Risk Factors for Obesity and Overweight in Goa, India: A community based Case-Control Study

Introduction: Obesity is a chronic disease, which is knownto affect all the age groups and is prevalent in both developedand developing countries. Environmental factors like affluentlife style, high energy diet, sedentary life style, discardingold family traditions with regards to eating, exercise, outdooractivity, the couch potato culture and others have led to obesity. Furthermore, obesity is also a key risk factor in the naturalhistory of other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).Material and methods: A Community based case controlStudy was conducted in an urban community in Goa, India.106 cases group matched to 106 controls constituted thestudy sample. Cases included Obese or overweight individualwithin the age group of 30-60 years. Cases were selectedduring household survey while controls were taken in theneighbourhood of the cases. A structured questionnaire wasused to get information on general demographics, personalhabits which included diet, smoking, drinking of alcohol.Physical activity was assessed using the WHO Global PhysicalActivity Questionnaire (GPAQ).Examination and laboratory investigations were conducted.The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee.Informed written consent was obtained from all the studyparticipants. The data was analysed using SPSS softwarepackage version 22.0. Odds ratio, chi square test, t test andmultiple logistic regressions were used to analyse the data.Results: Low Physical activity, less sleep duration, mixed dietas opposed to vegetarian diet, non-vegetarian serving 2 to 4times a week, calorie intake in excess of recommended intake,low fruit consumption were found to be the significant riskfactors both in univariate and multiple logistic regression.Conclusion: Considering the rising prevalence of obesityand the consequent complications, there is an urgent needto address these risk factors through health education, riskreduction interventions and other innovative strategies.

Evaluation of demineralization adjacent to orthodontic bracket and bond strength using fluoride-releasing and conventional bonding agents.

Background and Objectives: One of the most difficult problems encountered in orthodontic treatment with fixed appliance is the control of enamel demineralization around the brackets. Fluoride-releasing bonding adhesives were introduced to aid in the prevention of demineralization adjacent to orthodontic brackets. Hence, an in vitro study was conducted to evaluate and compare demineralization adjacent to the orthodontic bracket and the bond strength using fluoride-releasing adhesive and conventional adhesive. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty healthy extracted premolars were selected for the study and were divided into two groups, each group consisting of 60 teeth. Both groups were further divided into three subgroups consisting of 20 samples each. Samples of subgroups A and B were bonded with two prototypes of fluoride-releasing adhesives (i.e. Rely-a-bond and Tru-bond). Samples of subgroup C (ortho-one) were bonded with conventional non-fluoride-releasing adhesive. Group I samples were subjected to demineralization in an acidic medium (methyl cellulose buffered with acetic acid at a pH of 4.5) for 4 weeks, which were later observed under a stereomicroscope. Group II samples were tested for shear bond strength using the Instron Universal testing machine. Results: Both fluoride-releasing adhesives showed statistically significant lower enamel demineralization around the bracket when compared with the conventional adhesive. There was no statistically significant difference on comparing the demineralization between the two prototypes of fluoride-releasing adhesive. Evaluation of shear bond strength revealed that there was no significant difference between the subgroups. Conclusion: Fluoride-releasing adhesives might aid in the prevention of demineralization adjacent to the orthodontic bracket with acceptable bond strength.

Evaluation of Moyers mixed dentition analysis in school children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to test the reliability of Moyers mixed dentition analysis in school children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study was conducted on a sample of 150 school children within the age group of 13 to 16 years old who had all permanent teeth that were fully erupted. Dental impressions were taken with alginate impression material and immediately poured with dental stone. Mesiodistal dimensions of permanent mandibular incisors, maxillary and mandibular canines, and premolars were measured using a digital caliper with a resolution of 0.01 mm. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The coefficient of correlation (r) was calculated to find the correlation between the sums of the canine, premolars in both arches, and mandibular incisors. A Student's unpaired t test was calculated to compare the tooth dimension between male and female subjects. The actual measurements were compared with the predicted values obtained with the Moyers prediction tables at the 35 th , 50 th , and 75 th percentile confidence levels. A Student's t test was calculated to compare the actual and predicted values. Using this data, linear regression equations were formulated for tooth size prediction. The coefficient of determination [r2] was calculated to find the accuracy of the formulated prediction equations. The standard error of estimate (SEE) was calculated to determine the validity of the proposed equations. RESULTS: Moyers prediction tables are not an accurate method to estimate tooth dimension in our samples. The mesiodistal crown dimension in the buccal segment of the mandibular arch was larger in males (p=0.04) than in females. CONCLUSION: The differences noted between predicted values from the Moyers tables and that of the present investigation is the result of racial and ethnic diversity. The accuracy of the prediction equation should be tested in a larger sample.