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Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders affecting heart and blood vessels. However, protective roles are proposed for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-style diets. The aim of this review was to summarize and if possible quantify the longitudinal effects of a DASH-style diet on the incidence of CVDs. Pubmed, ISI web of science, and EMBASE were searched and cohort studies that examined the DASH-style diet in relation to CVDs, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and heart failure (HF) were selected. Cohort studies which included participants with specific CVD risk factors like diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, obesity or hypertension were excluded from review. Relative risks (RRs) that were reported for fully adjusted models and their confidence intervals were extracted for meta-analysis. Regarding the adherence to the DASH diet and the incidence of CVDs, stroke, CHD, and HF, only 6 studies met our criteria to be included in this systematic review. Meta-analysis showed that imitating a DASH-like diet can significantly reduce CVDs (RR = 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74–0.86; P < 0.001), CHD (RR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.71–0.88; P < 0.001), stroke (RR = 0.81, 95% CI, 0.72–0.92; P < 0.001), and HF (RR= 0.71, 95% CI, 0.58–0.88; P < 0.001) risk. A linear and negative association was obtained between DASH-style diet concordance and all CVDs, as well. In conclusion, our results showed that a DASH-like diet can significantly protect against CVDs, CHD, stroke, and HF risk by 20%, 21%, 19% and 29%, respectively. Furthermore, there is a significant reverse linear association between DASH diet consumption and CVDs, CHD, stroke, and HF risk.

Purpose Fish consumption and dietary intake of n-3 polyunsaturated acids (PUFAs) may be associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to conduct a systematic review and summarize published articles on the association between fish consumption and dietary intake of n-3 PUFAs with the risk of IBD. Methods PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were used to conduct a comprehensive search and identify eligible literature published prior to January 2019. Fixed-effects model or random-effects models (DerSimonian–Laird method) were applied to pool the effect sizes. Cochrane Q test was used to trace the potential source of heterogeneity across studies. Results 12 studies (5 prospective and 7 case–control) were included in the systematic review, which ten of them were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Studies were included a total sample size of 282610 participants which 2002 of them were cases of IBD [1061 Crohn’s disease (CD) and 937 ulcerative colitis (UC)]. A negative association was found between fish consumption and the incidence of CD (pooled effect size: 0.54, 95%CI: 0.31–0.96, P  = 0.03). There was no relationship between total dietary n-3 PUFAs intake and IBD (pooled effect size: 1.17, 95%CI: 0.80–1.72, P  = 0.41). A significant inverse association was observed between dietary long-chain n-3 PUFAs and the risk of UC (pooled effect size: 0.75, 95%CI: 0.57–0.98, P  = 0.03). Moreover, no association was found between α-Linolenic acid (ALA) and IBD (pooled effect size: 1.17, 95%CI: 0.63–2.17, P  = 0.62). Conclusions Findings showed a negative association between fish consumption and the risk of CD. Moreover, there was a significant inverse association between dietary long-chain n-3 PUFAs and the risk of UC.

Limited data are available, linking the plant-based diets to breast cancer (BC). We examined the association of overall plant-based diet index (PDI), hypothesized healthful (hPDI) and unhealthful versions of a plant-based diet index (uPDI) with BC in Iranian women. This population-based case–control study included 350 cases with newly diagnosed BC and 700 age-matched apparently healthy controls. We collected dietary data using a validated, Willett-format semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Using these data, we generated a PDI by dedicating positive scores to plant foods, and reverse scores to animal foods, hPDI by assigning positive scores to healthy plant foods and reverse scores to less healthy plant foods and animal foods, and finally uPDI in which positive scores were assigned to less healthy plant foods and reverse scores to healthy plant foods and animal foods. After controlling for potential confounders, individuals in the highest quartile of PDI had 67% lower odds of BC than those in the lowest quartile (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.22–0.50). Individuals with the greatest adherence to hPDI were 36% less likely to have BC than those with the lowest adherence, in the fully adjusted model (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.43–0.94). In terms of uPDI, women in the top quartile had a 2.23 times greater chance of BC than those in the bottom quartile (OR 2.23; 95% CI 1.48–3.36). Greater adherence to PDI and hPDI was inversely associated with the risk of BC, whereas uPDI was associated with an increased risk.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between adherence to plant-based dietary patterns and anthropometric indices among primary school girls in Kerman. This cross-sectional study included 330 girls aged 6–12. A reliable and validated dish-based food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary data. Weight, height, and mid-arm circumference were measured, and z-score charts from the World Health Organization for girls between the ages of 5 and 19 were utilized. We used Satija et al. method to calculate plant-based diet index scores. After adjusting for age and energy, participants in the higher tertile of the overall plant-based diet index (PDI) had a lower height-for-age z score (HAZ) (0.38±0.12 vs. 0.59±0.12 kg; P = 0.033). Higher unhealthful plant-based diet index (uPDI) scores were significantly associated with decreased HAZ in models 2 (p = 0.028) and 3 (p = 0.035). A higher PDI score was associated with lower odds of being underweight and overweight, respectively (Model 1: P trend = 0.007, <0.001; Model 2: P trend = 0.010, 0.001). A significant inverse association was found between healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI) scores and underweight risk in the crude and adjusted models. (Model 1: P trend = 0.021; model 2: P trend = 0.018; Model 3: P trend = 0.031). Higher uPDI scores were associated with increased odds of being overweight and obese in all three models (Model 1: p trend<0.001; Model 2: p trend<0.001; Model 3: p trend = 0.001). We concluded that children who followed a plant-based diet had lower odds of being overweight and obese. Higher scores on the hPDI were linked to a decreased risk of being underweight, while higher scores on the uPDI were associated with an increased risk of being overweight and obese. The study suggests healthy plant-based diet may benefit children’s weight and growth.

Research has established a positive association between food insecurity and obesity, typically assessed by body mass index (BMI); However, studies examining the relationship between food insecurity and measures of body fat content and distribution are lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the association between food insecurity and obesity ([BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) and body fat indicators assessed by body roundness index ([BRI] > 6.72) and a body shape index ([ABSI] > 0.08). This is a cross-sectional study using NHANES data 2007–2020. Household food security was assessed by U.S. Food Security Survey Module questionnaire. Multivariable-adjusted binary logistic regression analyses were used to calculate odds ratios and 95% CIs. Compared to those with full food security, the adjusted ORs for obesity were 1.28 (95% CI:1.18, 1.39), 1.40 (95% CI:1.28, 1.53), and 1.43 (95% CI:1.30, 1.57) for those with marginal, low and very low food security, respectively. The corresponding ORs for high BRI were, respectively, 1.39 (95% CI:1.26, 1.52), 1.50 (95% CI:1.36, 1.66), and 1.60 (95% CI:1.43, 1.78). Similar results were observed for ABSI. The analyses of BMI suggested a potential sex difference, as significant associations were found in women, but not in men. This study confirms previous evidence of the positive association between food insecurity and obesity among US adults.

Although many studies have shown an association between dietary energy density (DED) and obesity, there has been no systematic review and meta-analysis on this topic. Therefore, the objective of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively review and summarize the literature on association between DED and obesity. We searched titles, abstracts, and keywords of articles indexed in ScienceDirect, ProQuest, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar databases until January 2015 to identify eligible studies. We excluded studies that did not examine DED for whole diet and studies that included patients with cancer, pregnant women, the elderly (>60 y old), and children (<2 y old). There were no language or publication date restrictions. Of the 37 studies included in this review, most articles reported a direct association between DED and obesity. We performed a meta-analysis on 23 of these studies. In comparison with the lowest NTILE of DED, subjects in the highest NTILE of DED had significant weight gain (2.26 kg, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–3.53), greater adjusted mean body mass index (BMI) (0.50 kg/m2, 95% CI: 0.02–0.98 for males and 0.85 kg/m2, 95% CI: 0.51–1.19 for females), and risk of excess adiposity (odds ratio [OR]: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.04–1.55). We did not observe significant associations between DED and risk of elevated BMI (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.00–1.27) and abdominal obesity (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.19–7.38). We found no evidence of publication bias. The present review showed that DED was directly associated with risk of excess adiposity, higher weight change, and BMI. Lower DED should be considered a prevention strategy for obesity. •Energy density (ED) was directly associated with weight gain, adjusted means for body mass index (in men and women separately), and adiposity risk in cohort studies.•No significant association was observed between ED and weight and elevated odds of abdominal obesity in cross-sectional studies.•We found no evidence of publication bias.

The school age period is characterized by significant physical and intellectual growth, necessitating the monitoring of macronutrient intake and its impact on weight and height. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between the quality and quantity of protein and fat consumption with anthropometric indices in primary school girls in Kerman. This cross-sectional analysis was conducted on primary school girls aged 6–12 (n 330) from ten schools in Kerman, Iran. A validated and reliable dish-based 185-item food frequency questionnaire was used. We calculated the amount of proteins and fats as the percentage of daily calories and grams per day. Plant-based and animal-based proteins were used to assess the protein quality. To assess the fat quality, we considered trans fatty acids (TFA), cholesterol, vegetable oils, solid vegetable oils, animal oils, omega-6 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), omega-3 PUFA, and (PUFAs + Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs))/Saturated fatty acids (SFAs), PUFAs/SFA, and (MUFA + PUFA)/(SFA + TFA). There was a significant positive association between height-for-age z-score (HAZ) and plant protein (p < 0.001) and vegetable oils (p = 0.038) after adjustment. In higher tertiles of animal protein, weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) (p = 0.024) were significantly higher. A significant positive association was observed between omega-3 PUFA and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) (p = 0.039) and BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) (p = 0.016). Our study emphasizes the importance of monitoring protein and fat intake in primary school girls for optimal growth. Positive associations were found between plant-based protein, vegetable oils and HAZ, as well as animal protein and WAZ, highlighting the impact of protein quality on growth indicators.

Type 2 diabetes is a major public health problem. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating pattern may contribute to managing risk factors of type 2 diabetes. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examine the effects of DASH diet consumption on the indices of glycemic control such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum fasting insulin level, and Homeostatic Model Assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). We searched Pubmed, EMBASE, Science direct, ISI web of science, and Google Scholar for RCTs until July 2012. In total we found 20 articles that examine the effect of DASH diet on FBG (n = 9), fasting insulin (n = 7) and HOMA-IR (n = 4) met the inclusion criteria, respectively. Meta-analysis showed that the DASH diet can significantly reduce fasting insulin concentration (mean difference −0.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.22 to −0.08; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis based on the study period showed that the DASH diet could significantly reduce fasting insulin levels when prescribed for more than 16 wk (mean difference −0.16; 95% CI, −0.23 to −0.08; P < 0.001). Meta-analysis could not show a beneficial effect of the DASH diet on FBG (mean difference −0.26; 95% CI, −0.56 to 0.05; P = 0.1), and HOMA-IR (mean difference −0.26; 95% CI, −0.56 to 0.05; P = 0.1). The DASH dietary pattern may lead to an improvement in insulin sensitivity independent of weight loss. The DASH diet may play an important role in glycemic control in long- term interventions. Additional prospective studies regarding the association between DASH diet and risks for type 2 diabetes are necessary.

Background Dietary protein intake may influence sleep quality, mood, anxiety, depression, and stress in older adults, but evidence is limited. This study examined the impact of protein source (animal vs. plant) and quantity on these outcomes in the elderly. Methods In this cross‑sectional study, 396 Iranian adults aged 65–85 years with sleep or mental health challenges were recruited from hospitals and clinics. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 168‑item Food Frequency Questionnaire. Psychological health was measured with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS‑21), sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and mood with the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Results After adjustment for covariates, higher total protein intake was marginally associated with better sleep quality (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.11–0.96) and showed a non‑significant trend toward improved mood (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.14–1.27). Interactions were observed with COVID‑19 history, smoking, and gender. For example, individuals with high protein intake and prior COVID‑19 infection had lower odds of depression (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13–0.76) and a non‑significant trend toward lower stress. Men with high protein intake had lower odds of poor sleep quality (OR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.07–0.53) and anxiety (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.18–0.84). Higher plant protein intake was associated with increased odds of poor sleep quality (OR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.36–5.49). Animal protein intake was marginally linked to poorer sleep (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.51–2.29) but associated with reduced odds of poor mood (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.10–0.57) and depression (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.18–0.85). No significant associations were found between total protein intake and depression, anxiety, or stress in fully adjusted models. Conclusion Higher total protein intake was associated with some improvements in sleep and mood, but findings were inconsistent across outcomes. Animal protein appeared beneficial for mood and depression, whereas both plant and animal protein were linked to poorer sleep quality. These mixed results highlight the complexity of diet–mental health relationships and the need for cautious interpretation.

Background Food insecurity is a significant determinant of various health outcomes, including obesity and mental health disorders. To the best of our knowledge, no research has been conducted to examine the relationship between food insecurity and abdominal obesity, sleep-related outcomes, and mood among Iranian older adults. Methods This cross-sectional study comprised 400 older adults, with a mean age and BMI of 63.36 and 28.86 kg/m 2 . Dietary intake was evaluated using a validated and reliable 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Abdominal obesity was assessed through waist circumference (WC). Sleep-related outcomes, mental health, and mood status were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), and the Profile of Mood States (POMS), respectively. Results The final model shows that higher levels of food insecurity are significantly linked with poorer sleep quality ( P  = 0.003), greater symptoms of depression ( P  < 0.001), anxiety ( P  = 0.006), and stress ( P  < 0.001), as well as worse mood ( P  < 0.001). Additionally, food insecurity is positively associated with increased abdominal obesity and higher body roundness index (BRI) ( P  = 0.021). Conclusions This study highlights significant associations between food insecurity and both mental and physical health outcomes, particularly through novel anthropometric indices such as BRI and abdominal obesity. These findings emphasize the critical need to address food insecurity within public health frameworks. By identifying these links, the study provides valuable evidence for developing targeted interventions and policies aimed at reducing the burden of food insecurity and its related health consequences in affected populations.