Journal of Nutrition Research, November 2013.

Journal of Indian Dietetic Association: Special Edition, November 2012.

Health and Population - Perspectives and Issues, September 2012.

Bulletin of Grain Technology, April 1990.

2011 batch Third semester, Reg No 111407017, MSc DAN. • To objectives were to study the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women, socio demographic changes, life style addiction, effect of pre-natal supplement, dietary pattern and adequacy of the pregnant mother with relation of anaemia in pregnancy. To study the birth-outcome of the pregnant mother who were in third trimester with the anaemia in pregnancy. • Results: Prevalence of IDA was 48.8%. There was a statistically significant association between the SES (p=0.000), weight gain in pregnancy (p=0.000), knowledge about anaemia (p=0.000), IFA supplementation (p=0.022) with anaemia in pregnancy. A cohort study showed the birth-weight had a statically significant association with anaemia in pregnancy (p=0.000), Gain in weight during pregnancy (p=0.003), pre- pregnancy BMI (p=0.018), SES status (p=0.009), Pan chewing (p=0.007), tobacco chewing (p=0.022), and others. • Conclusion: anaemia continues to be a problem with the existing health care resources. Therefore, public health education/information on reproductive health, monitoring the compliance of women with ante-natal care services, and strengthening of their health care seeking behaviour are important health care measures to be undertaken at the community level.

2011 batch Third semester, Reg No 111407015 MSc DAN. • The aims were to study the prevalence among adults who are risk of metabolic syndrome, gender difference of the same. To study the association of socio-demographic factors, family history and personal history, biochemical parameters, lifestyle addictions, dietary pattern and adequacy with the risk of metabolic syndrome. • On the basis of metabolic syndrome risk assessment score, 50% of the samples are at moderate/at risk category and 3.6% of the samples showed the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. • There was a statistically significant association found between risk of metabolic syndrome and gender (p=0.000), age (p=0.000) (r=0.270**), SES class (p=0.000) (r=-0.129**), Anthropometric characteristics (p=0.000) (r=0.340**), Daily consumption pattern (p=0.004) and type of edible oil consumed (p=0.000). • With urbanisation and economic development, a nutritional transition characterised by improved dietary habits, improvements in socio-economic status and increasingly sedentary lifestyles have been observed which has contributed to the increasing prevalence of risk of metabolic syndrome among the population of Udupi, Karnataka.

2010 batch Third semester, Reg. No. 101407016 MSc DAN • This study explored the dual form of malnutrition existing in the same household i.e. occurrence of both under-nutrition and over-nutrition together and determining the adequacy of food consumption in mother-child pairs. Nutritional status was assessed by WHO criterion. • The prevalence of overweight mothers-underweight child pair was found to be 23%. The MAR (Mean Adequacy Ratio) of nutrients revealed that mothers had significantly better nutritional adequacy than children (p=0.01). • The study concluded that although poverty does cause undernutrition in a child, other socio-demographic factors and child rearing practices also lead to undernutrition in a child to a certain extent and can be considered as some of the reasons for the disparity between the nutritional adequacy of the child and the mother. • Larger scale studies in various parts of the country can help identify more determinants of this trend. Understanding why these two extremes of malnutrition occur in households is necessary for policy and programs to target both effectively.

2011 batch, Third semester, Reg. No. 111407009, MSc DAN. • The aim of this study was to look at the compliance of key IYCF practices as recommended by WHO and UNICEF and to study if any association exists between the current nutritional status of the child and the compliance to key IYCF practices or the household food security. • The study concluded that the compliance to IYCF practices is low in this area particularly the rate of exclusive breast feeding for 6 months. A positive correlation between the mother’s knowledge assessment, compliance and food consumption score with the current nutritional status of the child was observed. Differences were seen in the current nutritional status of the child on the basis of age and gender. Since nutrition plays a critical role in the first five years of life, along with proper complimentary feeding practices, the appropriate infant feeding practice can help in reducing the prevalence of under nutrition.

2011 batch Third semester, Reg No 111407012 MSc DAN. • This study is undertaken to help prevent the severity of galactosemia condition. Mothers, who have children with Galactosemia, are facing difficulties in feeding and what to feed their children as milk and milk products have to be excluded from their diet, and cannot afford animal food for the nutrients essential for growth and development, due to high cost. 100 standardised nutritionally balanced lactose and galactose free recipes were developed combining macro and micro nutrients, to meet the needs for growth and development of galactosemia children with the objective of improving and maintaining normal nutritional status of galactosemia children in the age group - infancy to adolescence for all strata of the society and different regions of the country.

2010 batch Third semester, Reg No 101407002 MSc DAN • In documented research literature pica (practice of eating non-food substances) is reported to range from 0% to 68% depending on the patient population. This study was designed to define characteristics and factors influencing the practice of pica in and around Manipal. The study group consisted of 180 pregnant women who were interviewed about the behaviour regarding pica practice with their general information. • Prevalence of Pica was found among 5% of the study subjects. The common substances consumed were ice, raw rice, tamarind seeds and chalk. Statistically significant association was found between pica practice with haemoglobin levels (p= .005), socio economic status (p= .000) and pica practiced before pregnancy (p= .003). • There is need to routinely screen pregnant women for pica during pregnancy as many are not aware of the term. A nation-wide investigation of pica prevalence is also recommended in order to establish pica prevalence. Further studies are also needed to establish other possible health consequences of pica on mother and child.

2010 batch Third semester, Reg. No. 101407004 MSc DAN. • Objectives: To identify popular/traditional local snacks consumed by the target group on a regular basis; modify the selected recipes to increase the quality and quantity of protein, iron and vitamin A, not compromising on taste, texture and appearance of the product. Five popular local snacks were modified and two variations each of the same were formulated. Protein quality of control and modified recipes was assessed using the NDPCal% method. The study included 101 school going children who evaluated all the control and modified variations of the snacks on various sensory evaluation parameters. • Results: The acceptance of the variations was found to be equal to the control. Sakkarpara variation 1 (p=0.013), Avalakki variation 2 (p=0.034) and Poori variation 1 (p=0.019) had an acceptance more than the control. • Conclusion: There is a need to educate the mothers such that they learn to incorporate these lesser used ingredients in bringing about an overall improvement in micronutrient and macronutrient nutritional status and growth among the children.