FoodSci: Indian Journal of Research in Food Science and Nutrition

M. K. Sheeba ¹, N. Sabitha ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Foods and Nutrition, Vellalar College for Women, Erode – 638012, Tamilnadu, IN
2 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Vellalar College for Women, Erode – 638012, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

India has the highest prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA), and 60-70 per cent of adolescent girls are being anaemic. Adolescence is considered as nutritionally critical period of life. The health of adolescent girls need special attention. To overcome this problem, food based approaches have been considered as the most acceptable, safe and sustainable approach. Keeping all these views in mind the present study was carried out. Ethical Approval for the study was obtained from the Universal Ethics Committee. Screening for Anaemia was done by assessing haemoglobin levels of 500 adolescent girls. From that 100 moderately anaemic adolescent girls (each 50 in experimental and control groups) were chosen for further study. The chikkies incorporated with Lepidium Sativum (Garden cress seeds) with other ingredients was supplemented to experimental group daily for a period of 3 months. Haematological parameters like HB, RBC, PCV, MCV, MCH was assessed both prior and after supplementation. Control group was given only plain chikkies without any incorporation. There was a significant improvement in haematological parameters like Hb, RBC, PCV, MCV, MCH in experimental group and there was no significant change in control group. It shows that incorporation of Lepidium Sativum seeds in foods has goodhealth impact.

Keywords

Adolescents, Chikkies, Incorporation, Iron Deficiency Anaemia, Haematology, Lepidium sativum Seeds.

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M. K. Sheeba ¹, B. Niveditha ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Foods and Nutrition, Vellalar College for Women, Erode, Tamilnadu, IN
2 Vellalar College for Women, Erode, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been used in virtually all cultures as a source of medicine, since times immemorial. Hibiscus rosa sinensis Linn. (Family Malvaceae) is a plant which is widely distributed throughout the world. Pharmacological studies showed that flowers of H. rosa sinensis have numerous actions including antibacterial, wound healing, antidepressant, cardiac and antioxidant effects. This study aimed to estimate the nutritional value, phytochemical and physicochemical properties and microbial counts of hibiscus flowers (both fresh and dry). The result showed that the nutrient contents of hibiscus dry powder was higher than the hibiscus syrup. The chemical constituents present in the methanol and 50% aqueous – alcoholic extracts of fresh and dried hibiscus flower were alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, phytosterols, polyphenols, tannins, saponins, flavonoids and proteins and amino acids and the constituents steroids, terpenoids and triterpenoids were absent. The physico–chemical parameters like total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash and sulphated ash were found to be high in dried flowers than fresh flowers. The bacterial count of hibiscus flower powder indicates that the sample stored in the ziplock polypack was minimum than in the plastic container and the yeast and mould count indicates that the sample stored in the plastic container was minimum than in the ziplock polypack. The hibiscus syrup and powder based products were also developed to create nutritional awareness among the adolescent girls.

Keywords

Bacterial Count, Chemical Constituents, Hibiscus rosa sinensis, Nutrient Contents, Nutritional Awareness.

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J. Devi Nandhini ¹, M. K. Sheeba ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Foods and Nutrition, Vellalar College For Women, Erode – 638012, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

The Nutritional and health status of women is of great concern in the contemporary world, because the multiple roles played by women give rise to serious and nutritional problems. Today, women represent over 40% of the global labor force. Approximately 70% of women in developed countries and 60% in developing countries are engaged in paid employment. Hence, the present study was taken up to compare the health status of working women in day and night shifts of Coimbatore district. About 200 IT women employees were selected randomly for the study. A questionnaire was developed to assess the nutritional status, dietary pattern, stress index and nutritional knowledge of the subjects. The anthropometric, bio-chemical, bio-physical measurements were recorded using standard procedures. Dietary intake was based on 24 hour dietary recall method. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was used to measure the stress level of the respondents. The impact of nutrition education was also statistically proved. There was no significant difference between their BMI. But there was a significant difference between their haemoglobin levels, blood pressure levels, nutrient intake and impact of nutrition education. This study recommended the assessment of risks and complications that occur due to frequent working in night shifts through awareness programs and supplements in order to stay fit and healthy.

Keywords

Health Care Needs, Nutrient Intake, Nutritional Knowledge, Perceived Stress Scale,Shifts, Stress Index, Working Women.

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