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Background: The important risk factors in obesity are related to unhealthy nutritional habits. The aim of this study was to estimate and compare the macro- and micro-nutrients’ intake in breakfast and midmorning snacks. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 569 students (12-16 years) by the multistage cluster sampling method. The demographic data were gathered by interview. Anthropometric data and breakfast habits (breakfast frequency and time as well as nutrients’ intake at breakfast or snacks) were measured using standardized instruments by asking some questions. Results: The results showed that the high prevalence of irregular breakfast eating (IRBE) and overweight or obesity. No significant difference was found between breakfast frequency and time according to the students’ gender or body mass index (BMI). The mean BMI had a significant increase in females; whereas, the percentage of energy from breakfast (EB%), snack (ES%), or both breakfast and snacks (EBS%) were shown no significant difference between genders. A significant increase was found in EB%, EB%, and EBS%; whereas, the daily energy intake (DEI) was lower in normal-weight students. However, other nutrients at breakfast or snacks had no significant difference. The level of higher DEI was reported in IRBE adolescents. Conclusions: An inappropriate breakfast habit can cause irreparable consequences in adolescents. Although breakfast plays an undeniable role, other factors are also effective in one’s health. Further studies are required for more comprehensive results.

BackgroundLifestyle and its relationship to aspects of sleep quality have been reported in many studies. An unhealthy lifestyle is associated with less sleep duration and sleep patterns. Breakfast skipping is as an important part of unhealthy lifestyle. Poor sleep quality and skipping breakfast are common in adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nutritional habits (breakfast and midmorning snack) and sleep quality in Yazd adolescents. MethodsThis study was conducted among 569 students aged 12-16 years. They were selected by multistage random-cluster sampling method. Information such as demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, students' nutritional habits, physical activity and sleep quality were collected from all adolescents. All data were assessed by interview, 7-day food record, short form of the International Physical Activity, and Questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 22). ResultsThe prevalence of breakfast skipping and semi-skipping (57.2%), overweight and obesity (37.8%), and insu cient sleep duration (38.9%) were high. The sleep score was signi cantly better in boys (p = 0.02).Sleep quality score of 63.7 % of the students was poor, but a signi cant relationship was not illustrated between sleep quality with breakfast frequency, abnormal weight, breakfast time, morning snack intake. A signi cant relationship was found between poor sleep quality with late bedtime and low physical activity (p <0.0001), late dinner (p <0.004), and female gender (p <0.02). ConclusionsThis cross-sectional study supported the association between having dinner soon and no late bedtime with good sleep quality. But no signi cant difference was shown between sleep quality with weight and breakfast habits. This study suggested paying more attention to nutritional and sleeping status in this age group by employing skilled nutritionists and mental health professional in high schools.Data presented by mean and standard deviation (SD).

Background: Fatigue is a common complaint of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), adversely affecting their quality of life. There is a lot of evidence showing that carnitine deficiency is linked to fatigue development and severity in some conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the association between free L-carnitine serum levels and the severity of fatigue in patients with MS. Methods: This case-control study included 30 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) in two age-matched equal-number groups according to the presence or absence of fatigue. Fatigue was scored using the valid questionnaire of Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and serum level of free L-carnitine was measured simultaneously. Finally, the association between serum level of free L-carnitine and fatigue severity was evaluated in patients with MS. Results: The mean value of FSS in patients with fatigue was 48.80 ± 8.55, which was nearly two-fold higher than the group without fatigue. We found a significant correlation between the serum level of free L-carnitine and FSS and showed that the patients with fatigue had a significantly lower serum level of free L-carnitine compared to patients without fatigue (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Present study demonstrated that patients with lower serum levels of free L-carnitine were more likely to experience fatigue. We recommend that a higher dietary intake of carnitine might be a useful complementary treatment for MS-related fatigue.

BackgroundLifestyle and its relationship to aspects of sleep quality have been reported in many studies. An unhealthy lifestyle is associated with less sleep duration and sleep patterns. Breakfast skipping is as an important part of unhealthy lifestyle. Poor sleep quality and skipping breakfast are common in adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nutritional habits (breakfast and midmorning snack) and sleep quality in Yazd adolescents.MethodsThis study was conducted among 569 students aged 12–16 years. They were selected by multistage random-cluster sampling method. Information such as demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, students' nutritional habits, physical activity and sleep quality were collected from all adolescents. All data were assessed by interview, 7-day food record, short form of the International Physical Activity, and Questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 22).ResultsThe prevalence of breakfast skipping and semi-skipping (57.2%), overweight and obesity (37.8%), and insufficient sleep duration (38.9%) were high. The sleep score was significantly better in boys (p = 0.02). Sleep quality score of 63.7 % of the students was poor, but a significant relationship was not illustrated between sleep quality with breakfast frequency, abnormal weight, breakfast time, morning snack intake. A significant relationship was found between poor sleep quality with late bedtime and low physical activity (p <0.0001), late dinner (p <0.004), and female gender (p <0.02).ConclusionsThis cross-sectional study supported the association between having dinner soon and no late bedtime with good sleep quality. But no significant difference was shown between sleep quality with weight and breakfast habits. This study suggested paying more attention to nutritional and sleeping status in this age group by employing skilled nutritionists and mental health professional in high schools.