Suicide in Married Women: An Autopsy Study.

To consider death by suicide, as a method to escape their problems, is accepting defeat. Before embarking on the journey of marriage, one envisions the best of life and has a lot of hope for their future life. However, demands of dowry and domestic abuse by the husband can cut such visions short. Suicidal deaths among women especially married women have been increasing in Indian society. Various cultural, religious, and social values have a major role to play. In our study, we analyzed suicidal deaths in married women and tried to find the socio-demographic findings that have led these women to commit suicide. The autopsies were conducted from January 2014 to July 2015 at Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore. The highest incidence of suicide was found in the age group of 26-32 years, who were homemakers and within seven years of marriage. In a maximum of cases, abuse for dowry or other reasons was quoted as the reason to commit suicide. We also found that most of the decedents choose to hang themselves to commit suicide followed by the consumption of poison.

The Impact of Obesity on Cardiovascular Fitness in Young Individuals.

Background Young individuals are often at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and obesity due to lifestyle changes like less physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle. Objective The aim of this study is to determine cardiovascular fitness in young individuals and to study the effects of obesity on their cardiovascular fitness. Material and methods In this study, 100 young individuals, out of which 50 were individuals with obesity and 50 were controls, including males and females, of the age group 18-25 years were included. Cardiovascular fitness was assessed in them using body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Parameters like SBP (systolic blood pressure), DBP (diastolic blood pressure), PR (pulse rate), and HFI (Harvard fitness index) were measured. Results There was no difference found in the PR of the group with obesity compared to the control group (79.020/min ± 8.651 versus 79.42/min ± 6.737; p value = 0.797). However, a significant increase was observed in both SBP and DBP amongst the group with obesity compared to the control group (SBP = 122.72 mmHg ± 12.287 versus 110.92 mmHg ± 11.803; p-value < 0.001, DBP = 81.96 mmHg ± 7.913 versus 73.24 mmHg ± 11.06; p-value < 0.001). There was a significant reduction in HFI in the group with obesity than in the control group (57.44% ± 9.322 versus 80.34% ± 12.594; p-value < 0.001). When we compared males with obesity and females with obesity, we observed a non-significant difference in PR between males with obesity and females with obesity (77.12/min ± 6.02 versus 80.92/min ± 10.44; p-value = 0.122). However, we found a significant increase in SBP in males with obesity compared to females with obesity (127.76 mmHg ± 10.93 versus 117.68 mmHg ± 11.66; p-value < 0.01). A significant decrease in DBP in males with obesity (78.80 mmHg ± 7.55 versus 85.12 mmHg ± 7.07; < 0.01) than in females with obesity was also observed. Along with a non-significant increase in HFI value in males with obesity compared to females with obesity (58.96% ± 8.14 versus 55.92% ± 10.31; p-value = 0.253). Conclusion Results suggest that both male and female young individuals with obesity are at higher risk for developing cardiovascular comorbidities in the future. So, we need to focus on encouraging activities that promote physical fitness.

What shapes adolescents' diet and physical activity habits in rural Konkan, India? Adolescents' and caregivers' perspectives.

OBJECTIVE: To explore, adolescents' and caregivers' perspectives, about shaping of diet and physical activity habits in rural Konkan, India. DESIGN: Five focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with adolescents and two with caregivers. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. SETTING: FGD were conducted in secondary schools located in remote rural villages in the Ratnagiri district, Konkan region, Maharashtra, India. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-eight adolescents were recruited including twenty younger (10-12 years) and twenty-eight older (15-17 years) adolescents. Sixteen caregivers (all mothers) were also recruited. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from discussion: (i) adolescents' and caregivers' perceptions of the barriers to healthy diet and physical activity, (ii) acceptance of the status quo and (iii) salience of social and economic transition. Adolescents' basic dietary and physical activity needs were rarely met by the resources available and infrastructure of the villages. There were few opportunities for physical activity, other than performing household chores and walking long distances to school. Adolescents and their caregivers accepted these limitations and their inability to change them. Increased use of digital media and availability of junk foods marked the beginning of a social and economic transition. CONCLUSION: FGD with adolescents and their caregivers provided insights into factors influencing adolescent diet and physical activity in rural India. Scarcity of basic resources limited adolescent diet and opportunities for physical activity. To achieve current nutritional and physical activity recommendations for adolescents requires improved infrastructure in these settings, changes which may accompany the current Indian social and economic transition.

Menarche among rural adolescent girls in Dervan (Data from the KONKAN region of the state of Maharashtra, India).

CONTEXT: Associations between age at menarche and risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are well established in adults. But little is known about these risks in adolescents. AIM: To examine the association between age at menarche and anthropometric indicators, and also examine nutrition among the rural adolescent girls of KONKAN region. SETTING AND DESIGN: We investigated 1,071 school going adolescent girls who underwent holistic education and various clinical investigations as a part of community program. Age at menarche was recorded and anthropometric measurements were performed. Macronutrient intake was estimated by 24 h recall. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: We used trend statistics and logistic regression to examine the association. RESULTS: A total of 813 girls had attained menarche. Mean age at menarche was 13.0 years. When compared with premenarchal girls anthropometric parameters were significantly higher in postmenarchal girls (P < 0.05 for all) and the prevalence of stunting and thinness was lower (P < 0.001 for both). There was a decreasing trend for weight (P < 0.001), BMI (P < 0.001), and waist circumference (P < 0.05) with increasing age of onset of menarche, and increasing trend for stunting and thinness (P < 0.001 for both). More than 65% of the girls were eating below the recommended daily allowance of calories, protein, and fat. Adolescents with late onset of menarche had increased likelihood of stunting (P < 0.01) and thinness (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent girls in the KONKAN region with late menarche are thin and stunted. There is an urgent need to improve nutritional status of adolescent girls from KONKAN as malnutrition can affect the onset of menarche.

Nutritional Status and Psychological Impairment in Rural Adolescent Girls: Pilot Data From "KOKAN" Region of Western India.

Background: Adolescence is a period during which psychological foundations are laid down as well as consolidated. Not much information is available on rural Indian adolescent girls and their psychological health. Methods: We did a pilot survey of psychological health of 80 adolescent girls residing at KOKAN region of western India. Psychological health was evaluated using Youth Paediatric Symptom Checklist (Y-PSC) consisting of 35 items with maximum score of 70. Girls with a score >30 were classified as psychologically impaired. In addition we also collected random blood sample and measured the micronutrients. Macronutrient intake was estimated by 24 h recall. Results: The mean age of the girls was 14 years with a standard deviation of 1.5. In all 35/76 (46.1%) could be classified as psychologically impaired. There was a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies with varying degrees. More than 65% were deficient in calcium, zinc and folic acid. About 22% were anemic and 36% were vitamin B1 deficient. More than 75% had a low recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of macronutrients. Those with poor serum calcium concentration had higher psychological score (p < 0.05). Fat and calcium intakes were inversely associated with psychological score (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 respectively). Odds ratios for psychological impairment were significant for those with low calcium levels [1.47 (95% CI 1.21, 4.31)], and for those with low calcium intake 1.43 (1.08, 3.19) and low iron intake 3.04 (1.02, 9.26). Conclusion: Our pilot data has shown the urgent need to improve the nutrition of adolescent girls, which could improve their psychological health.