BackgroundIn this study discussed the primary and regulatory roles of fatty acids, and investigated the affects of fatty acids on metabolic programming.MethodsReview of the literature was carried out on three electronic databases to assess the roles of fatty acids in metabolic programming. All abstracts and full-text articles were examined, and the most relevant articles were selected for screening and inclusion in this review.ResultsThe mother’s nutritional environment during fetal period has important effects on long term health. Fatty acids play a primary role in growth and development. Alterations in fatty acid intake in the fetal period may increase the risk of obesity and metabolic disorders in later life. Maternal fatty acid intakes during pregnancy and lactation are passed to the fetus and the newborn via the placenta and breast milk, respectively. Imbalances in fatty acid intake during the fetal period change the fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids, which can cause structural and functional problems in cells. Additionally, the metabolic and neuroendocrine environments of the fetus and the newborn play key roles in the regulation of energy balance.ConclusionsImbalances in fatty acid intake during pregnancy and lactation may result in permanent changes in appetite control, neuroendocrine function and energy metabolism in the fetus, leading to metabolic programming. Further studies are needed to determine the role of fatty acid intake in metabolic programming.

Background: Maternal obesity and maternal overnutrition, can lead to epigenetic alterations during pregnancy and these alterations can influence fetal and neonatal phenotype which increase the risk of metabolic disorders in later stages of life. Objective: The effects of maternal obesity on fetal programming and potential mechanisms of maternal epigenetic regulation of gene expression which have persistent effects on fetal health and development were investigated. Method: Review of the literature was carried out in order to discuss the effects of maternal obesity and epigenetic mechanisms in fetal programming of metabolic disorders. All abstracts and full-text articles were examined and the most relevant articles were included in this review. Results: Maternal obesity and maternal overnutrition during fetal period has important overall effects on long-term health. Maternal metabolic alterations during early stages of fetal development can lead to permanent changes in organ structures, cell numbers and metabolism. Epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, histone modifications, microRNAs) play an important role in disease susceptibility in the later stages of human life. Maternal nutrition alter expression of hypothalamic genes which can increase fetal and neonatal energy intake. Epigenetic modifications may affect the increasing rate of obesity and other metabolic disorders worldwide since the impact of these changes can be passed through generations. Conclusion: Weight management before and during pregnancy, together with healthy nutritional intakes may improve the maternal metabolic environment, which can reduce the risks of fetal programming of metabolic diseases. Further evidence from long-term follow-up studies are needed in order to determine the role of maternal obesity on epigenetic mechanisms.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex problem that contains risk factors related with obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and type-II diabetes. The incidence of MetS is increasing every year throughout the world.The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare physical activity levels, nutrition quality, and depression status of the individuals who are diagnosed with and without MetS.International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used. In addition, biochemical analysis and anthropometric measurements were also taken.According to IPAQ, 81.1% of the MetS group is inactive, 6.8% is active, and 5.1% is highly active, whereas 22.3% of the non-MetS group is inactive, 46.2% is active, and 31.5% is highly active. MEDAS was found to be lower in the MetS group. BDI levels were also determined high in the MetS group.Sedentary lifestyle, depression, and unhealthy nutrition habits are among the significant factors for the development of MetS. The knowledge levels of the people should be increased by developing national physical activity and nutrition guidelines.

Olive oil is considered as a key component of the healthy property of the Mediterranean diet due to its fatty acid, vitamin and polyphenol composition. High monounsaturated fatty acids, and in particular oleic acid, are responsible for the benefits obtained from consuming olive oil. Also, the known benefits are considered to be due to a combination of several phytochemicals. There are more than 200 minor components in olive oil with biological activities. The most abundant antioxidants in olive oil are tocopherols, β-carotene, lutein, squalene, lipophilic and hydrophilic phenols. Phenolic acids and derivatives (vanillic acid, gallic acid), phenolic alcohols (tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol), secoiridoids (oleuropein, oleocanthal), lignans (pinoresinol), and flavones (luteolin) are phenolic compounds of olive oil. Olive oil polyphenols have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-atherogenic, anti-thrombotic, anti-mutagenic and hypoglycemic characteristics. Hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleuropein and oleocanthal are the phenolic compounds that are mainly responsible for antioxidant activity, protection from blood lipid oxidation, anti-inflammatory activity, the anticarcinogenic potential, the oxidative stress resistance, and other positive impacts over human health. Additionally, olive oil contains oleocanthal, which may have an effect on several inflammatory diseases. Olive oil rich diet protects human health from cardiovascular diseases (cardiometabolic markers such as blood pressure, glycaemia and dyslipidemia, notably by reducing LDL cholesterol and LDL oxidation), type-2 diabetes, obesity, cancer, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

GİRİŞYeterli ve dengeli beslenmenin sağlanabilmesi ve kronik hastalıkların ortaya çıkışının engellenebilmesi için beslenme ile ilgili çeşitli öneriler bulunmaktadır. Özellikle tam tahıl kaynağı besinlerin, sebze ve meyvelerin beslenmemizde daha fazla yer alması, basit şekerler ve doymuş yağ içeren besinlerin azaltılması ile sağlığımızın korunması amaçlanmaktadır (1). İlk kez Angel Keys tarafından tanımlanan Akdeniz diyetinin temelinde sebze çeşitliliği ve tam tahıllı besinlerin tüketimi yer almaktadır (2). ÖzETGiriş ve Amaç: Akdeniz diyeti, kardiyovasküler hastalıklar, kanser, diyabet, obezite ve oksidatif stresle ilişkili diğer hastalıklardan koruyucu etkileri olan ve sağlıklı beslenme alışkanlıklarından oluşan bir beslenme şeklidir. Bu çalışma, KKTC'de yaşayan çocuk ve adolesanlarda Akdeniz diyetine uyum ile obezite arasındaki ilişkinin belirlenmesi amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Gereç veYöntemler: Aşırı kilolu ve obez çocukların belirlenebilmesi için vücut ağırlığı, boy uzunluğu, bel çevresi, kalça çevresi, üst orta kol çevresi ölçümleri alınmış ve vücut kütle indeksi (VKİ) değeri hesaplanmıştır. Çocuk ve adolesanlarda Akdeniz diyetine uyum Akdeniz Diyeti Kalite İndeksi (KIDMED indeksi) ile değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Çalışma kapsamına alınan katılımcıların % 22.7'sinin iyi, % 18.3'ünün ise düşük KIDMED indeksine sahip olduğu saptanmıştır. Yaşa göre VKİ persentil değerlerine göre çocuk ve adolesanların % 65.8'i 15-85. persentiller arasında, % 18.5'sı 85-95. persentiller arasında, % 16.2'si 95. persentilin üzerindedir. Ayrıca, KIDMED indeksi ile VKİ arasında negatif yönde zayıf ilişki belirlenmiştir (p<0,05). Sonuç: Sonuç olarak, KKTC'de çocuk ve adolesanların Akdeniz diyetine uyumunun artırılması, obezite ve obezite ile ilintili hastalık riskinin en aza indirilmesi için ulusal plan ve politikalar geliştirilmesi gereklidir. ABStRActObjective: The Mediterranean diet is reported as a healthy eating pattern with protective effects on cardiovascular diseases, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity and oxidative stress related disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between Mediterranean diet and obesity status in Turkish Cypriot children and adolescents.Material and Methods: Body weight, height and waist, hip and mid upper arm circumferences were performed and body mass index (BMI) was calculated for determining the overweight and obese children and adolescents. To evaluate the children's and adolescents' nutrition status by the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed by the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED index).Results: It was found that 22,7% of the sample was classified as high adherers of Mediterranean diet, whereas 18.3% had a poor KIDMED index. According to percentiles of BMI for age, 65.8% were between 15-85th percentiles, 18.6% were between 85-95th percentiles, and 16.2% were above 95th percentile. Also, this study has shown that there is a negative weak correlation between mean KIDMED index and BMI (p<0,05). conclusion:In conclusion, there is a need for national p...