Maternal weight gain and pattern of weight gain during pregnancy influence the ultimate outcome of pregnancy. Pregravid body mass index (BMI), maternal dietary intake, maternal height and age all determine the weight gain during pregnancy. The study was taken up with an objective to observe maternal weight gain and its pattern in pregnancy in women from an upper income group and to find out their association with pregnancy outcome. 180 normal primiparous pregnant Indian women (20-35 years) from an upper income group were recruited between the 10th and 14th weeks of pregnancy and were followed up throughout their pregnancy to record total and trimester-wise weight gain. Neonatal birth weights were recorded. The results showed that mothers with high pregravid BMI gained more weight during pregnancy than the recommended weight gain; in addition, weight gain in the first trimester was significantly correlated with birth weight of the neonates (P = 0.019). Significant correlation was found between weight gain in the third trimester and birth weight of the neonate irrespective of maternal BMI. The rate of weight gain was significantly correlated with neonatal birth weights irrespective of maternal pregravid BMI (P = 0.022) and as per its categories (P = 0.027). Thus, overall it can be concluded that adequate maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy is important for adequate weight gain by the mother and can result in better outcome of pregnancy. The rate of weight gain is also an important contributing factor.

Background: Menarche, one of the most reliable markers of pubertal maturity, is a result of a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Since accelerated pubertal development is an important determinant of prognostic disease risk, especially in developing countries, attention must be focused on this important public health aspect.  Methods: Total 200 school-going girls aged between 10-15 years studying in municipal, public-funded and private schools in Mumbai were included in the study based on the inclusion criteria of having attained menarche only in the last three months. Sociodemographic and anthropometric details were collected using a structured schedule and physical activity data was collected using the physical activity questionnaire for older children and adolescents.Results: Socioeconomic status and family size were found to significantly influence the age of onset of menarche (p<0.001). Anthropometric indices of height, weight and BMI were found to have significant negative correlations indicating that taller, heavier girls reached menarche earlier than their shorter and lighter peers (p<0.000). Level of physical activity was also found to be an important contributing factor to age at menarche such that a higher level of physical activity was observed in girls with higher mean menarcheal age (p<0.000).  Conclusions: Age at menarche was found to be influenced by factors such as socioeconomic status, BMI and physical activity.

Background: Diabetes mellitus being a metabolic disorder lot of alteration takes place in body composition parameters such increase in fat mass, decrease in muscle mass, increase visceral fat. With advancing age, the predominant feature develops which is more prevalent in diabetes. These changes in body composition should be monitored. The changes if monitored at an early age, can be well managed and proper interventions can be developed.  The study was conducted to observe the changes taking place in the body composition parameters in individuals with type II diabetes with varied duration of the disease.Methods: This cross- sectional study was done in 228 type II diabetic subjects from the clinics of the Mumbai and Pune. The baseline data was collected from the all the subjects coming to the clinic through the general questionnaire, Anthropometric measurements and Body composition analysis was done by the BIA principle-based Analyser.  Then these subjects were distributed according to the duration of the disease and then analysed.  The data was analysed using SPSS version 22 and mean values p values were obtained.Results: The results showed that there is statistically significant increase in fat mass, visceral fat and decrease in muscle mass.Conclusions: There is change in body composition parameters like decrease in muscle mass, increase in fat and visceral fat along with the increase in the duration of the disease.