Purpose Plant-based diets have been related to decreasing morbidity and mortality of many non-communicable diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between plant-based diets and lipid profiles and anthropometric indices. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study was performed on 236 men and women selected from Shiraz health-care centers. This study used a 168-item food frequency questionnaire to calculate plant-based diet index (PDI), healthy plant-based diet index (hPDI) and unhealthy plant-based diet index (uPDI). Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were measured. Furthermore, body mass index, a body shape index and conicity index (CI) were calculated after measuring weight, height and waist circumference. Findings Higher score of PDI was significantly related to higher triglycerides level (OR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.04, 4.48; P = 0.03). In the fully adjusted model, there was a significant association between ABSI and hPDI (OR = 4.88; 95% CI: 1.17, 20.24; P = 0.03). A significant inverse association was observed between uPDI and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (OR = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.21, 0.98; P = 0.03). Also, this study found a decreasing, but insignificant trend in relation of ABSI (OR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.22, 2.34) and CI (OR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.06, 0.56) with PDI. Research limitations/implications Further studies are needed to explore the association of PDI with anthropometric indices and lipid profile and also to assess the potential causality of the observed associations. Plant-based diets according to their contents could affect triglycerides, HDL and anthropometric properties. Practical implications Hence, dietitians should consider the findings of this study such as the inverse effect of unhealthy plant-based diets on HDL and the relation between healthy plant-based diets and WC and abdominal obesity. Originality/value This study showed that adherence to a plant-based diet was related to higher triglycerides levels. Also, uPDI was inversely associated with HDL level. Furthermore, participants who adhered more to a healthy plant-based diet had higher abdominal adiposity.

No abstract

No abstract

Background: Obesity is a public health issue, leading to many medical and socially unacceptable complications. To combat obesity, going on a diet is a routine prescription by dieticians. Although men and women with obesity are equally advised to lose their body weight, almost in all societies women are more adhered to their prescribed diets. However, some of weight reducing diets seems neither effective nor long lasting.  This study aimed to assess perceived barriers to weight-loss programs among women with obesity in Shiraz. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2017 in Shiraz. To fulfill the objectives of the study, eight semi-structured focus group discussions (FGDs) and seven in-depth interviews with key informants were performed. The eligible participants for FGDs were women with obesity who were not satisfied with their diet and were selected through a public call in Shiraz. Results: A total of 1429 initial codes were obtained from FGDs, and after categorizing, four main barriers were resulted. Dietary, socio-cultural, supportive- psychological, and economic issues were identified as the main perceived barriers to weight-loss programs. Conclusion: The study findings provided comprehensive information about the probable causes of diet prescriptions failure, which can assist dietitians to improve the efficacy of their weight management advice in clinics.

Background: Obesity is among the most important health challenge, with an increasing incidence in current century. It is considered as an important factor lead to social unacceptability. Almost in all societies women are more careful and sensitive about their beauty and appearance than men. The purpose of this study was to assess perceived barriers to weight- loss programs among women with obesity in Shiraz.Method: This qualitative study was conducted using eight semi-structured focus group discussions (FGDs) among 48 women and seven in-depth interviews with key informants. All eligible participants for FGDs were selected through a public call in Shiraz. Results: Dietary, socio-cultural, supportive- psychological and economic issues were identified as the main barriers to weight-loss programs.Conclusion: Data collected from the individual and group interviews provided extensive information on the strengths and weaknesses of dietary programs. The results of this study can be used to improve the services for obese and overweight people as well as expanding the knowledge of dietitians for developing more efficient weight-loss programs.