Using quadratic inference functions to determine the factors associated with obesity: findings from the STEPS Survey in Iran

PurposeThe last study that had a representative sample of the Iranian population and examined the association between sociodemographic and lifestyle factors with obesity used data from the 1999 to 2000 National Health Survey in Iran. Concern about the increased prevalence of obesity has heightened interest in the association between varieties of these factors with obesity among Iranian households.MethodsData (20,917 adults) were taken from the 2009 STEPwise approach to Surveillance survey in Iran that was conducted under the supervision of World Health Organization. Using quadratic inference function, we evaluated the relation of age, sex, physical activity, serving of fruit and vegetable, employment status, smoking, and place of residence with obesity.ResultsUsing 20–30 years as the reference group, the obesity odds ratios (ORs) were 2.48, 3.79, 3.52, and 3.15 for ages 30–40, 40–50, 50–60, and 60+ years, respectively. Obesity OR for female was 2.63, compared with male. Obesity ORs for smokers and ex-smokers were 0.64 and 1.18, respectively, compared with nonsmokers. Among Iranian adult, obesity ORs for the moderate and vigorous physical activity were 0.99 and 0.90, respectively, compared with low level. The estimated odds of obesity were 46% higher for rural adults. Obesity ORs for public and private employed were 0.79 and 0.76, respectively, compared with unemployed.ConclusionsOur results may provide better insights of the factors associated with obesity and can be used as a basis to reinforce health programs to prevent obesity in Iran.     

The association between obesity and migraine in a population of Iranian adults: a case-control study

Aim

To assess the association between obesity and risk of migraine with aura and features of migraine attacks among a population of Iranian adults.

Association of catalase (rs7943316) and glutathione peroxidase-1 (rs1050450) polymorphisms with the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM)

Reactive oxygen species are involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Catalase and Glutathione peroxidase-1 are antioxidant enzymes and the activity of them is essential for the protection against damage caused by reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms of CAT gene (rs7943316) and GPx-1 gene (rs1050450) in patients with type 2 diabetes. In this case-control study, a total of 120 Iranian patients with T2DM and 120 healthy individuals as control were included. Genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP. A significant difference was found between genotyping distribution of CAT (–21 A/T) polymorphism.The frequency of TT genotype was increased in patients compared to controls and we observed a statistically significant difference (OR = 1.797, 95% CI = 0.975–3.318, P = 0.044). Distribution of genotypes did not differ for GPx-1 (198 C/T) polymorphism between the cases and controls subjects. This study indicated that CAT rs7943316 genotype (TT) was associated with an increased risk of T2DM. No evidence was found to support an association between GPx-1 (198 C/T) polymorphism and T2DM.