Adverse eating behavior and its association with obesity in Indian adolescents: Evidence from a nonmetropolitan city in India.

INTRODUCTION: With the so-called modernization, the epidemiological and sociocultural context of adolescents in developing countries is rapidly changing and is affecting their eating behavior and dietary choices. The objective of our study is twofold. First, our study seeks to find whether there is a prevalence of the adverse eating behaviors among the adolescents. Second, our study seeks to examine whether the prevalence of the adverse eating behavior is related to obesity and quantifies their association of with body mass index (BMI) status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted in 13-15-year-old adolescents from schools of Aligarh, India, with prevalidated study tools and standardized anthropometric measures. The Z-scores were found by the WHO recommended AnthroPlus. RESULTS: The results indicate a high prevalence of different adverse eating behaviors. The dietary behavior was found to be poor in 19.3%, fair in 54.4%, and good in only 26.3% of the study population. The mean BMI for age Z-score was found to be 0.87 and 0.02 in poor and fair dietary behavior. The odds of being overweight and obese were high (1.82 [1.20-2.78]) in those with poor dietary behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that more research and timely intervention in adverse eating behaviors are much needed in India before this widely neglected problem acquires even more alarming and gigantic proportions.

Biochemical iodine deficiency in selected schools of aligarh.

The goiter prevalence reflects the iodine deficiency in past while urinary iodine excretion levels (UIEL) gives the current status of iodine nutrition. The study was conducted to assess the status of biochemical iodine deficiency in school children of 1st-5th standard (6-12 years). A total of 907 students of seven schools were included using probability proportional to size method. About 10% of urine samples from total children were tested for UIEL. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20 (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). UIEL values lower than 100 µg/L were observed in 23.3% of samples. The proportion of children with UIEL of <20 µg/L was nil in 6 years. Out of 13 students who were consuming salt with nil iodine content, 46.2% had <20 µg/L UIEL. The prevalence of iodine deficiency, calculated by the proportion of children having UIEL of <100 µg/L, was 23.3%. Based on UIEL values, the area would be categorized as having "no biochemical iodine deficiency."

Assessment of Directly Observed Treatment in Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme: A Study from North India.

INTRODUCTION: Directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) strategy is one of the vital components of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) came into existence in 1997. Directly observed treatment providers (DOT providers) are the grass root level link between program and clients. AIMS: This study was undertaken to assess the quality of DOTS and facilities available at DOT centers and association between program input and outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was carried out to evaluate RNTCP in a North Indian District. Totally, 42 DOT providers providing treatment to registered RNTCP patients in four designated microscopy centers were included in this study. Program input was assessed based on a ten-point questionnaire regarding processes and facilities followed DOT center. Treatment outcome of 302 patients receiving DOTS under these providers was also assessed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Categorical variables such as age group, sex, religion, location, work experience of DOT providers are measured in frequency and percentage. Chi-square was used to find association between quality of DOTS and outcome of treatment. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The basic principle of DOTS was followed only in half (47.6%) of the DOT centers, counseling was not being done by 40.5% of the providers. Formal training of DOTS was given to two-thirds of the providers. The treatment outcome of patients was significantly associated with program input at DOT center level (Chi-square = 4.02, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There are few gaps in DOT practices such as administration of DOTS, patient counseling, and tracing of follow-up. This study also concluded that improved program input can enable to get a better outcome.

Home-based management of acute diarrhoeal disease in an urban slum of Aligarh, India.

INTRODUCTION: Diarrhoea is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Most deaths are caused by dehydration and are easily preventable by using oral rehydration therapy. Early management and recognition of danger signs are key strategies in treating diarrhoeal diseases at home. This study assessed the knowledge and health-care seeking behaviour of families regarding diarrhoeal illness in children aged under five years. METHODOLOGY: The study was undertaken during June and July 2009 in an urban slum of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. Mothers of children (n = 101) suffering from diarrhoea with at least one episode in the last two weeks prior to the interview were included. Information was gathered on a predesigned and pretested questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of diarrhoea in children under five was 36%. Life-threatening symptoms which the mothers knew were watery stool (85%) and repeated vomiting (54%). Two thirds (69%) of the mothers continued breastfeeding their children during the episode, while the remaining either withheld or interrupted breastfeeding. The majority visited a nearby unsanctioned health practitioner. Less than half (46.5%) of the mothers knew about oral rehydration salt solution and only 29.8% of those knew the correct method of preparation. Only 38.7% of the respondents knew about suitable fluids available at home, out of which salt sugar solution was the choice in most cases. CONCLUSION: The study highlights that the mothers' knowledge is not adequate. Educating mothers and caretakers regarding early home-based case management of childhood diarrhoea may substantially decrease morbidity and mortality due to diarrhoea.