Balanced diet; balanced life

Objective: Non-pharmacological intervention to manage the health by healthy balanced diet and life style modifications

Study Design: Randomized Cross sectional Study

Place and Duration: Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research [PCSIR] laboratory Karachi from March 2012 to June 2013

Material and Methods: In this study, 210 volunteers were included [137 male and 73 female] aged between 25-60 years. The study was conducted with the questionnaire being filled at PCSIR labs, Karachi. The study period included from March to May 2012. One year later the same group of volunteers were re-examined from March to June 2013, who managed to alter the diet and life style for one year. The questionnaire was filled by an expert well versed in collecting the data from the patients who attended the OPD at PCSIR labs

Results: The results indicate that a lot of people in our population lead a sedentary life style and do not take part in physical activity which leads to health problems due to comparatively less energy / calories expenditure

Conclusion: Efforts should be made globally to create a public awareness and provide healthy environment to the people about pursuing healthy lifestyles. Several life style behaviors may influence to maintain energy balance over long term. The primary approach for achieving weight loss is lifestyle changes which includes reduced intake of calories and increase in physical activity. Regular, moderate intensity physical activity enhances long term weight maintenance and balance between energy input and output

Incidence of anemia in pregnancy. A randomized study at PMC hospital Nawabshah

In this part of the world anemia is one of the major public health problems especially in pregnant women. In our country the most important cause of anemia is poor diet repeated pregnancies and lack of awareness about contraception. Anemia can easily be managed with well nourish diet, with supplements of iron folic acid and multivitamin tablets. In our areas socio-economic problem is one of the causes which can be cope with help of Government and Non- Governmental Organizations by providing iron tablets and iron fortified foods to the population as a prophylaxis. To improve their health, pregnant women should regularly visit the clinics of Obs and Gynae and follow instructions of attending doctors and practice birth spacing in between the pregnancies. To determine the incidence of anemia in pregnant women in different socioeconomic classes in rural areas. Cross-sectional observational study. This study was conducted at the Department of Gynae and Obs, Peoples Medical College Nawabshah, and Sindh Pakistan from 1[st] March 2009to 30[th] June 2009. 850 pregnant ladies were included in the study who came to attend the antenatal clinic; where their history and clinical examination were recorded on a Performa. The ladies were divided into three socioeconomic classes, the higher, middle and lower class. 3ml of blood sample was taken from all the ladies for hemoglobin estimation and other necessary Lab test. A total number of 850 participants were included in this study, out of those 329 pregnant women were having hemoglobin [Hb] below 9 gm/dl, declared as anemic, the incidence as observed was 38.77% and the highest incidence was found in lower socioeconomic class. It can be concluded from this study that anemia is one of the major problem in pregnant women of rural areas. The incidence observed was 38.77% which was least [0.6%] in higher class and was highest [60.2%] in lower socioeconomic class

Hemoglobin status of pregnant women visiting tertiary care hospitals of Pakistan

To determine the status of haemoglobin levels in pregnant women who visited tertiary care hospitals of various cities in Pakistan for their antenatal care from January 1 to April 30, 2007. This was a descriptive cross-sectional multi-centre study This study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital [AKUH], Karachi, Civil Hospital, Karachi [CHK] and Nawabshah Medical College Hospital [NMCH], Nawabshah. Copies of medicinal prescriptions given to pregnant patients attending the antenatal clinics were collected from January 1 to April 30, 2007. Reports or results of hemoglobin concentrations were also obtained from the patients. A total of 1709 pregnant women were recruited. Majority 1145[67%] were from the age group of 25 to 34 years and 1555[91%] had some degree of anemia. The number of women with moderate to severe anemia [hemoglobin levels < 8 or 8-9.9 gm/dl, respectively] was significantly higher in CHK and NMCH compared to AKUH [p < 0.001]. Whereas mild anemia [hemoglobin levels 10-10.9gm/dl] or normal hemoglobin levels was significantly higher at AKUH [p < 0.001]. Moderate anemia [hemoglobin levels of 8-9.9gm/dl] was statistically more frequent in second and third trimester, while mild anemia [hemoglobin levels of 10-10.9gm/dl] was more in first trimester of pregnancy. The distribution of severe anemia however; was not different is the three trimesters. About 90-92% subjects received iron/vitamin/mineral supplements irrespective of the hemoglobin status of the woman. Prevalence and severity of anemia in pregnant subjects attending the tertiary care hospitals of Pakistan is exceptionally high. Current findings highlight the anemia in pregnancy as a priority area of concern