Background: Adolescence is a critical period in human life, associated with reduced physical activity and increased sedentary behaviors. In this systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis, we evaluated the association between screen time and risk of overweight/obesity among adolescents. Methods: A systematic search in electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Scopus was performed up to September 2021. All published studies evaluating the association between screen time and risk of overweight/obesity among adolescents were retrieved. Finally, a total of 44 eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. Results: The results of the two-class meta-analysis showed that adolescents at the highest category of screen time were 1.27 times more likely to develop overweight/obesity (OR = 1.273; 95% CI = 1.166–1.390; P < 0.001; I-squared (variation in ES attributable to heterogeneity) = 82.1%). The results of subgrouping showed that continent and setting were the possible sources of heterogeneity. Moreover, no evidence of non-linear association between increased screen time and risk of overweight/obesity among adolescents was observed (P-nonlinearity = 0.311). Conclusion: For the first time, the current systematic review and meta-analysis revealed a positive association between screen time and overweight/obesity among adolescents without any dose-response evidence. Trial registration: The protocol of the current work has been registered in the PROSPERO system (Registration number: CRD42021233899).

There are a few studies evaluating the predictive value of Framingham risk score (FRS) for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment in patients with metabolic syndrome in Iran. Because of the emerging high prevalence of CVD among Iranian population, it is important to predict its risk among populations with potential predictive tools. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to evaluate the FRS and its determinants in patients with metabolic syndrome. In the current cross-sectional study, 160 patients with metabolic syndrome diagnosed according to the National Cholesterol Education Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria were enrolled. The FRS was calculated using a computer program by a previously suggested algorithm. Totally, 77.5, 16.3, and 6.3% of patients with metabolic syndrome were at low, intermediate, and high risk of CVD according to FRS categorization. The highest prevalence of all of metabolic syndrome components were in low CVD risk according to the FRS grouping (P < 0.05), while the lowest prevalence of these components was in high CVD risk group (P < 0.05). According to multiple logistic regression analysis, high systolic blood pressure (SBP) and fasting serum glucose (FSG) were potent determinants of intermediate and high risk CVD risk of FRS scoring compared with low risk group (P < 0.05). In the current study, significant associations between components of metabolic syndrome and different FRS categorization among patients with metabolic syndrome were identified. High SBP and FSG were associated with meaningfully increased risk of CVD compared with other parameters. The study is not a trial; the registration number is not applicable.

Background: Health related quality of life (HRQOL) is a potent indicator of individual’s happiness and life satisfaction. The way in which the HRQOL is affected by the diet is a topic of constant interest and debate among researchers. Evaluating the association between single nutrients or foods and HRQOL fails to take into consideration the complex interactions between nutrients. Also, the findings from previous investigations on the relationship between dietary patterns and HRQOL have been inconsistent. Therefore, our aim was to assess the existing evidence regarding the relationship between the dietary patterns and HRQOL by conducting a systematic review. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences and Google scholar databases from inception to March 2020, to identify studies that investigated associations between the dietary patterns (regardless of methods used to define dietary patterns) and HRQOL domains. Two researchers independently checked titles and abstracts, evaluated full-text studies, extracted data, and appraised their quality using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results: Thirteen studies (four longitudinal, and nine cross-sectional studies), with a total of 43,445 subjects, were included. Of the studies included in this review, eight studies evaluated the association between "Mediterranean" dietary patterns (MDP) and HRQOL, while five studies examined the association between different dietary patterns ("Healthy", "Unhealthy", "Western", "Fruit and vegetable", "Bread and butter" and etc.) and HRQOL. Excluding three studies which showed no significant association, healthy dietary patterns such as MDP, "Healthy" and "Fruit and vegetable" dietary patterns were associated with better HRQOL in physical and mental components scores. The quality assessment of included studies according to NOS criteria were ranged between medium to high quality. Conclusion: According to the current evidence, "Healthy" dietary patterns and “Mediterranean” dietary patterns are associated with better dimension scores of HRQOL in both physical and mental summaries. While, unhealthy dietary patterns and "Western" dietary patterns are associated with lower scores of HRQOL. Further longitudinal studies are required to clarify the association between dietary patterns and HRQOL

In recent years, a great attention has been focused on Spirulina platensis as a source of potential valuable nutrients for prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. The objectives of the current study were to determine the effects of Spirulina platensis on anthropometric parameters, serum lipids, appetite and serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in obese individuals. In the current study sixty four obese individuals aged 20–50 years were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups of intervention and placebo. Intervention group (n = 29) received each 500 mg of the Spirulina platensis a twice-daily dosage while the control group (n = 27) received two pills daily starch for 12 weeks. Anthropometric parameters and serum VEGF and lipid profile were measured in fasting blood samples at the beginning and end of the study period. Dietary intakes were assessed by a 24-h recall method and appetite was measured using standard visual analogue scale (VAS). Body weight and body mass index (BMI) were decreased in intervention and placebo treated groups although the mean reduction in Spirulina platensis-treated group was significantly higher (P < 0.05). Serum total cholesterol (TC) significantly reduced in intervention group (P < 0.05). Also, treatment with Spirulina platensis significantly reduced appetite (P = 0.008). Mean serum VEGF, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides did not change significantly after intervention. Serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations (HDL-c) significantly increased in both groups while no difference in mean difference of this change has been observed. Spirulina supplementation at a dose of 1 g/d for 12 weeks is effective in modulating body weight and appetite and partly modifies serum lipids. This can further confirm the efficacy of this herbal supplement in control and prevention of obesity and obesity- related disorders. Iranian registry of clinical trials (IRCT registration number: IRCT2015071219082N7 ; Date registered: September 12, 2015).