Leila Itani - Profile on Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Leila Itani

Nutrients, May 27, 2024

Many people with overweight and obesity are affected by sarcopenia, which is represented by a phe... more Many people with overweight and obesity are affected by sarcopenia, which is represented by a phenotype known as sarcopenic obesity (SO), characterized by excessive body fat (BF), combined with reduced muscle mass and strength. In this population, it is vital to identify the factors associated with SO. With this aim in mind, we investigated the association between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass and SO in patients with overweight or obesity in a nutritional setting. A total of 256 participants (23.8% female) with overweight or obesity were involved and completed a body composition assessment, including VAT mass, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The sample was initially categorized according to whether the individual had the SO phenotype; they were then classified according to their VAT mass into three tertiles (lowest, medium, and highest). Among the 256 participants, who had a median body mass index (BMI) of 29.3 (interquartile range (IQR): 27.0-32.4) kg/m 2 and a median age of 51.0 (IQR: 47.0-54.0) years, 32.4% were identified as having SO, and they displayed a higher median VAT mass (517.0 (IQR: 384.5-677.0) vs. 790.0 (IQR: 654.0-1007.0) g; p < 0.05). The logistic regression model that accounted for age, sex and BMI revealed that a higher VAT mass increases the risk of SO (odds ratio (OR) = 1.003; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.001-1.004; p < 0.05). In conclusion, VAT mass appears to be an independent factor associated with SO in people with overweight or obesity. However, due to the cross-sectional design, no information regarding any causality between higher VAT mass and SO can be provided. Additional longitudinal research in this direction should therefore be conducted.

Metabolically Healthy Overweight and Obesity Is Associated with a Healthy Lifestyle Pattern in Lebanese Adults Hwalla N, Naja F, Itani L, Nasrallah M, Tamim H, Nasreddine L (P04-177-19)

Current developments in nutrition, Jun 1, 2019

Objectives The study aims to identify lifestyle patterns in a sample of Lebanese adults and exami... more Objectives The study aims to identify lifestyle patterns in a sample of Lebanese adults and examine the association of these patterns with Metabolically Healthy Overweight and Obesity (MHOv/O). Methods This study is based on a cross-sectional survey of Lebanese adults living in Greater Beirut area (n = 305), and which was conducted in 2014. Dietary intake assessment was performed using an 80-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The identification of MHOv/O was based on the ATP-III criteria. Principal Component Factor Analysis was implemented to derive lifestyle patterns, including variables related to dietary intake, eating at home, alcohol consumption, drinking water, sleeping difficulties, smoking and physical activity. Results Two lifestyle patterns were identified in the study population: the "Unhealthy" pattern which was characterized by cigarette smoking, fast food, soft drinks and alcohol consumption . Eating at home loaded negatively on this pattern. The "Healthy" lifestyle pattern was characterized by positive loadings of food groups such as milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Sleeping difficulties loaded negatively on this pattern, while physical activity had a positive loading. Multiple logistic regression analyses was performed. The results showed that subjects belonging to the 4th quartile of the "Healthy" pattern scores had higher odds of MHOv/O as compared to those in the 1st quartile (OR: 4.04, CI:1.26-13.01). Conclusions The findings of this study provided evidence on the combined effect of lifestyle factors in relation to cardiometabolic abnormalities that are complex and multifactorial in nature. The results highlighted the importance of focusing on 'holistic' lifestyle patterns modifications in designing and implementing culturally sensitive interventions in overweight and obese subjects. Funding Sources Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research; University Research Board at the American University of Beirut); Medical Practice Plan at the American University of Beirut.

PLOS ONE, Apr 6, 2023

Rates of breastfeeding (BF) remain suboptimal despite overwhelming evidence for its benefits to t... more Rates of breastfeeding (BF) remain suboptimal despite overwhelming evidence for its benefits to the mother and child. Pediatricians play an important role in supporting breastfeeding (BF). In Lebanon, the rates of both exclusive and continued BF are critically low. The objective of this study is to examine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of Lebanese pediatricians in relation to supporting BF. A national survey of Lebanese pediatricians was conducted through Lime Survey (n = 100, response rate 9.5%). The list of pediatricians' emails was obtained from the Lebanese Order of Physicians (LOP). Participants completed a questionnaire covering, in addition to sociodemographic characteristics, the KAP, related to supporting BF. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were used in data analysis. The most prevalent gaps in knowledge were related to the positioning of the baby during BF (71.9%) and the association between the mother's fluid intake and her milk production (67.4%). With regards to attitudes, 34% of participants reported unfavorable attitudes towards BF in public and BF while working (25%). As for practices, more than 40% of pediatricians kept formula samples and 21% had formula-related advertising in their clinics. Half of the pediatricians reported rarely/never referring mothers to lactation consultants. After adjustment, both being a female pediatrician and having done the residency in Lebanon

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015

Objective. To examine the prevalence and correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CA... more Objective. To examine the prevalence and correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use in Lebanon. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted through face to face interviews on a nationally representative sample of 1,475 Lebanese adults. The survey questionnaire explored the sociodemographic and health related characteristics as well as the types and modes of CAM use. The main outcome in this study was the use of CAM during the last 12 months. Results. Prevalence of CAM use was 29.87% with "folk herbs" being the most commonly used (75%). Two out of five CAM users indicated using it as alternative to conventional therapies and only 28.4% of users disclosed the use of CAM to their physician. CAM use was significantly associated with higher income, presence of a chronic disease, and lack of access to needed health care. Lower odds of CAM use were observed among older adults and those with a higher education level. Conclusions. This study revealed a high prevalence of CAM use in Lebanon. Health policy and decision makers need to facilitate proper regulation and integration of CAM into mainstream medicine and educate health care providers and the public alike on the safe and effective use of CAM therapies.

Nutrients

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common joint diseases, especially in individuals wit... more Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common joint diseases, especially in individuals with obesity. Another condition within this population, and which presents frequently, is sarcopenic obesity (SO), defined as an increase in body fat and a decrease in muscle mass and strength. The current paper aims to describe recent nutritional strategies which can generally improve KOA clinical severity and, at the same time, ameliorate SO indices. Searches were carried out in the PubMed and Science Direct databases and data were summarized using a narrative approach. Certain key findings have been revealed. Firstly, the screening and identification of SO in patients with KOA is important, and to this end, simple physical performance tests and anthropometric measures are available in the literature. Secondly, adherence to a Mediterranean diet and the achievement of significant body weight loss by means of low-calorie diets (LCDs) remain the cornerstone nutritional treatment in this popu...

Clinics and Practice

Little remains known regarding the impact of weight loss on sarcopenic obesity (SO), and for this... more Little remains known regarding the impact of weight loss on sarcopenic obesity (SO), and for this reason we aimed to assess the relationship between the two during a weight management program. Body composition was measured at baseline and six-month follow-up using the Tanita BC-418, and step measurements were obtained daily over a period of six months using an Omron HJ-320 pedometer, in 41 adults of both genders with obesity. The participants were then categorized according to the presence or absence of SO. After a significant weight loss, an improvement in the appendicular skeletal mass (ASM) to weight ratio (24.5 ± 3.5 vs. 26.2 ± 3.6, p < 0.01), indicated a decrease in the prevalence of SO by 12.2%. Moreover, these findings were confirmed by logistic regression analysis revealing a significant WL% ≥ 5% combined with an active lifestyle (i.e., ≥8000 steps/day), decreased the risk of SO by 91% (OR = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.02–0.56), after adjusting for age and gender. In conclusion, in a...

Nutrients

Normal-weight obesity (NWO) is a phenotype characterized by excessive body fat (BF) despite norma... more Normal-weight obesity (NWO) is a phenotype characterized by excessive body fat (BF) despite normal body weight. We aimed to assess the association between NWO and the risk of sarcopenia. Two groups of patients with a normal body mass index [BMI (20–24.9 kg/m2)] were selected from a large cohort of participants. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and 748 participants were categorized as NWO or normal-weight without obesity (NWNO) and were classed according to whether or not they were at risk of sarcopenia. The “NWO group” included 374 participants (cases), compared to 374 participants (controls) in the “NWNO group”, all of a similar BMI, age and gender. The participants in the “NWO group” displayed a higher prevalence of the risk of sarcopenia than the control group across both genders (0.6% vs. 14.1% in males; 1.4% vs. 36.5% in females). Regression analysis showed that being in the NWO category increased the risk of sarcopenia 22-fold in male...

Nutrients

Obesity is a major health problem defined as an excess accumulation of body fat (BF). The World H... more Obesity is a major health problem defined as an excess accumulation of body fat (BF). The World Health Organization (WHO) usually relies on a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 as an indicator of obesity. Due to changes in body composition that occur across the lifespan, with an increase in BF and a decrease in lean mass, we aimed to test the validity of this BMI cut-off point for adiposity in middle-aged and older adults. This cross-sectional study, composed of 4800 adults of mixed gender aged between 40 and 80 years, included (according to the WHO BMI classification) 1087 normal-weight, 1826 overweight, and 1887 obese individuals who were referred to the Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy. The sample was then categorized by adiposity status based on the total BF% as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and the best sensitivity and specificity were attained for predicting obesity according to the receiver operating charact...

Healthcare

This paper presents a review of the available literature on sarcopenic obesity (SO) in young and ... more This paper presents a review of the available literature on sarcopenic obesity (SO) in young and middle-aged female adults with obesity in weight management settings. A literature review using the PubMed/Medline and Science Direct databases was conducted, and the data were summarized through a narrative approach. Firstly, some physical performance tests and questionnaires are available for screening young and middle-aged female adults with a high risk of SO. Secondly, these patients can undergo instrumental measurements such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to confirm or reject a diagnosis of SO, applying definitions that account for body mass. Thirdly, SO is a prevalent phenotype in females seeking weight management treatment, as well as being strongly associated (vs. non-SO) with obesity-related comorbidities that need to be promptly managed, initially with nutritional programs or/and in combination with medications. Finally, pat...

Nutrients

It is unclear whether weight loss (WL) achieved by means of lifestyle interventions (LSIs) before... more It is unclear whether weight loss (WL) achieved by means of lifestyle interventions (LSIs) before bariatric surgery (BS) can improve long-term WL outcomes after surgery. We aimed to assess the impact of a structured LSI on WL% after gastric bypass (GBP). Two groups of patients were selected from a large cohort of participants with obesity who underwent GBP surgery at Santa Maria Nuova Hospital (Reggio Emilia, Italy). The groups were categorized as those who have or have not received LSI prior to GBP. The LSI group included 91 participants (cases) compared to 123 participants (controls) in the non-LSI group. WL% was measured at follow-up times of 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. The LSI group achieved a clinically significant WL% (−7.5%) before BS, and at the time of surgery, the two groups had similar body weights and demographic statuses. At all points, until the 24-month follow-up, the two groups displayed similar WLs%. With regard to the longer follow-ups, the LSI group ma...

Frontiers in Nutrition, 2021

Diseases, 2021

1. Background: Adolescence is a period of increased autonomy and independent decision making; it ... more 1) Background: Adolescence is a period of increased autonomy and independent decision making; it determines health behaviors that can persist into the future. Individual factors like food choices and unhealthy lifestyle have an essential role in the development and prevention of obesity among adolescents and are associated with the nutrition literacy of parents and other adults. While the association of parents' nutrition literacy with adolescent BMI has been addressed, there is still a scarcity of studies that examine the effect of adolescents' nutrition literacy on their eating habits and body mass index (BMI) status. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted that included 189 adolescents (68 with overweight and obesity and 121 with normal weight) aged between 14-19 years from four private schools in Tripoli, Lebanon. A self-administered questionnaire that included the Nutrition Literacy Assessment Instrument (NLAI) and the Adolescent Food Habits Checklist (AFHC) was used. Anthropometrics were measured using standardized procedures. The association between nutrition literacy, food habits and BMI was assessed using a chi squared test for independence and Poisson regression analysis where suitable. (3) Results: Results indicated no association between all five components of nutrition literacy and body mass index categories. Furthermore, there was no association between the Adolescent Food Habits Checklist and overweight or obese BMI status (RR = 0.947, 95%CI: 0.629-1.426) (p = 0.796). No association was observed between nutrition literacy and food habits, except for an inverse association with macronutrients literacy. (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, the study indicated that there was no association between the components of nutrition literacy with body mass index or with food habits, except for macronutrient literacy.

Additional file 1 of Dietary patterns and their associations with gestational weight gain in the United Arab Emirates: results from the MISC cohort

Additional file 1. Food groups and the corresponding items included in the dietary patterns analy... more Additional file 1. Food groups and the corresponding items included in the dietary patterns analysis.

Background & Aim: Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important outcome that reflectsthe... more Background & Aim: Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important outcome that reflectsthe impact of chronic diseases on patients’ wellbeing. There is a paucity of studies on HRQoL and obesity in Arabspeaking countries. Therefore we aimed to investigate this outcome in this population. METHODS: The HRQoL was assessed by the validated Arabic version of the ORWELL 97 questionnaire in 116 seekingtreatment patients with obesity referred to the Nutritional and Weight management outpatient clinic of Beirut Arab University (BAU) in Lebanon, matched by age and gender to 116 normal-weight participants. RESULTS: Patients with obesity displayed higher total ORWELL 97 scores when compared with normalweight controls (52.16 ± 33.34 vs. 13.04 ± 11.36, p < 0.001), and linear regression analysis showed that the increase of Body Mass Index (BMI) among patients with obesity is associated with an increase of ORWELL 97 scores (β= 1.790, 95% CI= 0.808 2.772, p < 0.001). Moreover, the logisti...

A Novel Mediterranean Diet Index from the Middle East and North Africa Region: Comparison with Europe

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 2015

Preliminary nutritional characterization of some wild edible fruits from Lebanon

Acta Horticulturae, 2020

Proximate composition and nutritional attributes of some wild edible leafy plants from Lebanon

Acta Horticulturae, 2020

European Journal of Public Health, 2016

BMC Nutrition, 2016

Background: No study has investigated the relationship between dietary patterns and the risk of o... more Background: No study has investigated the relationship between dietary patterns and the risk of oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer in the Middle East and North Africa region. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the association between dietary patterns and the risk of oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer in Syria. Methods: A hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted on 108 cases with histologically confirmed oral, pharyngeal or laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and 105 healthy controls, who did not suffer from any dietrelated diseases. Dietary intake data were collected by a face-to-face interview, using a food frequency questionnaire. Socio-demographic and health risk behavioural information was collected using a self-completed questionnaire. Factor analysis and logistic and linear regression analyses were performed. The level of significance was set at 5 %. Results: The factor analysis revealed three dietary patterns labeled "Western", "Traditional Syrian" and "High Protein". The results of logistic regression analyses showed that consumption of Western food in the middle and high tertiles posed a significant increased oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer risk of four and three-fold, respectively (adjusted OR = 4.05, 2.80; 95 % CI = 1.57-10.44, 1.05-7.51; P = 0.004, 0.041; respectively). In contrast, consumption of Traditional Syrian in the high tertile and High Protein in the middle and high tertiles displayed significant protective effects in relation to oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer risk (adjusted OR = 0.28, 0.24, 0.10; 95 % CI = 0.10-0.80, 0.10-0.62, 0.03-0.25; P = 0.018, 0.003, <0.001; respectively). Compared to males, females were more likely to adhere to the High Protein dietary pattern. Traditional Syrian pattern's scores decreased with increasing level of education and smoking. High Protein pattern's scores decreased with age and smoking and increased with working status. Conclusions: Traditional Syrian and High Protein dietary patterns were associated with a decreased oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer risk, whereas Western pattern was associated with an increased oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer risk.

European Journal of Nutrition, 2011

Epidemiological studies of different dietary patterns and the risk of hypertension among a middle... more Epidemiological studies of different dietary patterns and the risk of hypertension among a middle-aged Chinese population remain extremely scare. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify dietary patterns and investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and the risk of hypertension among Chinese adults aged 45-60 years. The present cross-sectional study includes 2560 participants who reported their dietary intake using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis. Anthropometric measurements were obtained using standardized procedures. We used log-binomial regression analysis to examine the associations between dietary patterns and hypertension risk. Four major dietary patterns were identified and labeled as traditional Chinese, animal food, western fast-food, and high-salt patterns. After adjusting for potential confounders, participants in the highest quartile of animal food pattern scores had a greater prevalence ratio (PR) for hypertension (PR = 1.26; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.064-1.727; p < 0.05) in comparison to those from the lowest quartile. Compared with the lowest quartile of high-salt pattern, the highest quartile had a higher prevalence ratio for hypertension (PR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.013-1.635; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings indicated that animal food and high-salt patterns were associated with increased risk of hypertension, while traditional Chinese and western fast-food patterns were not associated with the risk of hypertension. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Nutrients, May 27, 2024

Many people with overweight and obesity are affected by sarcopenia, which is represented by a phe... more Many people with overweight and obesity are affected by sarcopenia, which is represented by a phenotype known as sarcopenic obesity (SO), characterized by excessive body fat (BF), combined with reduced muscle mass and strength. In this population, it is vital to identify the factors associated with SO. With this aim in mind, we investigated the association between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass and SO in patients with overweight or obesity in a nutritional setting. A total of 256 participants (23.8% female) with overweight or obesity were involved and completed a body composition assessment, including VAT mass, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The sample was initially categorized according to whether the individual had the SO phenotype; they were then classified according to their VAT mass into three tertiles (lowest, medium, and highest). Among the 256 participants, who had a median body mass index (BMI) of 29.3 (interquartile range (IQR): 27.0-32.4) kg/m 2 and a median age of 51.0 (IQR: 47.0-54.0) years, 32.4% were identified as having SO, and they displayed a higher median VAT mass (517.0 (IQR: 384.5-677.0) vs. 790.0 (IQR: 654.0-1007.0) g; p < 0.05). The logistic regression model that accounted for age, sex and BMI revealed that a higher VAT mass increases the risk of SO (odds ratio (OR) = 1.003; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.001-1.004; p < 0.05). In conclusion, VAT mass appears to be an independent factor associated with SO in people with overweight or obesity. However, due to the cross-sectional design, no information regarding any causality between higher VAT mass and SO can be provided. Additional longitudinal research in this direction should therefore be conducted.

Metabolically Healthy Overweight and Obesity Is Associated with a Healthy Lifestyle Pattern in Lebanese Adults Hwalla N, Naja F, Itani L, Nasrallah M, Tamim H, Nasreddine L (P04-177-19)

Current developments in nutrition, Jun 1, 2019

Objectives The study aims to identify lifestyle patterns in a sample of Lebanese adults and exami... more Objectives The study aims to identify lifestyle patterns in a sample of Lebanese adults and examine the association of these patterns with Metabolically Healthy Overweight and Obesity (MHOv/O). Methods This study is based on a cross-sectional survey of Lebanese adults living in Greater Beirut area (n = 305), and which was conducted in 2014. Dietary intake assessment was performed using an 80-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The identification of MHOv/O was based on the ATP-III criteria. Principal Component Factor Analysis was implemented to derive lifestyle patterns, including variables related to dietary intake, eating at home, alcohol consumption, drinking water, sleeping difficulties, smoking and physical activity. Results Two lifestyle patterns were identified in the study population: the "Unhealthy" pattern which was characterized by cigarette smoking, fast food, soft drinks and alcohol consumption . Eating at home loaded negatively on this pattern. The "Healthy" lifestyle pattern was characterized by positive loadings of food groups such as milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Sleeping difficulties loaded negatively on this pattern, while physical activity had a positive loading. Multiple logistic regression analyses was performed. The results showed that subjects belonging to the 4th quartile of the "Healthy" pattern scores had higher odds of MHOv/O as compared to those in the 1st quartile (OR: 4.04, CI:1.26-13.01). Conclusions The findings of this study provided evidence on the combined effect of lifestyle factors in relation to cardiometabolic abnormalities that are complex and multifactorial in nature. The results highlighted the importance of focusing on 'holistic' lifestyle patterns modifications in designing and implementing culturally sensitive interventions in overweight and obese subjects. Funding Sources Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research; University Research Board at the American University of Beirut); Medical Practice Plan at the American University of Beirut.

PLOS ONE, Apr 6, 2023

Rates of breastfeeding (BF) remain suboptimal despite overwhelming evidence for its benefits to t... more Rates of breastfeeding (BF) remain suboptimal despite overwhelming evidence for its benefits to the mother and child. Pediatricians play an important role in supporting breastfeeding (BF). In Lebanon, the rates of both exclusive and continued BF are critically low. The objective of this study is to examine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of Lebanese pediatricians in relation to supporting BF. A national survey of Lebanese pediatricians was conducted through Lime Survey (n = 100, response rate 9.5%). The list of pediatricians' emails was obtained from the Lebanese Order of Physicians (LOP). Participants completed a questionnaire covering, in addition to sociodemographic characteristics, the KAP, related to supporting BF. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were used in data analysis. The most prevalent gaps in knowledge were related to the positioning of the baby during BF (71.9%) and the association between the mother's fluid intake and her milk production (67.4%). With regards to attitudes, 34% of participants reported unfavorable attitudes towards BF in public and BF while working (25%). As for practices, more than 40% of pediatricians kept formula samples and 21% had formula-related advertising in their clinics. Half of the pediatricians reported rarely/never referring mothers to lactation consultants. After adjustment, both being a female pediatrician and having done the residency in Lebanon

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015

Objective. To examine the prevalence and correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CA... more Objective. To examine the prevalence and correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use in Lebanon. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted through face to face interviews on a nationally representative sample of 1,475 Lebanese adults. The survey questionnaire explored the sociodemographic and health related characteristics as well as the types and modes of CAM use. The main outcome in this study was the use of CAM during the last 12 months. Results. Prevalence of CAM use was 29.87% with "folk herbs" being the most commonly used (75%). Two out of five CAM users indicated using it as alternative to conventional therapies and only 28.4% of users disclosed the use of CAM to their physician. CAM use was significantly associated with higher income, presence of a chronic disease, and lack of access to needed health care. Lower odds of CAM use were observed among older adults and those with a higher education level. Conclusions. This study revealed a high prevalence of CAM use in Lebanon. Health policy and decision makers need to facilitate proper regulation and integration of CAM into mainstream medicine and educate health care providers and the public alike on the safe and effective use of CAM therapies.

Nutrients

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common joint diseases, especially in individuals wit... more Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common joint diseases, especially in individuals with obesity. Another condition within this population, and which presents frequently, is sarcopenic obesity (SO), defined as an increase in body fat and a decrease in muscle mass and strength. The current paper aims to describe recent nutritional strategies which can generally improve KOA clinical severity and, at the same time, ameliorate SO indices. Searches were carried out in the PubMed and Science Direct databases and data were summarized using a narrative approach. Certain key findings have been revealed. Firstly, the screening and identification of SO in patients with KOA is important, and to this end, simple physical performance tests and anthropometric measures are available in the literature. Secondly, adherence to a Mediterranean diet and the achievement of significant body weight loss by means of low-calorie diets (LCDs) remain the cornerstone nutritional treatment in this popu...

Clinics and Practice

Little remains known regarding the impact of weight loss on sarcopenic obesity (SO), and for this... more Little remains known regarding the impact of weight loss on sarcopenic obesity (SO), and for this reason we aimed to assess the relationship between the two during a weight management program. Body composition was measured at baseline and six-month follow-up using the Tanita BC-418, and step measurements were obtained daily over a period of six months using an Omron HJ-320 pedometer, in 41 adults of both genders with obesity. The participants were then categorized according to the presence or absence of SO. After a significant weight loss, an improvement in the appendicular skeletal mass (ASM) to weight ratio (24.5 ± 3.5 vs. 26.2 ± 3.6, p < 0.01), indicated a decrease in the prevalence of SO by 12.2%. Moreover, these findings were confirmed by logistic regression analysis revealing a significant WL% ≥ 5% combined with an active lifestyle (i.e., ≥8000 steps/day), decreased the risk of SO by 91% (OR = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.02–0.56), after adjusting for age and gender. In conclusion, in a...

Nutrients

Normal-weight obesity (NWO) is a phenotype characterized by excessive body fat (BF) despite norma... more Normal-weight obesity (NWO) is a phenotype characterized by excessive body fat (BF) despite normal body weight. We aimed to assess the association between NWO and the risk of sarcopenia. Two groups of patients with a normal body mass index [BMI (20–24.9 kg/m2)] were selected from a large cohort of participants. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and 748 participants were categorized as NWO or normal-weight without obesity (NWNO) and were classed according to whether or not they were at risk of sarcopenia. The “NWO group” included 374 participants (cases), compared to 374 participants (controls) in the “NWNO group”, all of a similar BMI, age and gender. The participants in the “NWO group” displayed a higher prevalence of the risk of sarcopenia than the control group across both genders (0.6% vs. 14.1% in males; 1.4% vs. 36.5% in females). Regression analysis showed that being in the NWO category increased the risk of sarcopenia 22-fold in male...

Nutrients

Obesity is a major health problem defined as an excess accumulation of body fat (BF). The World H... more Obesity is a major health problem defined as an excess accumulation of body fat (BF). The World Health Organization (WHO) usually relies on a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 as an indicator of obesity. Due to changes in body composition that occur across the lifespan, with an increase in BF and a decrease in lean mass, we aimed to test the validity of this BMI cut-off point for adiposity in middle-aged and older adults. This cross-sectional study, composed of 4800 adults of mixed gender aged between 40 and 80 years, included (according to the WHO BMI classification) 1087 normal-weight, 1826 overweight, and 1887 obese individuals who were referred to the Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy. The sample was then categorized by adiposity status based on the total BF% as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and the best sensitivity and specificity were attained for predicting obesity according to the receiver operating charact...

Healthcare

This paper presents a review of the available literature on sarcopenic obesity (SO) in young and ... more This paper presents a review of the available literature on sarcopenic obesity (SO) in young and middle-aged female adults with obesity in weight management settings. A literature review using the PubMed/Medline and Science Direct databases was conducted, and the data were summarized through a narrative approach. Firstly, some physical performance tests and questionnaires are available for screening young and middle-aged female adults with a high risk of SO. Secondly, these patients can undergo instrumental measurements such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to confirm or reject a diagnosis of SO, applying definitions that account for body mass. Thirdly, SO is a prevalent phenotype in females seeking weight management treatment, as well as being strongly associated (vs. non-SO) with obesity-related comorbidities that need to be promptly managed, initially with nutritional programs or/and in combination with medications. Finally, pat...

Nutrients

It is unclear whether weight loss (WL) achieved by means of lifestyle interventions (LSIs) before... more It is unclear whether weight loss (WL) achieved by means of lifestyle interventions (LSIs) before bariatric surgery (BS) can improve long-term WL outcomes after surgery. We aimed to assess the impact of a structured LSI on WL% after gastric bypass (GBP). Two groups of patients were selected from a large cohort of participants with obesity who underwent GBP surgery at Santa Maria Nuova Hospital (Reggio Emilia, Italy). The groups were categorized as those who have or have not received LSI prior to GBP. The LSI group included 91 participants (cases) compared to 123 participants (controls) in the non-LSI group. WL% was measured at follow-up times of 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. The LSI group achieved a clinically significant WL% (−7.5%) before BS, and at the time of surgery, the two groups had similar body weights and demographic statuses. At all points, until the 24-month follow-up, the two groups displayed similar WLs%. With regard to the longer follow-ups, the LSI group ma...

Frontiers in Nutrition, 2021

Diseases, 2021

1. Background: Adolescence is a period of increased autonomy and independent decision making; it ... more 1) Background: Adolescence is a period of increased autonomy and independent decision making; it determines health behaviors that can persist into the future. Individual factors like food choices and unhealthy lifestyle have an essential role in the development and prevention of obesity among adolescents and are associated with the nutrition literacy of parents and other adults. While the association of parents' nutrition literacy with adolescent BMI has been addressed, there is still a scarcity of studies that examine the effect of adolescents' nutrition literacy on their eating habits and body mass index (BMI) status. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted that included 189 adolescents (68 with overweight and obesity and 121 with normal weight) aged between 14-19 years from four private schools in Tripoli, Lebanon. A self-administered questionnaire that included the Nutrition Literacy Assessment Instrument (NLAI) and the Adolescent Food Habits Checklist (AFHC) was used. Anthropometrics were measured using standardized procedures. The association between nutrition literacy, food habits and BMI was assessed using a chi squared test for independence and Poisson regression analysis where suitable. (3) Results: Results indicated no association between all five components of nutrition literacy and body mass index categories. Furthermore, there was no association between the Adolescent Food Habits Checklist and overweight or obese BMI status (RR = 0.947, 95%CI: 0.629-1.426) (p = 0.796). No association was observed between nutrition literacy and food habits, except for an inverse association with macronutrients literacy. (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, the study indicated that there was no association between the components of nutrition literacy with body mass index or with food habits, except for macronutrient literacy.

Additional file 1 of Dietary patterns and their associations with gestational weight gain in the United Arab Emirates: results from the MISC cohort

Additional file 1. Food groups and the corresponding items included in the dietary patterns analy... more Additional file 1. Food groups and the corresponding items included in the dietary patterns analysis.

Background & Aim: Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important outcome that reflectsthe... more Background & Aim: Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important outcome that reflectsthe impact of chronic diseases on patients’ wellbeing. There is a paucity of studies on HRQoL and obesity in Arabspeaking countries. Therefore we aimed to investigate this outcome in this population. METHODS: The HRQoL was assessed by the validated Arabic version of the ORWELL 97 questionnaire in 116 seekingtreatment patients with obesity referred to the Nutritional and Weight management outpatient clinic of Beirut Arab University (BAU) in Lebanon, matched by age and gender to 116 normal-weight participants. RESULTS: Patients with obesity displayed higher total ORWELL 97 scores when compared with normalweight controls (52.16 ± 33.34 vs. 13.04 ± 11.36, p < 0.001), and linear regression analysis showed that the increase of Body Mass Index (BMI) among patients with obesity is associated with an increase of ORWELL 97 scores (β= 1.790, 95% CI= 0.808 2.772, p < 0.001). Moreover, the logisti...

A Novel Mediterranean Diet Index from the Middle East and North Africa Region: Comparison with Europe

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 2015

Preliminary nutritional characterization of some wild edible fruits from Lebanon

Acta Horticulturae, 2020

Proximate composition and nutritional attributes of some wild edible leafy plants from Lebanon

Acta Horticulturae, 2020

European Journal of Public Health, 2016

BMC Nutrition, 2016

Background: No study has investigated the relationship between dietary patterns and the risk of o... more Background: No study has investigated the relationship between dietary patterns and the risk of oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer in the Middle East and North Africa region. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the association between dietary patterns and the risk of oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer in Syria. Methods: A hospital-based unmatched case-control study was conducted on 108 cases with histologically confirmed oral, pharyngeal or laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and 105 healthy controls, who did not suffer from any dietrelated diseases. Dietary intake data were collected by a face-to-face interview, using a food frequency questionnaire. Socio-demographic and health risk behavioural information was collected using a self-completed questionnaire. Factor analysis and logistic and linear regression analyses were performed. The level of significance was set at 5 %. Results: The factor analysis revealed three dietary patterns labeled "Western", "Traditional Syrian" and "High Protein". The results of logistic regression analyses showed that consumption of Western food in the middle and high tertiles posed a significant increased oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer risk of four and three-fold, respectively (adjusted OR = 4.05, 2.80; 95 % CI = 1.57-10.44, 1.05-7.51; P = 0.004, 0.041; respectively). In contrast, consumption of Traditional Syrian in the high tertile and High Protein in the middle and high tertiles displayed significant protective effects in relation to oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer risk (adjusted OR = 0.28, 0.24, 0.10; 95 % CI = 0.10-0.80, 0.10-0.62, 0.03-0.25; P = 0.018, 0.003, <0.001; respectively). Compared to males, females were more likely to adhere to the High Protein dietary pattern. Traditional Syrian pattern's scores decreased with increasing level of education and smoking. High Protein pattern's scores decreased with age and smoking and increased with working status. Conclusions: Traditional Syrian and High Protein dietary patterns were associated with a decreased oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer risk, whereas Western pattern was associated with an increased oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer risk.

European Journal of Nutrition, 2011

Epidemiological studies of different dietary patterns and the risk of hypertension among a middle... more Epidemiological studies of different dietary patterns and the risk of hypertension among a middle-aged Chinese population remain extremely scare. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify dietary patterns and investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and the risk of hypertension among Chinese adults aged 45-60 years. The present cross-sectional study includes 2560 participants who reported their dietary intake using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis. Anthropometric measurements were obtained using standardized procedures. We used log-binomial regression analysis to examine the associations between dietary patterns and hypertension risk. Four major dietary patterns were identified and labeled as traditional Chinese, animal food, western fast-food, and high-salt patterns. After adjusting for potential confounders, participants in the highest quartile of animal food pattern scores had a greater prevalence ratio (PR) for hypertension (PR = 1.26; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.064-1.727; p < 0.05) in comparison to those from the lowest quartile. Compared with the lowest quartile of high-salt pattern, the highest quartile had a higher prevalence ratio for hypertension (PR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.013-1.635; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings indicated that animal food and high-salt patterns were associated with increased risk of hypertension, while traditional Chinese and western fast-food patterns were not associated with the risk of hypertension. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.