Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Medical Students and its Correlation with Sleep Pattern and Duration

Introduction: Carrying angle (CA) is the angle subtended by median axis of the arm with fully extended and supinated forearm. There is scarcity of evidence in the literature regarding differences between the CA in both sexes depending upon the ossification of arm and forearm bones and comparison of CA between dominant and non dominant limb. Study aimed at comparison of data obtained by measuring CA by manual method between dominant and non dominant limb in age group 18 – 30 years. Material and Methods: CA was measured in 200 individuals of both sexes by clinical method with a manual goniometer. Results: Present study shows the significant gender difference and significant difference between dominant and non dominant limb. Conclusion: Unnecessary x ray exposure to children, young adults and pregnant women can be avoided, by measuring CA by clinical methods.

Autonomic Reactivity With Altered Thyroid Status

The study was carried out to test the effect of altered thyroid status on the autonomic reactivity in 60 subjects (age group 20-50 years). The para meters recorded and the tests used were pulse rate, blood pressure, orthostasis, cold pressor test, mental arithmetic and QTc interval for assessment of sympathetic activity and valsalva ratio, heart rate response, expiratory-inspiratory ratio (E.I. ratio), heart rate variability, standing-lying ratio (S.L. ratio) and 30: 15 ratio for assessment of parasympathetic activity. Our findings show that the changes in thyroid hormone levels - in both hypothyroids and hyperthyroids are associated with altered sympathetic reactivity, with no significant difference in the parasympathetic activity - in either hypothyroids or hyperthyroids- as compared to euthyroid controls.

Autonomic Functions in Postmenopausal Women

The study was undertaken on 24 human female postmenopausal subjects above the age of 50 years, to test the hypothesis that estrogen exerts regulatory influence on the autonomic nervous system in postmenopausal women. The parameters recorded and the test used were- pulse, blood pressure, orthostasis, cold pressor test, mental arithmetic and QTc interval for assessment of sympathetic activity and valsalva ratio, heart rate response, expiratory-inspiratory ratio (E.I. Ratio), standinglying ratio (S.L. Ratio) and 30:15 ratio for assessment of parasympathetic activity. Our findings show that the changes in sex hormone levels, after menopause may affect the autonomic system response, with increase in reactivity of both sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.