FACULTY OF NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES: Recent submissions

  • Dagher, Sabine (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2020-12)
    Background and objective: The world average yield of wheat, rice, and maize has doubled 20 folds since 1964 due to the increase in pesticide use. Glyphosate, a broad spectrum herbicide, is globally used in crop production and is residual in soil and water. Several research findings on glyphosate residues in different food groups and human exposure remain controversial as to whether or not it increases the risk of cancer and other health implications. In Lebanon, there is no current data to estimate glyphosate concentration and exposure in different food groups. This study quantified glyphosate ...
  • Abdelkhalek, Salwa A. (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2021)
    Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is one of the oldest known edible fruits that grow in the Mediterranean region, Southeast Asia, and Himalayas .Pomegranate is believed to have a high antioxidant activity because of its richness in active secondary metabolites such as phenolic acids, tannins and flavonoids, including anthocyanins, flavanols, and flavonols. Pomegranate molasses is a traditional condiment that can be obtained by boiling of pomegranate juice without the further addition of sugar or other additives. It is commonly used to improve the taste and aroma characteristics of salads and ...
  • Bahri, Hanaa (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2021)
    The genus Cercis (redbud) belongs to the subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the plant family Fabaceae (Leguminosae). It includes 10 recognized species scattered widely across the warm, north-temperate zones of North America and Eurasia. Cercis siliquastrum is native to Lebanon found in altitudes ranging between 0-800m. The flowers are edible, with sweet to sour taste, used as salad garnish, and can be drunk as tea to relief stomach aches. Flowers are known to be rich in phytochemicals that are strongly associated with reduced risk of developing chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and ...
  • Bou Ajram, Dima (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2021-03)
    The pomegranate fruit is considered a functional food because of its bioactive compounds mainly phenolic compounds. Pomegranate molasses (PM) is a key ingredient in the Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine. The effects of accelerated shelf life testing (ASLT) on the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities (% DPPH scavenging activity, DPPH IC50, % Fe2+ chelating activity, and α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase IC50 antidiabetic inhibitory activity) of the Lebanese homemade PM have never been evaluated. Moreover, the effect of glutathione ...
  • Abdessater, Marilyn (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2021)
    Food packaging has a critical role in all food types and along the food chain from product preservation to transportation, distribution, storage, retailing, and end-use. However, it can become a source of contamination and transfer of microorganisms to the packed food when its hygienic status is not well maintained. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Prerequisite programs (PRPs) implementation in 5 food packaging companies across Mount Lebanon through on-site inspections and to assess the compliance of contact surfaces, employee hands and packaging materials to microbiological specifications. ...
  • Farsoun, Cynthia Georges (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2021)
    Introduction: according to the global report on drug use, the prevalence of people who use drugs (PWUD) and hence require treatment are estimated to be more than a quarter of a billion worldwide. Malnutrition is highly prevalent among PWUD and hyperphagia is also present in the early phases of treatment. Objective: this study aimed to assess the association between weight gain amongst PWUD currently undergoing treatment for recovery whether in the rehabilitation centers or the opioid substitution therapy (OST) program centers in Lebanon. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study, where demographics ...
  • Makhlouta, Mayce (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2021)
    Background: Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. The prevalence of smoking and metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing globally and in Lebanon. The objectives of this study are to assess the prevalence of tobacco use (waterpipe, cigarette, cigar, pipe, smokeless tobacco products) and to examine the independent associations between tobacco and MetS/ MetS components (low high-density lipoprotein, elevated triglyceride, hypertension, impaired fasting glucose and abdominal obesity) among a sample of Lebanese adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried ...
  • Dgheim, Nada (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2020-01-30)
    Salt is one of the most used food additives not only to improve taste, but also for preservation and different functional properties. In recent years, there is a notable growing body of evidence demonstrating that salt is contaminated by extraneous substances such as microplastics. Many substances with adverse health effect such as heavy metal and endocrine disruptors can adhere to microplastics or enter as inherent part of the plastic end product. Plastics end up in body of water such as oceans and seas. This is the case in Lebanon where very little portion of plastics are recycled and the rest ...
  • Boutros, Christelle (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2021)
    Background: Exclusive breastfeeding rates in Lebanon during the first six months of life remain suboptimal. With more women in the workforce and inadequate paid maternity leave, families in Lebanon increasingly rely on child care in nurseries or daycare centers. Internationally, the extent to which daycare centers support and promote breastfeeding is one influencer of maternal decisions to (dis)continue breastfeeding. In Lebanon, little is known about which breastfeeding-related policies, if any, are implemented in daycare centers, as well as the caregivers’ level of knowledge and attitudes ...
  • Bou Dargham, Mira (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2020)
    Pomegranate fruit and its derived products are rich sources of bioactive compound that were shown to have many biological activities. Pomegranate molasses (PM) is a thick traditional Middle Eastern syrup used in many recipes for international cuisines from around the world, including the Lebanese cuisine. It is considered to be a highly nutritious product which makes it of great interest to researchers. The purpose of this study is to assess the phytochemical composition, antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties of homemade and commercial PM consumed in Lebanon using samples collected from ...
  • Tahtouh, Rawane (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2020)
    Recently, high levels of heavy metals in several Lebanese foods were reported, which has raised the issue that today, many Lebanese products could be contaminated with heavy metals and toxins. Knowing that no regulations, effective control or corrective actions from the Lebanese government are present, there is a need to assess the exposure of the Lebanese to those contaminants through its consumption. The objective of this study was to assess the exposure of the Lebanese population to heavy metals through the consumption of white pitta bread and to evaluate the health risks of its consumption ...
  • Yahya, Lara (Notre Dame University-Louaize., 2020)
    Background: School-based breastfeeding education (SBBE) may help increase breastfeeding rates in the long run by targeting the young generation’s knowledge and attitudes towards breastfeeding. Breastfeeding rates in Lebanon are suboptimal in part due to negative attitudes and misinformation. While recent evidence suggests Lebanese schools offer limited SBBE, high school teachers at two large Lebanese schools seemed keen to receive training and incorporate SBBE into their classes. Determinants of their students’ breastfeeding intentions have been identified, but the need to assess parents’ consent ...
  • El Hachem, Corine (Notre Dame University-Louaize., 2020-05)
    Introduction: Orthorexia Nervosa (ON), or the obsession with healthy eating is a new eating disorder that has gained popularity in the recent years. A very limited amount of literature exists regarding ON in Arab countries including Lebanon. The objective of the current study was to assess the prevalence of ON in a representative sample of Lebanese university students, and different factors that might affect ON development. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on 349 university students from three Lebanese regions: Mount Lebanon, North, and Shouf. The ORTO-15 scale was used to assess ON ...
  • Salloum, Talia (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2020-06-10)
    Spices and herbs are widely used in almost all types of food preparation and their microbial contamination may pose spoilage and public health risk. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the microbiological quality of spices and herbs commercialized in Lebanon. A total of 480 samples of thirteen most commonly consumed types of spices and herbs were collected at two complete sets at three months interval. Each type was purchased in 5 common brands from 4 categories: packaged in companies with Food Safety Management System (FSMS), packaged in companies without FSMS, packaged imported, and ...
  • Maalouf, Jessica Gaby (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2018-12)
    Background -- Olive oil (OO) has been widely known as a main source of lipid in the Mediterranean diet. Over the years, the interest in virgin olive oil (VOO) consumption boosted due to its sensory properties characterized by its unique taste, flavor and color; and its health properties exerted by its monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), tocopherols, and phenolic compounds. Phenols are minor compounds with antioxidant capacities that contribute positively to OO shelf life and stability to oxidation. Literature data have shown that several agro-industrial factors including harvesting time, ...
  • Hindieh, Joséphine (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2018-05)
    Background – Breastfeeding is an effective public health intervention that improves infants and mothers’ health worldwide. Exclusive breastfeeding rates in Lebanon are low. The extent to which gynecologists, pediatricians, and family doctors in Lebanon play a role in women’s breastfeeding practices is not well-understood. Lebanese physicians’ perceived and actual knowledge, beliefs about the benefits of breastfeeding, and self-efficacy in supporting breastfeeding are also not fully investigated. Methods – In this pilot cross-sectional study, we used interview-administered questionnaires to ...
  • Bteich, Suzanne (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2018-10)
    Background – Increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity is a major worldwide problem associated with many metabolic abnormalities. Compliance is poor with lifestyle modifications required for losing weight and maintaining long-term weight loss. There are no highly efficacious and safe therapeutic drugs for weight-loss, and few medications are approved for long-term management of obesity. In recent years, the use of supplements for weight loss has steadily increased among US and European adults. Weight loss supplements are easily available without prescriptions and do not require strict ...
  • Mekanna, Alexandria Nivelle (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2019)
    Background and objective: Glyphosate, a nonselective herbicide widely-used in crop production, persists in food products leading to residues. Research findings on the health effects of glyphosate are highly controversial due to a perceived conflict of interest by the majority of research funders who are glyphosate manufacturers themselves. Glyphosate residues are detected in various tested food products globally, but data about exposure in Lebanon is lacking. Bread is a stable food in the Lebanese diet and the extend of its contamination with glyphosate is unknown. This study aimed at determining ...
  • Issa, Aline (Notre Dame University-Louaize, 2018-05-15)
    Background: Olive oil is a vital component in the Lebanese diet and Lebanon is known for its contribution to the global production of olive oil. During the process of olive oil extraction, a brownish black effluent is also produced called Olive mill waste water (OMWW). OMWW is disposed into the environment causing serious polluting problems harming the aquatic and terrestrial organisms and reaching the underground water as well. OMWW contains considerable amount of phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties. In Lebanon, no study did extract and assess the levels of these phenolic compounds ...
  • Bedran, Priscilla (Notre Dame University-Louaize., 2019)
    Lebanese bread is a staple food consumed with every meal and great vehicle for a range of nutrients. Nowadays, manufacturers use nutrition and health claims (NHC) to communicate the nutrients contents and benefits of the food while increasing sale and competitiveness. In absence of stringent standards regulations and control, misleading claims could jeopardize consumers’ public health. The aim of this study was to examine pre-packaged Lebanese breads in Mount Lebanon, to assess their compliance with the Lebanese (LIBNOR NL 661:2017) and/or international standard CODEX (CAC/GL 23-1997) to carry ...

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