Is Dietary Iodine Intake Excessive According to the Theoretical Model of Healthy Dietary Intake Pattern in Pregnant Women and Schoolchildren: Water, Salt, or Food?

Introduction: Iodine deficiency during pregnancy can cause hypothyroidism and goiter; in schoolchildren, it can cause reduced intelligence quotient. In excess, iodine can cause thyroiditis, goiter, and Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. Currently, schoolchildren and pregnant women are classified as risk groups for excessive iodine intake and iodine deficiency, respectively. Thus, determining iodine from all sources of consumption is important for intervention planning.Objective: To construct a theoretical model for the iodine intake of schoolchildren and pregnant women of a city in the Zona da Mata Mineira region, considering a healthy diet, salt consumption and water intake.Methodology: The dietary iodine intake of pregnant women was analyzed based on a dietary iodine table compiled from an international database. A dietary plan was prepared following the Brazilian Food Guide. Iodine concentration of different salt brands sold in local establishments was checked, and drinking water samples from healthcare facilities were analyzed. A descriptive and exploratory statistical analysis was performed and the results were presented in absolute and relative frequencies, and measures of central tendency and dispersion.Results: According to the proposed diet, pregnant women and schoolchildren would have a daily intake of 71.6 μg and 71 μg, respectively. Thirteen salt brands were evaluated, 69.2% complied with the legislation and the mean iodine content was 29.88 mg. The mean concentration of iodine in water was 25 μg iodine/liter and 14 μg iodine/liter, respectively, in summer and autumn. Considering the intake of food, salt, and drinking water according to the proposed dietary plan, the daily intake for pregnant women would be 279.5 and 253.5 μg for schoolchildren.Conclusion: The daily iodine intake of schoolchildren and pregnant women according to this theoretical model was excessive, considering a healthy dietary pattern. This theoretical model can guide actions and public policies aimed at targeting all forms of iodine intake.

A Qualitative Exploration of Pregnancy Experience With a Nutrient-Dense, Plant-Rich Dietary Pattern: A Pilot Study

Introduction: A nutrient-dense, plant-rich diet may be promising as a nutrition intervention for pregnant women for a number of factors. Factors include the possibility of a decreased risk for gestational diabetes, excess weight gain, and preeclampsia. Little is known about the experience of following this type of dietary pattern while pregnant and what barriers are present that should be addressed in a large-scale intervention. Methods: Qualitative interviews were used to understand the personal experience of women who aimed to eat a nutrient-dense plant-rich diet while pregnant. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from June to August 2020. Results: Three main themes regarding a nutrient-dense plant-rich diet emerged. First, family and social influence played an important role. Second, women who had a previous pregnancy felt they had fewer pregnancy symptoms on this diet. Last, the participants may have experienced a reduced milk supply on this dietary plan. Conclusion: Future research should consider family context as a factor in adherence to a nutrient-dense plant-rich dietary pattern, investigate the possible associations between nutrient-dense plant-rich dietary patterns and reduced nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy, and determine whether nutrient-dense, plant-rich dietary patterns contribute to a reduction in milk production for women who experience over-engorgement.

Moderating Effect of Physical Activity in Prevention of Colorectal and Breast Cancer by Mediterranean Diet in Females of Pakistan

Objective: The aim and purpose of the study are to determine how cancer can be prevented by maintaining a good dietary plan and physical activity. To discuss the relationship between diet and cancer prevention, guidelines, and evidence-based strategies to reduce the cancer risk (Jennifer, Karen and Wendy 2016). Cancer prevention food plan should consist of all the right amounts of macronutrients and micronutrients. Dietary guidelines can be adapted to promote health and preventing diet-related chronic diseases—a population that hasa good dietary plan, less prone to the risk of cancer. Study Design:. A cross-sectional study Place and Duration:This study was conducted at Holy Family Hospital and Wapda Hospital of Rawalpindi for duration of six months i.e from June 2020 to December 2020. Methods: Research was conducted on a sample of 58 females. Patients were aged between 18-75 years. Patients’ detailed demographics age,residency and body mass index were recorded after taking informed written consent. Previous history of breast and colorectal cancer were recorded among patients. Consumption and awareness of mediterranean diet among females were assessed. Effectiveness and recommendation of this diet were also observed. Complete data was analyzed by SPSS 24.0 version. Results:Most of the patients 35 (60.34%) were aged between 18-24 years, 12 (20.7%) were between 25-34 years of age and the rest were 11 (18.97%) >35 years of age. Mean age of the patients were 28.74±10.54 years with mean BMI 24.08±9.45 kg/m2. 41(70.7%) was not aware from mediterranean diet and regular take of this diet was found in 15 (25.9%) cases. Physical activities were found among 47 (63.%) cases. Previous history of colorectal cancer was found in 4 (6.9%) cases and breast cancer was found in 26 (44.8%) cases. 42 (72.41%) patients were agree to recommend this diet after read this useful benefits. Conclusion:We concludedin this study that the use of mediterranean diet in daily routine was useful and effective in prevention of breast and colorectal cancer. It can also be prevented by physical activities in daily work. Keywords: Colorectal cancer, breast cancer, physical activity, Mediterranean diet

An Optimized Dietary Plan for Strengthening the Immune System During COVID 19 Crises

The World Health Organization announced corona virus disease 19 (COVID 19) as a global pandemic. As the government has implemented various policies, the major challenge was to support immune system in general population who are under self-confinement. An optimal diet plan and nutritional supplements are advised to effectively boost the immune system during the COVID 19 crises. We have suggested an optimized dietary plan for an adult with adequate requirements. A balanced diet could help strengthen the immune system of individuals and prepare to fight against COVID 19.

An Italian-Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Developed Based on the EAT-Lancet Reference Diet (EAT-IT): A Nutritional Evaluation

There is an urgent need to promote healthy and sustainable diets that are tailored to the preferences and cultures of different populations. The present study aimed to (i) define a Mediterranean dietary pattern in line with the EAT-Lancet Commission reference diet (ELCRD), based on 2500 kcal/day and adapted to the Italian food habits (EAT-IT); (ii) develop a mid/long-term dietary plan based on EAT-IT and a dietary plan based on the Italian Dietary Guidelines (IDG); (iii) compare the two dietary plans in terms of portions, frequencies of consumption, and nutritional adequacy based on the nutrient and energy recommendations for the Italian adult population. The main differences between the two plans were related to the higher amount of fruit and vegetables in the IDG compared to the EAT-IT, while the EAT-IT plan was higher in nuts and legumes, which represent the main protein sources in the ELCRD. Differences in the protein sources, especially milk and derivatives, and for cereal-based foods, were also found. Dietary plans were comparable for most nutrients, except for higher energy from lipids and vegetal protein, a higher amount of fiber, and lower levels of calcium that were evidenced for the EAT-IT dietary plan compared to the IDG-based one. In conclusion, the analysis of the EAT-IT demonstrated certain nutritional issues. It remains to be determined whether this may represent a health concern in further studies aimed at investigating the feasibility of sustainable dietary patterns.

Capsiate Intake with Exercise Training Additively Reduces Fat Deposition in Mice on a High-Fat Diet, but Not without Exercise Training

While exercise training (ET) is an efficient strategy to manage obesity, it is recommended with a dietary plan to maximize the antiobesity functions owing to a compensational increase in energy intake. Capsiate is a notable bioactive compound for managing obesity owing to its capacity to increase energy expenditure. We aimed to examine whether the antiobesity effects of ET can be further enhanced by capsiate intake (CI) and determine its effects on resting energy expenditure and metabolic molecules. Mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8 per group) and fed high-fat diet. Mild-intensity treadmill ET was conducted five times/week; capsiate (10 mg/kg) was orally administered daily. After 8 weeks, resting metabolic rate and metabolic molecules were analyzed. ET with CI additively reduced the abdominal fat rate by 18% and solely upregulated beta-3-adrenoceptors in adipose tissue (p = 0.013) but did not affect the metabolic molecules in skeletal muscles. Surprisingly, CI without ET significantly increased the abdominal fat rate (p = 0.001) and reduced energy expenditure by 9%. Therefore, capsiate could be a candidate compound for maximizing the antiobesity effects of ET by upregulating beta-3-adrenoceptors in adipose tissue, but CI without ET may not be beneficial in managing obesity.

Adherence to the DASH Diet and Risk of Breast Cancer

Background: The Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating pattern has been recommended as a healthy dietary plan by several international guidelines. However, data on the association between the DASH diet and breast cancer (BC) is limited. This study investigated the association between the DASH dietary pattern and risk of BC.Methods: This is a hospital-based case-control study conducted between 2014 and 2016 in the Cancer Institute of Iran. Patients with histopathologically confirmed BC were recruited. Controls were healthy subjects who were frequency matched to cases by residential place and age (±10years). A validated 168-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was applied to assess the dietary intake of participants. Physical activity was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). The DASH dietary pattern scores were calculated using the method introduced by Fung. Unconditional logistic regression, in which potential confounders were taken into account, was applied to determine the association between adherence to the DASH dietary pattern and odds of BC. Results: The study participants comprised 477 patients with BC and 507 healthy controls. In the total population, patients with BC were slightly older (45.9 vs. 43.9 y, P=0.02), had slightly higher BMI (21.9 vs. 20.2, P=0.01) and were less physically active (20 vs. 27 MET h/wk. P<0.01) than controls. In Model A, which was adjusted for age and energy intake, adherence to the DASH dietary pattern substantially reduced BC risk in the total population (OR for comparing extreme tertiles: 0.62; 95% CI 0.44-0.78; Ptrend =0.004). Even after controlling for more cofounders, greatest adherence to DASH diet was associated with a 34% reduction in risk of BC (OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.46, 0.94; Ptrend=0.03). In premenopausal women, adherence to the DASH dietary pattern was insignificantly associated with a 32% reduction in BC risk. This risk reduction was 38% in postmenopausal women, which was also not found to be significant Conclusion: Adherence to the DASH dietary pattern could be associated with an approximately 30% reduction in risk of BC. However, further studies, in particular studies with prospective design, are required to confirm this claim.

Enhancing Collaborative Problem-Solving Competencies by Using STEM-Based Learning Through the Dietary Plan Lessons

This classroom action research aims to investigate the development of collaborative problem-solving competencies using STEM-based learning through dietary plan lessons. The participants included 77 twelfth-grade students in the 2018 academic year in the science-technology program in a public school under the supervision of the Ministry of University Affairs. Two types of instruments were used in the study: 1) ten lesson plans of the biomolecules unit equivalent to eighteen lesson periods; 2) data collection instruments, including collaborative problem-solving competencies observation sheets, students&rsquo; learning reflections, and informal interview protocols. The data analysis involved frequencies, percentages, and content analysis. The results of the study revealed that the students improved all three competencies. Regarding the first competency, &ldquo;Establishing and Maintaining Shared Understanding,&rdquo; the students were accustomed to having a dominant member assigning the task while other members passively followed the orders. When they encountered a problem, each member individually solved it or asked the teachers for help without a group discussion. However, after the instruction, the students improved their communication skills by discussing the task processes with the other group members. Moreover, when a problem occurred, they approached it as a shared responsibility instead of as an individual&rsquo;s duty. Therefore, the problem was collectively sorted out and successfully solved. In terms of the second competency, &ldquo;Taking Appropriate Action to Solve the Problem,&rdquo; the students had previously been assigned their roles by the group leaders without consideration of the strengths and weaknesses of each member, resulting in an unsuccessful task. After the instruction, everyone became more collaborative in considering the task at hand and discussed the role that best suited each member. When they encountered a problem, everyone collectively planned the appropriate steps toward the solution. With regard to the third competency, &ldquo;Establishing and Maintaining Team Organization,&rdquo; the students had not previously reflected on their performance, but after the activities, they learned to provide feedback to improve other members&rsquo; understanding and carry out the task more efficiently. A challenge that emerged in implementing the activities involved the time issue. It is important to manage time effectively and to challenge the students to collaboratively solve the problem. The instructional activities should be conducted continuously by rotating students into new groups where they can practice their teamwork skills with others. Moreover, the collaborative problem-solving activities are found to be applicable not only for a STEM-based approach but also for a project-based approach.