Background: Depression is one of the most commonly observed problems in menopausal women. This study was conducted to determine the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on menopausal depression in women referring to No. 1 Health Clinic of Ahvaz, Iran, in 2010.

Materials and Methods: This randomized double-blind clinical trial was done on 70 menopausal women experiencing various levels of depression. After administering the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-21), the participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into intervention group (n=35) receiving a 2gr omega-3 capsules and control group (n=35) receiving 2 gr placebo capsules. After 8 weeks of intervention, data were collected and analyzed by Chi-square, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA with repeated measures using SPSS software version 17.

Results: Mean depression scores decreased significantly (p<0.001) in the intervention group (13.36±2.23 to 8.72±3.71). Also, mean depression scores decreased (p>0.05) in the control group (13.25±2.04 to 11.78±2.93) however, it was not significant. The comparison of depression scores did not indicate a significant difference regarding the reduction of depression after intervention between the two groups (p=0.08).

Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, administration of omega-3 capsules (2gr/daily) for 8 weeks decreased menopausal depression. However, there was not a significant difference between omga-3 and placebo groups in this study. For a more precise observation of the effects, further studies with longer periods of intervention are needed.

  Background: One of the factors determining the survival and neonatal health is maternal proper nutrition during pregnancy. The aim of the present study is to determine the maternal nutritional status with a view to the intake of some nutrients and its effect on anthropometric indices of newborn .

  Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional analytical study, 500 pregnant women referred to Sina maternity hospital in Ahvaz were studied. Dietary intake of calcium, zinc, iron, vitamin D was measured and its relation to average weight, length and head circumference at birth in infants was evaluated. Data were analyzed by using Independent T-Test in SPSS 17. P-value less than 5% was considered statistically significant.

  Results: There was a significant correlation between calcium intake rate, weight and length at birth. Between zinc intake rate, weight, length and head circumference at birth, there was a significant correlation. The maternal intake of vitamin D affected on birth weight(p<0/05). But, there was no significant association between iron intake rate and neonatal anthropometric indicators(p>0/05).

  Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the maternal nutritional intake of calcium, zinc and vitamin D influences on some infant anthropometric indicators.