Background Unhealthy dietary behaviour-high intake of fat, sugar, and salt, and low intake of fruits and vegetables-is a major risk factor for chronic diseases. There is a lack of evidence-based interventions to promote healthy dietary intake among Indian populations. Therefore, we tested the effectiveness of an information technology-enabled 'SMART Eating' intervention to reduce the intake of fat, sugar and salt, and to increase the intake of fruits and vegetables. Methods In Chandigarh, a North Indian city, a cluster randomized controlled trial was implemented in twelve geographical clusters, based on the type of housing (i.e., LIG: Low-income group; MIG; Middle-income group, and HIG: High-income group-a proxy for socioeconomic status). Computer-generated randomization was used to allocate clusters to intervention and comparison arms after pairing on the basis of socioeconomic status and geographical distance between clusters. The sample size was 366 families per arm (N = 732). One adult per family was randomly selected as an index case to measure the change in the outcomes. For behaviour change, a multi-channel communication approach was used, which included information technology-short message service (SMS), email, social networking app and 'SMART Eating' website, and interpersonal communication along with distribution of a 'SMART Eating' kit-kitchen calendar, dining table mat, and measuring spoons. The intervention was implemented at the family level over a period of six months. The comparison group received pamphlets on nutrition education. Outcome measurements were made at 0 and 6 months post-intervention at the individual level. Primary outcomes were changes in mean dietary intakes of fat, sugar, salt, and fruit and vegetables. Secondary outcomes

Introduction:Childbirth is a distinctive and joyous moment in every mother's life. Giving birth is one of the powerful and vital event. This study aimed to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of warm compression (moist heat) on lumbo-sacral region in terms of labor pain intensity and labor outcomes Methods: An experimental research design was carried out on 88 nulliparous mothers with normal singleton term pregnancy (44 participants in each group) who were admitted in the labor room. Mothers who had high-risk pregnancy were excluded. Warm compression was given to nulliparous mothers of the experimental group with hydrochollator pack at 70 0 C temperature for 20 minutes for 3 times with one-hour interval on lumbo sacral region starting from 4-5 cm of cervical dilatation. Labor pain intensity score, fetal heart rate, frequency and duration of uterine contractions were assessed before and immediately of warm compression and again after 30 minutes only labor pain was assessed. Results:Study results revealed that immediately after first, second and third time of warm compression labor pain intensity score in experimental group was lower than control group respectively ( t= 3.20; P< 0.001; t =4.45; P< 0.001; t= 6.18; P< 0.001). But no significant difference found in fetal heart rate and labor outcomes in terms of duration of labor, type of delivery, baby born alive/ not and cried immediately after birth. Conclusion:Warm compression was useful method to decrease the labour pain among nulliparous mothers in the first stage of labour and mothers reported satisfaction with intervention.

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Nutrition is an important determinant of health. At present, nutrition programs in India mainly emphasize improving maternal and child nutrition. Adult nutrition has not received due attention, though diseases like hypertension and diabetes are largely preventable through changes in dietary and physical activity behaviour. Little is known about the best approaches to improve dietary behaviours, especially the role of modern information technology (IT) in health education. We describe the protocol of the SMART Eating (Small, Measurable and Achievable dietary changes by Reducing fat, sugar and salt consumption and Trying different fruits and vegetables) health promotion intervention. A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial will evaluate the effect of an IT-enabled intervention on nutrition behaviour among urban adults of Chandigarh, India. Formative research using a qualitative exploratory approach was undertaken to inform the intervention. The IT-enabled intervention programme includes website development, Short Message Service (SMS), e-mail reminders and interactive help by mobile and landline phones. The IT-enabled intervention will be compared to the traditional nutrition education program of distributing pamphlets in the control group. The primary outcome will be the percentage of study participants meeting the dietary intake guidelines of the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India and the change in intake of fat, sugar, salt, fruit and vegetables after the intervention. The difference in differences method will be used to determine the net change in dietary intakes resulting from the interventions. Measurements will be made at baseline and at 6 months post-intervention, using a food frequency questionnaire. The formative research led to the development of a comprehensive intervention, focusing on five dietary components and using multi-channel communication approach including the use of IT to target urban North Indians from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. The Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial design is suitable for evaluating the effectiveness of this IT-enabled intervention for dietary behaviour change.

Designing effective interventions for achieving desired dietary behavior changes requires an in-depth study of people’s behaviors situated in sociocultural and interpersonal contexts. Guided by the Social Ecological Model, we explored the individual, family, and social-structural-level influences on dietary behaviors related to consumption of fat, sugar, salt, fruits, and vegetables among urban adults in India. We conducted 10 focus groups with a sample of men and women in diverse socioeconomic groups. Data were explored using framework analysis. Social Ecological Model helped in identifying multilevel influences that facilitated or hindered healthy dietary behaviors: Individual-level influences—awareness of dietary recommendations, self-efficacy, risk perception, and perceived benefits and costs; Family-level influences—family members’ preferences, family norms, family support, and the home environment; and Social-structural influences—societal norms, culture, media, cost, availability and accessibility of fruits and vegetables, and government policies. Overall, the findings indicated the need for a range of multilevel interventions that are more likely to promote and sustain healthy dietary behaviors—for example, improving awareness about dietary recommendations (individual level), promoting positive family norms through involvement of family members (family level), and restricting the use of fat, sugar, and salt in packaged food, and supportive policies for promoting consumption of fruits and vegetables (structural level).

Alangium salvifolium (Linn. F) Wang. is a small deciduous tree or shrub, which grow in the wild throughout the hotter parts of the India. It belongs to the family Alangiaceae. It is used as laxative, astringent, pungent, anthelminthic, purgative, emetic, anti protozoal, hypoglycemic activity, anti diabetic and for anti ulcer activity. The plant was also reported as antifungal activity, anti diabetic activity, antioxidant, antimicrobial activity, cardiac activity and anti fertility activity. This activity of the plant possess due to the important phytochemical constituents like flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, alkaloids and steroids etc.

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