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The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has escalated in recent decades, and the risk of diabetes-related mortality has increased dramatically due to the co-existence of hypertension (HTN). DM and HTN, having similar aetiology and disease mechanisms, are influenced by lifestyle factors and greatly contribute to critical health complications. This study attempted to explore the co-existence of DM–HTN and the potential determinants considering the rapid upsurge of both these diseases. National Family Health Survey data were used, which included 7092 adult diabetic individuals, to find out the prevalence rate of HTN in diabetic persons in India. Appropriate statistical analyses were performed to accomplish the study objectives. Prevalence rate of HTN in diabetic individuals was approximately 37%. Higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with DM–HTN co-existence. In males, increased age, higher BMI, alcohol consumption, poorest wealth index, and non-smoking (tobacco) were the significant determinants of the co-existence of DM-HTN, while in females, they were increased age, higher BMI, and geographical region. This study unveiled the significance of healthy lifestyle maintenance and equitable health care services to prevent HTN among diabetics, along with promotion of the awareness and management of DM and HTN through appropriate pharmacological treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaming related experiences and addictive behaviours are emerging causes of adverse psycho-social health such as depression, anxiety, in adolescents and young adults around the world. Nonetheless, there remains a dearth of information relating to adolescents and young adults in India, a country which has millions of gamers. Present study examined the effects of massively multiplayer online role-playing games on the psychological health and inter-personal relationships of adolescents and young male adults of sub-urban Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-economic and lifestyle traits, psychological health and inter-personal relationships were obtained from both gamers (n = 150) and non-gamers (n = 150). Data on gaming experiences and addiction were obtained only from gamers. MANCOVA and linear regression were performed to understand the effects of socio-economic and lifestyle traits, gaming experience and addiction traits on psychological health and inter-personal relationships of gamers. Study findings revealed that both gamers and non-gamers derived from a similar age group (mean age = 19.94 years) and socio-economic cluster. Disparities in psychological health in terms of depression, anxiety and stress and inter-personal relationship in terms of parent and peer attachments were present across social groups and between gamers and non-gamers. Various problematic gaming experiences and gaming related addictive behaviours resulted in poor psychological health and inter-personal relationship with parents and peers. Male gamers were at high risk to develop adverse psychological health and poor inter-personal relationships with parents and peers due to problematic gaming experience and gaming addiction. Proper education and counselling regarding the beneficial and detrimental sides of gaming may ensure better psycho-social health of adolescents and young adults in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity and hypertension have become a global epidemic among the women, especially as they experience additional stressful events compared to men. The epidemiology of these two metabolic disorders is regulated by various biological, socio-economic, reproductive and lifestyle factors related to women. However, inconsistency in the nature and magnitude of the effects of these traits indicates exploring the areas where little emphasis has been given. In this context, the present study attempted to determine the effect of socio-economic and reproductive traits on hypertension and abdominal adiposity among women living in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India. Data on socio-demographic and reproductive traits were collected from 319 adult women from both rural and urban sectors of Habra block I. Anthropometric measurements and Blood pressure levels were measured following standard protocols. Results highlighted that the prevalence of obese individuals and hypertensive individuals were 73.4 and 50.5 per cent respectively. Women with low income (OR=0.51) were at lower risk and post-menopausal women (OR=1.71) were at higher risk of developing abdominal adiposity. The risk of developing hypertension increased with higher educational attainment (OR=2.43). Post-menopausal women (OR=0.46) and shifting workers (OR=0.40) were at lower risk of developing hypertension. The risk also decreased with increased age (OR=0.96). Present study revealed that menopause is a significant event to predict abdominal adiposity and hypertension among Bengali-speaking Hindu women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out in Kolkata to find out the prevalence of hypertension among bus drivers and if any concomitant factor(s) is/are responsible for it. Bus drivers, a vulnerable occupational group, are exposed to adverse workplace environmental conditions which play major role in developing hypertension among them. This study indicates that a prolonged exposure to smoking, alcohol, street food intake and overtime working may augment the chance of developing hypertension. Prevalence of pre-hypertension is a matter of concern for the safety of bus drivers as well as of community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Somatotype is used to explore spatial and temporal variations of body physique in relation to varying degrees of environmental and cultural changes. Empirical studies on spatial and temporal variations of somatotype in similar groups living in different time points are scanty. The present study tries to find the similarities/difference in somatotype within occupational group having same ethnicity, same environment in two time points and between two occupational groups in two time points. For this study, data on anthropometric traits and somatotype components were collected from 182 tea garden (TG) and 222 agricultural (AG) Oraon labourers in 1990 and again on 207 TG and 216 AG Oraon labourers in 2016 from Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India on the same group and region. The study showed the mean values of anthropometric traits were higher in both TG and AG labourers of 2016 than that of 1990, irrespective of sex. Endomorphic component significantly increased and mesomorphic and ectomorphic components decreased in both TG and AG labourers of 2016. TG and AG labourers in either time point show occupational differences only in males. Male AG labourers have high ectomorphic and endomorphic components than male TG labourers in either time points. However, female TG labourers of 2016 show high endomorphic component than AG labourers, indicative of less physical activity by the TG females. The findings show that both the occupational groups (TG and AG) converted towards endomorph over time. Spatial differences in somatotype exist between TG and AG even in different time points, indicative of occupational differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the paper has been to explore the association of media exposure with perception of body image and eating behavior among a group of adolescent boys. A cross sectional study was conducted among 102 adolescent boys belonging to the Bengali-speaking Hindu ethnic group, who were between the ages of 14 and 19 years, living in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, body image perception and attitude, media exposures and eating behavior were collected using standard pretested questionnaires. It was observed that around half of the participants expressed dissatisfaction with a desire to have a healthy body shape. Although participants, who generally spent more than one hour a day on watching television or browsing internet or reading magazine articles, were more dissatisfied with their body image than the others; yet no significant association was found between any of the media and satisfaction level of their body image. Results further revealed that majority of the participants have normal eating behavior and only 10% of the participants, who were dissatisfied with their body image, showed disordered eating behavior. Only significant association was found between consumption of chocolates and their satisfaction level of own body image. Our qualitative data showed that participants were not much concerned with their 'body image' and 'body weight", but they did fantasize about the body structure of their idols (be them the actors, athletes or social leaders) and wanted to be like them. It can be safely assumed that the adolescent boys have dissatisfaction with their body image perhaps in their subconscious mind. Media would play a significant role in building up their body image and consequently their eating behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]