Dietary calcium intake modifies the relationship between serum 25OHD concentrations and intact serum PTH concentrations. Thus, dietary calcium intake should be taken into account when assessing an individual's vitamin D status.

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The objectives of this study were to: (1) assess the prevalence of anxiety and stress in Indian women; and (2) evaluate the relationship of occupation to the prevalence of anxiety and stress. A cross-sectional study was performed from January 2013 to June 2014, on women (aged 18-50 years) randomly selected from different occupations in Gujarat, India. Anxiety was evaluated using Spielberg's State and Trait Anxiety Inventory scale and stress was assessed using the International Stress Management Association questionnaire. Serum cortisol concentration was measured in a sub-sample. The association of occupation with stress and anxiety was analyzed by a generalized linear model adjusted for age. Among all participants, 26% were the most prone and 66% were somewhat more prone to stress; 35% of women showed high anxiety levels. Homemakers had 1.2 times higher anxiety and 1.3 times higher stress than working women (p < .05). Prevalence of stress (37%, p < .001) and anxiety (40%, p = .068) were also higher in homemakers compared to working women and students. Serum cortisol levels did not differ significantly (p > .05) by occupation. This study revealed high prevalence rates of stress and anxiety in Indian women. Involvement in activities outside the home may help women to reduce stress.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of mid-day meal (MDM) on the nutritional status of adolescents and compare it with healthy comparison group. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study on apparently healthy adolescents (10-14 years) receiving MDM and not receiving MDM (comparison group) was conducted in two cities (Ahmedabad and Patan) of Gujarat, Western India, from January 2012 to March 2014. Materials and Methods: A total of 401 adolescents (200 boys) were selected randomly, using computerized random number generation, from two private and two municipal/government schools. Anthropometric measurements were performed. Height, weight, and body mass index Z scores were computed using ethnic data. Diet was recorded by 24 h recall and nutrient intakes were computed (C-diet V-2.1) as a percentage of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). Student’s t-test and Chi-square tests were used to compare differences in nutritional status. Results: Percentage of stunting (24% boys and 19% girls) and wasting (17% boys and 18% girls) was significantly higher in adolescents receiving MDM (p<0.001), while the percentage of risk of being overweight, i.e., BMI for age Z (BAZ) >1 or above 85th percentile (18% boys and 12% girls) was predominant in non-MDM receiving adolescents (p<0.001). Compared to non-MDM, MDM receiving adolescents consumed significantly reduced quantity of nutrients (p<0.05). On comparing RDA based on the 24 h dietary recall, it was seen that MDM receiving boys met 60% energy, 78% protein, 50% calcium, and 53% of micronutrient requirements while MDM receiving girls met 59% energy, 67% protein, 44% calcium, and 48% of micronutrient requirements. Non-MDM receiving adolescents had close to RDA or above intake for the most nutrients (p<0.05 for all). Conclusion: Although MDM scheme restricted the percentage of stunting to some extent, the percentage of wasting was critical in terms of public health significance. MDM receiving adolescents were vulnerable to energy, protein, and micronutrient deficiencies.Key words: Adolescents, Nutritional status, Micronutrients, Mid-day

Context:Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent worldwide, and observational studies have associated it with an atherogenic lipid profile.Aim:To determine the interrelationship between Vitamin D and lipid profile in apparently healthy premenopausal Indian women, considering confounding factors such as lifestyle that independently influence lipids.Setting and Design:Cross-sectional study.Subjects and Methods:One hundred and twenty healthy premenopausal women (20–45 year) were recruited from Gujarat, India. Data were collected on anthropometry, physical activity, sunlight exposure, and diet. Fasting blood samples were collected for the measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D), parathyroid hormone, and lipid profile.Statistical Analysis:Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to derive correlation between serum 25[OH]D concentrations and serum lipids.Results:Ninety-three percent women showed Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25[OH]D < 20 ng/ml). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations showed significant inverse correlation with total cholesterol (TC) (r = −0.202, P = 0.027), triglycerides (TG) (r = −0.284, P = 0.002), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (r = −0.184, P = 0.044) and positive correlation with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (r = 0.250, P = 0.006). On dichotomizing the population according to median 25(OH)D concentration (11.1 ng/dl), no significant differences were observed between the groups for anthropometry, sunlight exposure, and lifestyle. Serum lipid profiles were significantly different, above median serum 25(OH)D concentration group showed favorable serum lipids (TC: 179.3 ± 30 vs. 191.8 ± 31.7 mg/dl; TG: 140 ± 39.1 vs. 165.5 ± 53.4 mg/dl; LDL-C: 100 ± 30.2 vs. 112 ± 32 mg/dl; HDL-C: 53 ± 14 vs. 47.6 ± 9.3 mg/dl)(P < 0.05).Conclusions:This study demonstrates that association of 25(OH)D concentrations with lipid profile even after considering lifestyle factors which independently influence lipids. Intervention trials would be required to prove this association to be causation.