Is Mediterranean diet associated with multiple sclerosis related symptoms and fatigue severity?

OBJECTIVE: Nutrition modulation can reduce multiple sclerosis (MS) related symptoms and fatigue severity. Mediterranean diet may be beneficial regarding anti-inflammatory components. However, previous studies are limited. This study aims to investigate the relationship between Mediterranean diet adherence and MS-related symptoms and fatigue severity. METHODS: One hundred and two adult MS patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Dietary adherence was assessed using the Mediterranean diet assessment tool (MEDAS). MS-related symptoms were determined using the MS-related symptom checklist (MS-RS), and the fatigue severity scale (FSS) was applied. Linear regression models were established to assess predicted factors of MS-RS and FSS. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 33.1 ± 9.81 years. Being female and having higher education degree was 71.6% and 60.8%, respectively. In the linear regression model, MEDAS were not associated with MS-RS but negatively associated with FSS scores. MS-RS scores were significantly higher among participants who consumed more than one serving of red meat or products per day. Those who consumed less than one serving of butter, margarine, or cream per day reported lower FSS scores. Some trend significances were shown to consume limited sweet and lower FSS scores. Likewise, MS-RS scores were lower in those ≥three serving/week intake of fish. CONCLUSION: Following a Mediterranean-style diet should be encouraged to improve fatigue severity. Components, such as reduced consumption of red meat, saturated fatty acids, sweets and increased fish consumption, could be promising to reduce MS symptoms or fatigue severity. These findings should be proven with further intervention studies.

Is Ramadan fasting associated with low scores of Healthy Eating Index?

Introduction: Background: intermittent fasting diets that reduce or completely restrict food intake for specific periods have become more popular in recent years. Fasting in Ramadan is also an example of these intermittent fasting practices. In fasting practices focusing on the duration of nutrition, less emphasis was placed on the information on the dietary pattern. Objective: this study aims to evaluate the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and diet quality in fasting individuals in Ramadan. Material and methods: this study was a cross-sectional study, conducted with adults aged 18-65 years. Food consumption record was taken with a 24-h-record with food consumption form. Diet quality and adequacy were assessed with the HEI, Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR), and Average Adequacy Ratio (MAR) from food consumption records. Results: according to study results, HEI and NAR Ca scores were statistically significantly lower in the fasting group than in the non-fasting group (p < 0.05). In the non-fasting group, HEI scores showed a negative correlation with body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) and waist-hip ratio (r = -0.023, r = -0.148, p < 0.05). Conclusion: this study claimed that fasting might be associated with low scores of HEI. These results suggest that specific nutritional recommendations should be developed for fasting individuals.

Introducción: Introducción: las dietas de ayuno intermitente que reducen o restringen por completo la ingesta de alimentos durante periodos específicos se han vuelto más populares en los últimos años. El ayuno en Ramadán también es un ejemplo de estas prácticas de ayuno intermitente. En las prácticas de ayuno centradas en la duración de la nutrición, se ha puesto menos énfasis en la información sobre el patrón dietético. Objetivo: este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar el índice de alimentación saludable (IAS) y la calidad de la dieta en personas en ayunas en Ramadán. Material y métodos: se trata de un estudio transversal, realizado con adultos de 18 a 65 años. El registro de consumo de alimentos se tomó con un registro de 24 horas con formulario de consumo de alimentos. La calidad y la adecuación de la dieta se evaluaron con el IAS, el índice de adecuación de nutrientes (NAR) y la ratio de adecuación promedio (MAR) de los registros de consumo de alimentos. Resultados: de acuerdo con los resultados del estudio, las puntuaciones de HEI y NAR Ca fueron estadísticamente significativamente más bajas en el grupo que hace ayuno que en el grupo sin ayuno (p < 0,05). En el grupo sin ayuno, las puntuaciones HEI mostraron una correlación negativa con el índice de masa corporal (IMC) (kg/m2) y la relación cintura-cadera (r = -0,023, r = -0,148, p < 0,05). Conclusión: este estudio afirmó que el ayuno podría estar asociado con puntuaciones bajas de IAS. Dichos resultados sugieren que se deben desarrollar recomendaciones nutricionales específicas para las personas que hacen ayuno.

Increased Obesity Awareness and Adherence to Healthy Lifestyle-Diet Reduce Metabolic Syndrome Risk in Overweight Children.

Objective: Obesity is a common epidemic issue in all over the world. In order to prevent obesity it is essential to know about obesity and its detrimental consequences. This study aimed to evaluate children's awareness about obesity and to determine the associations between level of awareness, healthy lifestyle, dietary habits and risk factors for metabolic syndrome.Methods: Two hundred and thirty-six overweight children (119 boys and 117 girls) aged 10-14 years were enrolled to the study. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were taken and metabolic syndrome (MetS) definition were done according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) consensus and divided into two groups as MetS (+) and MetS (-). Obesity awareness scale (OBA) and Adapted Healthy Lifestyle-Diet Index for Turkey (HLD-TR) were performed.Results: Among children, the prevalence of having MetS was found as 26.3%. Obesity awareness and HLD-TR index sores were lower in MetS (+) group than MetS (-) group. Metabolic syndrome related biochemical parameters and anthropometric measurements were associated with obesity awareness level of the children. The binary logistic regression model shows that a one-unit increase in the OBA index score increases the odd of not having MetS for 1.12 times after adjustments for age, gender, body mass index, and HLD-TR index score.Conclusions: Increased awareness about obesity among children will help to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in the future.

School Teachers' Awareness about National Obesity Prevention Programs in Turkey.

Nutritional programs are one of the most important public health policies in order to prevent obesity. School teachers are role models for students and their nutrition knowledge about these policies can affect children's dietary habits. The aim of this observational descriptive study was to evaluate the school teachers' awareness about nutrition programs for the prevention of obesity of the Ministry of Education in Turkey. It was conducted to 87,070 classroom teachers working at state schools from all the cities of Turkey. Data collection was obtained with a plain web-based survey, and national nutrition programs (Nutrition-Friendly School Program, White-Flag Protocol, and circular letter on foods can be sold in school canteens) were questioned. Mean age of teachers was 38.3 ± 9.30 years and 50.4% of them were male. It was determined that only 66.2% of the teachers know whether their school is nutrition-friendly. Frequency of knowing "White-Flag" Protocol was 80.1%. Present study showed that educational programs about nutrition policies are required in order to increase knowledge among school teachers and thus, prevent childhood obesity.

The relationship between diet quality and insulin resistance in obese children: adaptation of the Healthy Lifestyle-Diet Index in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity and its complications are serious health problems and diet/lifestyle changes can be beneficial for the prevention of diseases. Adaptation of the Healthy Lifestyle-Diet (HLD) Index in accordance with the dietary guidelines for Turkey (TR) and determination of the relationship between metabolic syndrome risk factors in obese children were the aims of this study. METHODS: This study was conducted on 164 overweight or obese children (87 male, 77 female) aged 9-13 years. For all participants, the HLD-TR Index and a 24-h dietary recall were performed and the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) was calculated. Anthropometric measurements and the body composition of the children were taken. Metabolic syndrome risk factors and insulin resistance were assessed. RESULTS: The mean age of the male and female children was 11.2±1.49 and 11.0±1.40 years, respectively. The majority of the children were obese in both genders. There were no statistically significant differences in the HLD-TR scores between the genders. As the index scores increased, a decrease in the energy intake and an increase in the MAR were observed. Negative correlations between the index scores and body mass, waist circumference and body fat mass were observed. Furthermore, a one-unit increase in the index score decreases the insulin resistance risk by 0.91 times after adjustments for age and gender (odds ratio: 0.91 [0.85-0.97]). CONCLUSIONS: The HLD-TR Index is a valid tool that can give an idea about the quality of the diet in obese children. Furthermore, with the increase in the compliance with recommendations for diet/lifestyle changes, indicators of obesity and metabolic syndrome were decreased.