Study shows how sleeping hours are associated with one’s snacking choices

Study shows how sleeping hours are associated with one’s snacking choices

12.10.2021

A recent study suggests that completing recommended sleeping hours can lead to smarter snacking choices. The study abstract has been published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the research will be presented in a poster session on October 18 at the Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo in 2021.

The results suggest that people who miss the recommended seven or more hours of sleep at night may take worse snacks than those who follow closed-eyed guidelines.

The analysis of data on nearly 20,000 American adults showed a link between not meeting sleep recommendations and eating more snack-related carbohydrates, with added sugar, fat and caffeine.

It turns out that the preferred non-meal categories – salty snacks and sweets and non-alcoholic beverages – are the same among adults regardless of sleep habits, but those who get less sleep tend to eat more snack calories in a day in general.

The research also revealed what appears to be a popular American habit that is not affected by how much we sleep: snacking at night.

“At night, we drink our calories and eat a lot of convenience foods,” said Christopher Taylor, professor of medical dietetics at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Ohio State University and senior author of the study. “Not only are we not sleeping when we stay up late, but we’re doing all these obesity-related behaviours: lack of physical activity, increased screen time, food choices that we consume as snacks and not as meals. So it creates this greater effect. of meeting or not meeting sleep recommendations,” he added.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society recommends that adults regularly sleep seven hours or longer at night to promote optimal health. Getting less sleep than recommended is associated with a higher risk of a number of health problems, including weight gain and obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. “We know that lack of sleep is associated with obesity on a larger scale, but it’s all these little behaviours that are rooted around how it happens,” Taylor said.

Researchers analysed data from 19,650 US adults between the ages of 20 and 60 who had participated from 2007 to 2018 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study collected 24-hour diet calls from each participant, but when, all food was consumed – and asking people questions about their average amount of night’s sleep during the work week.

The participants were into those who either made or did not meet sleep recommendations based on whether they reported sleeping seven or more hours or less than seven hours each night. The researchers estimated participants’ snack-related nutritional intake and categorised all snacks into food groups. Three snacking times were determined for the analysis: 2: 00-11: 59 am in the morning, noon-5: 59 pm in the afternoon and 6 pm-1: 59 am for the evening. Statistical analysis showed that almost everyone – 95.5 percent – ate at least one snack a day, and over 50 percent of the snacking calories among all participants came from two broad categories that included sodas and energy drinks and chips, pretzels, cookies and pastries.

Although there are plenty of physiological factors that play into the relationship of sleep to health, Taylor said that changing behaviour by avoiding nocturnal nosh could especially help adults not only meet the sleep guidelines but also improve their diet. ANI

Eating breakfast early may prevent risk of diabetes, says study

Eating breakfast early may prevent risk of diabetes, says study

12.10.2021

If you miss your breakfast regularly, the findings of a new study might change your ways. A new study says that people who get up early do not just stay healthy, but also have better blood sugar levels as compared to their counterparts who do not wake up early and do not eat their breakfast on time.

The findings of the study showed that eating early in the morning hours is linked to lower insulin resistance and a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. Researchers from Northwestern University in Chicago revealed how they observed that people who started eating earlier in the day have less insulin resistance and lower blood sugar. The results were regardless of whether the individuals restricted their food intake to 10 hours or less than 10 hours in a day.

To draw patterns between-meal timings and levels of blood sugar and insulin, the team of researchers analysed data derived from 10,575 adults from a national survey on health and nutrition. It was found that intermittent fasting or eating during a 10-hour window or less each day was linked to higher insulin resistance. In short, people who fasted were less responsive to insulin and this resistance becomes a risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes. — Agencies

Vax certificate: Modi, Johnson welcome UK recognition

Vax certificate: Modi, Johnson welcome UK recognition

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:12.10.2021

After India and UK sorted out their differences over issues related to post-Covid travel, PM Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Boris Johnson spoke Monday about recent developments in bilateral ties, including the Roadmap 2030 they had announced earlier this year, with focus on trade, defence and climate change related issues.

As they discussed the “shared fight'' against Covid-19 and the importance of cautiously opening up international travel, according to a UK readout of the conversation, the two leaders agreed UK’s recognition of Indian vaccine certification was a welcome development to that end. The recognition means that fully vaccinated Indian travellers will no longer be allowed to undergo a 10-day mandatory quarantine on arrival.

Apart from trade and climate exchange, the two leaders discussed the situation in Afghanistan and agreed on the need to develop a common international perspective on issues regarding extremism and terrorism, as well as human rights and rights of women and minorities.

According to a press release issued by the government of India, they also reviewed the progress of the Enhanced Trade Partnership and agreed on the potential of rapidly expanding trade and investment linkages between both countries.

Court upholds blacklisting of firm for backing out of tender bid

Court upholds blacklisting of firm for backing out of tender bid

Following this, it was given the selection letter 20 days after the opening of the tender.

Published: 20th October 2021 05:24 AM 

Madras High Court

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A division bench of the Madras High Court upheld blacklisting and forfeiture of earnest money deposit (EMD) of Muthoot Exim Private Limited for backing out of its bid for supplying gold coins to be distributed to beneficiaries of the State government’s welfare schemes. The division bench of Justices Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Krishnan Ramasamy upheld the order of a single judge who dismissed the petitions of Muthoot, and stated that a judicial review cannot be invoked.

The Tamil Nadu Social Welfare department had floated a tender on 31 July, 2018 for supply of 1.11 lakh gold coins weighing eight grams of 22 carat for distribution to beneficiaries of five major welfare schemes. Muthoot Exim Private Limited participated in the tender and agreed to supply 20,000 gold coins.

Following this, it was given the selection letter 20 days after the opening of the tender. Citing steep rise in the price of gold during the intervening period, the firm requested the Social Welfare department to consider fixing the current gold rate or that it be allowed to withdraw its bid.

However, the department initiated proceedings for confiscating the EMD amount of Rs 53 lakh for not adhering to the firm order as per the rules the of Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tenders Rules, 2000 and clause 7 (e) of the tender document. Subsequently, the firm was blacklisted on 5 February, 2019 from entering into any government tenders.

Fever cases rising in Salem amid Covid fear

Fever cases rising in Salem amid Covid fear

Government hospitals across the district reported 1,034 fever cases in the month of September and 629 cases as of October 12.

Published: 20th October 2021 10:12 AM 

By M Sabari

Express News Service

SALEM: Fever cases are on the rise in the district which has recorded widespread rain in the last few weeks. Most hospitals and clinics reported an increase in footfall of patients, children, in particular, complaining of fever.

Government hospitals across the district reported 1,034 fever cases in the month of September and 629 cases as of October 12.

Since fever is a symptom of Covid-19, people are rushing to health care centres to confirm if it is viral fever or Covid.

V Swami (58), a resident of Gorimedu, said he was down with fever and cough last week and rushed to a clinic. “ I saw more than 20 people waiting to see the doctor and all were fever cases. Doctors are asking us to take blood tests. With Covid-19 not yet eradicated, this creates additional fear,” he added.

Malar of Angammal Colony said her four-year-old daughter had to be hospitalised for fever. “Over 50 parents brought their children to the hospital while I was there and everybody complained of fever,” she said.

A paediatrician in the city said the people were rushing to hospitals due to Covid-19 fear. “Not all fever are symptoms of Covid-19. However, people should not ignore fever or flu-like symptoms and should visit a doctor immediately,” he said. Parents must monitor if children are active and eat well, he added.

Health officials said most of the fever cases were mosquito-borne and that they had deployed domestic breeding checkers to visit every household and check for water stagnation. “Water distributed to the residents in Salem is double chlorinated. People should wash the water tanks at houses before storing water as it would remove larvae,” the officials said.

Salem City Municipal Corporation (SCMC) Commissioner T Chirsturaj said they would soon conduct mass camps and raise awareness and remove mosquito breeding sources. District Deputy Director for Health Services Nalini was unavailable for comments.

Six daughters and all of them doctors: A heart-warming story from Kerala's Kozhikode

Six daughters and all of them doctors: A heart-warming story from Kerala's Kozhikode

Interestingly, the spouses of Fathima, Hajra, Ayesha, and Faiza are also doctors. Kumhamed Kutty and his wife were also against dowry

Published: 20th October 2021 06:12 PM 

Zaina (third from right) flanked by her doctor family. (Photo | Special Arrangement)

By Gladwin Emmanuel

Online Desk

Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. This is true in the case of Ahamed Kunhamed Kutty and his wife Zaina Ahmed of Nadapuram in Kozhikode district of Kerala.

When Zaina Ahamed gave birth to six daughters, Ahamed and his wife didn't despair. Rather they were happy. Ahamed was a progressive thinker. He envisioned a life for his daughters in which they would serve society better and be role models for others.

His wish did not take long to turn into reality. All the six daughters of the couple did well in their studies and would go on to be doctors. Wait, we are getting ahead of ourselves.

Four daughters namely, Fathima Ahamed 39, Hajra Ahamed 33, Ayesha Ahamed 30, and Faiza Ahamed are already practicing doctors. Raihana Ahamed 23 is doing her final year MBBS in Chennai while the youngest Ameera Ahamed is in the first year of her MBBS course in Mangalore.

Interestingly, the spouses of Fathima, Hajra, Ayesha, and Faiza, namely, Dr Rishad Rasheed, Dr Ajnas Mohammed Ali, Dr Abdurahman Padiyath Manapat, and Dr Ajas Haroon respectively are also doctors.

Zaina was only 12 years old when she was married off to her cousin Ahamed. At the time, he was running a business in Chennai. After the birth of their first daughter, Ahamed went to Qatar with his wife and daughter where he was employed in a refinery.

Hajra, who did a BDS course while all the others opted for MBBS, recalls the evenings in Qatar when their parents used to infuse them with the importance of doing well in their studies and serving society.

Once they returned from school, there used to be a family gathering when their parents chatted with their daughters about several things, particularly their studies and future.

Ahamed Kunhamed Kutty and his wife Zaina Ahmed

"My Uppa liked medicine. When he couldn't become a doctor he dreamt of making his brother a doctor. But his brother went on to become a teacher and he's known as Soofi teacher in our place," Hajra said.

So, naturally, Ahamed wished that one of his daughters would fulfill his dreams. Fathima opted for MBBS and she took to the course like a duck to water. The positive feedback from Fathima inspired her other sisters also to go in for medicine. Behind it, all was the advice of their parents.

In fact, one of the sisters, Ayesha was interested in doing law. But her parents told her she can pursue it after completing her MBBS course.

Similarly, when it came to the marriage of their daughters, Ahamed and his wife were specific that their daughters should marry someone from the same profession so that it would help the young couple understand each other better. They were also against the practice of dowry. They didn't want to "sell off" their daughters but marry them off to a person who understood and loved them.

After working in Qatar for nearly 35 years, the couple with their daughters returned to Kerala. About two years later, Ahamed suffered chest pain and passed away. At the time, only two of the daughters were married off. Thereafter, Zaina encouraged and inspired her daughters to pursue their courses and married off two other daughters.

Fathima is presently working in a military hospital in Abu Dhabi. Hajra said she had returned from abroad and is planning to do her PG course.

Ayesha is serving in a hospital in Kodungallur while Faiza and her husband work in Kochi.

This story would read like a dream. But, as they say, Rome was not built in a day. The six women doctors and their mother would testify.

The sisters don't have a photograph taken together with their Uppa. They carry an image of him in their hearts.

National Medical Commission Public Notice 14.10.2021