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Objective: To study the association of weight status with food insecurity (FI) and socio-economic status (SES) in Azeri and Kurd ethnic groups living in Urmia city, North-Western Iran., Design: In this cross-sectional study, 723 participants (427 women and 296 men) aged 20-64 years old, from two ethnic groups (445 Azeri and 278 Kurd), were selected through a combination of cluster, random and systematic sampling methods. Demographic and socio-economic characteristics were assessed by a valid questionnaire, and household food security status was analyzed using an adapted household food insecurity access scale through face-to-face interviews at homes. General and central obesities were measured and evaluated using standard methods., Results: Based on the findings, moderate-to-severe FI, as well as low SES, was more dominant in Kurds, compared to Azeris. After adjusting for confounders, being female (OR = 4.33, CI 95%: 2.35-7.97) and moderate-to-severe FI (OR = 2.00, CI 95%: 1.01-3.97) in Azeris and being female (OR = 5.39, CI 95%: 2.28-12.23) and higher total cost of household/capita (OR = 1.005, CI 95%: 1.002-1.009) in Kurds were related to higher odds of general obesity while low (OR = 0.41, CI 95%: 0.18-0.91) and moderate (OR = 0.13, CI 95%: 0.02-0.60) education levels were linked to lower chance of general obesity. Furthermore, the chance of central obesity was lower in Azeris with high educational levels (OR = 0.64, CI 95%: 0.21-0.94), females (OR = 0.72, CI 95%: 0.34-0.86), home owners (OR = 0.56, CI 95%: 0.31-0.91) and females Kurds (OR = 0.60, CI 95%: 0.37-0.97) with moderate-to-severe FI and higher total income per capita. In contrast, the chance of central obesity increased in Kurds with increased age (OR = 1.06, CI 95%: 1.02-1.10) and total cost of household per capita (OR = 1.004, CI 95%: 1.000-1.008)., Conclusion: These findings show that the association between moderate-to-severe FI and risk of general/central obesity varies in Azeris, compared to Kurds. However, better SES decreased the chance of general/central obesity in both ethnic groups.

Objectives: To determine the resting metabolic rate (RMR) in a sample of Iranian women, and to evaluate the validity of predictive equations for estimating RMR in normal and obese subjects., Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 187 healthy women aged 18-45 years. Anthropometric data were collected and subjects' RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry for 15 minutes following an overnight fast. RMR was also predicted using various types of formulas based on subjects' height, age, weight or fat-free mass. Body composition was estimated by bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA)., Results: Measured RMR (mean ± SD) was found to be 1473 ± 296 kcal/day. The abbreviation formula overestimated RMR, while other formulas underestimated it. Harris-Benedict formula was valid among all BMI categories (normal weight, overweight, obese and morbidly obese). Two Schofield formulas were valid in normal weight, overweight and morbidly obese subjects; and Cunningham formula was valid only among overweight and obese women. Overweight and obese Iranian women had higher RMR in comparison with normal weight subjects (p<0.01); although after age and weight adjustment, the differences were not significant in any of the BMI categories., Conclusions: The Harris-Benedict for mula provides a valid estimation of RMR at the group level in a range of normal-weight to morbidly obese Iranians. However, at the individual level, errors might be so high that using a measured value has to be preferred over an estimated value.

Objectives: Using a dietary pattern analysis method could provide more information about the nutritional etiology of chronic diseases such as obesity. The aim of this study is to determine the association between major dietary patterns and general and central obesity among adult women living in Tehran., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran, Iran, with 460 women aged 20-50 y. Dietary intake in the previous year was collected by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Weight, height and waist circumstance (WC) were measured with standard methods and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. General obesity was defined as BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2) and central obesity as WC > or = 88 cm. Factor analysis was used for identifying major dietary patterns. The association between major dietary patterns and general and central obesity were assessed by logistic regression analysis., Results: Two major dietary patterns were extracted: "Healthy" and "Unhealthy" dietary patterns. After adjusting for confounders, individuals in the highest quartile of the unhealthy dietary pattern score were more likely to have general (OR=7.33, 95% CI: 2.39-22.51) and central obesity (OR=4.99, 95% CI: 2.08-11.94), whereas, those in the upper quartile of healthy dietary pattern were less likely to have general (OR=0.38, 95% CI: 0.15-0.98) or central obesity (OR=0.33, 95% CI: 0.16-0.71)., Conclusion: Our data suggest that a dietary pattern rich in fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and poultry might be negatively associated with obesity. Furthermore our data showed that a dietary pattern high in processed meats, soft drinks, sweets, refined grains, snacks and processed juice might be positively associated with obesity among women aged 20-50 y.

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of central and general obesity and compare nine anthropometric indices as predictors of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Iranian adults. Methods: A total of 10,520 adults between ages 35 and 70 years old who were referred to the PERSIAN Guilan Cohort Study were included in this study. Anthropometric indices, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), conicity index, hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip-to-height ratio (WHHR), body adiposity index, and a body shape index (ABSI), were measured using the standard methods. The risk factors for CVD (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and out-of-range lipid profiles) were defined by laboratory tests and medical history. The odds ratio of the risk factors based on a unit increase in anthropometric indices was examined by an adjusted logistic model. Results: The mean of all anthropometric indices was higher in women than in men (p<0.01). After adjusting for confounders, the risk of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia increased with an increase in all anthropometric indices. The highest risk of diabetes mellitus and hypertriglyceridemia was found in higher WHHR. The highest risk of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was found in an increase in the WHR and ABSI, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings emphasize higher levels of general and central obesity in adults in the north of Iran. The WHHR and WHtR seem to be more valuable indices than BMI and WC for predicting distinct risk factors for CVD. However, the WHR was the strongest index for the prediction of high LDL-C/HDL-C ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]