Association of mental and physical health of first year undergraduate students with ABO blood groups in an Indian urban medical college

Background: Medical students tend to have greater stress levels than the general population. Present study aims to explore mental and physical health of first year medical undergraduate students and association with different ABO blood groups.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 99 first year students were segregated on the basis of ABO blood groups. Mental health was assessed using validated General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). For physical health, height and weight of each student were measured and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated.Results: Study shows higher prevalence of stress (GHQ-12 scores) of 54.6%. There was no statistically significant association of stress levels (GHQ-12 scores) and BMI with various ABO Blood groups using Pearson Chi Square test. On comparison GHQ-12 scores were highest for O blood group students and BMI values were greater in blood group B and O, but not significant. AB blood group had least GHQ-12 scores and BMI. On correlation of GHQ-12 scores with BMI, there was weak positive correlation.Conclusions: Blood groups have no association with mental and physical health status. Interventions in early phase to reduce stress in medical students will reduce incidence of obesity and related health disorders in future.

Effect of age, gender and body mass index on visual and auditory reaction times in Indian population.

The effect of Age. Gender and Body Mass Index (BMI) on the Visual (VRT) and Auditory reaction time (ART) was studied in 30 males and 30 females in the age group of 18-20 years along with 30 males and 30 females in the age group of 65-75 years. Statistical analysis of the data by one-way ANOVA and post-hoc by Tukey-HSD test showed that BMI, VRT and ART were significantly higher in old than young individuals. Females had higher BMI and longer reaction times than males. There was significant positive correlation between BMI and reaction times (VRT and ART) in both males and females by Pearson correlation analysis. Older individuals should be more careful and vigilant about the injuries and falls due to increased reaction time. Longer reaction times and higher BMI in females could be attributed to fluid and salt retention due to female sex hormones affecting sensorimotor co-ordination.