OBJECTIVESLike any other health-related disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has a differential distribution with respect to socioeconomic factors. This study aimed to estimate and decompose educational inequalities in the prevalence of IBS.METHODSSampling was performed using a multi-stage random cluster sampling approach. The data of 1,850 residents of Kish Island aged 15 years or older were included, and the determinants of IBS were identified using a generalized estimating equation regression model. The concentration index of educational inequality in cases of IBS was estimated and decomposed as the specific inequality index.RESULTSThe prevalence of IBS in this study was 21.57% (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.69 to 23.44%). The concentration index of IBS was 0.20 (95% CI, 0.14 to 0.26). A multivariable regression model revealed that age, sex, level of education, marital status, anxiety, and poor general health were significant determinants of IBS. In the decomposition analysis, level of education (89.91%), age (−11.99%), and marital status (9.11%) were the three main contributors to IBS inequality. Anxiety and poor general health were the next two contributors to IBS inequality, and were responsible for more than 12% of the total observed inequality.CONCLUSIONSThe main contributors of IBS inequality were education level, age, and marital status. Given the high percentage of anxious individuals among highly educated, young, single, and divorced people, we can conclude that all contributors to IBS inequality may be partially influenced by psychological factors. Therefore, programs that promote the development of mental health to alleviate the abovementioned inequality in this population are highly warranted.

Objective. Cardiovascular disorders in diabetes condition arise from increased oxidative stress. Both regular mild exercise and testosterone influence on body's antioxidant system in diabetes. In this study, we evaluated treatment of testosterone and voluntary exercise, alone or together on oxidative stress in the heart and blood of diabetic rats. Methods. Type 1 diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin in rats. Sixty three rats have been divided into eight groups as follows: Diabetes, diabetes+ testosterone, diabetes+ exercise, diabetes+ testosterone+ exercise, diabetes+ castration, diabetes+ castration+ testosterone, Diabetes+ castration+ exercise, Diabetes+ castration+ exercise+ testosterone. Type 1 diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/ kg of streptozotocin in the male Wistar rats and after a week, castration was performed. After 42 days of treatment with testosterone (2 mg/kg/day) or voluntary exercise alone or in combination, SOD, GPX and CAT activities and MDA levels were measured in the blood and heart tissue samples in the groups of study. In the end of study, SOD, GPX and CAT activities and MDA levels were measured in blood and heart tissue samples in the groups of study. Results. SOD, GPX and CAT activities significantly (p<0.05) increased in groups that treated either testosterone or exercise and MDA level significantly (p<0.01) decreased in the blood and heart tissue of diabetic and castrated diabetic rats. Simultaneously, treatment with testosterone and exercise had a synergistic effect on antioxidant enzymes level in diabetic and diabetic castrated rats. In the castrated animals with diabetes, SOD, GPX and CAT activities significantly decreased (p<0.05) and MDA levels significantly increased (p<0.05) in blood and heart tissue. Conclusion. Voluntary exercise and testosterone alone or together heightened body's antioxidant system and were able to reduce the MDA levels in blood and heart of diabetic and castrated diabetic rats.

Background: Obesity is considered as one of the most important nutrition and health issues among adolescents in the developing countries. In this respect, risks and problems associated with obesity can put a huge burden on the health care system of a society. Moreover, underweight and malnutrition are also prevalent in developing countries and impose enormous health care expenditures on individuals and societies. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the weight status among 10th-grade high school students residing in the city of Golpayegan, Iran. Methods: A total number of 800 students including 396 boys and 404 girls studying at the 10th grade of high school were included in this cross-sectional research with a descriptive design. The participants were selected using a random cluster sampling method. Moreover, the demographic characteristic information and the anthropometric status (based on the US CDC criteria, 2000) questionnaires were completed for each participant and the data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 16). Results: The mean age of the students was 15.6 ± 6.6 years. The total prevalence rate of underweight was 11.4% (91 individuals) including 14.2% in boys and 8.7% in girls. The overweight rate was equal to 10.85% including 10.4% in boys and 11.1% in girls. Furthermore, the rate of obesity was 6.3% including 7.3% and 5.2% in boys and girls, respectively. Conclusion: Following the specification of the rates of underweight, overweight, and obesity among students, the authorities are recommended to provide proper nutrition programs, good lifestyle, and educational courses for individuals in this domain.