Dietary pattern, physical activity and body composition of Children with and without Down Syndrome - A case control study.

Background: Down syndrome (DS) is a known chromosomal disorder that results in changes in physical and clinical characteristics. Subjects with DS are more likely to be obese or overweight and have some recognized nutrition related problems. The objectives of this study are to compare body composition, food consumption pattern and physical activity level of children with and without DS. Methods: A case-control study of 82 participants (32 cases and 50 controls) was done. Anthropometric data related to weight, height, waist circumference, fat mass and fat free mass were obtained from the subjects. Food frequency questionnaire and survey were used to evaluate the dietary intake from 8 food groups and physical activity, respectively. Results: Children with DS exhibited significantly less intake of fruits and leafy vegetables (P < 0.05) compared to controls. There was no significant difference in the average number of sport activities that both children with DS and NDS were involved in, male with DS preferred dancing (P = 0.028) while NDS preferred football (P = 0.008). Statistically significant difference between the cases and controls was found in female fat mass (P = 0.043), waist circumference (P = 0.024, 0.007), hip circumference (P = 0.05, 0.011) and waist to height ratio (P < 0.001) of both male and female children with and without DS. Conclusion: Abdominal obesity is a major health concern among children with DS, indicating their increased risk of comorbidities associated with abdominal obesity such as insulin resistance. Their tendency to consume simple carbohydrate instead of fiber rich food, fruits and vegetables might further increase their risk of obesity. Perception of the dietary and physical activity preferences could help in the development of a life style program for higher quality of life.

Effect of omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil supplementation on multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, resulting in the degradation of the myelin sheath. Diet especially fish oils and omega-3 has been found to play an important role in MS. This work aimed to review the literature systematically for evidence on the effect of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DPA and DHA) on MS progression in adults.Methods: The literature search was conducted in PubMed, Oxford, Cochrane, Embase, International pharmaceutical abstract, PsychINFO, and clinical trials government. The inclusions were studies performed on humans both male and female, aged 18 years at minimum, diagnosed with MS according to McDonald 2010 criteria. Otherwise, all studies were excluded.Results: A total of 5554 studies were screened and seven were thoroughly focused on as they typically met the inclusion criteria. These studies showed the beneficial roles of fish oil supplementation and omega-3 fatty acids in improving the quality of life of MS patients. These roles were attributed to their beneficial effects on inflammatory markers, glutathione reductase, reducing the relapsing rate, and achieving balanced omega-6 to omega-3 ratios.Conclusion: Omega-3 and fish oils supplementations have beneficial effects on reducing the relapsing rate, inflammatory markers, and improving the quality of life for MS patients.

The Effect of Breastfeeding on Intelligence Quotient and Social Intelligence Among Seven- to Nine-Year-Old Girls: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is an optimal infant feeding method that provides adequate nutrients, achieves healthy growth and development, and enhances the health status of both infants and mothers. Breast milk contains a variety of substances that might positively affect cognition and the development of children's psychomotor abilities. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the variations in intelligence quotient (IQ), social intelligence (SI), and body mass index (BMI) among 7- to 9-year-old girls who were exclusively breastfed, exclusively bottle-fed, or mixed-fed during their first 6 months of life. METHODS: This study involved 111 healthy girls, aged 7 to 9 years, who were recruited from nine government and private schools in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices were used to measure the participants' IQs, and the Vineland Social Maturity Assessment was used to measure their SI through individual interviews. Anthropometric measurements were obtained using standard methods. RESULTS: The breastfed group showed a greater number of above-average IQ test scores (35 vs. 23%; P = 0.479) and better SI scores (78 vs. 55%; P = 0.066) compared with the bottle-fed group. The number of girls with normal BMIs was significantly higher in the breastfed group than in the bottle-fed (68 vs. 41%; P = 0.045) or mixed-fed groups. CONCLUSION: Exclusively breastfed girls had higher IQ and SI results compared with bottle-fed girls. However, unlike the BMI differences, these results were not statistically significant. This study provides fundamental observational data and can be further modified for use on a larger national-scale level.

The role of appetite-related hormones, adaptive thermogenesis, perceived hunger and stress in long-term weight-loss maintenance: a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Weight-loss maintenance is challenging, and few succeed in the long term. This study aimed to explain how appetite-related hormones, adaptive thermogenesis, perceived hunger and stress influence weight-loss maintenance. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Fifteen adult women (age, 46.3 ± 9.5 years; BMI, 39.4 ± 4.3 kg/m2) participated in a 24-month intervention, which included 3-5 months total diet replacement (825-853 kcal/d). Body weight and composition (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), resting metabolic rate (indirect calorimetry), and fasting plasma concentration of leptin, ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) were measured at baseline and after weight loss, around 6 months. Perceptions relating to weight-loss maintenance were explored using qualitative interviews. RESULTS: Mean (SD) changes in body weight (-13.8 ± 6.3 kg) and total adipose tissue (-11.5 ± 4.9 kg) were significant (P < 0.001). Weight loss was associated with a significant reduction in resting metabolic rate (-291 ± 226 kcal/day, P < 0.001) and adaptive thermogenesis (-150 ± 162 kcal/day, P = 0.003), reduction in leptin (P < 0.001) and GLP-1 (P = 0.015), an increase in ghrelin (P < 0.001), and no changes in PYY and GDF-15. Weight regain between 6 and 24 months (6.1 ± 6.3 kg, P < 0.05) was negatively correlated with GLP-1 at baseline (r = −0.7, P = 0.003) and after weight loss (r = -0.7, P = 0.005). Participants did not report increased hunger after weight loss, and stress-related/emotional eating was perceived as the main reason for regain. CONCLUSIONS: Weight regain is more likely with lower fasting GLP-1 at baseline and following weight loss, but psychological aspects of eating behaviour appear as important in attenuating weight-loss maintenance.