Purpose This paper aims to determine the effect of black garlic (BG) on visceral fat, oxidative stress and insulin resistance (IR) compared with metformin and vitamin E in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rats. Design/methodology/approach A randomized post-test only design with control group was used in this study. Rats were given high-fat fructose diet enriched with 1.25% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid for eight weeks to induce NALFD condition. The administration of BG dose of 450 mg/200 gBW, 900 mg/200 gBW and 1350 mg/200 gBW with a comparative control of 45 mg/200 gBW of metformin and vitamin E of 9 IU/200 gBW were given for four weeks via oral gavage to reduce visceral fat, oxidative stress and improve IR. Statistical analyses were performed to examine differences between groups with one-way analysis of variance and nonparametrics test. Findings Rats given with three different doses of BG for four weeks did not reduce body weight from 244 ± 4.4 to 284 ± 4.6 g, 242 ± 2.5 to 272 ± 3.1 g and 240 ± 2.4 to 270 ± 3.6 g, respectively, but significantly reduced visceral fat (p = 0.001) on BG groups with 3.7 ± 1.3, 2.7 ± 0.7 and 1.8 ± 0.6 g, respectively. BG improved oxidative stress (p = 0.001) with malondialdehyde level 5.1 ± 0.2, 3.0 ± 0.06 and 2.3 ± 0.06 ng/mL, respectively, but did not better than vitamin E group 1 ± 0.03 ng/mL. Significant (p = 0.001) improvement on insulin resistance with homeostatic model assessment IR in BG groups were 5.3 ± 0.1, 4.4 ± 0.1 and 4 ± 0.1, respectively, but not as good as metformin group 3.7 ± 0.1. Research limitations/implications Based on the experiment, there are several limitations including small sample size, performed on animal models in a relatively short time, did not examine organosulfurs compound (OSC) content of BG specifically and OSC affects metabolism in NAFLD remains unclear and will require further investigation. Practical implications BG is a functional food made from heated fresh garlic owing to the Maillard reaction and the organosulfur compounds as antioxidants. The higher the dose of BG, the greater the improvement in visceral fat, oxidative stress and IR in model NAFLD rats. Social implications NAFLD is a liver disorder caused by excessive fat and energy intake, the treatment strategies among others through diet modification. Originality/value In model NAFLD rats, BG administration improved NALFD markers but did not better rather than the metformin and vitamin E result.

Background: Iron deficiency anemia is one of the common public health problems that found in various countries, including Indonesia. The incidence of iron deficiency anemia does not only occur in rural areas but also in urban areas. Iron deficiency that occurs in adolescent girls with or without anemia has a negative impact on immune function, growth and physical and mental development. Purpose: To determine the incidence of anemia in adolescent girls in urban areas. Patients and methods: This study was an observational study with a cross sectional design. The research subjects were 52 young women aged 15-25 years living in the city of Semarang, Central Java. The subject will be taken a blood sample to check the complete blood profile and iron status, namely serum ferritin, serum iron, and serum TIBC (total iron binding capacity). Research data analysis was carried out using a computer program. Results: The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among female adolescents in urban areas in this study was 13.4% while adolescent girls who experienced iron deficiency without anemia were 13.4%. Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia can occur in urban areas with a prevalence > 5%.

Background: Obesity is a growing major health problem in some developing countries including Indonesia. Study examined the association between dietary patterns and obesity parameters using both body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) among healthy women in Indonesia was still rare.  Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between dietary patterns and obesity parameters using BMI and WC among healthy women.Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design with consecutive sampling. Healthy women aged 20 and above were selected in this study. Dietary data were collected using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). For categorical data, chi-squared test was done to compare the differences in the characteristics of the subjects among tertiles of dietary patterns. For continuous variables, a general linear model test was used for comparison. To evaluate the association between dietary patterns and obesity parameters (BMI and WC), we used multiple linear regression analysis adjusting for multiple confounding variables (age, current smoking, current drinking, and physical activity). Results: Dietary pattern 1 consisted of 12 food items: snack cooked with oil, fish and seafood, processed food, organ meats, meat, poultry, rice- or flour-based products, staples cooked with oil, sugary drinks, refined dessert, and tea and coffee. Dietary pattern 2 consisted of 5 food items: eggs, light-colored vegetables, dark-colored vegetables, fruits, and soybeans. Dietary pattern 3 consisted of 7 food items: milk products, legumes, processed fruits, wholegrain, snacks cooked without oil, root crops, and jam/honey. Dietary pattern 1 was positively associated with obesity parameters including BMI and WC (P < 0.05); whereas, dietary pattern 2 and dietary pattern 3 were inversely correlated (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Our study find that dietary patterns were associated with BMI and WC among healthy women.

<p align="center"><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p><strong><em>Background</em></strong><em>: Women gain weight more easily due to hormonal factors. Abdominal obesity is more at risk for metabolic disease than general obesity. Inflammation in the body is intimately linked to obesity. Adipocytokines are leptin and adiponectin, while IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine. These three biomarkers are frequently used to describe abdominal obesity individuals.</em></p><p><strong><em>Objective</em></strong><em>: This study aimed to analyze between Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) with the inflammatory and adiposity profiles in adult women with abdominal obesity.</em></p><p><strong><em>Methods</em></strong><em>: This study was a cross-sectional research with a total of 88 adult women with abdominal obesity aged 25-45 years who work in the Diponegoro University area of Semarang. Samples were taken by consecutive sampling technique. A serum inflammation profile was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.</em><em></em></p><p><strong><em>Results</em></strong><em>: The mean waist circumference of the research subjects was 93.82 ± 10.64. The mean WHtR, adiponectin, leptin and IL-6 were 0.61 ± 0.07; 14.15 ± 9.71; 4.64 ± 0.79; 6.49 ± 3.19. The results of the correlation test between WHtR with adiponectin, leptin and IL-6 were (r=-0.279; p=0.005), (r=0.233; p=0.029) and (r=0.271; p=0.011). Compared with anthropometric measurements using BMI, visceral fat, and WC, the WHtR was statistically higher (p&lt;0.05).</em></p><p><strong><em>Conclusion</em></strong><em>: WHtR was significantly negatively correlated with adiponectin and positively correlated with leptin and IL-6</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><strong>KEYWORD</strong><strong><em>: </em></strong>Abdominal Obesity; WHtR; Adiponectin; Leptin; Interleukin 6</p><p> </p><p> </p><p align="center"><strong>ABSTRAK</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>Latar Belakang</strong>: Wanita lebih mudah mengalami kenaikan berat badan karena faktor hormonal. Obesitas abdominal lebih berisiko terkena penyakit metabolik daripada obesitas umum. Peradangan dalam tubuh berkaitan erat dengan obesitas. Adipositokin merupakan leptin dan adiponektin, sedangkan IL-6 adalah sitokin pro-inflamasi. Ketiga biomarker ini sering digunakan untuk menggambarkan individu dengan obesitas abdominal.</p><p><strong>Tujuan</strong>: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan antara Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) dengan profil inflamasi dan adipositas pada wanita dewasa dengan obesitas abdominal.</p><p><strong>Metode</strong>: Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian cross sectional dengan jumlah 88 wanita dewasa dengan obesitas abdominal berusia 25-45 tahun yang bekerja di lingkungan Universitas Diponegoro Semarang. Sampel diambil dengan teknik consecutive sampling. Profil peradangan serum diukur menggunakan metode enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).</p><p><strong>Hasil</strong>: Rerata lingkar pinggang subjek penelitian adalah 93,82 ± 10,64. Rerata WHtR, adiponektin, leptin dan IL-6 adalah 0,61 ± 0,07; 14,15 ± 9,71; 4,64 ± 0,79; 6,49 ± 3,19. Hasil uji korelasi antara WHtR dengan adiponektin, leptin dan IL-6 adalah (r=-0,279; p=0,005), (r=0,233; p=0,029) dan (r=0,271; p=0,011). Dibandingkan dengan pengukuran antropometri menggunakan BMI, lemak visceral, dan WC, WHtR secara statistik lebih tinggi (p&lt;0,05).</p><p><strong>Kesimpulan</strong>: WHtR secara signifikan berkorelasi negatif dengan adiponektin dan berkorelasi positif dengan leptin dan IL-6</p><p> </p><p><strong>KATA KUNCI</strong>: Obesitas Abdominal; WHtR; Adiponektin; Leptin; Interleukin 6</p><p> </p>

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