The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 42.1% (48/114) among the study population. A higher prevalence (50.9%; 27/53) was found among women. High blood pressure or taking antihypertensive medication was found to be the most common (95.8%; 46/48) cardiometabolic component. The risk of metabolic syndrome did not differ significantly by age group, sex, caste, religion, type of diet (vegetarian or non-vegetarian), educational status, behavioural factors such as tobacco use and alcohol intake, physical activity (assessed by modified Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] scale), or physical exercise. However, a body mass index ≥23 kg/m2 was associated with metabolic syndrome (unadjusted odds ratio [OR]: 8.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.78-21.28); adjusted OR: 9.31; 95% CI: 4.12-22.14) Conclusion: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this study population of elderly care-home residents in India was more than 40%. Further research on the burden of metabolic syndrome in the elderly population is warranted.

A community-based, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted during June-July 2008 to assess the infant-and young child-feeding (IYCF) practices in Bankura district, West Bengal, India. In total, 647 children aged less than two years selected through revised 40-cluster sampling using the indicators of the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) and World Health Organization. The proportions of infants with early initiation of breastfeeding (13.6%) and exclusive breastfeeding under six months (57.1%) and infants who received complementary feeding at the age of 6-8 months (55.7%) were low. Appropriate feeding as per the IMNCI protocol was significantly less among infants aged 6-11 months (15.2%) and children aged 12-23 months (8.7%) compared to infants aged less than six months (57.1%), which could be attributable to low frequency and amount of complementary feeding. The main problems revealed from the study were late initiation of breastfeeding, low rates of exclusive breastfeeding, and inappropriate complementary feeding practices.

'Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)' was implemented in India to promote institutional deliveries among the poorer section of the society. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bankura district among 324 women who delivered in last 12 months selected through 40 cluster technique to find out institutional delivery rate, utilization of JSY during antenatal period and relation between cash benefit under JSY during antenatal period and institutional delivery. Overall institutional delivery rate was 73.1% and utilization of JSY among eligible women was 50.5%. Institutional delivery (84.0%), consumption of 100 iron-folic acid tablets (46.0%) and three or more antenatal check-ups (91.0%) were better in women who received financial assistance from JSY during antenatal period than other women. After adjustment for socio-demographic factors, JSY utilization came out to be significantly (P=0.031) associated with institutional deliveries. The study showed that cash incentive under JSY in antenatal period had positive association on institutional deliveries.

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Background: Non communicable diseases (NCDS) also referred to as “lifestyle diseases” are the leading cause of death globally. Most of the NCD risk factors are behaviorally acquired which are due to change in lifestyle during adolescent age groups With this in mind the present study was conducted with the following objective to determine the prevalence of risk factors of NCDS among medical undergraduates of a district of West Bengal.Methods: Cross-sectional observational study among 96 medical students of a medical college in a district of West Bengal using WHO STEPS questionnaire. Analysis of results was done by percentage and proportion.Results: A total of 96 students were interviewed and examined. Mean age was 19.3 years.12.5% were current smokers, 8.3% were alcohol users. 53.1% did no exercise. 46.5% female and 37.7% male had mild to moderate risk of high BMI, 51.2% female had abnormal waist circumference. 46.5% girls had abnormal waist hip ratio. 34.8% female and 35.8% males were pre hypertensive while 4% boys were hypertensive. Out of 22 students who had undergone blood test, 4.5% were early diabetic. 13.6% had borderline risk and 4.5% high risk for blood cholesterol.Conclusions: A high prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases was found in the present study which emphasizes the need of interventions to reduce these risk factors among these future doctors.