Fereshteh Aliasghari, Soghra Aliasgharzadeh, Amir Hossein Faghfouri, Reza Mahdavi and Neda Lotfi Yagin
Obesity can cause impairment in adipose tissue-derived hormones levels, which, in turn, might lead to metabolic syndrome occurrence. This study aims to assess the relationship…
Abstract
Purpose
Obesity can cause impairment in adipose tissue-derived hormones levels, which, in turn, might lead to metabolic syndrome occurrence. This study aims to assess the relationship between the levels of adiponectin, resistin, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and insulin with metabolic syndrome (MetS) indices. Also, optimal cutoff points of the adipokines and insulin for MetS prediction were determined.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, 180 women (90 women with MetS and 90 women without MetS) were studied. The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were used for MetS diagnosis. Anthropometric and biochemical indices were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21.
Findings
Serum adiponectin correlated negatively with age, BMI, waist circumference (WC), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, SBP, DBP, FBS and positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Both resistin and RBP4 levels correlated positively with BMI, WC, TG, SBP, DBP and FBS. Also, serum insulin correlated positively with BMI, WC, SBP and DBP. All the studied adipokines and insulin showed significant areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve. The largest area under the curve was observed for adiponectin (0.93, 95 per cent CI = 0.89-0.97, p < 0.001) with the optimal cut-off point of 11.94 µg/L. Also, the upper level of adiponectin was associated with 70 per cent lower prevalence odds of metabolic syndrome after adjusting for confounders.
Originality/value
The authors determined the optimal cutoff points of the adipokines and insulin for MetS prediction and calculated the diagnostic odds ratio for various cutoff values. Adiponectin could be used as a biomarker in MetS regarding its largest AUC.
Details
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Soghra Aliasgharzadeh, Mahdieh Abbasalizad Farhangi and Maliheh Barzegari
The tendency towards genetically modified (GM) food consumption and production is increasing worldwide. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing the…
Abstract
Purpose
The tendency towards genetically modified (GM) food consumption and production is increasing worldwide. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing the general population's willingness to buy GM foods in Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual model was derived and tested via the primary data gathered from 450 individuals recruited from ten districts of Tabriz, Iran. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was carried out to identify the relationship between related constructs and willingness to buy GM foods.
Findings
Results indicated that attitudes towards GM technology and foods along with trust in GM institutes were positive determinants of willingness to buy, while knowledge had a significantly negative impact. Accordingly, the most potent factors influencing consumers' willingness to buy include attitude, which is affected by moral and ethical concerns, and trust followed by knowledge.
Originality/value
The results of this study can help policymakers, farmers, and food industries to make appropriate decisions about the application of gene technology in food production and also cultivation of such products in developing countries such as Iran, where people have little information about these products, despite the import and supply of GM foods.