Nutritional Status and Physical Fitness of Tribal Adolescents in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra

We examined the influence of nutritional status, body fat, and anemia on the physical fitness (PFI) of tribal adolescents. Weight, height, skinfold thickness, PFI, and hemoglobin levels of 147 adolescents (11 to 16 years) were measured. The experience of cycling was recorded. Overall, 31.3% were mildly, 12.9% were moderately, and 10.9% were severely thin. The majority (81.6%) were nonanemic. All had “poor” PFI scores. Hemoglobin levels were significantly associated with PFI scores in boys and girls. Experience of cycling also predicted PFI in girls. Nutritional status, hemoglobin level, and physical activity were associated with the fitness levels of these adolescents.     

A Comparison of the Nutritional Status of Adolescents from Selected Schools of South India and UAE: A Cross-sectional Study

Objective:

To assess the nutritional status of adolescents of Indian origin living in India and the United Arab Emirates to see how variable the prevalence is of stunting and wasting among adolescents of the same ethnic background living in different socio-economic and demographic environments.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional survey.

Setting:

Schools in South India and the United Arab Emirates.

Participants:

A total of 2459 adolescent boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 16 years old.

Results and Discussion:

Anthropometric measurements from 2459 adolescents between the ages of 10-16 years old, 1200 from India and 1259 from UAE, were collected. The subjects were divided into six age groups with 1-year intervals. Adolescents falling below the age and gender-specific 5^th percentile and 3^rd percentile of the WHO recommended standards were defined as having thinness and stunting accordingly. Regardless of gender, the rate of stunting was higher in Indian adolescents from India (25.5-51%) when compared with Indian adolescents in UAE (3.1-21%). Thinness was also more in those in India (42-75.4%). When compared with adolescents living in the UAE (4.5-14.4%). The study was done in two groups having a common ethnicity but living in different socio-economic environments. With the results of this study, we can say that improved economic conditions favor better expression of genetic potential for physical growth.     

广东省7～18岁儿童少年生长发育及营养状况分析

目的了解广东省7～18岁儿童少年生长发育及营养状况．为青少年生长发育的研究提供依据。方法采用4阶段分层整群随机抽样的方法，在广东省各调查市（县、抽取3个街道（乡镇），每街道（乡镇）抽取2个居委会（村），每居委会（村）抽取90户，以7～18岁人群为对象；在城市增加1所小学．从7～12岁每个年龄组随机抽取50名学生。对所有对象进行身高、体重测量。结果广东省7～18岁儿童少年的生长发育符合一般规律．身高和体重随年龄的增长而增长．城乡和性别之间差异存在短著性；城、乡儿童少年的身高生长虽然有快慢之分，但最终达到同一水平。青春期有提前和缩短的趋势。与1995年相比，营养正常率显著下降，肥胖和超重比例显普上升．黄非不良率有上升趋势。结论广东省7～18岁儿童少年的营养状况不容乐观，肥胖已成为主要健康问题。应采取有效的干预措施，控制吧胖率的上升，同时降低营养不良率。     

Behavioural Determinants for Obesity: A Cross-sectional Study Among Urban Adolescents in India

Objectives

To measure the prevalence of behavioural risk factors for obesity among urban adolescent school children in Chennai, India.

Methods

This study was performed as a cross-sectional study using a World Health Organization-designed Global School-based Student Health Survey questionnaire (modified for India) among adolescent school children studying in 30 randomly selected secondary and higher secondary schools in Chennai city. 1842 adolescents studying in the VIII to XII standards were randomly selected for the study.

Results

In the present study, 40.7% of the students ate fruit one or more times per day and 74.5% of the students ate vegetables one or more times per day. Nearly 20% of the students ate fast food items on 4 to 7 days during the previous week. Among the students, 30.4% watched television for more than two hours per day. Nearly 68% of the girls and 22% of the boys did not participate in outdoor sports activities. When the pattern of physical activity of the students was assessed, it was observed that 15.6% were inactive, 43.4% were minimally active, and the remaining 41.0% belonged to the category of health enhancing physical activity. Among the students, 6.2% were overweight and 5.2% were obese.

Conclusions

The prevalence of risk factors for obesity was quite high among the adolescents. This study also showed that a great proportion of overweight/obese adolescents had a correct perception of their body weight and they were making efforts to modify risk factors such as television viewing, computer use, a sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy dietary habits.     

上海市长宁区177名住养老机构老年人膳食营养现况

[目的]了解住养老机构老年人营养摄入现况,为养老机构老年人的合理膳食提供依据. [方法]采用分层抽样的方法,将3天食物称重法和记帐法二法相结合对上海市长宁区4所养老院177名60岁以上自理老人进行膳食调查. [结果]研究对象各类食物平均摄入量偏低,大多数营养素摄入量不足,各种营养素以中国营养学会平均需要量(EAR)按"切点法"进行评价,养老院老人能量、蛋白质、维生素B1、维生素B2、维生素C、叶酸、碘、锌和硒摄入不足的比例分别为43%、11%、94%、89%、68%、100%、100%、79%、55%;各营养素摄入量基本没有超过可耐受最高摄入量(Uls),但80%的个体由脂肪提供能量超过适宜摄入量(AI)上限值.蛋白质和脂肪的食物来源尚可,但钙和铁的食物来源较差;饱和脂肪酸摄入过多,而单不饱和脂肪酸摄入不足;碳水化合物和蛋白质供能比稍不足,而脂肪供能比过多;早餐能量分配比偏低. [结论]本次调查的养老院老年人膳食营养素不足,尤要补充维生素类、硒、锌、碘等,同时应减少饱和脂肪酸和胆固醇撮入,增加早餐摄入量.     

兰州市城关区学龄前儿童生长发育和营养状况评价

目的评价兰州市城区0～5岁儿童生长发育和营养状况,为改善营养状况、促进生长发育提供依据。方法采用分层整群随机抽样的方法选取兰州市城关区两个街道的400名儿童进行身高、体重测量,采用Z评分法进行营养状况、超重和肥胖的评价。结果儿童生长发育水平高于2000年全国平均水平,生长迟缓率为9.3%,消瘦率为5.0%,与2004年八省城乡婴幼儿调查结果相比,略有上升;超重者占6.5%,与2000年全国水平相比上升幅度不大;肥胖率为7.3%,高于2006年九市平均水平,不同年龄儿童肥胖检出率差异有统计学意义。结论兰州市城关区学龄前儿童体格发育良好,但仍面临着肥胖和营养不良的双重问题。     

Association Between Parental Marital Status and Types of Suicidal Behavior Among Korean Adolescents: A Cross-sectional Study

ObjectivesAdolescent suicide is a global problem. This study aimed to identify associations between parental marital status and suicidal behavior.MethodsThis study analyzed 118 715 middle and high school students from the 13th and 14th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. The odds ratios (ORs) of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts were calculated based on parental marital status, living situation, and socioeconomic factors. The data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression.ResultsWhen compared to those living with 2 married biological parents, the ORs of suicidal ideation among adolescents living with either remarried or no parents were 1.34 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 1.53) and 1.36 (95% CI, 1.11 to 1.66), respectively. For suicidal planning, the OR of those living with 1 remarried biological parent was 1.24 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.52), and that of those living without parents was 1.28 (95% CI, 0.95 to 1.73), when compared to adolescents living with 2 married biological parents. For suicide attempts, when compared to adolescents with 2 married biological parents, the OR of those living with 1 remarried biological parent was 1.48 (95% CI, 1.17 to 1.87) and that of those living without parents was 2.02 (95% CI, 1.44 to 2.83). For adolescents living with 1 remarried biological parent, suicidal behavior was strongly associated with having no siblings and were weakly associated with not living with grandparents.ConclusionsSuicidal behavior among adolescents was associated with the remarriage and loss of parents. Therefore, special attention and interventions are needed for adolescents in those situations.     

Trends in Physical Fitness and Nutritional Status among School-Aged Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Shaanxi,China—A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: This study aimed to explore the characteristics of trends in physical fitness and nutritional status among school-aged students during the COVID-19 pandemic, which could help to develop targeted guidelines and policies for students (adolescents) to promote health during lockdowns resulting from public health emergencies. Methods: The physical fitness and nutritional status were measured from 2019 to 2021; the correlation between years and grade were analyzed. Results: a declining trend was found in aerobic fitness, strength fitness, speed fitness, and BMI during this lockdown. Conclusion: The changes in dietary behavior and the decrease in outdoor physical activities may be the reason for the decline. Furthermore, differences in subjects’ growth and limited space at home must be considered in the formulation of exercise and nutritional plans. According to the results of our study, exercise for aerobic fitness should receive more attention when students are enduring a pandemic lockdown. In addition, saying “no” to high-calorie foods in the form of snacking and ultra-processed food was the key to improving subjects’ nutritional status.     

五个城市不同营养状况中小学生体力活动现状调查

目的 了解5个城市儿童青少年体育运动和静态活动的情况,为预防肥胖、增强学生体质提供科学依据.方法 在北京、厦门、广州、哈尔滨、兰州5个城市选取50所中小学,根据2005-2006年中小学生身高、体重体检结果筛选体重正常和超重儿童.使用自行设计的<儿童青少年运动状况调查问卷对7 255名9～15岁学生进行问卷调查,了解儿童的体力活动和静态活动情况以及不积极参与体育锻炼的原因.结果 较大强度体力运动、中等强度体力活动、每节体育课实际运动时间等体力活动行为以及平时做作业、周末做作业、周末看电视、寒暑假看电视、玩电子游戏、使用电脑等静态活动在5个城市间差异有统计学意义(P值均<0.05).怕累、没有养成锻炼习惯和没有喜欢的体育项目等主观因素是中小学生不积极参加体育锻炼的主要原因,而学生选择没有时间、没有场地器材、家长不支持等原因的比例较低.结论 应针对阻碍儿童青少年参与体育锻炼的主观因素采取干预措施,不同地区间开展运动干预时应因地制宜.     

Family Functioning: Associations With Weight Status,Eating Behaviors,and Physical Activity in Adolescents

PurposeThis article examines the relationship between family functioning (e.g., communication, closeness, problem solving, behavioral control) and adolescent weight status and relevant eating and physical activity behaviors.MethodsData are from EAT 2010 (Eating and Activity in Teens), a population-based study that assessed eating and activity among socioeconomically and racially/ethnically diverse youths (n = 2,793). Adolescents (46.8% boys, 53.2% girls) completed anthropometric assessments and surveys at school between 2009 and 2010. Multiple linear regression was used to test the relationship between family functioning and adolescent weight, dietary intake, family meal patterns, and physical activity. Additional regression models were fit to test for interactions by race/ethnicity.ResultsFor adolescent girls, higher family functioning was associated with lower body mass index z score and percent overweight, less sedentary behavior, higher intake of fruits and vegetables, and more frequent family meals and breakfast consumption. For adolescent boys, higher family functioning was associated with more physical activity, less sedentary behavior, less fast-food consumption, and more frequent family meals and breakfast consumption. There was one significant interaction by race/ethnicity for family meals; the association between higher family functioning and more frequent family meals was stronger for nonwhite boys compared with white boys. Overall, strengths of associations tended to be small, with effect sizes ranging from −.07 to .31 for statistically significant associations.ConclusionsFindings suggest that family functioning may be protective for adolescent weight and weight-related health behaviors across all race/ethnicities, although assumptions regarding family functioning in the homes of overweight children should be avoided, given small effect sizes.     

Iodine Nutritional Status Among Neonates in the Solan District,Himachal Pradesh,India

Iodine nutrition status amongst neonates can be assessed by estimating thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). According to WHO, if more than 3 % of the neonates have TSH levels of 5 mlU/l and more in a population, it indicates presence of iodine deficiency (ID). Iodine deficiency is an endemic health problem in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh (HP) state. ID leads to mental retardation, deaf mutism, squint, dwarfism, spastic diplegia, neurological defects and congenital anomalies. The aim is to determine iodine nutrition status of neonates of Solan district. In Solan district, six hospitals/community health centers providing obstetric services and conducting more than 100 deliveries per annum were identified and enlisted. Two hospitals were selected keeping in view of operational feasibility. A total of 683 umbilical cord blood samples of neonates were collected on filter paper and analyzed for TSH. It was found that 63.2 % of the neonates had TSH levels of more than 5 mlU/l indicating iodine deficiency in the Solan district. Iodine deficiency was a public health problem in Solan district, HP.     

Mosquitoes of the mangrove forests of India: Part 1--Bhitarkanika, Orissa

In this first paper of a series on mosquitoes of the mangrove forests of India, details of mosquito species recorded in Bhitarkanika, Orissa, are presented. Forty-three species of mosquitoes belonging to 21 subgenera and 13 genera, Aedes, Anopheles, Armigeres, Coquillettidia, Culex, Ficalbia, Heizmannia, Lutzia, Mansonia, Ochlerotatus, Toxorhynchites, Uranotaenia, and Verrallina, were recorded. Predominant larval habitat was the tree holes, from which 15 species were taken. Adults were mostly found resting in crab holes, tree holes, and hoof prints in the forest area and on walls in the guesthouse area. About 14 species were caught in light traps, while 19 species landed on humans for feeding. Ae. franciscoi and Oc. feegradei are 2 new country records for India. Ae. cancricomes and Cx. perplexus, known only from Andaman Islands of India, are new records for mainland India.     

Nutritional Status of Mothers and Low Birth Weight in India

Objectives In this paper we examine the role of mothers’ nutritional status and socio-biological aspects in determining the birth weight of their most recent child. Methods We used data from the second Indian National Family Health Survey conducted in 1998–1999. Analysis is based on children born within 12 months prior to the survey date (N = 10,042). We used a subjective measure of the size of infant at birth as an indicator for birth weight and employed logistic regression to estimate the effect of BMI and other determinants on birth weight of children in India as a whole and for 17 states separately. Results and Conclusions Results show that mothers’ nutritional status is the most important determinant of newborn children’s birth weight. Safe drinking water, use of antenatal care and iron deficient anaemia were also significant contributors to low birth weight. Mothers’ BMI impact is more pervasive across India than the impact of other factors on birth weight.     

Estimation of Gestational Age,Using Neonatal Anthropometry: A Cross-sectional Study in India

Prematurity is a significant contributor to neonatal mortality in India. Conventionally, assessment of gestational age of newborns is based on New Ballard Technique, for which a paediatric specialist is needed. Anthropometry of the newborn, especially birthweight, has been used in the past to predict the gestational age of the neonate in peripheral health facilities where a trained paediatrician is often not available. We aimed to determine if neonatal anthropometric parameters, viz. birthweight, crown heel-length, head-circumference, mid-upper arm-circumference, lower segment-length, foot-length, umbilical nipple distance, calf-circumference, intermammary distance, and hand-length, can reliably predict the gestational age. The study also aimed to derive an equation for the same. We also assessed if these neonatal anthropometric parameters had a better prediction of gestational age when used in combination compared to individual parameters. We evaluated 1,000 newborns in a cross-sectional study conducted in Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital in Delhi. Detailed anthropometric estimation of the neonates was done within 48 hours after birth, using standard techniques. Gestational age was estimated using New Ballard Scoring. Out of 1,250 consecutive neonates, 1,000 were included in the study. Of them, 800 randomly-selected newborns were used in devising the model, and the remaining 200 newborns were used in validating the final model. Quadratic regression analysis using stepwise selection was used in building the predictive model. Birthweight (R=0.72), head-circumference (R=0.60), and mid-upper arm-circumference (R=0.67) were found highly correlated with gestation. The final equation to assess gestational age was as follows: Gestational age (weeks)=5.437×W–0.781×W²+2.815×HC–0.041×HC²+0.285×MUAC–22.745 where W=Weight, HC=Head-circumference and MUAC=Mid-upper arm-circumference; Adjusted R=0.76. On validation, the predictability of this equation is 46% (±1 week), 75.5% (+2 weeks), and 91.5% (+3 weeks). This mathematical model may be used in identifying preterm neonates.Key words: Anthropometry, Equation, Gestational age, New Ballard Score, Newborn, Indias     

Traditional Knowledge and Nutritive Value of Indigenous Foods in the Oraon Tribal Community of Jharkhand: An Exploratory Cross-sectional Study

Traditional knowledge and nutritional value of indigenous foods of the Oraon tribal community in Jharkhand, India was explored. Focus group discussions were conducted with adult members to identify commonly consumed indigenous foods. Taxonomic classification and quantitative estimation of nutritive value were conducted in laboratories or utilized data from Indian food composition database. More than 130 varieties of indigenous foods were identified, many of which were rich sources of micronutrients like calcium, iron, vitamin A, and folic acid. Some were reported having medicinal properties. Utilization and ease of assimilation of indigenous foods into routine diets can be leveraged to address malnutrition in tribal communities.