Neslişah Rakıcıoğlu

The effect of Ramadan on maternal nutrition and composition of breast milk

Background: There are many advantages of breast milk for infants. Many factors can affect the volume and composition of breast milk. One of them is the maternal diet. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of Ramadan fasting on maternal nutrition and breast milk composition.

Optimal waist:height ratio cut-off point for cardiometabolic risk factors in Turkish adults.

OBJECTIVE To identify the optimal waist:height ratio (WHtR) cut-off point that discriminates cardiometabolic risk factors in Turkish adults. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. Hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, metabolic syndrome score >or=2 (presence of two or more metabolic syndrome components except for waist circumference) and at least one risk factor (diabetes, hypertension or dyslipidaemia) were categorical outcome variables. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were prepared by plotting 1 - specificity on the x-axis and sensitivity on the y-axis. The WHtR value that had the highest Youden index was selected as the optimal cut-off point for each cardiometabolic risk factor (Youden index = sensitivity + specificity - 1). SETTING Turkey, 2003. SUBJECTS Adults (1121 women and 571 men) aged 18 years and over were examined. RESULTS Analysis of ROC coordinate tables showed that the optimal cut-off value ranged between 0.55 and 0.60 and was almost equal between men and women. The sensitivities of the identified cut-offs were between 0.63 and 0.81, the specificities were between 0.42 and 0.71 and the accuracies were between 0.65 and 0.73, for men and women. The cut-off point of 0.59 was the most frequently identified value for discrimination of the studied cardiometabolic risk factors. Subjects classified as having WHtR >or= 0.59 had significantly higher age and sociodemographic multivariable-adjusted odds ratios for cardiometabolic risk factors than subjects with WHtR < 0.59, except for diabetes in men. CONCLUSIONS We show that the optimal WHtR cut-off point to discriminate cardiometabolic risk factors is 0.59 in Turkish adults.

Nutritional status and dietary intake of institutionalized elderly in Turkey: A cross-sectional, multi-center, country representative study

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the nutritional status and dietary intake of institutionalized elderly in Turkey. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING 25 institutions in 19 cities throughout Turkey. PARTICIPANTS Elderly residents aged 65 years and older (n=554). MEASUREMENTS Nutritional status using Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), food consumption with 24-h dietary recall and anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)). RESULTS The mean age of the elderly was 76.1±7.3 years. BMI of elderly men and women were found to be 26.59±4.58kg/m(2) and 30.07±6.32kg/m(2), respectively. WC of elderly men and women were found to be 98.90±1.33cm and 100.62±1.34cm, respectively. Most of the elderly were overweight based on BMI and at risk of metabolic diseases based on WC. According to MNA, 44.2% had normal nutritional status, 49.1% were at risk of malnutrition, 6.7% had malnutrition. All nutrients intake was favorable according to requirements, except for calcium and magnesium. Energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins A, E, B1, B2, B6, C folat, iron, zinc intake of elderly who had normal nutritional status, who were at risk of malnutrition and malnourished were significantly different. Energy and nutrients intake of elderly who had normal nutritional status was found to be better than the others. CONCLUSION Nutritional status should be periodically screened in the institutionalized elderly to prevent malnutrition. Also, it was noted that adequate energy and nutrients intake of the elderly played a crucial role in maintaining nutritional status and preventing malnutrition within residential homes.

Nutritional status and eating habits of the institutionalised elderly in Turkey: a follow-up study.

BACKGROUND As the elderly population increases in Turkey, so do the associated health and nutritional problems. The main purpose of the present study was to determine the nutritional status of elderly individuals who live in institutions. METHODS A total of 102 elderly volunteers was recruited from seven residential homes of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies in Ankara. In the consecutive years of 2007, 2008 and 2009, dietary intake was assessed using a 24-h food recall. Nutritional status was screened using a questionnaire from the Mini-Nutritional Assessment, basic characteristics were determined and anthropometric measurements were assessed. RESULTS The percentage of elderly participants who were malnourished or at risk for malnutrition increased by the completion of the follow-up (P < 0.05). It was found that energy, total protein, animal proteins, carbohydrates, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc intake of men decreased significantly over the years studied (P < 0.05). A significant decrease occurred among women in animal protein, vitamin B1 , niacin and the percentage of energy from proteins (P < 0.05); however, an increase in energy from fat (P < 0.05) was determined. Within the years studied, the percentage of nutrients meeting the Turkish recommended daily allowances decreased from 2007 to 2009 both in men and women. During the years 2007 to 2009, the percentage of waist circumferences >102 cm for men was 46.4%, 45.6% and 48.1%, respectively, and the percentage of waist circumferences for women >88 cm was 75.6%, 75.6% and 81.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS During the follow-up, significant nutritional changes were determined. To prevent malnutrition, periodical screening of nutritional status should be a priority and a standard policy for elderly people, especially for those institutionalised.

The effects of meal glycemic load on blood glucose levels of adults with different body mass indexes

Aims: The aim was to determine the effect of meal glycemic load (GL) on blood glucose levels of healthy people with different body mass indexes (BMIs). Methods: Thirty healthy controls were included in this study. The participants were divided into two groups according to their BMI as normal group (BMI = 18.5–24.9 kg/m2, n = 15) and overweight group (BMI = 25.0–29.9 kg/m2, n = 15). Dietary assessment was done by the 24-h recall method for 3 successive days. Cases were fed by breakfasts with two different GL on consecutive days. Energy values of the test meal, adjusted to meet 25% of daily energy requirements of each case, were identical in low and high GL meal (483 kcal and 482 kcal, respectively). Finger-prick capillary blood samples were taken on 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min. Results: Average daily energy intake in normal and overweight group was found as 2514.3 ± 223.8 kcal, 2064.1 ± 521.6 kcal and 2211.4 ± 368.7 kcal, 2494.8 ± 918 kcal in males and females, respectively. Blood glucose level was increased and remained more stable in both high GL meal groups compared to low (P < 0.05). The effects of GL on BMI classified groups were also found different. High GL meal was found to be more effective for increasing blood glucose level, especially on overweight group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The effects of GL meal were found to be different on normal and overweight individuals. The high GL meals were more effective to increase the blood glucose level than low GL meal, especially on overweight people.

The relationship between nutritional status and handgrip strength in adult cancer patients: a cross-sectional study

PurposeMalnutrition is a common complication in head, neck and lung cancer patients, particularly in cases of gastrointestinal system (GIS) cancer. Therefore, an assessment of malnutrition is crucial for early nutritional interventions. It was conducted as a cross-sectional study to evaluate nutritional status of adult cancer patients.MethodsThe nutritional status of 104 cancer patients (52 GIS and 52 non-GIS cancer cases) using a Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), handgrip strength, certain anthropometric measurements and food consumption in and outside of the hospital were assessed.ResultsThe percentages of malnutrition were 64.6 and 64.3% in the male patients with and without GIS cancer, respectively. They were 61.9 and 45.8% in the female patients with GIS and without GIS cancer, respectively. However, no significant difference was found between these two groups according to the malnutrition classification, PG-SGA score, handgrip strength and other anthropometric measurements (p > 0.05). The daily energy and protein intakes (per body weight) of the female patients in the hospital were significantly lower than those outside (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a positive moderate and significant relationship between the handgrip strength and lean body mass (r = 0.522, p = 0.000). A negative relationship was observed between the PG-SGA score and the handgrip strength (r = − 0.117, p = 0.071), but it was not statistically significant.ConclusionsCancer patients could be provided with nutritional education, and arrangements could be made with hospital nutritional services in order to prevent malnutrition.

Effect of seasonal changes on nutritional status and biochemical parameters in Turkish older adults

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Available data suggest that seasonal changes may influence the nutritional status and overall health of elderly individuals. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of seasonal changes and related factors on energy and nutrient intake of older adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS Individuals aged 65 years or over were prospectively enrolled in this single-center study (male: 11, female: 20). Data were collected between May 2013 and February 2014 during winter, spring, summer and autumn. Food consumption and biochemical parameters were taken during each season to assess the seasonal nutrition status of the elderly. Upon analysis of biochemical parameters (retinol, vitamin D and vitamin C), an high-performance liquid chromatography device was utilized whereas an Immulite 2000 device was utilized during analysis of serum folic acid and parathyroid hormone. RESULTS Fruit, fat, egg and bread consumption varied seasonally in males and females (P < 0.05). During winter, daily energy intake was found to be greater than in other seasons in males (557 kcal) and females (330 kcal) (P < 0.05). Additionally, carbohydrates, vegetable protein, n-3 fatty acid and sodium intake increased in winter, while the n-6/n-3 ratio increased in summer among males (P < 0.05). Dietary fiber and sodium intake in winter, vitamin C, iron and zinc intake in spring, and cholesterol, retinol, vitamin D and niacin intake in autumn were found to be higher in females when compared to other seasons (P < 0.05). Serum parathyroid hormone level was higher in winter, and vitamin D level was higher in autumn in both genders (P < 0.05). In males, blood folic acid level was higher in winter, while vitamin C level was higher in females, and there was no seasonal variation in retinol concentration (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Food consumption and biochemical parameters showed significant seasonal variations in older adults. It is not clear if nutrition plans in older adults will benefit from consideration of seasonal changes in eating habits.

Nutritional status of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare the nutritional status and certain anthropometric characteristics in school-age children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and healthy controls. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 200 children (ages eight to 11), half with ADHD and the other half healthy, participated in the study. A three-day food consumption record was taken and evaluated based on energy and macro-micro nutrient requirements. Weight, height, waist, hip, mid-upper arm circumferences and hand grip strength were measured. Findings – Energy, protein, fat, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrate, niacin and zinc intakes were found significantly lower than healthy controls for female participants and all nutrient intakes were found significantly lower than healthy controls for male participants (p 0.05). Research limitations/implications – The study sample size was too small to make...