Explore the vast range of titles available.

Objective: This study was aimed at identifying the sources and basic nutrition knowledge among the citizens of Lahore.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the metropolis city of Lahore, Pakistan. Four hundred and seventy-six adult citizens of Lahore participated. A random sampling method was used to collect data through a food frequency questionnaire consisting of 23 questions. The questionnaire designed for this study contained questions about demographics, sources of nutrition information, the reliability of these sources of nutrition information, and basic nutrition knowledge. The highest possible score of the questionnaire was marked as 15, and a mean value of 7.5 was used to categorize the low and high values for variables like nutrition knowledge.Results: The majority of participants (34.2%) took nutrition information from their families, healthcare professionals (23.9%), and online resources (23.5%). The most reliable source for nutrition information was healthcare professionals (78.6%). Many participants (65.30%) had high nutrition-related basic knowledge, and 34.70% had low knowledge. Although more than 50% of participants reported having high nutrition knowledge, but they were not aware of how to read food labels. Those citizens who referred to online resources for information about nutrition knowledge usually got better results regarding nutrition knowledge.Conclusion: There is a need for more extensive research to identify the quality of sources for nutrition information to form better policies and plans that can be integrated and adopted at the community and national levels to increase the overall nutrition knowledge of people.

Background and objective Micronutrient deficiencies affect adolescents worldwide, particularly those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. These deficiencies can lead to significant health and developmental challenges. Understanding the relationship between dietary determinants and micronutrient deficiencies is critical for developing effective interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between micronutrient deficiency symptoms (related to calcium, iron, vitamin A, and zinc), nutritional status, and dietary determinants among adolescents of lower- and upper-middle-class socioeconomic backgrounds. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 230 adolescents aged 13-17 years, with 115 participants each selected from two private schools catering to upper and lower middle socioeconomic populations in Lahore, Pakistan. Socioeconomic status (SES) was measured based on the monthly household income of the participants. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Our study found that 65.5% of participants from the lower-middle socioeconomic background were underweight, compared to 22.6% in the upper-middle socioeconomic group. Micronutrient deficiency symptoms such as easy fatigue (65%), koilonychia (66%), brittle/fragile nails (61%), muscle cramps (53%), and PICA (eating non-food substances) (55%) were significantly more common in the lower-middle socioeconomic group (p<0.05). Lower SES individuals consumed fewer nutrient-dense foods, with 51.3% rarely eating whole grains, and more processed items like carbonated beverages (22.6%) and fried foods (31.3%). Conclusions The study reveals that adolescents from the lower-middle socioeconomic group are more likely to be underweight and stunted, with micronutrient deficiencies linked to reduced consumption of nutrient-rich foods. This highlights the significant role of socioeconomic factors in shaping dietary behaviors and nutritional health.

Background Obesity is a growing public health problem in both developing and developed countries. Negative health-related outcomes such as type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and certain cancers are linked with being overweight and obesity. Fruits and vegetables provide a protective effect against non-communicable diseases, though there is a lack of data regarding the effect of consuming non-starchy vegetables on weight status and related anthropometric parameters. Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the daily recommended intake of non-starchy vegetables on weight status including body mass index (BMI), fat mass (percent body fat (PBF) and visceral fat (VF)), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in an overweight and obese university population. Methods This was a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), and it was conducted at a public sector university in Lahore, Pakistan. Data were collected from an overweight and obese university population (including students and teaching and non-teaching staff) with a BMI ≥ 23kg/m . A total of 40 participants (20 participants in the control group and 20 participants in the interventional group) were included. The interventional group was provided with 2-3 cups (250 g) of WHO-recommended non-starchy vegetables, while the control group was only provided with dietary recommendations for vegetable intake. Each individual's weight, BMI, PBF, VF, and WHR were assessed before and after the trial by using Inbody270 (Inbody Japan Inc., Tokyo, Japan), which works on the principle of bioelectrical impedance analysis. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, US) was used to examine the data. Paired and independent t-tests were used to compare changes within and between groups, respectively. Results A total of 40 participants were included in the study. Among those, 13 (32.5%) were male, and nearly two-thirds (27 (67.5%)) were female. In the control group, there was a slight increase in weight, BMI, and PBF after the consumption of vegetables, but a slight decrease in VF, though the results were not significant. In the intervention group, there was a significant reduction in PBF (t = 2.36, p = 0.029) and VF (t = 4.19, p < 0.001) after intervention, suggesting a significant improvement in these body composition parameters. The intervention group had a greater PBF (45.3 ± 4.40) before the intervention than the control group (39.4 ± 8.41), with a mean difference of 5.83 (t = 2.745, p= 0.009), and greater VF levels (17.15 ± 3.73) than the control group (14.6 ± 4.14), with a mean difference of 2.55 (t = 2.044, p = 0.048). Conclusion Our study concludes that there was a subtle improvement in parameters such as body weight, BMI, PBF, VF, and WHR of the intervention group at the end of the trial, whereas the control group's participants showed an increase in these parameters except VF, which remained constant at the beginning and the end of the trial.

Background Obesity has detrimental personal, societal, and economic consequences and raises the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Diet and exercise behaviors are frequently the focus of weight loss programs. Effective nutrition education is associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases and body weight management. Individualized lifestyle and counseling sessions with follow-ups reduce weight loss compared to single combined sessions Objectives The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of nutrition education intervention on weight loss among adults aged 18-40 years in Lahore through an interventional study. Methods This study was conducted in Lahore. According to the inclusion criteria, overweight/obese (Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 23 kg/m²), young (18-40 years old) men and women were part of this study. A total of 50 participants were randomized into two groups, one as the control group and the other one as the intervention group. Group counseling was provided to the control group. The intervention group was assessed individually through follow-ups for 3 months of online and on-campus sessions. Data was collected at four intervals at baseline, month 1, month 2, and month 3 through a self-administered assessment form. Data was analyzed using the statistical package for social science, SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, USA). Results Out of the 50 participants, 54% (27) were women while 46% (23) were men (mean age 29.90, SD = 6.26, BMI at baseline 32.18 kg/m², 26. 49 kg/m²), and randomized by a blinded researcher. At three months, the mean differences in BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and body fat percentage between the groups were 3 kg (23.44 ± 0.58, 95% CI 22.86-24.02), 33.90 cm (95% CI 32.50-35.30), 0.86 (95% CI 0.74-0.98), and 24.79% (95% CI 18.00-31.58), respectively, in favor of the intervention group (p < 0.005).  Conclusion This study demonstrates that a structured dietary intervention combined with physical activity guidance leads to significant weight loss and improved body composition in obese adults. These findings support the effectiveness of comprehensive weight loss strategies for managing obesity.

Background: Adequate amniotic fluid is vital for fetal growth, with reduced levels, especially borderline oligohydramnios posing potential risks despite often being asymptomatic. Borderline oligohydramnios, defined as an AFI of 5.1-8 cm, lacks clear management guidelines and is frequently idiopathic. Objective: To study maternal morbidity in the form of operative delivery and fetal morbidity in terms of APGAR score at 5 min, birth weight of neonate, admission in NICU, in patients with borderline oligohydramnios. Study type, settings and duration: This descriptive study was done at Islamabad Medical Complex Hospital, Islamabad from August 2021 to July 2022. Methodology: A total of 551 Patients delivered in obstetrical unit during the study period were included in this study detailed history and examination were done. All standardized investigations were performed. Borderline oligohydramnios was confirmed by measuring AFI (amniotic fluid index) by radiologist. Results: Out of total 551 cases incidence of borderline oligohydramnios was 121 (22%). Mean maternal age borderline oligohydramnios was 29.65 years and average gestational age was 33.45 weeks. The most common cause of oligohydramnios was idiopathic 50 (45.5%) patients, followed by anaemia 48 (43.6%) patients. Operative morbidity was significant 80 (80.9%) patients delivered by lower segment caesarean section. Borderline oligohydramnios was associated with low birth weight and extremely low birth weight in 49 (44.5%) patients and 2 (1.8%) cases respectively. Low APGAR at 5 minutes was in 15 (13.6%) patients and 34 (30.9%) had admission in NICU. No significant difference was found between mode of delivery and gestational age of the patient (p-value is 0.660). Conclusion: Oligohydramnios is quite common in our population. Timely detection and appropriate management can decrease maternal and perinatal morbidity.

Background: Adequate amniotic fluid is vital for fetal growth, with reduced levels, especially borderline oligohydramnios posing potential risks despite often being asymptomatic. Borderline oligohydramnios, defined as an AFI of 5.1–8 cm, lacks clear management guidelines and is frequently idiopathic. Objective: To study maternal morbidity in the form of operative delivery & fetal morbidity in terms of APGAR score at 5 min, birth weight of neonate, admission in NICU, in patients with borderline oligohydramnios. Study type, settings & duration: This descriptive study was done at Islamabad Medical Complex Hospital, Islamabad from August 2021 to July 2022. Methodology: A total of 551 Patients delivered in obstetrical unit during the study period were included in this study detailed history and examination were done. All standardized investigations were performed. Borderline oligohydramnios was confirmed by measuring AFI (amniotic fluid index) by radiologist. Results: Out of total 551 cases incidence of borderline oligohydramnios was 121 (22%). Mean maternal age borderline oligohydramnios was 29.65 years and average gestational age was 33.45 weeks. The most common cause of oligohydramnios was idiopathic 50 (45.5%) patients, followed by anaemia 48 (43.6%) patients. Operative morbidity was significant 80 (80.9%) patients delivered by lower segment caesarean section. Borderline oligohydramnios was associated with low birth weight and extremely low birth weight in 49 (44.5%) patients and 2 (1.8%) cases respectively. Low APGAR at 5 minutes was in 15 (13.6%) patients and 34 (30.9%) had admission in NICU. No significant difference was found between mode of delivery and gestational age ...