Overweight and obesity among early adolescent school girls in urban area of west Bengal, India: prevalence assessment using different reference standards

Overweight and obesity are epidemic and a 'public health crisis' among adolescents worldwide. The rising trends in adolescent obesity in girl are poorly documented in India. The aim of this study was to compare and assess the extent of overweight and obesity in early adolescent school girls using three references [World Health Organization [WHO] 2007; the Center for Diseases Control [CDC] 2000 and the International Obesity Task Force [IOTF] 2000]. A cross sectional study was designed in 1375 early adolescent girl [10-14 years], in five Government affiliated schools of Kharagpur Municipality of West Bengal, India. Results of this study are eloquent of the fact that the roots of obesity lies in early stage of adolescence. Incidence of overweight, including obesity of participants was 10.62%, 7.64% and 7.49% depending on the references used [WHO, CDC and IOTF] respectively. Both incidence and remission rates were higher among younger girls. Regarding the harmful ramifications of overweight and obesity, it is encourage to healthy eating patterns and increase physical activity among early adolescent girls

Protective effect of ascorbic acid on cyclophosphamide- induced testicular gametogenic and androgenic disorders in male rats / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the detrimental effects of cyclophosphamide on the testicular androgenic and gametogenic activities through endocrine inhibition and/or induction of oxidative stress in male albino rats and to evaluate the protective effect of ascorbic acid.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The testicular D5, 3b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD), 17b-HSD, peroxidase and catalase activities along with the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated dienes in testicular tissue were measured for the evaluation of testicular oxidative stress. The plasma testosterone (T) level was measured by immunoassay. Various germ cells at stage VII of spermatogenic cycle were quantified from testicular stained sections.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cyclophosphamide treatment results in a significant inhibition in the testicular D5, 3b-HSD and 17b-HSD activities, a decrease in plasma T level and a diminution in the counts of various germ cells. Moreover, this treatment was also associated with a significant inhibition of the peroxidase and catalase activities along with high levels of MDA and conjugated dienes in the testis. All these changes were reversed by ascorbic acid co-administration.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cyclophosphamide treatment at the dosage used caused testicular gametogenic and androgenic disorders as well as induced testicular oxidative stress that can be reversed by ascorbic acid co-administration.</p>