Khyrunnisa Begum

Comparison of nutrient intake by sleep status in selected adults in Mysore, India.

Insomnia has become a major public health issue in recent times. Although quality of sleep is affected by environmental, psychophysiological, and pharmacological factors, diet and nutrient intake also contribute to sleep problems. This study investigated the association between nutrient intake and co-morbid symptoms associated with sleep status among selected adults. Subjects in this study included 87 men and women aged 21-45 years. Presence of insomnia was assessed using the Insomnia Screening Questionnaire, and dietary intake was measured over three consecutive days by dietary survey. Descriptive analysis, ANOVA, and Chi-Square tests were performed to compute and interpret the data. Approximately 60% of the participants were insomniacs. People with insomnia consumed significantly lesser quantities of nutrients as compared to normal sleepers. Differences in intakes of energy, carbohydrates, folic acid, and B12 were highly significant (P < 0.002). Further, intakes of protein, fat, and thiamine were significantly different (P < 0.021) between insomniacs and normal sleepers. The nutrient intake pattern of the insomniacs with co-morbid symptoms was quite different from that of the normal sleepers. Based on these results, it is probable that there is an association between nutrition deficiency, co-morbid symptoms, and sleep status. More studies are required to confirm these results.

Menstrual pattern among unmarried women from south India.

Background: Menstruation is a phenomenon unique to females and nearly universal experience in womens lives and is poorly understood. This study has been done to assess menstrual pattern and associated factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 194 girl students aged 18 to 27 years were selected and asked to complete a questionnaire anonymously. Data regarding demographic features, menarche age, menstrual pattern, severity of dysmenorrhea and associated symptoms, and impact of menstrual pain on working ability were obtained. Source for information about menarche and menstruation the participants depend was also elicited. Results: Mean age of the subjects at menarche was 13.36 ± 1.25 years with a range being 10 to 17 years. Mean duration of menstrual flow was 4.77 ± 1.06 days. The most prevalent menstrual symptoms were tiredness (47.9%), backache (38.3%), and anger (34.5%). Prevalence of menstrual irregularity and dysmenorrhea was 11.9 and 78.2%. 6.7% of the participants had severe dysmenorrhea. 76.6% of the dysmenorrheic girls reported that their working ability was affected. 60.4% of the girls were aware of menstruation prior to menarche. Mothers and friends were the main sources of information (47.8%). Conclusion: In conclusion, it can be mentioned that prevalence of dysmenorrhea and menstrual irregularity among young females is high. Working ability is reported to be affected by menstrual pain. It could be possible to improve menstrual discomforts management by including awareness programs.

Influence of processed sugarcane bagasse on the microbial, nutritional, rheological and quality characteristics of biscuits.

Sugarcane bagasse, a dietary fiber-rich by-product of the sugar industry (70–75%) and having negligible protein and fat content, was treated with acid, alkali and steaming to reduce the microbial load. Steaming was effective in making the bagasse microbiologically safe. The processed bagasse (5–15%) was used in the rheological studies and in the preparation of soft dough biscuits. Glucose (hexose), arabinose and xylose (pentose) were present, whereas rhamnose, mannose and galctose were not traced in all of the bagasse samples. Farinograph characteristics of wheat flour–bagasse blends showed that the mixing profile weakened with addition of bagasse. Processed bagasse also affected the pasting characteristics indicating starch dilution on incorporation of bagasse, as indicated by sensory characteristics. Biscuits prepared from steamed bagasse (10%) along with additives were highly acceptable. Results indicated that high-fiber biscuits can be prepared by replacing wheat flour with steamed bagasse at a 10% level.

Primary Dysmenorrhea and Menstrual Symptoms in Indian Female Students: Prevalence, Impact and Management

Background: Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological problem among females and it is defined as cramping pain in the lower abdomen occurring just before or during menstruation. Menstrual symptoms are a broad collection of affective and somatic concerns that occur around the time of menses. The effect and importance of dysmenorrhea is very wide, therefore managing the problem is important. Objective: To ascertain the prevalence, and impact of primary dysmenorrhea in student girls and their management behaviors. Methods and Materials: A Cross-sectional study was conducted on 1000 healthy females aged 11-28 years. Standardized Self-reporting questionnaires were used to obtain relevant data. Pain intensity was assessed by using the Numerical Pain Scale (NPS). Data was analyzed by SPSS version 16. Results: Prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 70.2%. Majority of the subjects experienced pain for one or 1-2 days during menstruation. 23.2% of the dysmenorrheic girls experienced pain for 2-3 days. The most common symptom in both dysmenorrheic and non dysmenorrheic girls during the menstrual periods was tiredness and second most prevalent symptom was back pain. Females experiencing mild pain on an average absented for one and half day a month while 2.1±1.2 and 2.5±1.3 days for those who experienced moderate and severe forms of dysmenorrhea respectively. A small proportion of girls sought pharmacological management (25.5%) and 83.2% depended on non-pharmacological methods. Only 14.2% had sought medical advice. Conclusion: Sub optimal use of the medical advice and the barriers to seek medical attention by dysmenorrheic females need exploration. It is important that health education on puberty and menstruation is regarded as inadequate for many girls in India.

Nutritional Modulators of Sleep Disorders

Background: Clinical evidence indicates that insufficient sleep and poor sleep quality appear to be common consequences of shift work. These rhythms appear to have independent influence on the function of the endocrine system, circadian brain function and gastrointestinal tract. Insufficient sleep and its poor quality due to shift work interfere with beta cells, leptin and ghrelin functioning, resulting in factors for the development and exacerbation of insulin resistance. Human studies found that insufficient sleep alters the levels of leptin and ghrelin, two hormones involved in the regulation of appetite and body fat. Leptin, released by fat cells, signals the brain to feel satiety. Ghrelin, produced in the stomach, signals hunger. Investigations reported that temporarily sleep-deprived individuals experienced hormonal changes along with greater cravings for sweet and fatty foods. A further reason for their cravings is related to the stress hormone cortisol, which can rise with sleep deprivation and contribute to hunger. In addition to altered hormone levels, people who stay awake longer have more opportunity to eat, and late-night eating often includes high-caloric foods. Weight gain is only one of the many side effects of insufficient sleep, but it can lead to long-term health problems, including diabetes. Although more sleep will not automatically result in weight loss, sufficient sleep and a regular sleep schedule are critical in controlling appetite and promoting a healthy eating pattern. Research on sleep and appetite reveals a consistent link between a lower amount of sleep and a higher body mass index (BMI), a ratio of weight-to-height that indicates overweight. Studies showed those who slept less than eight hours a night were more likely to be overweight. Methods: Internet search and discussion with colleagues. Results: Recent research indicates that disruption of sleep can influence food intake and food and nutrients can influence sleep. There is evidence that high protein and carbohydrates meals can influence moods, attention and concentration among normal adult subjects with respect to age, gender and meal time. Women reported greater sleepiness after two hours of carbohydrate meal as opposed to a protein meal. On the other hand men reported greater calmness after a carbohydrate as opposed to a protein meal. Age of subjects may also influence the response to meals. After a carbohydrate or protein rich breakfast, persons older than 40 years felt more tense and less calm with a protein-rich than carbohydrate- rich meal. In general older subjects preferred carbohydrate than protein meals. Carbohydrate meals are also reported to impair objective performance; carbohydrate rich foods either in breakfast or lunch have exhibited negative influence on neural response such as impaired objective performance and poor sustained attention. A meal consumed close to bedtime is associated with sleep disturbances. Further, solid foods as well as large meals may cause more sleepiness than liquid foods. Studies have also shown that the larger the meal, the sleepier the person thereafter. In the evening the sleep- facilitating effects of carbohydrates may be beneficial. However, manipulation in the energy content of meals for a single day may cause increase in markedly different levels of insulin without changes in plasma glucose. Conclusions: The findings indicate that food intake can influence sleep and disruption of sleep can cause increased consumption of fast ready-prepared foods which have adverse effects resulting in obesity, diabetes and CVDs.

Effect of additives on fat uptake and sensory quality of deep fried foods

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of incorporation of selected additives on fat uptake and sensory quality of two traditional deep fried snacks.Design/methodology/approach – A wheat‐based snack Diamond cuts, and a rice and gram‐based spicy snack Kodbale, were chosen. The products were prepared by incorporating to the dough, 0.2, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 per cent of 11 different additives like gum acacia, gum Tragacanth, Methylcellulose, Gaur Gum, Pectin, Gum Karaya, Gum Carageenan, Xanthan Gum, Gum Gellan, Seafoam and Beligara. Products were evaluated for sensory attributes and fat uptake was estimated by soxhlet extraction.Findings – Results indicated that average fat uptake in Diamond cuts and Kodbale was 28.00 and 30 per cent, respectively. In Diamond cuts, while addition of additives did not alter fat uptake remarkably, a slight decrease in the case of gum Tragacanth (0.2 per cent) and Gaur Gum and Gum Carageenan (0.75 per cent) was observed. Statistical analysis of sensory att...

Assessment of Nutritional Status Among Adolescent Boys in an Urban Population of South India

Background: Deficiency of calories and certain micronutrients is known to cause growth faltering in children and adolescents. It is recognized that varieties of foods need to be consumed in order to meet requirements for essential nutrients. Lack of diversity in the diets is a serious problem among poor populations in the developing world. The extent of variations in intake of nutrients occurring in a homogeneous population provides useful information. Subjects and Methods: This study investigates the mean intake of nutrient by 1083 adolescent males, age 10-19 years, in comparison to the RDA values suggested by ICMR for Indians. Food intakes, social class and knowledge about health education were obtained by questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric statistics, and Chi-Square tests were performed to and interpret the data, particularly hypothesis testing. Results: Mean intake of calories varied from 1512±532 for pre-adolescent to 1742±660 for post-adolescence, the differences in intake between pre-adolescence to adolescence was statistically significant. The intake was largely different compared to the respective RDAs including proteins which were markedly lower than the RDA. The mean intake increased linearly with the advancing stages of adolescence. Intake of calcium by boys during pre-adolescence and adolescence stage were lower by 20-30% as compared to the RDA, whereas the post-adolescent boys were found to consume a fair amount and met their RDAs. Intakes of iron and β-carotene were highly variable, the majority of the selected boys consumed much less than the RDAs. The differences in the intakes were statistically not significant. Conclusion: Mean intakes of nutrients indicate that the majority of the selected boys consumed protein, calories, iron, calcium and β carotene in three stages of adolescent markedly lower than the respective RDAs. Family type, birth order and SES correlated with nutrient intake among selected adolescent boys.

Malnutrition among under-five children of Kadukuruba tribe: need to reach the unreached

INTRODUCTION Poor nutritional status of tribal children observed in different parts of India, calls for introspection into various factors influencing it, in order to seek remedial measures. OBJECTIVES To assess the prevalence of malnutrition among under-five children of Kadukuruba tribe and socio-demographic factors associated with it. MATERIALS AND METHODS Community based cross-sectional study was done in Kadukuruba tribes of Mysore district over a period of one year among 101 under-five children. Socio-demographic information and anthropometric measurements were obtained by using standard techniques. Height and weight of each child was compared with World Health Organization (WHO) child growth standards-2006 for that particular age and sex to get W/A, H/A and W/H Indices and below 2SD of the reference median on these indices were considered as underweight, stunted and wasted respectively. RESULTS Prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was 60.4 %, 55.4% and 43% respectively which was significantly associated with respect to age, presence of ration card in thefamily and egg in the childs diet. CONCLUSION Significantly higher prevalence of under-nutrition was noted among under-five children in this community. This calls for educating mothers and other caretakers in the family regarding increased nutritional requirements with increasing age, strengthening Public Distribution System (PDS) and ensuring egg made available in the regular weekly Menu at all Anganwadis.

Perceived health discomfort among adolescent girls and related factors in an urban area, South India

INTRODUCTION: Adolescence is a period of life that is a bridge between childhood and adulthood. India has the worlds largest adolescent girls population, and adolescent girls are an important vulnerable group of population. Perceived health is a predictor of morbidity and mortality in adults and has been an important marker of the health status in population health studies for decades. The aim of the study was to describe adolescents perception of health and association between some factors such as nutrition status, socioeconomic status (SES), and health status. As their perception of health discomfort affects their health behavior and self-care, therefore, their health status is an important matter to discuss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in urban areas from a major city in South India. Six hundred and fifty adolescent female students aged 10–19 years formed the study population. Standardized self-reporting questionnaires were used to obtain relevant data regarding demographic features, SES, and health status. BMI calculated for each individual. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. RESULTS: About 83.3% of participants ranked their health status as good to excellent. A majority of the girls had one or more problems related to their menstrual cycles. The most common occurring problem was headache (45.3%). 47.8% of participants exhibited symptoms of mild insomnia. Strong significant association between nutritional status and SES was found. Higher percentage of undernourished adolescents belonged to low SES. CONCLUSION: Adolescents are expected to enjoy good health, but this does not seem to be the case in the developing countries like India, where poverty, malnutrition, and repeated infection are rampant. Majority of the problems such as healthy nutrition and self-care can be solved by community-based programs, health education, and food fortification.

Nutrient intake and anthropometric profile of healthy adult men and women couples from selected households in west sea coast belt of south Karnataka - a comparative study

Health is a relative expression of metabolic efficiency, and is a valued state of existence in individuals especially during adulthood. Food intake is directly associated with the health and wellbeing of a person. Background: Co existence of under nutrition and obesity is a matter of major concern. Objective: It was proposed to develop data base about the mean nutrient intake, its difference among genders, and anthropometric profile of adult population and association between BMI and WHR. Methodology: Demographic data, nutrient intake (diary technique), energy expenditure (WHO method) and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, MUAC, waist and hip circumferences) were obtained using standard procedures. 70 couples aged 45-54 yrs who were free from degenerative disease from different socioeconomic classes (SEC) of Karkala and Moodbidri Taluks formed the subjects. Results: All the participant were educated, regarding occupation, 41% men had business and 58% women were homemakers others had varied kind of jobs. 51% couples were non vegetarians. Mean nutrient (Energy) intakes of male and females partners respectively are: 1916.0 ± 368.470 and 1745.0 ± 560.764 kcals; 50.3 ± 8.170 and 51.27 ± 24.569 g protein, 32.4 ± 5.997 and 56.91 ± 20.946 g fat; Compared to RDA, intake of all nutrients except fat and calcium was markedly low. Both men and women had normal BMI however WHR was higher indicating central obesity (1.08 ± 0.14 and 1.08 ± 0.13); MUAC was 29.05 ± 6.29 and 24.74 ± 9.28 cms for males and females respectively. Conclusion: Central obesity was observed among both the adult group although they had normal BMI.