Aims/IntroductionTo compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) using the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Plan III (NCEP) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definitions and, using both definitions, determine and compare the association of MS, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, hypertension (HTN) and cardiovascular disease risk (CVD).Materials and MethodsA total of 2,293 randomly selected participants (aged ≥20 years) in a rural community in Bangladesh were investigated in a population-based cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipid profiles were studied. Age-adjusted data for MS and cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed, and their relationships were examined.ResultsThe age-adjusted prevalence of MS was 30.7% (males 30.5%; females 30.5%) using the NCEP definition, and 24.5% (males 19.2%, females 27.5%) using the IDF definition. The prevalence of MS using the NCEP definition was also higher in study participants with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, HTN and CVD risk. The agreement rate between both definitions was 92% (k = 0.80). The NCEP definition had a stronger association with type 2 diabetes and HTN (odds ratio 12.4 vs 5.2; odds ratio 7.0 vs 4.7, respectively) than the IDF definition. However, the odds ratios for prediabetes and CVD risk were not significantly different.ConclusionsThe prevalence of MS was higher using the NCEP definition, and was more strongly associated with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, HTN and CVD in this Bangladeshi population.

BackgroundNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disease commonly associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and inflammation-all features of insulin resistant syndrome. However, very limited data are available regarding the association of subclinical inflammation and insulin resistance with NAFLD in a prediabetic state. We, therefore, conducted the study to assess this relationship among this population.MethodsWe studied a cross-sectional analytical design of 140 [male/female, 77/63; age in years (ranges), 45 (25–68)] prediabetic subjects after confirming with 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. The diagnosis of NAFLD was made by ultrasonic examination of the liver and divided into groups of without NAFLD (n = 63) and NAFLD (n = 77). All individuals underwent anthropometric and clinical examinations. Among laboratory investigations, serum glucose was estimated by glucose oxidase method, serum lipid profile and liver enzymes were measured by the enzymatic colorimetric method and glycated hemoglobin was measured by high performance liquid chromatography technique. Serum insulin and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured by enzyme immunoassay technique. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA).ResultsThere was significantly higher levels of hsCRP (2.82 ± 1.60 vs. 1.39 ± 0.66 mg/l, P < 0.001) and HOMA-IR (4.03 ± 1.39 vs. 1.98 ± 1.04, P < 0.001) in NAFLD subjects compared to their without NAFLD counterparts. hsCRP [odds ratio (OR) = 5.888, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.673–12.970, P < 0.001] and HOMA-IR (OR = 4.618, 95 % CI 2.657–8.024, P < 0.001) showed significant determinants of NAFLD after potential confounders of body mass index and triglyceride were adjusted.ConclusionsSubclinical chronic inflammation and insulin resistance seem to be independent mediators of the association between NAFLD and prediabetes. The data also indicate that the inflammatory condition and insulin resistance are associated with each other and these, in turn, are affected by adiposity and dyslipidemia in prediabetic subjects.

Nutrition knowledge and positive attitude are known to influence dietary practices. Poor dietary practices are major contributors to the development of chronic non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study to explore the basic nutritional knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) among adolescent girls in Dhaka City. It was a cross-sectional study using a quantitative approach. A total of 500 adolescent girls (aged 10-19 yrs) from four schools and colleges were included in this study. The early adolescent and late adolescent girls’ age [yrs, (Mean ± SD)] was 12±1 and 17±1 respectively. About 31% of early adolescent girls were underweight according to different BMI categories (adapted from WHO guidelines-2004). The early adolescent girls’ 65% took breakfast before going to school but 43% skip to take lunch in school. And the late adolescent girl shows about 46% took breakfast before going to school but 30% skip to take lunch in school individually. The early adolescent girls’ nutritional knowledge score shows about 61.5% moderate, 86.5% remain positive attitude and 21.2% had good practices. Whereas late-adolescent girls’ nutritional knowledge score shows about 57.1% moderate, 90.1% remain positive attitude and 11.3% had good practices. Among the early adolescent girls shows the significant association of nutritional knowledge with attitude and practices (p=<0.001, p=0.005). Nevertheless, the late adolescent girls show only a significant association of nutritional knowledge with attitude (p=0.002). The results of the study revealed that adolescent girls having good knowledge, remain positive attitudes regarding nutrition, but practices were deficient in some aspects.

Consumer's sensory perception of food attributes plays a vital role in food preference. Sensory responses to the flavor (taste and aroma), color, and texture of food are determinants of individual food choices. A descriptive cross-sectional survey on perception of food attributes was conducted on 400 respondents (aged ≤40 years) to evaluate consumers' perception of flavoral attributes and perceived role of chosen foods in a healthy diet. The data were collected through face to face interviews of the respondent using a pretested structured questionnaire. A non-probability sampling method was used for the survey. Among the 400 respondents, 200 were males and the rest 200 were females with majority as students (40%). The consumers were found facing difficulty in perceiving the technical terms for attributes of foods but when different Bangla vocabulary denoting flavoral attributes was used then the respondents felt comfortable in understanding. About 41% of the preferred the Bangla word 'Shadgondho' to understand the concept of flavor. The correct perception of flavor (p=0.054) was not much dependent on the profession of respondents, but there was an association between their perception level and selection of preferred foods (p=0.018). Majority of the respondents (85.3%) preferred the food attribute 'fruity flavor' in selecting their foods for consumption. The respondents treated their chosen foods on flavoral attributes as menial to lunch or dinner and usually ate them as snacks. About one fourth of the respondents have higher sensory perception level and food preference ability. However, in combination with other food attributes like color and texture, this association needs further investigations.

Background Nutritional status of adolescent girls is very crucial for their health and has a great impact on the quality of the next generation. The present study aimed to investigate the nutritional status and nutrition-related knowledge among urban adolescent girls in Bangladesh. Methods A cross-sectional study involving a total 500 of adolescent girls (aged 10-19) from four schools and colleges in Dhaka city. Socio-demographic, anthropometric and nutrition-related information was collected by semi-structured questionnaires. In addition, 24 hours food recall and food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the dietary intake. Results The ages of the early adolescent and late adolescent girls yrs (Mean ± SD) were 12±1 and 17±1 respectively. The mean (±SD) BMI of the early adolescent and late adolescent was 21.12±0.32 and 22.10±3.89 correspondingly. Among the early adolescent girls, the nutritional knowledge score was about 62% (moderate), 87% had a positive attitude and 72% had good practices in their daily lives. Whereas among the late adolescent girls, the nutritional knowledge score was about 57% (moderate), 90% showed a positive attitude and 61% had good practices. Among the subject, the average calorie intake was 1491 kcal, which was 24% lower than RDA. The Carbohydrate intake was lower than the RDA but the protein and fat intake was higher than the RDA. Conclusions The dietary intake of adolescent girls was found inadequate. Nutrition education and strong motivation can create positive changes in dietary intake. To understand the real phenomena of dietary intake of adolescent girls, further study is necessary to conduct with a large sample size.