes and hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen randomly selected villages from the Lasbella district of Baluchistan were included in this study. One month before the survey a team visited the areas; all the households located in the selected areas were approached and the family members aged 25 or above, who were available and willing to participate in the study, were recruited. On the day of survey anthroprometric and blood pressure measurements were taken; interviews were conducted to obtain demographic information and health history and fasting blood samples were collected. The blood samples were transported to the laboratory and analysed using "GOD-PAP" Enzymatic Colorimetric test method. RESULTS: A total of 670 males and 1362 females were studied. Prevalence rate of diabetes using the ADA fasting criteria was 6.3% while the prevalence rate in males was 10.1% and in females was 4.3%. The prevalence rate of impaired fasting glucose was 4.2% in males and 2.3% in females. Overall prevalence of obesity between diabetics vs non-diabetics was 22% vs 16%, for hypertension 12.9% vs 6.5% and for positive family history of diabetes 1.6% vs 0.9% was higher among diabetics as compared to non diabetics; the difference of these parameters was statistically significant only among females (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest the need of continual use of OGTT for screening people at high risk of developing diabetes and perhaps also for diagnosing diabetes.

Urbanisation and activity pattern of south Asian children.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the physical activity level and total energy expenditure of 10-12 year old school children living at different levels of urbanization. METHOD: All the participating children kept a three-day record of their activities, for every fifteen-minutes, in specially designed diaries. Activities were grouped according to intensity that was determined on the basis of Physical Activity Ratio (PAR). After calculating the average time spent in a day, in activities of varying intensity, overall Physical Activity Level (PAL) of each subject was calculated by factorization method. After measuring bodyweight using a standard equation Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) of the subjects was calculated. Total Energy Expenditure (TEE) was assessed on the basis of PAL and BMR of each child. SUBJECTS: Physical activity level of six groups of 10-12 year old children, representing various urbanization categories, was studied. Three groups of children were recruited from Punjab, Pakistan: rural, middle income urban and high income urban, and they were assigned urbanization rank (UR) 1, 2 and 3. Another three groups of children were recruited from Slough, UK: British Pakistani, British Indian, and British Caucasian and they were assigned urbanization rank 4, 5 and 6 respectively. RESULTS: Physical activity level decreased significantly with the urbanization rank only among girls of Pakistani origin (UR 1-4). Pattern of gender differences in activity level was different in rural and urban children. Rural girls were slightly more active than rural boys, whereas in urban areas boys were significantly more active than girls. Because of lower bodyweight the less urbanized children in spite of having higher PAL had a lower mean TEE as compared to the more urbanized groups. CONCLUSION: The activity level of rural children having access to formal education and television could not be expected to be very different from their urban counterparts. Inactivity of urban girls needs particular attention. Because of lower caloric requirements, on similar diets, less urbanized groups may succumb to overweight more easily than the urbanized groups. Participation in active games may present a substitute to decreased involvement in moderately active work and play activities.

Socio-economic differences in height and body mass index of children and adults living in urban areas of Karachi, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To study the socio-economic differences in height and body mass index (BMI) in urban areas of Karachi. DESIGN: A comparative study was undertaken to compare the heights and BMIs of adults and children belonging to three distinctively different income groups living in urban areas of Karachi. SETTING: Data was collected from families living in small, medium and large houses located in the authorised urban residential areas of Karachi. SUBJECTS: A total of 600 families, 200 from each income group, were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements of 1296 females and 1197 males of different ages were taken. METHODS: All the housewives were interviewed to collect socio-demographic information. Height and weight of all the available family members were measured. In order to determine the socio-economic difference in height status, the mean height in cm of adults was compared. For children (2-17 y) means of height-for-age Z-scores determined on the basis of NCHS reference values were compared. For studying the weight status the BMI of all the respondents was calculated and they were grouped into categories of under-, normal or overweight according to the NCHS recommended cut-off points. For adult men and women BMI values <18.5 kg/m(2) indicated underweight and >25 kg/m(2) indicated overweight. Among children, those having BMI values below the 5th percentile of the NHANES III reference values were categorised as underweight and those above the 95th percentile were termed overweight. RESULTS: Height status improved with income level among adults and children of both sexes. Among males the difference in weight status was significant only among 2 to 18-y-olds (P<0.05 in each case). The rate of overweight among 2 to 18-y-old males was significantly higher (P=0.004) at the middle-income level (15%) as compared to low or high income. The rate of underweight was significantly higher (P=0.025) at the low-income level among 2 to 18-y-old males (31%, 21% and 22% at low-, middle- and high-income levels, respectively). Among females, rates of underweight were not significantly different at any age. Rates of overweight increased significantly (P=0.048) with income level among 41 to 60-y-old women (38%, 53% and 60% at low-, middle- and high-income levels, respectively). CONCLUSION: Chronic undernutrition as indicated by deficit in height decreased with increasing income level. Socio-economic differences in weight status were not uniform among various age-sex groups. The influence of increasing affluence is likely to be seen both in the form of increased obesity among older females and underweight among children. Differing patterns of association between income and weight status among male and female children need to studied further with more accurate birth records, so as to further clarify the situation. In terms of prevention of nutrition-related disorders both problems of under- and over-nutrition need to be addressed.

Urbanisation and coronary heart disease risk factors in South Asian children.

BACKGROUND: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and other Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are increasing globally. Comparison of various sections of the South Asian populations living at different levels of urbanization can help in understanding the role of demographic transition in the increased prevalence of these diseases in urbanized populations. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of certain CHD risk factors in 10-12 year old school children living at different levels of urbanization. METHOD: Differences in height, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Hip Ratio (WHR), Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) and Total Blood Cholesterol (TBC) were studied. SUBJECTS: Anthropometric and biochemical measurements of six groups of 10-12 year old children, representing various urbanization categories, were studied. Three groups of children were recruited from Punjab, Pakistan: rural, middle income urban and high income urban and they were assigned urbanization rank (UR) 1, 2 and 3. Another three groups of children were recruited from Slough, UK: British Pakistani, British Indian, and British Caucasian and they were assigned urbanization rank 4, 5 and 6 respectively. RESULTS: Proportion of children having high CHD risk increased with urbanization rank. Increase in BMI and TBC with urbanization status was steadier than the increase in FBG and WHR. Stunting which have been found to have a positive association with obesity and increased risk of CHD was higher among the less urbanized groups. BMI and TBC of the urbanized South Asian groups were lower, but FBG was higher than the British Caucasian, who served as controls. CONCLUSION: These findings support the hypothesis that high CHD death rate among South Asians in UK may have its origin in the genetic predisposition to diabetes but are not likely to be solely due to this factor. The environmental factors like under nourishment in early life, adoption of urbanized life style or a combination of both could be the major determinants of CHD morbidity and mortality.

Urbanisation and health related knowledge and attitudes of South Asian children.

OBJECTIVE: To study the differences in health related knowledge and attitudes of less and more urbanised 10-12 year old South Asian school children. METHOD: A total of 589 Asian children living in UK and in Pakistan were studied. Three groups of children were recruited from Punjab, Pakistan: rural (RrP, n = 100), middle income urban (MUP, n = 148) and high income urban (HUP, n = 159) and they were assigned urbanization rank (UR) 1, 2 and 3. Another two groups of children were recruited from Slough, UK: British Pakistani (BrP, n = 110) and British Indian (Brl, n = 71) and they were assigned urbanization rank 4 and 5 respectively. Information about Cardiovascular Health (CVH) related knowledge, Health Locus of Control (HLC), smoking behaviour, self-perception of bodyweight and self-perception of activity level was collected through questionnaire. Actual weight status was judged by measuring body height and weight. Actual Physical Activity Level (PAL) was calculated from three day activity records kept by children. RESULTS: In general health related knowledge improved with urbanisation status. In all groups girls scored better on knowledge test than boys from the same group. HLC scores increased (indicate higher level of internal locus of control) steadily with urbanisation from UR 1-3. In most groups girls had slightly lower HLC scores. Smoking intentions were not related to UR. Validity of perceptions slightly improved with urbanisation rank only for activity level. CONCLUSION: Due to lack of knowledge and belief in external health locus of control, behaviour modification is likely to harder in less urbanized Pakistani groups. For the prevention of disease, efforts are required not only to increase the children's knowledge about health but also to increase awareness and understanding of healthy body weight, physical activity, hazards of smoking and to inculate belief in internal control over own health.

Rural-urban differences in food and nutrient intake of Pakistani children.

BACKGROUND: Global increase in urbanisation accompanied by increase in complexity of nutritional problems is a cause of concern for most nations. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the differences in frequency of food consumption and nutrient intake of urban and rural Pakistani children. SETTING: Forty rural, 59 middle income urban and 81 affluent urban children belonging to the province of Punjab. Children were recruited through schools in Lahore and Rayonpura, Kala-Shah-Kaku (Sheikhupura district). METHOD: Three-day estimated diet records were kept by a total of 180, 10-12 year old school-children. The nutrient intake was calculated by the nutritional analysis package COMP-EAT and analysed on SPSS. The results of the three groups were compared. RESULTS: Consumption of chapati, eggs, yoghurt and some of the traditional vegetarian snacks was very similar in all the three groups. Consumption of lentils, cooked vegetables, paratha (fried Asian bread) and tea decreased and that of milk, meat curry, chicken curry, chocolates, cakes, ice-cream, fruit and raw vegetables increased with urbanization. As compared with the rural children, the urban children had a higher mean daily intake of calories, sugar, protein, total fats, cholesterol, calcium, sodium, potassium, niacin, vitamin B12, folic acid, antioxidant vitamins A, C and E and lower intake of total carbohydrates, fibre and starch. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that although the macro-nutrient consumption pattern of rural children appears to be heart healthy lower consumption of protective micro-nutrients by them may put them at risk. In view of rapid urbanisation and its multidimensional impacts on the health of the populations living in the urban areas of the developing world, these dietary trends provide baseline information for health professionals.