BACKGROUND: Nutrition is important to the management and relief of the symptoms in menstrual disorders. This study aims to investigate the relationship between menstrual disorders and specific foods and nutrient intake in women.
METHODS: Five-hundred-nine menstruating women participated in the study. The questionnaire form was created by the researchers via Google Forms and distributed in online applications (WhatsApp, Instagram etc.). The questionnaire consists of 5 sections, including demographic data, declared anthropometric measurements (height (m or cm), weight (g or kg)), questions about eating habits, menstruation status, and 24-hour food consumption. Statistical analysis was made with SPSS 23; nutrient analysis of food consumption was made using BeBiS 9.0.
RESULTS: It was found that the body mass index (BMI) of healthy participants was higher than women with menstrual disorders. Women with menstrual disorders have lower intake of protein, vitamin K, vitamin B3, vitamin B5 and sodium compared with healthy women. All participants have a higher intake of vitamin B3, sodium, phosphorus, and manganese, and have a lower intake of other nutrients compared with the national adequate intake.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that women with menstrual disorders consume more high-sugar food/beverages and have inadequate nutrients intake.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia during pregnancy causes adverse outcomes to the woman and the foetus, including anaemic heart failure, prematurity, and intrauterine growth restriction. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the leading cause of anaemia and oral iron supplementation during pregnancy is widely recommended. However, little focus is directed to dietary intake. This study estimates the contribution of IDA among pregnant women and examines its risk factors (including dietary) in those with moderate or severe IDA in Lagos and Kano states, Nigeria.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 11,582 women were screened for anaemia at 20-32 weeks gestation. The 872 who had moderate or severe anaemia (haemoglobin concentration < 10 g/dL) were included in this study. Iron deficiency was defined as serum ferritin level < 30 ng/mL. We described the sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics of the sample and their self-report of consumption of common food items. We conducted bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors associated with IDA.
RESULTS: Iron deficiency was observed among 41% (95%CI: 38 - 45) of women with moderate or severe anaemia and the prevalence increased with gestational age. The odds for IDA reduces from aOR: 0.36 (95%CI: 0.13 - 0.98) among pregnant women who consume green leafy vegetables every 2-3 weeks, to 0.26 (95%CI: 0.09 - 0.73) among daily consumers, compared to those who do not eat it. Daily consumption of edible kaolin clay was associated with increased odds of having IDA compared to non-consumption, aOR 9.13 (95%CI: 3.27 - 25.48). Consumption of soybeans three to four times a week was associated with higher odds of IDA compared to non-consumption, aOR: 1.78 (95%CI: 1.12 - 2.82).
CONCLUSIONS: About 4 in 10 women with moderate or severe anaemia during pregnancy had IDA. Our study provides evidence for the protective effect of green leafy vegetables against IDA while self-reported consumption of edible kaolin clay and soybeans appeared to increase the odds of having IDA during pregnancy. Health education on diet during pregnancy needs to be strengthened since this could potentially increase awareness and change behaviours that could reduce IDA among pregnant women with moderate or severe anaemia in Nigeria and other countries.

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) globally have undergone rapid urbanisation, and changes in demography and health behaviours. In Sri Lanka, cardio-vascular disease and diabetes are now leading causes of mortality. High prevalence of their risk factors, including hypertension, dysglycaemia and obesity have also been observed. Diet is a key modifiable risk factor for both cardio-vascular disease and diabetes as well as their risk factors. Although typically thought of as an environmental risk factor, dietary choice has been shown to be genetically influenced, and genes associated with this behaviour correlate with metabolic risk indicators. We used Structural Equation Model fitting to investigate the aetiology of dietary choices and cardio-metabolic phenotypes in COTASS, a population-based twin and singleton sample in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Participants completed a Food Frequency Questionnaire (N = 3934) which assessed frequency of intake of 14 food groups including meat, vegetables and dessert or sweet snacks. Anthropometric (N = 3675) and cardio-metabolic (N = 3477) phenotypes were also collected including weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose and triglycerides. Frequency of consumption of most food items was found to be largely environmental in origin with both the shared and non-shared environmental influences indicated. Modest genetic influences were observed for some food groups (e.g. fruits and leafy greens). Cardio-metabolic phenotypes showed moderate genetic influences with some shared environmental influence for Body Mass Index, blood pressure and triglycerides. Overall, it seemed that shared environmental effects were more important for both dietary choices and cardio-metabolic phenotypes compared to populations in the Global North.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in adults with Crohn\'s Disease (CD) in Birmingham, UK (latitude 52.4°N, -1.9°E) and identify modifiable risk factors.
METHODS: A nurse-led, single-centre, prospective study was conducted over 5 months in 2019 and 2020 in outpatients with CD, at a tertiary referral hospital in Birmingham UK. Vitamin D (25OHD) levels were measured at a single timepoint by a dried blood spot sample. Modifiable risk factor data were collected including intake of vitamin D-containing foods, use of vitamin D supplements, sun exposure and current smoking.
RESULTS: Total 150 participants (53.3% male, 79.3% white British). Vitamin D deficiency (25OHD <50 nmol/L) was found in 53.3%. 32.7% of participants took over-the-counter vitamin D supplements and 20.7% used prescribed supplements. We found that diets were generally poor in relation to vitamin D-rich foods. In terms of sun exposure, few (18%) had visited a sunny country recently, and few (6%) covered their whole body with clothing. Most used High Sun Protection Factor (80%) with a median grade of SPF 45.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CD are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency as defined by 25OHD < 50 nmol/L, with the prevalence of deficiency being highest during the winter months. Patients with CD in the UK are unlikely to maintain vitamin D levels from sunlight exposure, dietary sources or over-the-counter supplements.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Crohn\'s Disease are at high risk of developing vitamin D deficiency but there is little data from the UK at this latitude. We demonstrate the prevalence and severity of vitamin D deficiency in people with Crohn\'s Disease in the UK. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this group is high and warrants monitoring by nurses and clinical teams. Nurses and clinical teams should consider strategies for vitamin D supplementation in patients with Crohn\'s Disease.

Background Food consumption patterns and dietary diversity are vital sources for the nutrition status of pregnant women (PW) and lactating women (LW), children, and adolescent girls. Undernutrition, food consumption pattern, and poor dietary diversity are interlinked; however, not much is known in the context of rural Gujarat. This study aims to assess the regional pattern of food consumption and dietary diversity among pregnant and lactating women, children, and adolescent girls from Devbhumi Dwarka District in the state of Gujarat. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in four blocks of Devbhumi Dwarka District of Gujarat. A cluster sampling method was used for a better representation. A total of 632 pregnant women, 562 lactating mothers, 855 children aged 7-24 months, and 1,252 adolescent girls were assessed for food consumption patterns. Results Consumption of cereals (98%) was found to be highest among pregnant women, whereas consumption of pulses and fruits, which are rich in proteins and vitamins, was inadequate. Overall, the consumption of fruits was inadequate among adolescent girls (56.5%). Moreover, inadequate consumption of green leafy vegetables (36.4%) was noted among children. The dietary diversity score (DDS) for the study population ranges between 4.5 and 4.8, indicating medium diversity in food. Conclusion Cereal consumption is higher, which indicates a major part of the energy consumed by vulnerable groups. In contrast, low consumption of pulses, fruits, milk, and green leafy vegetables suggests the possibility of one or more micronutrient deficiencies. There is a need for innovative intervention to change food habits and promote locally available nutrient-rich food and awareness of the importance of various food groups to improve food patterns and the health of vulnerable groups.

While the popularity of distance running is growing worldwide, endurance runners’ dietary challenges associated with their prolonged training and racing activities have not yet been fully understood. The present investigation was conducted with the aim of examining the association between race distance and dietary intake of distance runners. A total of 317 runners initially participated, and after data clearance, 211 endurance runners (57% females) were finally considered the study sample. Runners were assigned to three race distance groups: 10-km (n = 74), half-marathon (n = 83), and marathon/ultra-marathon (n = 54). An online survey was used to collect data; dietary intake was monitored using a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire, including 53 food groups categorized in 14 basic and three umbrella clusters. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between race distance groups in consumption of most food clusters except for “fruits and vegetables” and “total of protein”, with a predominance of 10-km runners compared to half-marathoners and (ultra-)marathoners (p ≤ 0.05). Age was a significant predictor for the consumption of only five (out of 17) food clusters (p ≤ 0.05), including “fruit and vegetables”, “unprocessed meat”, “processed meat”, “eggs”, and “plant protein”. Future investigations with a larger sample size and more differentiated (sub)groups may help provide comparable data to develop a better understanding of the dietary behaviors among shorter versus longer distance runners.

Nowadays, the growing popularity of distance running has been accompanied by the increasing prevalence of vegan and vegetarian diets, especially among endurance athletes. The present study aimed to examine the association between diet type and dietary intake of distance runners competing at distances longer than 10 km. From a total of 317 participants, 211 endurance runners (57% females) were considered the final sample after applying the exclusion criteria. Runners were assigned to three groups based on the self-reported diet types: 95 omnivores, 40 vegetarians, and 76 vegans. Data collection was conducted using an online survey with questions about sociodemographic information, dietary intake, and dietary-associated motives. A comprehensive food frequency questionnaire with 53 food groups (categorized in 14 basic-plus three umbrella-food clusters) was used to assess dietary intake. Vegan runners had a higher intake of \"beans and seeds\", \"fruit and vegetables\", and \"dairy alternatives\", as well as lower intakes of \"oils\" than other two groups. Vegetarian runners had a lower intake of \"dairy products\" and \"eggs\" than omnivores. A greater intake of \"alcohol\" and a lower intake of \"meat alternatives\" was observed in omnivorous runners compared to vegans and vegetarians. Despite the existence of a tendency toward the consumption of health-related food clusters by vegan runners, further investigations are needed to verify the predominance of vegans in health-oriented dietary patterns.

Sex has been recognized to be an important indicator of physiological, psychological, and nutritional characteristics among endurance athletes. However, there are limited data addressing sex-based differences in dietary behaviors of distance runners. The aim of the present study is to explore the sex-specific differences in dietary intake of female and male distance runners competing at >10-km distances. From the initial number of 317 participants, 211 endurance runners (121 females and 90 males) were selected as the final sample after a multi-level data clearance. Participants were classified to race distance (10-km, half-marathon, marathon/ultra-marathon) and type of diet (omnivorous, vegetarian, vegan) subgroups. An online survey was conducted to collect data on sociodemographic information and dietary intake (using a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire with 53 food groups categorized in 14 basic and three umbrella food clusters). Compared to male runners, female runners had a significantly greater intake in four food clusters, including “beans and seeds”, “fruit and vegetables”, “dairy alternatives”, and “water”. Males reported higher intakes of seven food clusters, including “meat”, “fish”, “eggs”, “oils”, “grains”, “alcohol”, and “processed foods”. Generally, it can be suggested that female runners have a tendency to consume healthier foods than males. The predominance of females with healthy dietary behavior can be potentially linked to the well-known differences between females and males in health attitudes and lifestyle patterns.

OBJECTIVE: Food security is a complex and multidimensional issue that has been recognized as a serious public health problem all over the world for the past two decades. The present study was designed and conducted to determine the prevalence of food insecurity among college students at the Kashan University of Medical Sciences and some related factors including socioeconomic and mental health determinants.
METHODS: The present study is a cross-sectional study conducted on 358 students who were currently studying at the Kashan University of Medical Sciences. The students who were pregnant or had a special diet to follow were excluded. Samples were selected by the systematic method. Food security was measured using United States Department of Agriculture. Food Frequency Questionnaire, 21-items Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, and Socioeconomic Questionnaire were used to investigate the nutrients intake, depression/anxiety status, and socioeconomic factors, respectively. Chi-square, independent t-test, and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS: Based on the findings of the present study, 16.8% of students experienced different levels of food insecurity, and 83.2% of participants were categorized as food secure. Gender, financial assistance, health insurance, depression, and students\' occupation are associated with food insecurity (P < .05). Additionally, the results of the logistic regression analysis showed that depression (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01-1.07), and students\' jobs (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.23-0.80) have the greatest impact on students\' food insecurity.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study show that economic factors and gender have a significant impact on students\' food security. Moreover, the association of food insecurity with mental disorders such as depression was demonstrated in the current study. However, we could not detect any significant association between daily energy intake and macronutrients which indicates the requirement for more detailed studies.

Improving the nutrition of pregnant women is essential in reducing maternal and child mortality, which is one of the global nutritional goals of 2025. This study evaluated the factors related to the quality of dietary intake among pregnant women in Muntinlupa, Philippines. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 280 pregnant women at a hospital in Muntinlupa from March 2019 to August 2019 using questionnaires. After the primary aggregation, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with the quality of dietary intake in pregnant women. Approximately half of the women (46.4%, n = 130) had a low dietary diversity during pregnancy. Less than 30% of the respondents consumed beans, soybean products, and nuts. In the logistic regression analysis, poor maternal knowledge of nutritional sources to prevent anemia (odds ratio (OR) 4.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.47-12.32, p = 0.01) and less frequent meal consumption (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.08-4.29, p = 0.03) were significantly associated with poor dietary diversity. Our findings are crucial because they suggest that increasing the knowledge of pregnant women about good nutrition and ensuring that dietary intake is frequent and adequate through antenatal care can improve the nutrition of pregnant women.