OBJECTIVES To determine the gender-specific prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (Met S) in a representative sample of Iranian adults, and to identify some possible related lifestyle factors. METHODS As the baseline survey of a community-based interventional program entitled Isfahan Healthy Heart Program, we performed this cross-sectional study on 12,514 adults (> or =19 years) living in urba...

BACKGROUND Attitudes to the aging process are affected by the individual's sociocultural background. The measurement of this important concept among older people in various societies requires the use of tools that are able to demonstrate both reliability and validity. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to translate and validate the Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire (AAQ) and investiga...

BACKGROUND Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has been proposed to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), but the association of the diet on MetS in non-Mediterranean populations remains unclear. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate whether adherence to the MedDiet is related to the incident MetS and its components during a 3-year follow-up among Iranian adult...

BACKGROUND Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a complex disorder which increases the risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. As a result of modern lifestyles, the prevalence of MetS has been rising globally. This study aims to investigate whether overall prevalence of MetS varies when using different definitions of MetS and to identify the best and most pred...

BACKGROUND Data on the effect of lifestyle intervention programs on salt intake and blood pressure in developing countries are scarce. This study aimed to assess the impact of a healthy lifestyle community-based trial on salt intake and blood pressure among a representative sample of normotensive Iranian adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS We compared the data for salt intake, urinary sodium levels...

The geographical variation in Helicobacter pylori genotypes is an observed phenomenon. Cytotoxin associated genes A (cagA) and E (cagE), and vacuolating cytotoxin (vacA) genotypes of H. pylori are associated with peptic ulcer disease (PUD). This study compared the distribution of these genotypes in Iranian and Afghani isolates and their association with clinical outcomes. H. pylori infected pat...

BACKGROUND The extensive rise in the prevalence of obesity is a matter of great concern and poses a global threat to people's health. Obesity and overweight are considered to be the consequence of a collection of conditions including genetic, social, environmental, behavioral, and physical factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the determinants of weight change over seven years in a ...

BACKGROUND There are numerous studies and documents regarding the prevalence of smoking in Iran. Thus, to provide suitable information for decision-making and policy-making in this regard, the prevalence of smoking in Iran was evaluated using the meta-analysis of the results of the existing researches. METHODS Data were collected by searching the keywords cigarette, smoking, tobacco, and nico...

Increased fetal hemoglobin (Hb F; alpha(2)gamma(2)) production in adults can ameliorate the clinical severity of sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia major. Thus, understanding the regulation of gamma-globin gene expression and its silencing in adults has potential therapeutic implications. We studied a father and son in an Iranian-American family who had elevated Hb F levels and found a no...