Nutrition of breast-feeding women in Yakutia

Season-related diets of 131 breast-feeding women living under conditions of Yakutia (town of Yakutsk, settlement of Maya) have been studied. Actual consumption of the main nutrients and energy has been determined, daily composition of food products has been defined, ethnic and territorial features of the diet structure have been revealed.     

Transdermal nicotine use in postmenopausal women: does the treatment efficacy differ in women using and not using hormone replacement therapy?

This study of postmenopausal female smokers (N = 94) asked: During short-term smoking abstinence, do the beneficial effects of transdermal nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) on acute symptomatology (i.e., withdrawal, cigarette craving, smoking urges, mood, depressive symptoms, motor speed, and reaction time) differ in women who use and do not use hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? Participants were recruited according to HRT and non-HRT use (self-selecting), then randomized within strata to active nicotine or placebo nicotine patch. After 1 baseline week of smoking, participants quit smoking for 2 weeks. Women received cessation counseling and were monitored for abstinence. Dependent measures were collected during five clinic visits. Two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were run on change scores for dependent variables, with nicotine patch group (active/placebo) and HRT group (HRT/non-HRT) as independent variables and age as a covariate. No interactions were found between HRT and patch condition, but both showed specific effects. During the first abstinent week, women on active nicotine patch (compared with placebo) experienced less severe withdrawal, greater reductions in cigarette cravings, and lower (more favorable) Factor 1 scores on the Questionnaire of Smoking Urges. During the second abstinent week, women using HRT (compared with the non-HRT group) exhibited better mood (Profile of Mood States scores) and less depression (Beck Depression Inventory scores). These results suggest the following: First, the efficacy of transdermal nicotine replacement is not adversely modified by women's HRT use; second, ovarian hormones might influence women's responses to smoking cessation, and thus should be considered in developing effective strategies for women to quit smoking.     

Cognitive-behavioural treatment for women who binge eat.

PURPOSE: A dietitian-administered, shortened form of the Apple and Agras cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) method was evaluated in a group setting to determine its effect on improving obese women's self-esteem and reducing binge-eating behaviours, depression, and negative body image. METHODS: Participants were recruited through newspaper and radio advertisements. Respondents who met study selection criteria were randomly assigned to either a CBT group (n=13) or a delayed group (D-CBT) (n=9). The treatment was administered over six weekly sessions to the CBT group, and then twice weekly over three weeks to the D-CBT group. Two measures of bingeing behaviour (severity and frequency), three measures of mood (depression, body image, and self-esteem), and body weight were assessed. RESULTS: The intervention did not result in any changes in body weight. There were statistically significant and clinically important changes after treatment (p<0.05) for all five measures. Binge-eating severity and frequency decreased, depression decreased, body image improved, and self-esteem improved. All changes were greater in the six-week treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: The dietitian-administered, group setting CBT program is effective for reducing binge eating and improving emotional state in obese women.     

Food safety practices among pregnant women and mothers in the women, infants, and children program, Miami, Florida

Pregnant women and infants are two groups at the highest risk of severe outcomes from foodborne illnesses. We surveyed adult clients of a Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinic serving predominately African Americans in inner-city Miami, Florida, to assess food safety practices. Eligible and consenting women completed a 23-item self-administered survey with questions concerning food handling practices around the Partnership for Food Safety Education's Fight BAC! campaign constructs of "clean", "separate" (not cross-contaminated), "cook", and "chill". Of 342 eligible clients, 299 (87.4%) consented to participate. In general, the clients' food safety practices were most problematic in the cook and chill constructs. Using a cooking thermometer, refrigerating foods within 2 h, and thawing them safely were the least commonly reported safe practices. Women who were pregnant with their first child had the lowest food safety practice scores. Of the 62 pregnant participants, 32 (51.6%) reported eating hot dogs or deli meats without first reheating them some of the time or more often, and 22 (35.5%) reported eating soft cheeses and blue-veined cheeses some of the time or more often, putting the women at risk of listeriosis. Although all women in the WIC program could benefit from food safety education, these findings indicate that women during their first pregnancy should especially be targeted for food safety education.     

Anemia in pregnant women who use smokeless tobacco

A significantly higher mean hemoglobin level in women smokers in comparison to nonsmokers with a generalized rightward shift of the hemoglobin distribution curve has been reported at the population level. Studies on pregnant women, however, have often associated smoking with decreased hemoglobin levels, although not consistently. We examined whether smokeless tobacco use during pregnancy influenced hemoglobin levels in a population-based cohort of 918 pregnant women in Mumbai, India. Mean hemoglobin levels (Hb) were significantly lower in users (10.00 g/dl) compared with nonusers (10.46 g/dl), p<.000. Anemia (Hb<10 g/dl) was significantly associated with smokeless tobacco in the univariate analysis (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5). There was no change after adjusting odds ratios for potential confounders in multivariate analysis (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5). The odds ratios for anemia were adjusted for age of mother, education, socioeconomic status, type of residence, lower body mass index, parity, vegetarian or nonvegetarian food habit, and hemodilution during pregnancy. The results suggest that smokeless tobacco use during pregnancy is associated with lower hemoglobin levels, as has often been observed with cigarette smoking. Smokeless tobacco use is widely prevalent among women in Southeast Asia and is gaining popularity across the world as a safe alternative to smoking. Further exploration and clarification of this association is therefore of considerable importance to public health.     

Body dissatisfaction among middle-aged and older women

With the growing pervasiveness of mass media, individuals of all ages and both sexes are bombarded with images that glorify youthfulness, messages that tie self-worth to thinness, and products that promise youth and beauty forever. Aging women are vulnerable to these societal messages and experience strong pressures to maintain their youth and thinness. As the physiological changes that accompany normal aging move these women farther from the "ideal" image, body dissatisfaction may increase. These women are confronted with the impossible task of trying to defy the natural process of aging through a variety of means, including fashion, cosmetics, selective surgeries, and personal food choices. The resulting body image issues, weight preoccupation, and eating disturbances can lead to voluntary food restriction, depression, social withdrawal, lower self-esteem, and disordered eating, all of which can have a negative impact on quality of life and nutritional status. In this review we explore existing research on body dissatisfaction among middle-aged (30 to 60) and older (over 60) women, discuss the prevalence of body dissatisfaction, its predisposing risk factors, and the resulting eating and body maintenance behaviours, and examine implications for dietetic practice.     

Facial distribution of subcutaneous fat in women

Transparency of the skin is an important keyword that is frequently used in questionnaires related to the female skin condition and skin consciousness, as well as an index for 'before and after' comparisons of the effect of cosmetics. However, the concept of 'transparency' has not been concretely defined. In the present study, we investigated the importance of 'transparent skin' and the relationship between transparency and other expressions for skin condition comparing the young with middle-aged and elderly women. Furthermore, we also analyzed the correlation between the subjective assessment score of transparency of panels made by evaluators and the skin physiological parameters of those panels, and compared the difference of their relationship when the young and middle-aged and elderly women were employed as evaluators. Regarding the consciousness of the young women, the importance of 'transparent skin' was ranked in the top position while 'skin roughness' was the chief worry of the middle-aged and elderly women. On the other hand, both age groups indicated that transparent skin is a complex concept composed of skin texture, color, and moisture. Analysis of the relationship between the subjective assessment and the skin physiological parameters showed that the uneven dispersion of b in the skin color (standard deviation), the water content of stratum corneum, and the skin surface configuration (depth of furrows, amount of furrows) closely correlated with the judgment of skin transparency in the young group, in contrast to the uneven dispersion of L and a in the skin color (standard deviation) in the middle-aged and elderly women. These results suggest that there may be no differences between the different age groups in the linguistic concept of transparency, while there may be differences in the physiological characteristics of skin that are utilized in making the judgment of transparency.     

Free internal lipids in hair from pre- and post-menopausal women

Plant secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, isoflavones and phytosterols have been proposed as cosmetic ingredients displaying anti-aging effects. On the cellular level, however, the activity profiles of these ingredients are only partially understood. In this study we analyzed the effects of apple seed phytosterols on age-related structural and functional parameters using cell biochemical, molecular biological and bioengineering techniques. The expression of age-related genes was studied using skin equivalents and cDNA microarrays. Incubation of skin equivalents with apple seed phytosterols had significant consequences: (i) differential regulation of a set of genes associated with keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, (ii) stimulation of hyaluronic acid synthesis, and (iii) increase of epidermal thickness. In vivo studies revealed that apple seed phytosterols improve skin elasticity and decrease skin roughness. In conclusion, apple seed phytosterols display distinct biological effects and significantly improve the structure and function of mature skin.     

The psychosocial influence to habit using make‐up of women aged 40 to 59 years menopausal Japanese women

We conducted a survey to elucidate the psychosocial influence of menopausal symptoms on the habit of using make‐up. This study included 420 Japanese women (age, 40–59 years) who were examined for the first time in a specialized women's outpatient clinic of our institution from June 2010 to September 2011. Using the Menopause‐Specific Quality of Life questionnaire (MENQOL), we analysed the scores in relation to menopausal symptoms and whether and how frequently the subject used make‐up (including foundation, lip rouge and eyebrow brushing). JMP version 9.0 software was used to statistically analyse the data. Significant results were observed for psychosocial symptoms (P = 0.0002) but not for vasomotor symptoms. Psychosocial symptoms tended to be more severe in women with climacteric <5 years previously. Furthermore, the frequency of make‐up use was positively correlated with menopausal symptoms (P = 0.0251). There were strong relationships between psychological symptoms and make‐up use in menopausal women. Psychological condition and the frequency of make‐up use were inversely correlated, especially in women with climacteric <5 years previously.     

血红素铁改善缺铁性贫血效果观察

目的 了解血红素铁对缺铁性贫血的影响.方法 将符合贫血诊断的女性108人随机分为血红素铁组和对照组,并分别给予血红素铁和安慰剂,连续服用45 d,服用开始前和服用结束时对受试者进行膳食营养调查、体格检查和血液生化指标的检测并进行统计学分析.结果 血红素铁组血红蛋白的含量由试验前的(106.43±10.48) g/L上升到(117.34±10.25)g/L,平均升高了10.91 g/L(服用前后配对t检验,P＜0.05,服用后与对照组t检验,P＜0.05);红细胞游离原卟啉的含量由(942.15±96.34)μg/L下降为(820.53±109.95)μg/L(服用前后配对t检验,P＜0.05,服用后与对照组t检验,P＜0.05);试验组血清铁蛋白的含量由试验前的(25.19±6.71) ng/ml上升到(25.40±6.69) ng/ml,(服用前后配对t检验,P＞0.05).结论 血红素铁对缺铁性贫血具有一定的改善作用.并对受试者健康无不良影响.     

Bupropion and cognitive-behavioral therapy for smoking cessation in women.

Gender data for bupropion suggest that it may be a particularly effective smoking cessation medication for women. It is not known whether the efficacy of this pharmacotherapy differs as a function of the psychotherapy with which it is administered. This study used a two level factorial design to examine the independent and interactive effects of medication (bupropion 300 mg/day vs. placebo) and psychotherapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy [CBT] vs. supportive therapy [ST]). In addition to testing the hypothesis that bupropion with CBT would be most effective of all the treatments, we examined medication compliance and its role in the efficacy of bupropion. Participants were 154 women, aged at least 30 years and smoking more than 10 cigarettes/day. Compliance with study medication was assessed using Medication Event Monitoring Systems (MEMS) over 7 weeks of treatment. Psychological interventions were delivered in 60-min weekly group sessions. Longitudinal analysis of abstinence outcomes from end of treatment (EOT) through 12 months after treatment revealed a significant interaction of medication and therapy. Higher abstinence rates at EOT and 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups were observed when bupropion was delivered concurrently with CBT (44%, 24%, 30%, 23%, 17%) rather than with ST (18%, 1%, 8%, 5%, 2%). The bupropion-CBT combination, however, was not clearly superior to placebo, regardless of therapy assignment. Higher rates of medication compliance were positively predictive of abstinence, and this effect was most evident in the placebo condition. Findings provide only modest support for CBT as the preferred type of intensive therapy in conjunction with bupropion in women.     

Features of hormone metabolism in reproductive age women with metabolic syndrome

Aim of this study was the investigation of feature of hormonal status in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). 111 reproductive age women were included in the study. According to diagnostic criteria for MetS of Society of Cardiology of the Russian Federation (2009) they were divided into two groups--study group (n=52) and control group (n=59). It was studied composition of body (fat mass, skeletal mass, lean mass, total, intracellular and extracellular fluid), parameter of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, parameter of hormonal status. Study of hormonal status in reproductive age women with MetS showed a higher level of fasting and postprandial levels of insulin and C-peptide, hyperleptinemia and a reduced level of sex hormone-binding globulinn (SHBG). We suggest that serum leptin and SHBG levels may be used as an additional diagnostic criteria in these patients.     

Cholecystokinin C-45T polymorphism and smoking cessation in women.

In view of the effect of cholecystokinin (CCK) on dopaminergic neurons in the mesolimbic "reward" pathway of the brain, its gene has been a focus in studies of dopamine-related conditions and behaviors, including smoking. We assessed the association between the CCK C-45T polymorphism and smoking cessation among women who participated in a randomized clinical trial of d,l-fenfluramine conducted in the Seattle area in 1993-1994. Several years later (Mdn = 3.3 years, range = 2.4-6.9 years), 593 women provided a biological specimen and updated information about smoking habits. We defined short-term quitting as not smoking for at least 7 days immediately preceding the final (12-month) clinical trial visit, and long-term quitting as not smoking for at least the 6-month interval before the later recontact. CCK C-45T was not associated with either short-term (relative risk [RR] associated with the presence of T allele = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.6-1.4) or long-term (RR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.6-1.5) smoking cessation. Also, we observed no association of this polymorphism with smoking cessation in subgroups of women defined by age or body mass index. No clear differences were found in smoking cessation rates associated with the presence of the T allele among women treated with d,l-fenfluramine versus those randomized to placebo. Our results fail to support prior evidence of an association of the CCK C-45T polymorphism with the ability to quit smoking.     

教你做个香女人

香女由来已久 关于体香历来多有记载,香女在文献中记载也颇多,只不过香气因人、因国而异。在我国历史上,最著名的香女当属四大美人中的西施和杨贵妃。 西施因模样俊俏,身有香气,被越国大夫选中送给吴王夫差,吴王特意为西施修了香水溪、采香径等,每天在芬芳馥郁的气氛中与西施寻欢作乐。     

Information needs of women at risk of breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Information needs and current information sources related to healthy eating, active living, and healthy body weight were examined in women attending breast cancer risk assessment clinics. METHODS: Convenience sampling was used to recruit 257 women over 20 years old. The women completed a self-administered survey (52.8% response rate) containing both closed- and open-ended questions. Most respondents were 49 or younger, were English-speaking, reported annual family incomes over $140,000, and resided in urban communities. RESULTS: Participants reported a need for general information concerning healthy eating, active living, and healthy body weight. For example, they wanted information on reading food labels (51.0%), healthy recipes (51.0%), activities for increasing overall fitness (52.5%), and achieving healthy body weights (48.6%). They also wanted information concerning the relationships between cancer risk and specific foods and nutrients, such as antioxidants (65.0%), supplements (60.7%), phytochemicals (47.5%), and omega-3 fatty acids (45.5%). Participants most often turned to magazines, friends, and family members when they wanted information on healthy eating, active living, and healthy body weight. CONCLUSIONS: These findings present an opportunity for dietitians to enhance their leadership role in creating and disseminating evidence-based information to meet the expressed needs of women who may be at increased risk for breast cancer.     

Determinants of anemia among pregnant women in Mali

BACKGROUND: Anemia in pregnancy remains a major problem in nearly all developing and many industrialized countries. In Mali, the subpopulation prevalence and etiology of anemia during pregnancy are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence and likely etiologies of anemia in pregnancy in a poor urban population in Bamako, Mali. METHODS: Pregnant women (n = 190) were selected randomly. Hemoglobin, serum iron, and total iron-binding capacity were measured; blood smears were examined for Plasmodium falciparum malaria; and single stool and urine samples were examined for Schistosoma haematobium and hookworm. Gynecologic examinations were performed and interviews conducted to qualitatively assess food consumption and other socioeconomic characteristics. Associations among mild, moderate, and severe anemia; iron and parasite status; erythrocyte sedimentation rates; and the presence of abnormal vaginal discharge were evaluated. Differences in hemoglobin and serum iron concentrations, total iron-binding capacity, and anemia were compared according to trimester of pregnancy and between infected and noninfected women. The relative and attributable risks of anemia were calculated, and adjusted odds ratios for anemia and low serum iron were estimated by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 131 women for whom complete data were available, 47% had hemoglobin concentrations below 110 g/L; 13% had serum iron concentrations below 12 micromol/L; none had transferrin saturation values below 16%; 11%, 23%, and 8% harbored P. falciparum, S. haematobium, and hookworm, respectively; and 82% had an abnormal vaginal discharge. Food restrictions were reported by 45% of the women. Abnormal vaginal discharge correlated significantly with anemia (Pearson chi2 = 62.4; p < .01). Univariate and multivariate analyses found that infections were strongly associated with and predictive of anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that infections and food accessibility contribute to the high rates of anemia during pregnancy in Mali.     

Serum selenium levels in healthy women in Tabriz, Iran

BACKGROUND: Selenium is of fundamental importance to human health, and selenium deficiency is associated with disease conditions. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the serum level of selenium in women of childbearing age and postmenopausal women living in Tabriz, Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 60 healthy women of childbearing age and 60 healthy postmenopausal women were studied with the use of biochemical methods (measurement of serum selenium by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry), anthropometric measurements (weight and height), and interviews. RESULTS: The average serum selenium was 76.67 +/- 17.98 microg/L (range, 42.00 to 166.61 microg/L). This level was lower than those reported in other provinces of Iran and some other countries. Sixty-nine women (57.5%) had serum selenium concentrations under 80 microg/L. There was no significant difference in selenium level between the two groups of women. Serum selenium level did not vary with age and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Some Iranian women are of borderline selenium status and as a consequence are more susceptible to selenium-deficiency diseases. There is a need for community-based programs to encourage people to increase consumption of selenium-rich sources, such as marine foods.