Background: Pregnant women and children are extremely affected by micronutrient deficiencies with reference to fetal growth manifestations as well as post birth. Iodine and iron deficiency leads to poor life quality during early fetal development and young children may compromise on their IQ and cognitive development. It is reported that there is an interrelations between iron and iodine metabolism. However, references on using double fortified salt (DFS) as a tool to improve micronutrient status among pregnant women are limited; hence this study was designed. Methods: Pregnant women (n=150) were enrolled from a semi government hospital of urban Vadodara, Gujarat, India during first trimester (<12 weeks) and followed up till the end of gestation, n=75 were divided in experimental (DFS supplemented) and control (IS consumers) group. Impact on iron and iodine status was assessed by Hb concentration and UIE respectively. Results: Mean Hb improved significantly (p<0.001) (+0.42 g/dl) in experimental group and reduced insignificantly (0.20 g/dl) in control group at the end, since DFS provided additional ~93 mg of iron within 6 months of supplementation. Median UIE improved insignificantly (278.6 to 299.01µg/L) in experimental group and decreased significantly (p<0.05) (376.59 to 288.66 µg/L) in control group. Conclusions: Hence, we conclude that DFS could improve iron and iodine status of experimental group compared to control group. It is an effective measure to control two essential micronutrient deficiencies together.

Objective: To explore perceptions of how context shapes adolescent diet and physical activity in eight low- and middle-income (LMIC) sites at different stages of societal and economic transition. Design: Novel qualitative secondary analysis of eight data sets generated as part of the international Transforming Adolescent Lives through Nutrition (TALENT) collaboration. Setting: Diverse sites in India and Sub-Saharan Africa. Participants: Fifty-two focus group discussions with 491 participants (303 adolescents aged 10–17 years; 188 caregivers). Results: Analysis of pooled qualitative data identified three themes: (1) transitions in generational nutrition education and knowledge; (2) transition in caregiver–adolescent power balance and (3) the implications of societal and economic transition for diet and physical activity. Adolescents in urban and peri-urban areas could readily access ‘junk’ food. Diets in rural settings were determined by tradition, seasonality and affordability. Physical activity was inhibited by site-specific factors including lack of space and crime in urban settings, and the prioritisation of academic performance. Gender influenced physical activity across all sites, with girls afforded fewer opportunities. Conclusions: Interventions to improve adolescent diet and physical activity in LMIC need to be complex, context-specific and responsive to transitions at the individual, economic and societal levels. Moreover, solutions need to acknowledge gender inequalities in different contexts, as well as structural and cultural influences on diet and physical activity in resource-limited settings. Programmes need to be effective in engaging and reconciling adolescents’ and caregivers’ perspectives. Consequently, there is a need for action at both the community-household level and also through policy.

Background: Caffeine is a widely consumed chemical having controversial effects. Caffeine may interact with the satiety and may be associated with stress levels. The prevalence of caffeine consumption among call centre employees is known to be high. The aim of the study was to assess the caffeine intake, appetite levels, stress levels and correlate these parameters among call centre employees aged between 25-35 yearsMethods: A cross sectional study with purposive sampling was carried out among a call centre at Mumbai, India. Anthropometric measurements and structured questionnaires were used for data collection.  Results: The average caffeine intake was 200mg/day through coffee and 150mg/day through tea among the habitual consumers. As per the scoring categories of modified appetite questionnaire (CNAQ), 54.7% (n=64) of the participants were at risk to abnormally low appetite. The stress questionnaire results showed that 84.6% (n=99) of the participants were at high risk to stress. Significant negative association was found between coffee intake and appetite score (r- 0.55, p<0.001), indicating that with more coffee consumption the appetite score was lower, similarly significant negative association was seen between tea consumption and appetite score (r- 0.300, p<0.05). Habitual smoking along with daily coffee intake had a significant negative association with appetite score (r- 0.476, p<0.05). Significant difference (p<0.01) was observed between the mean appetite score of habitual smokers and non-smokers; mean appetite score of non-smokers was greater.Conclusions: Caffeine had a negative impact on the appetite levels. Smoking was observed to worsen the effect of caffeine on appetite.