Abstract

Introduction: Physical growth disorder in children, aged under 5-years, is a common health problem in developing countries, including Iran, where national studies have shown that the prevalence of stunted growth disorder is approximately 15 percent. The aim of this study was to determine effects of supplemental zinc on physical growth in children with retarded growth. Material and Methods: The study was a 12-month community-based RCT which incorporated 6 months of zinc supplementation to 2-5-year-old children with height-for-age index less than the 25th percentile of NCHS (n=90) children were assigned randomly into either the Zinc Group receiving 5 ml of a solution containing 5 mg of zinc as zinc sulfate (ZG, n=40) or the Placebo Group who received placebo (PG, n=45) daily (7d/wk) for 6 months. The children's weight, height, mid-upper arm, Z-score for height for age, weight for age and weight for height were measured at baseline and monthly for 12 months. Data were analyzed by the SPSS statistical package. Student-t test was used for comparing the means and chi-square and Fisher's exact test were performed to compare categorical variables. Results: Eightly-five children completed (55.3% girls, 44.7% boys) the study supplementation compliance with supplement consumption was 95-100% and the two groups were not significantly different. The means of total weight increments (Kg) among girls in the PG and ZG groups were 2±0.9 and 2.6±1.1 (PV=0.05), respectively and for boys were 2.1±0.8 and 2.7±0.8 (PV=0.04), respectively. The mean of total mid arm circumference increments (Cm) among girls in the PG and ZG groups were 1.23±0.46 and 1.7±0.51 (PV=0.8), respectively these figures for boys were 1.43±0.51 and 1.19±0.39 (PV=0.1), respectively. The means of total height increment (Cm) among girls, in the PG and ZG groups were 8.28±2.23 and 9.64±1.7 (PV=0.02), respectively these figures for boys were 8.34±3.14 and 11.7±1.96 (PV=0.001), respectively. At baseline, stunted rates in the ZG and PG groups were 26.7% and 15% respectively (NS). However, these rates in the 6th month of intervention in ZG and PG were 2.5 and 20%, respectively (PV= 0.01). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that administration of 5 mg zinc daily to young children have significant effects on growth, particularly if the interventions are focused on stunted children.

 Introduction: Previous studies have investigated the effects and importance of orexin and estradiol on food intake. In this study the effects of orexin on estradiol release by the ventromedial hypothalamus (satiety center) and lateral hypothalamus (feeding center) have been investi­gated. Forty adult male rats, divided to two groups, the control group (consisting of 10 rats) and an experimental group (consisting of 30 rats), were canulated in the lateral area and ventromedial nucleus steriotaxically. After two days recovery, 1,2 and 4 micrograms of orexin were injected into the lateral area and ventromedial nucleus. After two hours, tissue of the lateral area and ventromedial nucleus were removed and concentrations of estradiol and aromatase were measured by radio-immuno assay and RT-PCR, respectively. Results of RT-PCR showed that orexin-A(1,2,4 µg) augmented aromatase gene expression in the VMH and LH. 17-β estradiol measurement showed that 1, 2 and 4 µg orexin infusion increased estradiol levels significantly in VMH and LH, especially the 2 and 4 µg doses, observations suggesting that the neurons secreting estradiol exist in the VMH and LH.

Introduction: Unhealthy nutrition plays an effective role in increasing non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study is to assess the experiences of patients with cardiovascular disease(CVD) risk factors, and healthcare providers working in diabetes unit of health centers, to ascertain the defeaminants of nutritional behavior based on the Health Belief Model. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study utilized the content analysis approach, conducted over a six month period in 2012, at the diabetes units of health centers, associated with Alborz University of Medical Sciences, located in Karadj- Iran. The data was collected based on individual semi-structured interviews with 50 patients and 12 healthcare providers in the diabetes unit. Data analysis was performed simultaneous with data collection, using the content analysis directed method. Results: Analysis of the data resulted in finding 54 primary codes, all of which were placed into pre-determined categories of the Health Belief model, including threat perceived, benefits and barrier perceived, self efficacy and social support. Most patients were unable to follow healthy diets on a regular or continuous basis. Conclusion: Study results demonstrate the determinants of nutrit­ional behavior as perceived by patients and healthcare providers and can help program planners in designing programs to select the most appropriate methods and applications to address these determinants in order to reduce unhealthy nutritional behavior and to eventually prevent CVDs.