Relationship between women's occupational work and bone health: a study from India.

Physical activity is known to influence the bone mass of an individual. Few studies have examined the effect of occupational activities on bone health. The present study investigated the relationship between occupational activities and the bone parameters measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 158 women from a low-income group in India.

A composite index to explain variations in poverty, health, nutritional status and standard of living: use of multivariate statistical methods.

Objectives: To calculate the Human Development Index (HDI) and Human Poverty Index (HPI) of Indian states; to trace the indicators useful for finding variations in poverty; and to develop a composite index that may explain variations in poverty, health, nutritional status and standard of living.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: The HDI and HPI were calculated for different Indian states.

Maternal lean body mass may be the major determinant of birth weight: A study from India.

This study explored the relationship of maternal body composition parameters to the birth weight of the offspring. Maternal anthropometric parameters (weight, height) and body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry were measured in 76 women from low-income group during 12-21 days postpartum. The mean+/-s.

Effect of micronutrient supplementation on health and nutritional status of schoolchildren: growth and morbidity.

Objective: We evaluated the effect of a micronutrient-fortified beverage on growth and morbidity in apparently healthy schoolchildren.

Methods: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, matched-pair, cluster, randomized study in semi-urban middle-income residential schoolchildren aged 6 to 16 y. Anthropometrics (height and weight), clinical symptoms of deficiency, and morbidity data were collected at baseline in the supplemented group (n = 446 in 10 grades) and the placebo group (n = 423 in 10 grades) and after 14 mo of supplementation (n = 355 in the supplement group and n = 340 in the placebo group from nine pairs).

Effect of micronutrient supplement on health and nutritional status of schoolchildren: bone health and body composition.

Objective: We investigated the effect of a micronutrient-enriched beverage on body composition, bone mineral content (BMC), bone area, and bone mineral density (BMD) at various sites in schoolchildren.

Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, matched-pair, cluster, randomization study was carried out in residential schoolchildren 6 to 16 y of age who lived near Hyderabad, India. Children (n = 268) were selected randomly from two classes of each grade (1 to 9) and were provided a micronutrient-enriched beverage (n = 146) or a placebo drink (n = 122).

Effect of micronutrient supplement on health and nutritional status of schoolchildren: biochemical status.

Objective: We assessed the effect of a daily intake of a micronutrient-fortified beverage for 14 mo on indicators of biochemical status of important micronutrients in schoolchildren.

Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, matched-pair, cluster, randomization study design was used. Biochemical indicators of micronutrient status were evaluated at baseline and at the end of 14 mo on a subsample in nine matched pairs.

Effect of micronutrient supplement on health and nutritional status of schoolchildren: study design.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that supplementation with a micronutrient-fortified beverage improves micronutrient status and physical and mental development in apparently healthy schoolchildren.

Methods: The study was carried out in middle-income students in two residential schools that catered to children from a semi-urban population near Hyderabad, India. Included were 869 children who were 6 to 16 y of age in grades 1 to 10.

A qualitative assessment of nutrition knowledge levels and dietary intake of schoolchildren in Hyderabad.

Objectives: To assess the nutrition knowledge levels and dietary intake pattern of schoolchildren belonging to two groups of different socio-economic status (SES; high income/high SES and low income/low SES).

Design: A purposive sampling method was employed. A validated food-frequency questionnaire was administered to assess the dietary intake of schoolchildren in four schools from two different socio-economic strata in the month of January 2001.

Validation of hemoglobin estimation using Hemocue.

Objective: This piece of work is an attempt to compare Hemocue and Cyanmethemoglobin methods for hemoglobin estimation.

Methods: In 100 apparently healthy children of 1-6 years of age, Hb was estimated using Hemocue and cyanmethemoglobin methods from finger prick blood sample. The results obtained by the two methods were compared using appropriate statistical methods.

Micronutrient malnutrition, infection, and immunity: an overview.

Micronutrient deficiencies and infectious diseases often coexist and exhibit complex interactions leading to the vicious cycle of malnutrition and infections among underprivileged populations of the developing countries, particularly in preschool children. Several micronutrients such as vitamin A, beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin B12 vitamin C, riboflavin, iron, zinc, and selenium, have immunomodulating functions and thus influence the susceptibility of a host to infectious diseases and the course and outcome of such diseases. Certain of these micronutrients also possess antioxidant functions that not only regulate immune homeostasis of the host, but also alter the genome of the microbes, particularly in viruses, resulting in grave consequences like resurgence of old infectious diseases or the emergence of new infections.

Diet and nutritional status of rural preschool children in Punjab.

Objective: To assess diet and nutritional profile of rural preschool children of Punjab.

Study Design: Multistage random sampling method was adopted by following probability proportion to population size (PPS).

Subject: Four hundred households (HH) were covered in each district of Punjab for socio-economic and demographic information.

Changes in blood-brain barrier nutrient transport in the offspring of iodine-deficient rats and their preventability.

Thyroid hormones affect the structure and function of biological membranes. Whether or not they affect the Blood-Brain Barrier nutrient transport, the rate limiting membrane transport regulating nutrient supply to brain is to be established yet. That the impaired brain development and function seen in iodine deficiency could be due to such an effect has been assessed in situ by the brain uptake index (BUI) method in Wistar/NIN rat pups born to dams subjected to dietary iodine deficiency/rehabilitation for different times.

Effect of vitamin A supplementation of plasma progesterone and estradiol levels during pregnancy.

The effect of vitamin A supplementation on plasma estrogen and progesterone were studied in pregnant women. While there was no change in the estrogen concentration, the mean increment in plasma progesterone in the supplemented group was significant when compared to the unsupplemented group. It is suggested that vitamin A supplementation to undernourished pregnant women may have beneficial effect on feto-placental function.

Diet and Nutrition during Drought-An Indian Experience.

In 1987 India experienced one of the century's worst droughts with two-thirds of its sown area receiving 'scanty' or 'deficient' rainfall. Delayed rains in some parts, though to some extent they relieved the water scarcity, did not brighten the prospects of agricultural production. In order to assess the diet and nutritional situation of the vulnerable population in the severely affected areas, rapid surveys were undertaken by the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, in five States of the country, namely Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Orissa and Gujarat, during the months of October-December 1987.