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Alcohol consumption is associated with both beneficial and harmful effects. Recently, the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) has increased around the world. The increasing rate of mortality associated with MetS is a public health concern. On the same side, the increased rate of alcohol consumption is also being experienced as a public health concern. It is important to see the relationship between alcohol consumption and MetS in order to understand its beneficial effect on the body. This review includes 42 research studies comprised of 32 cross-sectional, 8 prospective, and 2 retrospective cohort research studies. The findings of the review suggested a dose-response relationship. Light and moderate drinking was found to be associated with a lower prevalence of MetS. Heavy and binge drinking was found associated with a higher prevalence of MetS. A responsible drinking pattern is suggested in order to receive the bene- fit of alcohol consumption. The review also suggests further research with advanced methods including randomized control trials in understanding the relationship of various doses and types of alcohol with MetS and its components.

Alcohol drinking is a global public health concern. Alcohol advertisements and promotions influence youth to initiate underage alcohol consumption. Exposure to displays of beer, wine, and liquor in various settings has been pivotal in creating favorable social and perceived norms for societies, which has tremendously influenced youth drinking behavior. To address behavior stimulating complex settings in societies, highly coordinated and scientifically proven public health approaches need to be utilized in addressing challenges that lie within multiple areas, including marketing strategies of the industry, a pairing effect of social media, widespread favorable community perception, and ineffective policies. This commentary provides some strategies including the application of behavior change theory and the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) for building media literacy skills, in reducing the effect of advertisements on alcohol drinking initiation among youth.

Background: Behaviour problems are most common in people with intellectual disabilities. Nature of behaviour problems can vary depending upon the age, sex and intellectual level (IQ). Objectives: This study examined the distribution of behaviour problems across intellectual disability categories and their association with IQ age and sex in children with intellectual disabilities. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study design. A total of 104 participants (57 males and 47 females), aged 3-18 years, with intellectual disabilities were administered The Behavioural Assessment Scale for Indian Children with Mental Retardation (BASIC-MR). Results: It was found that violent and destructive, temper tantrum and self-injurious behaviours were differently distributed with reference to intellectual disability levels (P > 0.05) but cumulative scores per se problem behaviours did not vary with the level of intellectual disabilities. IQ showed a significant positive correlation with destructive and violent and misbehaves with other; and a significant negative correlation with temper tantrums and self-injurious behaviours. Age was significantly, positively associated with violent and destructive, odd, and hyperactive behaviours and inversely with self-injurious problem behaviours. There was no significant relationship between the sex of the child and problem behaviours. There was no significant interactive effect of sex and level of intellectual disabilities of the child on problem behaviours. Conclusion: Behaviour problems, in general, are not equally distributed in all categories of intellectual disabilities. Relationship between behaviour problems and age, sex and IQ may not be uniform. But specific behaviours are more associated with specific age group and intellectual disability levels.

The longevity of people with intellectual disabilities is increasing in developing nations. However, developing nations lack a proper system of care for aging persons with intellectual disabilities. Until now the care has been provided by parents and relatives in the home environment in developing countries, but this scenario is also changing; therefore, there is a strong need to explore a plan of care for this population which is also feasible and replicable. The National Trust is an autonomous body of the Government of India which has developed a comprehensive plan of care for adults with intellectual disabilities. In this article, the National Trust is discussed using a socioecological model. The replicability and suitability of this model for other developing countries are discussed.

Matson, J. L. (Ed.). (2020). Handbook of dual diagnosis. Assessment and treatment in persons with intellectual disorders. Springer Nature. I ISBN 978-3--030-46834-7; eBook $169.00] This is an edited research-oriented book [...]

Background: Low-and middle-income countries (LAMI) lack an integrated and systematic approach to identify people with intellectual disabilities. Screening surveys are considered resource-intensive; therefore, alternative approaches are needed. This study attempted to identify children up to age 18 years with intellectual disabilities through a mixed-method approach involving focus group interviews (FGIs) and door-to-door surveys. Materials and Methods: Focus groups were conducted with the assistance and involvement of local leaders in four villages of Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh with a 99% tribal population in all four villages. A formal survey of the community was then conducted to determine the prevalence of intellectual disabilities based on a standardized screening instrument (NIMH-DDS). Results: Thirty focus group interviews were conducted involving 387 participants (males 284, females 103) over a period of 13 days. The entire adult population (N = 8797) was then surveyed for intellectual disabilities using a standardized screening instrument. The data revealed a close similarity in the prevalence rates of intellectual disabilities, as determined by the two approaches (Focus Group Interviews, 5.22/1000 versus Survey, 5.57/1000). Conclusion: A qualitative method using FGIs successfully identified people with intellectual disabilities in an economically deprived tribal area, showing that a community-based approach provides a close estimate of intellectual disabilities based on a formal survey using standard diagnostic criteria. These data suggest that FGI, along with other qualitative data, could be helpful in designing and in serving as an entree for community-based interventions.

Byline: T. S. Divyalasya, A. Kumar, N. Sahana Bhat, Ram. Lakhan, Amit. Agrawal Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) and its negative impact on the quality of life (QOL) is a [...]