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Highlights • BDNF levels are lower in MDD with SI than MDD with NSI (p = 0.016). • BDNF differed in MDD with mild-to-moderate suicidal ideation without active intent. • Findings extend neurotrophic hypothesis of depression to include suicidal ideation in MDD. Abstract The "neurotrophic hypothesis of depression" posits that low levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are associated with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Low levels of BDNF have also been found in individuals with suicide attempts, in MDD or other disorders, suggesting that low BDNF may also be associated with suicidality. We assessed serum BDNF in 68 physically healthy and unmedicated (for at least 6 weeks) MDD subjects, who expressed no suicidal ideation (NSI; N = 40) or endorsed suicidal ideation (SI; N = 28), but were not actively suicidal, and in healthy controls (HC; N = 76). Serum BDNF levels were significantly lower in MDD with SI compared to NSI MDD but were not significantly correlated with total Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) severity or severity on any HDRS subscale. Covarying for age, sex, body mass index, platelets, perceived stress, smoking and physical activity did not alter the significant association between BDNF and SI. SI status was not significantly different between HC and MDD. Our findings show an association between low serum BDNF and SI in individuals with less than severe and non-active suicidal intent, suggesting that the individual symptom of suicidality may extend the neurotrophic hypothesis of depression to include suicidal ideation within MDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To assess BMI, to classify students into obese, overweight, normal or underweight category and to find association between lifestyle behavior and obesity. STUDY DESIGN: A Descriptive cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION: The study was carried out at Al-Nafees Medical College from 16th March to 10th May 2015. METHODOLOGY: A total of 376 MBBS Students (220 males, 156 females) from first year MBBS to fourth year MBBS aged 18-27 participated in the study. Convenient sampling was done. Students enrolled in programs other than MBBS were excluded from the study. Data was collected through structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated for categorical variables. Chi square test of significance was applied to assess the association between overweight/obesity and age, gender, class, exercise and food habits and fruits and vegetable consumption. P-value <.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Regarding the distribution of student among different categories it was found that out of 376 students, 11.2% were found to be underweight (BMI <18.5). 64.4% they were found to have normal weight (18.5-24.9). 21.8% were found to have pre-obese (BMI 25.0-29.9). 2.1% were found to have obese class 1(BMI 30.0-34.9). 0.5% were found to be in obese class 2 (BMI 35.0-39. 9). There was statistical association of obesity with age and fruits and vegetable consumption. The association between obesity and gender, class, exercise and food habits were not found to be statistically significant in our study. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the medical students of Al-Nafees Medical College is not very high. Students between ages 17-21 were found to be more obese than others and were not consuming fresh fruits and vegetables regularly which is of concern although most of the students were carrying out routine daily exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]