This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of elderly individuals living alone and with their families. The sample of the study included 872 elderly individuals who agreed to participate in the study, were aged 65 or over, and lived in Ankara. The data were gathered from a survey, using face-to-face interviews. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used in evaluating each individual’s nutrition. The rate of malnutrition in the study population was 5% while the malnutrition risk was 67%. The rate of malnutrition in the individuals living alone was found to be higher than that of those living with their families. The rates of malnutrition in individuals living alone and with their families were, respectively, 7% and 4%, and the rates of malnutrition risk in individuals living alone and with their families were, respectively, 73% and 66% (p<0.05). In both groups, there were significant relationships between individuals’ ages, BMI values, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and calf circumference measurements and their MNA scores. While there was a negative and significant relationship between age and MNA scores, the relationships between other parameters and MNA scores were positive and significant (p<0.01). In this study, it was revealed that the nutrition of elderly individuals living alone differs from the nutrition of elderly individuals living with their families. Malnutrition rates were higher in individuals living alone. Raising the awareness of elderly people and their families regarding the need to improve and maintain nutrition would be beneficial.

Objective: Obesity is one of today's most important public health problems. It is suggested that overeating and substance addiction show similarities, and addiction to food may be an important factor in the obesity epidemic. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of food addiction among schizophrenic patients and to examine the relationship between food addiction and anthropometric measurements and dietary nutrient intake.Methods: Study participants included a total of 104 schizophrenic outpatients, 62 females and 42 males. Food addiction was assessed by using the Yale Food Addiction Scale, and the anthropometric measurements of participants and their three-day food consumption were recorded.Results: This study found that more than half of the schizophrenic patients (60.6%) had food addiction, and that female schizophrenic patients had a higher prevalence (62.9%) of food addiction than male patients (57.1%). More than one-third of the schizophrenic patients with food addiction (41.3%) were found to be obese and their BMI, body weight, waist circumference, and body-fat ratio were higher than those of schizophrenic patients who did not have food addiction (P>0.05). Moreover, the schizophrenic patients with food addiction were found to take significantly more energy, carbohydrate, and fat in their diet (P<0.05).Conclusion: It was observed that the development of food addiction in schizophrenic patients increased the risk of obesity and cardiovascular diseases, which were found to be at higher levels in these patients. Educational programs should be planned for these patients to acquire health dietary habits and to increase their physical activity levels, and an additional psychosocial support should be provided for patients with food addiction.

Objectives: The present study was performed to search whether subcutaneous and whole body adipose tissue increase and they relate to measures of insulin sensitivity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Materials and methods: 52 women with PCOS and 53 healthy controls, all with similar age and body mass index participated in the study. A skinfold caliper device was used to measure biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold thickness (SFT). Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) was measured using a tape measure. Body fat distributions were determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Insulin resistance score was computed with the HOMA formula. Plasma adiponectin was measured by EIA. Results: SFT in all defined areas, MUAC, total body and trunk fat free mass, and HOMA score were higher in women with PCOS compared with healthy women, while adiponectin level was significantly lower. SFT values correlated positively with HOMA score, and negatively with blood adiponectin level. Regression analysis indicated, SFT in triceps and supscapular areas, trunk fat mass, trunk fat ratio, fat free mass and trunk fat free mass values as the most powerful predictors of HOMA score. Conclusions: The present study showed that SFT in different body regions and fat-free tissue mass are increased in women with PCOS, with a significant relation to impaired insulin sensitivity.

Objectives: Obesity is a serious public health issue. Investigating the eating behaviour of individuals plays an important role in preventing obesity. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to adapt the long and first version of the ‘Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire’ (TFEQ), a scale that examines the eating behaviour of individuals, to Turkish culture and to carry out its validity and reliability study.Design: The data were collected using data collection forms, and anthropometric measurements of the individuals were made by the researchers. The data collection form included several parameters: socio-demographic characteristics, the TFEQ scale, whose validity and reliability analysis is conducted here, and the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ) which was used as a parallel form.Setting: The Obesity Clinic at Ege University in Izmir.Participants: The study group consisted of obese adult individuals (n 257).Results: It was seen that constructing the questionnaire with twenty-seven items and four sub-dimensions provides better information about Turkish obese individuals. Factor loadings ranged from 0·421 to 0·846, and item total score correlations ranged from 0·214 to 0·558. Cronbach’s α coefficient was found to be 0·639 for the whole scale. A positive, strong and statistically significant correlation was detected between TFEQ and DEBQ, which was used as a parallel form (r = 0·519, P < 0·001).Conclusion: In Turkey, the long version of the TFEQ scale was found valid and reliable for obese adult individuals. TFEQ can be used by clinicians or researchers to study the eating behaviour of obese individuals.

Amaç: Bu çalışma alkol ve madde bağımlılığı olan bireylerin iştah ve beslenme durumlarının saptanması ve karşılaştırılması, beslenme alışkanlıklarının ve beslenme durumu ile yaşam kaliteleri arasındaki ilişkinin belirlenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Bireyler ve Yöntem: Çalışma Manisa Ruh Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Hastanesi AMATEM Servisi’nde yatan, yaşları 20-60 yıl arasında değişen, 167 madde ve 46 alkol bağımlısı olmak üzere toplam 213 erkek birey üzerinde yürütülmüştür. Bağımlılara yüz yüze görüşme yöntemi ile anket uygulanmış, genel bilgiler, beslenme alışkanlıkları, 24 saatlik besin tüketim durumu saptanmış, Basitleştirilmiş Beslenme İştah Anketi, Kısa Beslenme Değerlendirme Anketi (SNAQ), Besin Çeşitliliği Skoru (DDS), Kısa Form Yaşam Kalitesi Ölçeği (SF-36) uygulanmış ve antropometrik ölçümleri alınmıştır. Bulgular: Bu çalışmada SNAQ’ya göre madde kullanan bireylerin %71.3’ünde, alkol kullanan bireylerin %69.6’sında ağır malnütrisyon bulunduğu, ayrıca madde kullananların %87.4’ünde, alkol kullananların %93.5’inde iştahın bozulmasına bağlı olarak gelecek 6 ayda önemli düzeyde ağırlık kaybı riski bulunduğu belirlenmiştir. Alkol bağımlılarının %78.3’ünün, madde bağımlılarının %69.5’inin DDS’nin yetersiz olduğu, tüm grup değerlendirildiğinde ise bireylerin genellikle tek öğün tükettikleri (%57.7) ve bu durumun alkol bağımlılarında (%76.1) madde kullanan bireylere (%52.7) göre daha yaygın olduğu bulunmuştur (χ²:8.880, p<0.05). Madde bağımlılarının antropometrik ölçümleri ile vücut bileşimi değerlerinin alkol kullanan bireylerden daha düşük olduğu saptanmıştır (p<0.01). Ayrıca madde bağımlılarında fiziksel fonksiyonları yerine getirebilme ile BKİ, malnütrisyon, iştah durumu ve DDS puanları arasında önemli ilişki olduğu belirlenmiştir (p<0.05). Alkol bağımlarında ise sosyal işlevsellik, BKİ ve ÜOKÇ ile ruhsal sağlık, iştah durumu ve malnütrisyonla ilişkilidir (p<0.05). Sonuç: Sonuç olarak alkol ve madde bağımlılarının beslenme ve iştah durumunun bozulduğu ve yaşam kalitelerinin oldukça kötü olduğu belirlenmiştir. Tedaviye alınan kişilerde mutlaka beslenme durumu uygun değerlendirme araçlarıyla incelenmeli ve farmakolojik tedavinin yanında kişiye özel bir beslenme programı uygulanmalıdır.