International Archives of Integrated Medicine

9-16

Authors: Mitulkumar B. Kalathia, Aarti M. Makwana, Palak T. Hapani, Yogesh N. Parikh

Introduction: Severe acute malnutrition is widely prevalent problem in developing countries and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in India. Nutritional rehabilitation of such patients is very important aspects of management and often inadequate. This study was planned to understand catch up growth in severe acute malnourished patients admitted to rehabilitation ward for providing nutrition. Objectives: (1) To study the weight gain pattern of the patients with severe acute malnutrition admitted to hospital based nutritional rehabilitation centre. (2) To study the factors associated with good or poor weight gain in the patients with severe acute malnutrition admitted to nutrition rehabilitation centre. Materials and methods: In this case record based retrospective study; records of severe acute malnourished patients admitted to nutritional rehabilitation ward during the period of February 2012 to December 2012 were included. Results: A total of 98 patients were admitted during this period for nutrition rehabilitation. Mean baseline weight/ height z score (WHZ), weight/age z score (WAZ) and height/age z score (HAZ) was -1.67 (2.48), -4.19 (0.98) and -4.90 (2.50) respectively. 76 patients who stayed for more than 7 completed days were analysed for comparative statistics. Mean WHZ score of this 76 patients was -1.70 (2.25). Mean weight gain of these patients was 5.56 gm/kg/day. Patients age (p=0.03, OR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.040-1.211), educated mother (p=0.048, OR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.320-2.478) and recommended dietary intake of at least 80% (p=0.001, OR=7.94, 95%CI: 2.247-28.79) were the only statistically significant factors associated with good weight gain. Conclusion: Our study highlighted the important role of nutritional rehabilitation of the severe acute malnourished children in hospital for early catch-up of the growth.

23-33

Authors: Priyank J. Yagnik, David P. McCormick, Naveed Ahmad, Arnold J. Schecter, T. Robert Harris

Childhood and adolescent obesity is a major health concern worldwide. This review summarizes the current literature on the association between childhood and adolescent obesity and depression. Multiple scientific databases (PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, CINAHL and PsycINFO; January 1990 to April 2011) were searched for articles focusing on the association between childhood and adolescent obesity and depression. Inclusion criteria were age ≤ 19 years and studies published in English or translated into English. Fifty-one articles were identified including 19 prospective cohort studies, one randomized controlled trial and one meta-analysis. Fifteen prospective cohort studies reported that childhood obesity is associated with depression, whereas three prospective cohort studies, one systematic literature review, and one meta-analysis showed that childhood depression leads to future obesity. Some cross-sectional studies found no association between childhood obesity and depression. Compared with boys, obese girls are more likely to be depressed. Depression is associated with increased actual body weight, but this relation is also mediated through perceived body weight and dissatisfaction with body image. The majority of studies have shown that childhood and adolescent obesity is associated with depression. Studies have also shown that childhood depression leads to future obesity. Clinicians should be aware of this association and provide mental health assessment, obesity prevention, and treatment when indicated.

44-49

Authors: Pragnesh Parmar

Dowry death is a burning issue of the Indian society since years. The unnatural death of newly married young woman due to dowry is routine headline of every newspaper. Protection of young married women against harassment and cruelty on account of dowry is responsibility of government. Ban of giving and taking dowry - the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, is the one which is most commonly challenged since its commencement all over the country. To deal with this section 304 - B (Dowry deaths) and 498 - A (Cruelty by husband or in-laws) were incorporated in the Indian Penal code in the mid 1980's. Improvement of educational status of females by educational cum awareness programs along with severe punishments to offenders will be helpful to deal with this social curse.