Purpose During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes in dietary intake were observed. However, the determinants of food choice and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in this period were not studied so far for Iranian adults. This study aimed to assess the food choice determinants changes and Adherence to the MD of Iranian adults. Design/methodology/approach This study was a cross-sectional study that was conducted from April 2019 to May 2020, based on the snowball sampling, and a total number of 2,540 adults from all the regions of Iran participated. The Food Choice Questionnaire was used to analyze food choice determinants, and the validated ten-item MD adherence screener was used to assess the adherence to the MD. Findings Before the COVID-19 quarantine, sensory appeal and price were the most important factors in Iranian food choice (with the highest scores), but during the COVID-19 pandemic the important food choice determinants were health and weight control. Consumption of vegetables (71.85% vs 40.07%), fruits (60.70% vs 38.74%), legumes (24.72% vs 12.38%) and nuts (14.33%) increased significantly after the outbreak of quarantine.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess eight weeks individualized balanced low-calorie diet on anthropometric measurements and body composition in apparently healthy obese women. Design/methodology/approach Forty apparently healthy obese women (body mass index: 27.5-40 kg/m2 and age: 18-40 years) were recruited from the nutrition clinic in the north-west of Iran, Ardabil city. Anthropometric measurements and body composition analysis were done at baseline and after the intervention. Findings During eight weeks, individualized balanced low-calorie diet resulted in a significant decrease in body weight (−4.0 ± 0.3 kg, p < 0.001), body mass index (−1.6 ± 0.1 kg/m2, p < 0.001), waist circumference (−2.9 ± 0.3 cm, p < 0.001), waist-to-hip ratio (−0.01 ± 0.004, p = 0.001), waist-to-height ratio (−0.02 ± 0.002, p < 0.001), per cent body fat (−1.1 ± 0.2 per cent, p < 0.001), fat mass (−2.5 ± 0.3 kg, p < 0.001), visceral fat level (−0.8 ± 0.1, p < 0.001), visceral fat area (−11.3 ± 2.3 cm2, p < 0.001), trunk mass fat (−1.2 ± 0.1 kg, p < 0.001), left arm mass fat (−0.2 ± 0.03 kg, p < 0.001), right arm mass fat (−0.2 ± 0.03 kg, p < 0.001), left leg mass fat (−0.4 ± 0.1 kg, p < 0.001), right leg mass fat (−0.4 ± 0.05 kg, p < 0.001), abdominal volume index (−1.1 ± 0.1 m2, p < 0.001), conicity index (−0.007 ± 0.002 m2/3/kg1/2, p = 0.001) and body adiposity index (1.0 ± 0.1 per cent, p < 0.001). Research limitations implications The limitation concerns the generalizability to the general population of obese women. Future studies should take sex differences into consideration. These studies may focus on the long-term benefits. Originality/value Balanced low-calorie diet-induced moderate weight loss alone may represent an effective strategy for reducing metabolic risk factors among obese women.

Purpose The elevated white blood cells (WBCs) count has been reported to be a predictor of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome. This study aims to determine the associations between WBCs count and obesity in apparently healthy young adults. Design/methodology/approach In this cross-sectional study, the authors evaluated the body mass index (BMI) in 392 apparently healthy young adults of both sexes. The WBCs count was measured using standard counter techniques. The inclusion criteria were the agreement to participate in the study, between 18 and 25 years of age, lack of self-reported diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, kidney and infectious diseases. Findings According to the BMI classification, underweight and overweight or obesity were observed in 14.58 and 11.48 per cent of young adults, respectively. The mean WBC was 6.5 ± 1.5 (×10³ cells/µL). Higher values of WBCs were found in women than in men (p = 0.02). The young adults with higher BMI had a higher WBCs count. There was a positive correlation between WBCs count and weight and BMI (r = 0.19 and r = 0.22, p < 0.001, respectively). Research limitations/implications This research was a cross-sectional study. Future studies are suggested using longitudinal studies to examine more relationships between obesity and WBCs count in apparently healthy young adults. Practical implications The results of this study provide evidence for weight management in this age group to reduce diseases associated with increased WBCs count. Originality/value The WBCs count was related to increasing levels of BMI per cent 2 C even in the normal range.

Background: Self-efficacy plays an important role in successful weight loss behaviors and weight loss. Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of a balanced low-calorie diet with or without nutrition education on eating self-efficacy and weight loss among obese women. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, a sample of 90 apparently healthy obese women was recruited from the nutrition clinic and randomly assigned to receive a balanced low-calorie diet with or without nutrition education. The anthropometric measures and weight efficacy lifestyle questionnaire were completed at baseline, 3, and 6 months after the intervention. Results: The participants demonstrated a significant weight loss and improvement in total self-efficacy score in both the intervention groups (the time effect: F = 12.64, df = 2, P < 0.001, F = 22.57, df = 2, P < 0.001, respectively). No significant difference was observed

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Introduction: Blood pressure among youth is associated with increased risk of future cardiovascular disease occurrence. The studies done on hypertension prevalence among young population are still insufficient. The purpose of this study was to determine undiagnosed hypertension, based on the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee (JNC7) on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure updated guidelines among the apparently healthy young group of Iranian population. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 901 volunteers, without previous hypertension history, in the age group of 18-24 years old (body mass index< 40 kg/m2) were assessed in Ardabil city from September 2016 to March 2008.They were apparently healthy youth and reported that their body weight had been stable for at least the last 3 months. Blood pressure was measured by standardized protocols based on American Heart Association guidelines, and the final value was obtained using the mean of the two careful readings of office blood pressure monitoring. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21.0. One-way analysis of variance was applied to determine the differences among hypertension groups, and p values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The mean of age, weight and body mass index was 19.48±1.64 (years), 60.54±11.45 (kg) and 21.39±3.17 (kg/m2), respectively. According to the JNC7 updated guidelines (2017), 17.4% subjects fell into elevated blood pressure whereas 2.1% and 1.7% into stage I and II hypertension category, respectively. Males were significantly more likely to have elevated blood pressure and stage I and stage II hypertension than females (p<0.001). Conclusion: According to the JNC7 updated guidelines, there is a significant prevalence of undiagnosed elevated blood pressure and hypertension (21.1%) among Iranian youth population. These results emphasize the need for careful monitoring of the blood pressure even among apparently healthy young adults.

Background: Body image dissatisfaction has been rising in recent years. Despite the large body of evidence on body image, few studies have directed gender comparisons of body image in Iran. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate body image dissatisfaction and its correlation with anthropometric indicators and body composition in men and women. Methods: Following a cross-sectional design, 95 females and 95 males (age range: 18 - 50 years and body mass index: 18.5 - 40.0 kg/m2) who attended a nutrition clinic in Ardabil city were recruited using a convenience sampling method. Anthropometric measurements were achieved while participants were lightly clothed with no shoes. The body fat percentage, visceral fat level, and visceral fat area were measured using a bioelectrical impedance analysis. The body image was evaluated using the Multidimensional Body Self-Relation Questionnaire (MBSRQ). Data analysis was administered using SPSS, and a two-tailed P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The appearance orientation (females: 4.04 ± 0.57 vs. males: 3.72 ± 0.49, P-value < 0.001) and illness orientation (females: 3.70 ± 0.74 vs. males: 3.41 ± 0.83, P-value = 0. 01) subscales scores were higher in women than men. A negative association was observed between appearance orientation subscale score with anthropometric indicators and body composition. In contrast, the subjective weight, overweight preoccupation, and health evaluation subscales scores were positively correlated with anthropometric measurement and body composition. Conclusions: This study investigated body image dissatisfaction in a small sample of Iranians. Gender was an important factor in determining body image subscales. Thus, health interventions should be specially designed.