The aim is to evaluate the effects of frying and roasting on nuts. Frying and roasting were performed according to the local Jordanian home-made cuisine, and the nuts under experiment were raw almonds, pine, cashew, and pistachio. Nuts samples were roasted at 110°C for 16 minutes and fried at 175°C for 2.5 minutes. The results show that both roasting and frying of nuts did not affect the flavonoids content except for roasted pistachios where significant rise of flavonoids content was detected. Total phenolic content showed no significant differences except for pine nuts in which it increased significantly in both roasting and frying. Oxidative stability, presented by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), was significantly different in all nuts except for pistachio nuts that have shown no differences. Fatty acids profile, presented by saturated fatty acids (SFA), oleic acid (OL), and essential fatty acids (EFA), was affected significantly by roasting and frying, especially for SFA in almonds and pine nuts and α-linoleic acid (ALA) contents of pine. In conclusion, the effects of roasting and frying on the aforementioned nuts species were positive for fatty acids profile and antioxidants activity.

Background: Several studies have indicated that chronic low-grade inflammation is associated with the development of schizophrenia. Given the role of diet in modulating inflammatory markers, excessive caloric intake and increased consumption of pro-inflammatory components such as calorie-dense, nutrient-sparse foods may contribute toward increased rates of schizophrenia. This study aimed to examine the association between dietary inflammation, as measured by the dietary inflammatory index (DII®), and schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 120 cases attending the out-patient department in the Psychiatric Hospital/Bahrain were recruited, along with 120 healthy controls matched on age and sex. The energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) was computed based on dietary intake assessed using a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, body mass index, education, employment, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease with E-DII expressed both as a continuous variable and categorized as quartiles. Results: The mean E-DII score for the entire sample was 1.79 ± 1.52, indicating a generally pro-inflammatory diet. The cases with schizophrenia appeared to have a higher E-DII score compared to controls: 1.99 ± 1.39 vs. 1.60 ± 1.38, respectively (p = 0.009). For every one unit increase in the E-DII score, the odds of having schizophrenia increased by 62% (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.17–2.26). Similarly, increased risk was observed when the E-DII was used as quartiles, with participants in most pro-inflammatory quartile 4 being nearly 6 times more likely to be schizophrenic than participants in the most anti-inflammatory group quartile 1 (OR 5.96; 1.74–20.38; p-trend = 0.01). Conclusions: The data suggest that a pro-inflammatory diet, as indicated by increasing E-DII score, is associated with schizophrenia. This is the first study to examine the association between the DII and schizophrenia in a Middle Eastern population. Although these results are consistent with findings from research conducted in depression, additional studies are required before generalizing the findings to other populations.

Purpose The purpose of this review was to estimate the prevalence of screen-based disordered eating (SBDE) and several potential risk factors in university undergraduate students around the world. Methods An electronic search of nine data bases was conducted from the inception of the databases until 1st October 2021. Disordered eating was defined as the percentage of students scoring at or above established cut-offs on validated screening measures. Global data were also analyzed by country, research measure, and culture. Other confounders in this review were age, BMI, and sex. Results Using random-effects meta-analysis, the mean estimate of the distribution of effects for the prevalence of SBDE among university students ( K = 105, N = 145,629) was [95% CI] = 19.7% [17.9%; 21.6%], I 2 = 98.2%, Cochran's Q p value = 0.001. Bayesian meta-analysis produced an estimate of 0.24, 95% credible intervals [0.20, 0.30], τ = 92%. Whether the country in which the students were studying was Western or non-Western did not moderate these effects, but as either the mean BMI of the sample or the percentage of the sample that was female increased, the prevalence of SBDE increased. Conclusions These findings support previous studies indicating that many undergraduate students are struggling with disordered eating or a diagnosable eating disorder, but are neither receiver effective prevention nor accessing accurate diagnosis and available treatment. It is particularly important to develop ever more valid ways of identifying students with high levels of disordered eating and offering them original or culturally appropriate and effective prevention or early treatment. Level of evidence I, systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim. Sarcopenia is an age-related syndrome that is characterized by a progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. This study was performed in order to evaluate nutrients intake and physical activity level and to investigate the effect of sarcopenia syndrome on food intake for a group of Jordanian older adults with sarcopenia syndrome in Amman. Methodology. The study sample consisted of 25 nonsarcopenic people and 25 sarcopenic patients aged over 60 years old with a male to female ratio of 1 : 1. A special questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, health data, data about syndrome characteristics, nutritional assessment, and physical activity level. A 24-hour recall was also used to collect food intake data. Body weight, height, and skinfold thicknesses were measured. Results. The mean of the sarcopenic patients’ age was 77.5 ± 6.9 years, and the mean of the weight was significantly lower in sarcopenic patients than the nonsarcopenic people. In this study, all macronutrients and micronutrients from dietary intake information were analyzed. Vitamin intake (water- and fat-soluble), as well as minerals (major and trace), amino acids, and essential fatty acids, was assessed. The mean intake of energy and carbohydrates, fat, and dietary fiber was lower than their recommendations, while the mean intake of protein was within the range of its recommendations in the sarcopenia group. The mean of the intake of omega 3 and omega 6 was below their recommendations. Conclusion. It could be concluded that sarcopenic older patients in Jordan have similar characteristics with patients studied worldwide with regard to age of patients, female to male ratio, and main symptoms. Sarcopenic older patients in Jordan generally have lower weight and BF% than nonsarcopenic adults and have inadequate dietary intake compared to their recommendations and compared to nonsarcopenic older adults. Therefore, the diet of sarcopenic patients needs modification and follow-up. The level of physical activity and daily living activities for sarcopenic older patients is lower than that of nonsarcopenic older adults.

Eating disorders (EDs) are addressed as one of the expanding mental health problems worldwide. While an ED is a clinical psychiatric diagnosis that can only be established after a psychiatric assessment, it is important to note that “at-risk” refers to people who will exhibit aberrant eating patterns but do not fully meet the requirements for an ED diagnosis. This study was designed to address the ED symptoms (i.e., “at-risk”) in Jordanian athletes and their association with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and type of sport. A convenient, cross-sectional study was conducted among 249 athlete participants by answering the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26). The EAT-26 results indicated an ED prevalence of 34% among Jordanian athletes. Within “at-risk” ED athletes, sex, age, and BMI had no significant differences in the rates of EDs. Outdoor sports had the least effect on EDs, while the highest was amongst gymnastics. EDs prevalence is alarming among Jordanian athletes. Gymnastics is a risk factor for increasing EDs. Our results should be taken into consideration by physicians, mental health professionals, sports nutritionists, coaches, and sport medicine specialists. We recommend establishing strategies pertaining to mental health, especially EDs in sports centers, along with screening programs for those who demand additional assessment and supervision.