Piyali Sengupta

Assessment of Hand Grip Strength of Orthopedically Challenged Persons Affected with Upper Extremity

Abstract The present investigation was aimed to assess the extent of variation in grip strength in relation to the sex and type of deformity among the orthopedically challenged persons affected with upper extremity and to compare the grip strength with that of control (normal) persons. For this purpose 213 subjects having the age range 20-60 years were selected at random. Among them 109 subjects were orthopedically challenged and 104 subjects were normal, who were treated as control subjects. Orthopedically challenged subjects were taken from three categories, viz., stroke patient, accidental patient and arthritis patient. Hand grip strength was measured by using Lafayette Hand Grip Dynamometer. Some anthropometric measures of the subjects of both groups were taken. The result showed that the hand grip strength of orthopedically challenged subjects was significantly lesser (p<0.001) than that of the control subjects in both hands. The male subjects had significantly higher hand grip strength than that of the female subjects in both groups. The mean values of different anthropometric measures also showed the same results. The grip strength was found to be significantly correlated with a few anthropometric measures of the subjects. The results of the ANOVA showed that the grip strength of different categories of orthopedically challenged persons had significant variations (p< 0.01) only in case of left hand of female subjects. It can be concluded that the lower value of hand grip strength of the orthopedically challenged persons may be considered during designing control panel, switches and other hand arm operated devices.

Relationship of body compositional and nutritional parameters with blood pressure in adults

BACKGROUND Obesity has been regarded as a single best predictor and major controllable contributor to hypertension. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between body compositional and nutritional parameters with blood pressure in rural Bengalee adults. METHODS Anthropometric measures, blood pressure and nutritional parameters were measured in 522 rural Bengalee adults using standard protocols. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was carried out to identify cut-off values of body mass index (BMI) and percentage of body fat (BF%) as associated factors of hypertension and hypotension. RESULTS Most of the subjects were normotensive. However, a notable percentage had hypertension (males: 21.86%; females: 15.27%), although the prevalence of hypotension was low (males: 10.53%; females: 8.73%). Obesity indicators were significantly higher in hypertensive individuals than hypotensive and normotensive individuals. All anthropometric parameters and obesity indicators were significantly correlated (P < 0.001) with blood pressure. Blood pressure increased steadily from being underweight through to normal and then to overweight/obese individuals. There were significant differences in the percentage of hypertension and hypotension between nutritional categories. Blood pressure had significant positive correlation with energy, carbohydrate and fat intake, whereas protein and calcium were negatively associated with blood pressure. The suggested cut-off values of BMI and BF%, which were taken as associated factors of hypertension, were 21.86 kg m⁻² and 20.31%, and those of hypotension were 18.18 kg m⁻² and 13.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In lean rural Bengalee populations, high BMI levels may be associated with an increased risk of hypertension. The cut-off values of BMI and BF% in the present study suggested associated factors for cardiovascular risk factors and these values may be of help with respect to reducing mean population blood pressure levels.

An investigation on prevalence of Anemia in relation to BMI and nutrient intake among adult rural population of West Bengal, India

Background: Anemia is now globally recognized major public health problem. The present study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of anemia and interrelationship of anemia with BMI among adult rural population of West Bengal state, India. Method: Anthropometric measures, nutritional parameters, heart rate and hemoglobin were measured from 310 adult subjects by using standard technique. Results: The prevalence of anemia was high among both sexes and more than the global prevalence. The anemic individuals consumed nutritionally deficient diet than the non-anemic individuals. The prevalence of anemia was significantly high in underweight and normal groups. The Odds ratios became significantly higher in underweight group than normal and overweight/obese groups of both sexes. Conclusions: The prevalence of anemia in the adult rural population might be related to dietary deficiency and poor dietary patterns. The present study was hypothesized that the subjects with low BMI would have a higher risk of anemia compared to normal or overweight subjects.

Evaluation of Colour Stereotype Profile of the Population of Eastern India

The phrase “population stereotype” is used to depict the response preference, which refers to long-term behavior and well-ingrained awareness of a particular population. Colour is one of the main features of any visual scene having the potential to improve or spoil the user experience. The aim of the present work was to study and analyze the color stereotypes patterns of the population of Eastern India. To serve this purpose a color chart was prepared with four set of concepts represented by nine colors. 1640 adult female and 1987 male subjects from Eastern India were volunteered. The subjects were asked to choose colors to represent concepts. The color preferences were recorded as results. It was observed that a higher percentage of the female preferred red (66.42%) for “hot”, blue (35.65%) for “cold”, green (54.31%) for “on”, red (47.0%) for “off”, green (38%) for “safe”, red (77.4%) for “danger”, green (75.3%) for “go”, yellow (46.2%) for “caution” and red (76.5%) for “stop” symbols. There was no significant difference in the color preference between male and female subjects (except the female subjects who preferred black over red for “off”). Significant gender difference (p < 0.05 or less) was found for color stereotype strengths. There was no significant difference in color preferences and stereotype strengths between the rural and urban subjects of both sexes but for “cold” concept the urban males predominantly preferred pink color whereas rural males selected blue color. It may be concluded that no rural-urban difference in color stereotype was observed but gender had predominant impact on color stereotype of the population of Eastern India.

Age and sex variations of the index finger flexion and extension strength in adult Bengalee population

This investigation was aimed to assess age and sex related variation in the index finger flexion and extension strength and its association with some anthropometric characteristics. A total of 400 subjects (200 male and 200 female), 18-60 years were selected at random and divided into three age groups: 18-34, 35-50 and 51-60 years. Strength was measured using a dedicated device. Results revealed that finger flexion and extension strength was significantly greater ( p< 0.001) in men than in women. Irrespective of gender the right hand was significantly stronger ( p< 0.001) than that of left hand. A significant variation in finger extension strength with age was noted for both genders. Positive correlations between strength and some anthropometry were indicated only in case of male subjects.