Background: A pilot study was carried out to evaluate validity and reproducibility of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), which was designed to be used in a prospective cohort study in a population at high risk for esophageal cancer in northern Iran. Methods: The FFQ was administered four times to 131 subjects, aged 35-65 years, of both sexes. Twelve 24-h dietary recalls for two consecutive days were administered monthly during 1 year and used as a reference method. The excretion of nitrogen was measured on four 24-h urine samples, and plasma levels of b-carotene, retinol, vitamin C and a-tocopherol was measured from two time points. Relative validity of FFQ and 24-h diet recall was assessed by comparing nutrient intake derived from both methods with the urinary nitrogen and plasma levels of b-carotene, retinol, vitamin C and a-tocopherol. Results: Correlation coefficients comparing energy and nutrients intake based on the mean of the four FFQ and the mean of twelve 24-h diet recalls were 0.75 for total energy, 0.75 for carbohydrates, 0.76 for proteins and 0.65 for fat. Correlation coefficients between the FFQ-based intake and serum levels of b-carotene, retinol, vitamin C and vitamin E/a-tocopherol were 0.37, 0.32, 0.35 and 0.06, respectively. Correlation coefficients between urinary nitrogen and FFQ-based protein intake ranged from 0.23 to 0.35. Intraclass correlation coefficients used to measure reproducibility of FFQ ranged from 0.66 to 0.89. Conclusion: We found that the FFQ provides valid and reliable measurements of habitual intake for energy and most of the nutrients studied.

Postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome are at high risk of oxidative stress. Several studies have suggested possible antioxidant properties of soya, but little evidence is available regarding the effect of soya on oxidative stress in postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of soya consumption on plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome. A randomised cross-over trial was undertaken on forty-two postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome. Participants were randomly assigned to consume a control (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension; DASH) diet, a soya protein diet, or a soya nut diet, each for 8 weeks. Red meat in the DASH diet (one serving per d) was replaced by soya protein in the soya protein period and by soya nuts in the soya nut period. Significant differences between the end values of the control diet, soya protein diet and soya nut diet were seen for MDA (0·70, 0·64 and 0·63 mmol/l; global P,0·01). The results also showed a significant difference between the end values for TAC (1950, 2030 and 2110 mmol/l, respectively; P,0·01). The difference from control for TAC was þ 4·5 % (P, 0·01) in the soya nut period and þ5·8 % (P,0·01) in the soya protein regimen. Both soya nuts and soya protein decreased MDA significantly compared with the control diet (difference from control was 27·9 % (P,0·01) in the soya nut period and 29·4 % (P, 0·01) in the soya protein diet). We conclude that soya consumption reduces plasma MDA and increases plasma TAC levels in postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome.

Objectives To investigate patterns of food and nutrient consumption in Golestan province, a high-incidence area for esophageal cancer (EC) in northern Iran. Methods Twelve 24-hour dietary recalls were administered during a one year period to 131 healthy participants in a pilot cohort study. We compare here nutrient intake in Golestan with Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) and Lowest Threshold Intakes (LTIs). We also compare the intake of 27 food groups and nutrients among several population subgroups, using mean values from the twelve recalls. Results Rural women had a very low level of vitamin intake, which was even lower than LTIs (P < 0.01). Daily intake of vitamins A and C was lower than LTI in 67% and 73% of rural women, respectively. Among rural men, the vitamin intakes were not significantly different from LTIs. Among urban women, the vitamin intakes were significantly lower than RDAs, but were significantly higher than LTIs. Among urban men, the intakes were not significantly different from RDAs. Compared to urban dwellers, intake of most food groups and nutrients, including vitamins, was significantly lower among rural dwellers. In terms of vitamin intake, no significant difference was observed between Turkmen and non-Turkmen ethnics. Conclusions The severe deficiency in vitamin intake among women and rural dwellers and marked differences in nutrient intake between rural and urban dwellers may contribute to the observed epidemiological pattern of EC in Golestan, with high incidence rates among women and people with low socioeconomic status, and the highest incidence rate among rural women.