Elucidation of heavy metal content, phenolic profiles, and antioxidant activities of kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) and arugula (Brassica eruca L.) grown in urban gardens in Istanbul.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two distances: close (0-10 m) and far (60 m) from the heavy traffic roadside, at three different cultivation sites (MS: Mevlanakapi-Silivrikapi, SB: Silivrikapi-Belgradkapi, and BY: Belgradkapi-Yedikule kapi) along the road line. First, the phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and physicochemical properties in kale and arugula vegetables were examined. Second, heavy metal concentrations in vegetables, soil, and irrigated water were investigated. In both vegetables, the highest total phenolic content was detected in samples obtained from far distance in SB site (3880.3 mg/kg) for kale and in BY site (1459.9 mg/kg) for arugula, whereas the lowest content was found at the close distance in MS site for both kale (448.5 mg/kg) and arugula (586.4 mg/kg). The antioxidant activity values [mg Trolox/kg (dw)] ranged from 366.74 to 586.10 and 2349.00 to 3757.4 for kale and from 520.00 to 945.60 and 3323.00 to 5814.70 for arugula in 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl methods, respectively. The levels of Cd and Hg in kale and arugula and Fe content in arugula exceeded FAO/WHO permissible limits, making them unsafe for human consumption. Meanwhile, the Pb content in kale and arugula and Fe content in kale were observed to be within acceptable limits set by FAO/WHO. In the irrigated water, the Pb value was below the permissible limit, whereas the Cd value was above it and no Hg and Fe were detected. In the soil samples, the Pb and Fe values were below the limit, whereas the Cd and Hg values were higher.

Environmental impacts and diet quality of popular diet models compared to Turkey's national nutrition guidelines.

AIMS: This study aimed to compare the environmental impacts and diet qualities of popular diet models with the recommendations of the Turkish national dietary guidelines. METHODS: Seven-day isocaloric (8368 kJ) diet models were created taking into account the Mediterranean, Atkins (20/40/100), Ornish, Zone diets, and Turkey Dietary Guidelines-2015 recommendations with different food and nutrient contents. Water footprints were evaluated using the global water footprint standards. Greenhouse gas emissions were evaluated using carbon footprint factors compiled as a result of meta-analyses of life cycle analysis studies in the literature. In addition, the quality of diets was evaluated with the Diet Quality Index-International. RESULTS: Atkins20 diet model had the most harmful environmental impact (greenhouse gas emissions 8.74 kg CO2 -eq/per/day and total water footprint 7731 L/per/day), whereas Ornish and Mediterranean diet models (greenhouse gas emissions 2.2/3.07 kg CO2 -eq/per/day and total water footprints 3184/3675 L/per/day, respectively) had less harmful environmental impact. The highest Diet Quality Index-International score was in the Ornish diet model while the lowest Diet Quality Index-International was in the Atkins20 diet model. CONCLUSION: Ornish and Mediterranean diet models had less harmful environmental impacts, which contributed to sustainable nutrition. The importance of diet quality and environmental impacts should be kept in mind when evaluating diet models to ensure sustainable nutrition.

Relationship Between Dairy Consumption and Abdominal Obesity.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aimed to demonstrate the relationship between dairy consumption and abdominal obesity in adolescents. METHOD: In total, 700 adolescents participated in this cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic characteristics, consumption of dairy, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist/height (W/H) ratio were evaluated. The participants were divided into two groups as to whether their dairy consumptions were below or above 3 portions/d, according to the Turkey Dietary Guideline recommendations. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 15.84 ± 1.23 years. The rate of girls (65.2%) who participated in this study was significantly higher than that of the boys (34.8%; p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between the participants whose dairy consumption was below and above the specified limits in terms of BMI, WC, or W/H measurements. Energy intake (p < 0.05) and milk and cheese consumption (p < 0.001) were higher in boys than in girls. There was a significant negative correlation between dairy consumption and WC (r = -0.121), W/H ratio (r = -0.105), and BMI (r = -0.103) in girls (p < 0.05). It was found that a 1-unit increase in milk consumption can cause a 1.98-, 0.11-, and 0.552-fold decrease in WC, W/H ratio, and BMI in girls, respectively (p < 0.05; 95% confidence interval [-3.502, -0.471], [-0.020, -0.001], [-1.042, -0.062], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate milk consumption was related to increasing WC and WC may be one of the factors of abdominal obesity in girls. Therefore, it is of importance to raise awareness about milk and dairy consumption in adolescents.

Four-site skinfolds thickness percentiles of schoolchildren and adolescents in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of the current study was to establish Turkish smoothed centile charts and Lambda, Mu, Sigma (LMS) tables for four-site skinfold thickness based on a population-based sample, and secondary purpose was to elaborate a reference for the percentage of body fat. DESIGN: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted between January and May 2017. Triceps, biceps and subscapular, suprailiac skinfold thicknesses were measured using Holtain skinfold caliper. Age- and gender-specific percentile values were determined with the LMS method, and body fat percentage was calculated using the Westrate and Deurenberg equation. SETTING: Afyonkarahisar province in Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: The current study was conducted on 4565, 6-18-year-old students. RESULTS: The triceps, biceps and subscapular skinfolds of the girls were higher than the boys. From the age of seven, the sum of four skinfold thicknesses of the girls was more than those of the boys. This difference became more evident after the age of 12. Although fat percentages of girls showed a fluctuating change, it decreased with the age in boys. Westrate and Deurenberg equation fat percentages of girls until adolescence were lower than boys, but increased after 12 years of age and exceeded that of boys. CONCLUSIONS: The current study has provided sex- and age-specific reference values for skinfold thickness and has shown that obesity in girls is higher than in boys in schoolchildren in Afyonkarahisar. The current study has also shown that skinfold thickness measurements are a valuable tool for screening obesity in children.

Health-related quality of life and perceived health status of Turkish population.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and perceived health status of the Turkish population. METHODS: The data came from a nationwide survey, which was conducted by Ministry of Health on prevalence and risk factors for chronic diseases in Turkey, with a representative random sample of 18,477 people aged ≥ 15 years from Turkey. Each family physician invited two individuals selected from their registered population to the Family Health Center, conducted the survey by face to face interviews using an electronic form. HRQOL was determined using EQ-5D-3L scale. RESULTS: In Turkish population, each four women out of 10, two men out of 10 have problems in pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression dimensions of the scale; three women out of 10, one man out of 10 have some or severe problems in mobility. Proportion of people without health problems (health state 11,111) were 64,1% in men, 40,7% in women. The mean VAS score for males was 71.5 ± 0.2 (95% CI 70.9-72.1), 66.4 ± 0.2 (95% CI 65.8-66.9) for females (p < 0.05).The most important determinants of having a problem in any of the five dimensions are age, gender, education, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, stroke, alzheimer, cancer, renal failure. The OR of having some or severe problems in any dimensions was 4.6 (95% CI 38-5.4) for over 65-74 and 7.5 (95% CI 5.8-9.6) for over 75 compared to 15-24 age group. CONCLUSIONS: The perceived health level and HRQOL is worse in women, in older age groups, in people from lower socioeconomical status.

Glycemic index values of monofloral Turkish honeys and the effect oftheir consumption on glucose metabolism.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Clinical trials have shown that low glycemic index (GI) nutrition reduces mean blood glucose concentrations and insulin secretions. The aim of the present study was to determine the GI values of various monofloral (citrus, milk-vetch, chestnut, thyme, lime, pine) honeys of Turkey, and the effect of their consumption on glucose metabolism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Processing data from 20 healthy volunteers, GI values were determined from the glycemia values by using the incremental area method. Serum insulin and C-peptide levels were also measured before and 120 min after the test. RESULTS: The GI values of citrus, thyme, lime, chestnut, pine, and milk-vetch honeys were found to be 44.9, 52.6, 55.3, 55.5, 58.8, and 69, respectively. Serum insulin and C-peptide values after honey consumption were relatively lower than those after reference food (glucose) consumption. By the end of the 120 min, serum insulin levels were significantly higher, while a significant decrease was observed after the consumption of chestnut honey (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Citrus and thyme honeys were determined to have low GI, while serum insulin levels were significantly lower after the consumption of chestnut honey. Long-term research is needed to compare the effects of honey consumption on healthy and diabetic individuals.

Evaluation of Nutritional Status of Patients with Depression.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to determine nutritional status, body composition, and biochemical parameters of patients diagnosed with depression based on DSM-IV-TR criteria. METHODS: A total of 59 individuals, aged 18-60 years admitted to Mental Health Centre of Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, were included in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups; depression group (n = 29) and control group (n = 30). Anthropometric measurements, some biochemical parameters, demographic data, and 24-hour dietary recall were evaluated. RESULTS: 65.5% of depression and 60.0% of control group were female. Intake of vitamins A, thiamine, riboflavin, B6, folate, C, Na, K, Mg, Ca, P, Fe, Zn, and fibre (p < 0.05) were lower in depression group. Median levels of body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in depression group. Fasting blood glucose levels, serum vitamins B12, and folic acid (p < 0.05) in depression group were lower than controls. Serum insulin and HOMA levels of two groups were similar. CONCLUSION: Some vitamin B consumption and serum vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were low while signs of abdominal obesity were high among patients with depression. Future research exploring nutritional status of individuals with depression is warranted.