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India is the largest producer of bananas globally, contributing to 27% of the world's banana production. As of 2020, banana production in India was 31.5 million tonnes, which accounts for 26.23% of the world's banana production. The top five countries (China, Indonesia, Brazil, Uganda and Ecuador) account for 53.47 per cent. In 2020, global banana production was expected to reach 120 million tonnes. Also, it's the second-largest produced fruit after citrus, contributing about 16% of the world's total fruit production. Edible bananas are derived from Australimusa and Eumusa series, with different origins from the same genus. Most edible bananas are cultivated mainly for their fruits; thus, banana farms generate several tons of underused by-products and waste. A lot of research has been done to improve the usage of banana by-products. Recycling these agricultural wastes proves to be of great importance as raw materials for other industries. This would prevent an ultimate loss of a vast amount of untapped biomass and environmental issues.

Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials has led to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the outbreak of drug-resistant pathogens, which is acknowledged as the greatest hazard to humankind. The vast majority of antibiotics used are administered to farm animals. This is accelerating the evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Increasing demand for protein supplements and animal protein by today's accelerating fitness industry and by the emerging number of fitness freaks is one of the most contributing factors for developing antimicrobial resistance. This is accelerating the evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria. According to WHO, the new diseases that have evolved and affected humans in the past 15-20 years are majorly those of animal origin (such as Avian influenza. H5N1) Lack of sanitation, and inadequate prevention and control of infections may promote the spread of microbes resistant to antimicrobial treatment. Therefore, use of antimicrobials should be scrutinized in order to establish an effective set of laws and regulations to safeguard not only the well-being of the population but also for the economic stability of a country.

To develop and validate questionnaires to assess the behavioral, psychosocial, and environmental predictors of successful weight loss outcomes.Mixed method study. Questionnaires were developed using 5 steps: item generation by literature review and preexisting questionnaires, expert evaluation, pilot testing, factor analysis, and internal consistency.Adults with obesity recruited via web-based survey hyperlink.One hundred participants with a mean body mass index of 28.7 ± 4.4 kg/msup2/sup.The questionnaires were generated using 221 items. Establishing content, face and construct validity, and internal consistency.Content validity was analyzed using content validity index and content validity ratio, internal consistency through Cronbach α (CA), and structural validity by factor analysis via principal varimax rotation.All three questionnaires had good content validity. The Behavioral Predictor Questionnaire had good internal consistency (CA, 0.7) and excellent structural validity (69.7%). Psychosocial Predictors Questionnaire (CA, 0.8, 67.5%) and Environmental Predictors Questionnaire (CA: 0.8, 72.2%) had excellent internal consistency and structural validity.Questionnaires seem to be practical, valid, and reliable tools for baseline assessment of individual-specific factors related to weight loss success.

Understanding the predictors of weight loss with lifestyle interventions can help to ascertain the probable outcomes of individuals with obesity who undergo such interventions. This systematic review assessed the evidence of predictors of successful weight loss among individuals who are overweight or with obesity undergoing lifestyle interventions. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Reviews, PsychInfo and Wiley) were searched to find relevant literature published in the past 20 years. A total of 1351 titles were identified in the initial search, of which 23 studies were finally included. Predictors were synthesized in the domains of socio-demographic factors, anthropometric parameters, psychological and behavioural factors and intervention-based factors. The overall quality of evidence on predictors was then appraised using an adapted GRADE approach. Patient-specific factors such as being male, older in age, having existing cardiometabolic comorbidities and limited fat intake were significantly associated with weight loss success. Amongst intervention specific predictors, greater initial weight loss and higher adherence to lifestyle advice were associated with greater weight loss success. In this review, initial weight loss came out to be as the most important predictor of successful weight loss outcome.

Background and aims To identify instruments to evaluate the predictors of successful weight loss across weight loss trials. Methods We searched PubMed, PsychInfo, Cochrane Reviews and Scopus for weight loss trials reporting instruments published in the last 16 years. Results A total of 46 significant behavioral and psychological predictors were identified, of which 32 instruments were finally selected. SF-36 questionnaire and Obesity Related Problem Scale for psychosocial health, TREMORE scale for motivation, Social Support Scale for support, Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Scale for self-efficacy and Body Shape Questionnaire for body image had moderate quality. Barriers to healthy eating questionnaire scale and Dutch Eating Behavior had moderate quality. Conclusion Use of uniform instruments with optimum quality can benefit clinical and community-based researchers to generate reliable datasets.

The study aimed to identify desirable social, familial, reproductive, dietary, and lifestyle factors for maintaining normal body mass index (BMI) of urban affluent women (25-45 years) in Delhi, India. A total of 387 urban affluent women with at least one living child participated in this cross-sectional study conducted from March 2008 to April 2010. Women were classified into four BMI categories on the basis of World Health Organization (WHO; 2004) classification for Asians. Significant factors for maintaining normal BMI were: Younger age, less parity, nuclear family, normal weight status of parents, postpartum weight gain between 2 and 3 kg, regularity in taking meals, fixed meal size, self-perceived normal weight, and shorter sitting time and television viewing time. Multivariate regression analysis identified five determining factors for maintaining BMI, which are normal weight of father, self-perceived normal weight, fixed meal size, sitting time less than 6 h/day, and television viewing time less than 1 h/day. By small lifestyle modifications, normal BMI can be maintained.

Background:The relationship between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is not clearly understood in Indian men. It is important to elucidate whether the duration or intensity of LTPA is responsible for increasing CRF. This will help in designing better physical activity intervention strategies for improving CRF in Indian men.Methods:Healthy nondiabetic urban Indian men with no history of coronary heart disease (CHD) were selected (n = 603; aged 22–64 years) and their energy intake and physical activity was determined using a questionnaire. Body fat (percent) was determined by leg-to-leg bioelectrical impedance analysis while CRF was measured on multistage, continuous treadmill test using Bruce protocol.Results:Intensity of physical activity (METs) emerged as the best independent predictor of CRF (β = 0.217; P < .001). Using univariate General Linear Model, it was found that CRF is more a function of LTPA intensity than LTPA duration, since LTPA duration was not related to CRF when controlled for LTPA intensity. However, LTPA intensity remained significantly associated with CRF even after adjustment for LTPA duration.Conclusion:LTPA of preferably higher intensity should be incorporated in the lifestyle to improve CRF and prevent CHD in Indian men.

Objective: The study was undertaken to assess homocysteine levels among economically deprived elderly women in Delhi.Methods: The study was carried out among elderly women aged 60–70 years residing in Kirti Nagar slums of West Delhi. Blood samples were collected, and serum homocysteine was analyzed using chemiluminescent immunometric assay. Hyperhomocysteinemia was defined as serum homocysteine >15 μmol/l. Dietary information was also collected using 24 h dietary recall method and food frequency questionnaire.Results: The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was 16.9%. The mean serum homocysteine was 12.35±6.43 μmol/l. Serum homocysteine levels ranged from 3.84 to 35.20 μmol/l. It was observed that hyperhomocysteinemia was higher in vegetarians (31.2%) compared to non-vegetarians (6.7%).Conclusion: The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia is higher among vegetarians than non-vegetarians. Further, research is necessary to see the effect of elevated homocysteine in multiple age-related diseases.

Summary Short dough biscuits were prepared using interesterified trans free bakery shortening (IETFS). Hydrogenated shortening (HS) based biscuits were prepared as a control. The diameter, height and spread ratio were determined. Biscuits were analysed up to 8 months for hardness, moisture and acidity of the extracted fat. IETFS biscuits were significantly (P

Whole grain finger millet and sorghum successively replaced commercial soft-type wheat flour in the formulation of multigrain cookies (MGC) at 10-30% levels each. MGC were supplemented with fructoligosaccharide (FOS) at levels of 40%, 60%, and 80% sugar replacement basis. The quality attributes of cookies were evaluated in terms of spread ratio, hardness and nutritional characteristics. The spread ratio of control cookies (CC) was 4.400 and that of MGC with FOS ranged between 4.769 and 7.100. The initial hardness of CC was 70.0 ± 1.6 N and that of MGC with FOS ranged from 69.7 ± 0.7 N to 48.0 ± 1.2 N. MGC with FOS were significantly (p < 0.05) less hard than CC. Sensory data indicated moderate acceptability (OAA score = 7.3 ± 0.5) of MGC with FOS at 60% sugar replacement level, 20% finger millet and 30% sorghum. Total fibre including FOS (per 100 g) was estimated to be 17.4 g and 1.3 g for MGC with FOS and CC respectively. Caloric content of MGC with FOS was 11.7% lower than the CC. Acceptable cookies could be prepared with 50% whole-MG incorporation and up to 60% sugar replacement.

Context: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the largest cause of mortality in Indians. Insulin resistance and related dyslipidemia of increased triglyceride (TG), small dense low-density lipoprotein (sd-LDL) particles, and decreased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) are associated with increased risk of CVD. TG/HDL-C ratio could be a potential surrogate marker for this South Asian phenotype. Data are scarce on the relevance of TG/HDL-C ratio as a useful lipid marker among Indians. Aims: To study the prevalence of TG/HDL-C ratio among healthy, young, and middle-aged Indian men (25–44 years) and its relationship with other lipid and nonlipid factors. Subjects and Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis, fasting blood samples from 236 healthy participants recruited from an urban community setting were tested for TG/HDL-C ratio, HDL-C, TG, total cholesterol (TC), non-HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, body mass index (BMI), and body fat. Results: Mean (standard deviation) age of participants was 34.7 (7.7) years; median (interquartile range) TG/HDL-C ratio was 4 (2.85-5.2). More than half (51.3%) the participants (n = 121) recorded abnormal TG/HDL-C ratio (≥4.0). Across tertiles of TG/HDL-C ratio, there was a significant trend of higher conventional lipid parameters such as non-HDL-C*, TC/HDL-C ratio*, TG*, HDL-C*, TC**; and non-lipid parameters body-fat* and BMI*** (*P < 0.001, **P = 0.015, ***P = 0.002). LDL-C showed moderate and nonsignificant (P = 0.646) increase across tertiles. Conclusion: In a sample of apparently healthy, young, and middle-aged Indian men abnormal TG/HDL-C ratio levels were observed among more than half the participants. The TG/HDL-C ratio was closely associated with other lipid parameters and measures of adiposity, such as BMI and body fat, apart from its previously documented unique association with sd-LDL particles. TG/HDL-C ratio should be evaluated in future for risk prediction of incident CVD among Indians.

In India, approx. 70% of the adolescent girls are anaemic (haemolgobin120 g/l). The present study was a supervised randomised double-blind clinical trial conducted among adolescent girls (11-18 years) to assess and compare the impact of weekly iron folic acid (IFA) supplementation with or without vitamin B12 on reduction in the prevalence of anaemia and on blood/serum levels of haemoglobin, serum ferritin, folic acid and vitamin B12.Community-based randomized controlled trial was carried out in Kirti Nagar slums of West Delhi. A total of 446 mild (100-119 g/l) and moderate (70-99 g/l) anaemic volunteer adolescent girls were identified and randomised into two groups. Weekly supervised supplementation was given for 26 weeks: Group A (n=222): iron (100 mg), folic acid (500 mcg) and placebo; Group B (n=224): iron (100 mg), folic acid (500 mcg) and cyanocobalamin (500 mcg for 6 weeks and 15 mcg for 20 weeks). Haemoglobin, serum ferritin, folic acid and vitamin B12 levels were assessed at baseline and after intervention. A total of 373 subjects completed 26 weeks of supplementation successfully.The mean haemoglobin increased from 106.7±11.2 g/l and 108.9±8.91 g/l in Group A and Group B at baseline to 116.4±10.8 g/l (P0.001) and 116.5±10.26 g/l (P0.001) at post-intervention, respectively, with the reduction in the prevalence of anaemia by 35.9% in Group A and 39.7% in Group B (P0.05). A total of 63.3% participants had deficient vitamin B12 levels (203 pg/ml) at baseline, which reduced to 40.4% after intervention with cyanocobalamin, whereas no change was observed in vitamin B12 status in the other group. Significant reduction (P=0.01) in the prevalence of serum ferritin deficiency (15 ng/ml) was observed in the group supplemented with vitamin B12 (from 36.5 to 6.4%) as compared with the other group supplemented with only IFA (from 39.1 to 15.2%).IFA supplementation with or without vitamin B12 is an effective measure to cure anaemia. Although addition of vitamin B12 had similar impact on improving haemoglobin status as IFA alone, it resulted in better ferritin status. Hence, more multi-centre studies with a longer duration of supplementation or higher dose of vitamin B12 may be undertaken to assess the possible impact of vitamin B12 on improving haemoglobin levels in the population.

The benefits of wholegrain finger millet and sorghum were combined with that of fructan in form of fructoligosaccharide in the pilot-scale production (10 kg) of cookies. Complete nutritional analysis of the cookies was carried out to provide nutritional information to the consumers. Whole-multigrain cookies with fructan can be categorized as “High Fiber” as they suffice 21% daily value (DV) of fiber and a “Good Source” of iron as they suffice 12.8% DV of iron. A total of 300 consumers (M = 110 and F = 190), aged between 8 and 66 y evaluated cookies. The overall acceptability (OAA) score of 300 consumers was 8.0 ± 0.58 on a 9-point hedonic scale. Females rated cookies significantly (P < 0.05) higher than males in terms of flavor, texture, appearance, and OAA. Males rated cookies significantly (P < 0.05) higher on color attribute than females. Encouraging response of consumers signified ample scope for viability and marketability of cookies at the commercial scale. Practical Application: Consumers are looking at snack and convenience foods to provide increased fiber in their diet and there is a tremendous interest in low-calorie and low-sugar foods. The demand of whole and multigrain products is also on the rise because of the Government's emphasis. The present study would assist in assessing feasibility of commercial production of such novel health foods. Together with this, it will ascertain the marketability and commercial viability of the product by means of the consumer preference trials. Availability of such cookies in the market would offer consumers “health” with “convenience” and “taste.”

Short dough cookies were enriched with fructoligosaccharide (FOS), a prebiotic soluble fiber and a low calorie sweetener, at levels of 40%, 60%, and 80% sugar replacement basis. Cookies were analyzed for diameter, height, spread ratio, hardness, moisture and acidity of the extracted fat. The mean peak force at 0 month was determined to be 7139 ± 166 g, 7109 ± 75 g, 6970 ± 24 g and 6538 ± 128 g for control (100% sucrose), 40%, 60% and 80% sugar replacement levels cookies respectively. The spread ratio of control cookies was found to be 4.400 and that of FOS based cookies at 40%, 60% and 80% sugar replacement levels was found to be 4.520, 4.983 and 5.205, respectively. Sensory data on a 9 point hedonic scale indicated that the panelists liked FOS cookies (up to 60% sugar replacement) over control cookies because of improved color, texture and appearance. The total fiber content (including oligofructose) of cookies (60% sugar replacement) was 12.1%. As per FDA these cookies can be categorized as ‘Good Source’ of fiber. Thus, FOS appears to be suitable as a partial replacer of sucrose up to 60% providing increase in the dietary fiber and reduction in the caloric content of cookies.

There are few case-control studies on native Indians to explore the reasons for the growing prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Indians. The present study was undertaken to identify the conventional coronary risk factors in angiographically proven CHD cases by comparing their prevalence in age-and gender-matched healthy controls.A hospital-based case-control study was performed on 197 middle-aged urban males (age 40-64 years) with angiographically proven CHD and 197 age (32 years) and gender-matched healthy controls in a tertiary cardiac care center of New Delhi. Prevalence of coronary risk factors with special emphasis on diet was determined by administration of a pre-tested questionnaire, physical examination, and biochemical estimation of blood lipids and glucose. Odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of risk factors with CHD and their population attributable risks (PAR) were calculated.Logistic regression analysis showed that history of diabetes mellitus (OR 4.934, 95% CI 2.320-10.494), low education (OR 2.410, 95% CI 1.261-4.608), full cream milk consumption (OR 2.113 95% CI 1.176-3.798), and family history of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) (OR 1.810, 95% CI 1.064-3.079) were independent risk factors for CHD. High HDL-C (OR 1.055 95% CI 1.025-1.086) and fruit intake (OR 1.473, 95% CI 1.020-2.128) emerged as anti-risk factors. 44.1% of PAR was attributable to low HDL-C (.3%), low education status (6.6%), history of diabetes mellitus (6.0%), family history of premature CVD (4.4%), low fruit consumption (4.3%), tobacco abuse (4.2%), full cream milk consumption (3.6%) or milk intake (3.4%), high fasting blood glucose (2.3%), and history of hypertension (2.07 percent;).Conventional risk factors are not enough to explain the high prevalence of CHD among native Indians. While efforts must go on to reduce the risk attributable to them, the role of emerging risk factors should be investigated.