Introduction: Adolescents constitute around 1.2 billion population of the world. Despite the fact that adolescents represent almost one quarter of the Indian population, their health needs are poorly understood and ill served. ASHAs being front line workers may play a significant role in addressing adolescence health issues at community level. Objective: To assess awareness and practices of ASHA workers regarding adolescent health issues. Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study conducted among 1650 ASHA workers in Sonepat District of Haryana who had gathered for a training session on adolescent health. Before the session, a questionnaire in local language was distributed to assess their understanding about adolescent health issues. Data was analyzed using SPSS software (version 17). Results were presented in simple proportions and means (+SD). Results: Mean age (+SD) of ASHAs was 38.74 + 8.7 years. Maximum 1178 (71.4%) belonged to age group of 25-45 years. 1582 (95.9%) ASHAs were aware that adolescence age group was constituted by 10-19 years. 435 (26.4%) knew of anemia, 368 (22.3%) knew of vaginal discharge, 292 (17.7%) knew of menstrual problems as common problem in adolescence age group. 1297 (78.6%) reported condoms, 58 (3.5%) tubectomy, 139 (8.4%) oral pills as contraceptive methods for adolescence. Conclusion: ASHA workers should be trained adequately about adolescence health issues so that continuum of care under RMNCHA plus can be achieved. Training should provide complete knowledge about the same.

At the outset, I sincerely thank IAAH and the organizers for honoring me. I had an opportunity to meet Dr. Prema Bali about a month back when she visited our institute at Karamsad (Gujarat). I was really impressed with her commitment to adolescent health and her energy and positive approach. I am also thankful to Dr. Jugal Kishore, who suggested my name for the oration.

Background: Low level of physical activity among young population has been reported worldwide. A decrease in the physical activity level has been associated with various chronic diseases. This study has been conducted in order to find out the level and pattern of physical activities among youth in urban setting. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 603 participants of age group 15-24 years using global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ). GPAQ guideline developed by WHO has been used to determine various levels of physical activities and their association with demographic variables has been described. Results: 64% (95% CI 59-67%) of the participants had low level of physical activities. 23.5% and 10% of the participants were found to be involved in the activities of moderate and vigorous intensity respectively. Less than 3% of the participants were regularly practicing Yoga activities. Prevalence of physical inactivity was found significantly higher among females (72.70%) as compared to males (54.94%). Conclusion: Physical activity among youth in the current study is alarmingly low which needs to be addressed urgently. This study provides important baseline information that can be used for future planning as well as for evaluation.

Despite scientific evidences linking tobacco to adverse health outcomes and smoking being banned in college campuses, a good proportion of youth is using tobacco products. College students are especially vulnerable due to their independent living away from home, making own choices and attraction to new lifestyle. Healthcare providers who smoke send ambiguous message to patients whom they have encouraged to cease smoking or are less likely to provide patients with antismoking advice. The objective of the study is to find the proportion of male medical undergraduate students who smoke tobacco in a medical college in North Kerala. Among the 200 male undergraduate medical students, 31% were current tobacco smokers. Among them, (46.88%) smoked daily, (39.06%) occasionally and (14.06%) rarely. Most reported no specific reason for initiation, while about one-fourth gave reasons like curiosity, tension relief and peer pressure. 38.71% initiated after joining college. 85.5% were aware of harmful effects of tobacco. Family, friends and social media were found to be the common sources of information. 84 (42%) knew about Stop-Smoking Clinic functioning in the hospital. Around half expressed the desire to quit. One-fifth reported peer pressure as reason for not quitting. To conclude, it would be ideal to counsel medical students and highlight the importance of being role models.

Objective: To identify the influence of psychosocial factors on eating behaviors and to observe the eating disorder, emotional eating and the level of cognitive restraint displayed by the students in the age group of 18 to 25 years. Method: Cross-sectional study was carried out in eight institutes of a university in Pune. A total number of 222 students aged 18-25 years were selected by simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire comprising of factors influencing eating behavior, food frequency questionnaire, screening for eating disorder (Eating attitude Test-26), behavior intentional variables, and emotional eating variables was used to interview the students after taking written consent. Statistical analysis comprised descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test was applied to test difference in population,if any, and the level of significance was set as p=0.05. Results: 56% of the total participants reported affirmatively to lot of changes in eating habits since they started attending university. There was a significant association between genders and being afraid about overweight (p=0.013) suggesting females being more terrified as compared to males. 11% of the population was indicative of having an eating disorder. Happiness was observed to be predominant emotion to influence eating among 76.7% of the study participants. 11.3% students had high cognitive restraint, i.e.,they displayed high self-control around food and 30% students were unrestrained eaters, i.e., they were not really bothered by what they ate. Conclusion: Thus this study indicated that emotions, social and psychological factors did influence the eating behaviors among university students.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has now become a common problem seen among adolescent girls and young women in gynecology OPDs. The reported prevalence among Indian adolescents ranges from 9.13 to 36%. 1,2 The diagnosis of PCOS in adults is confirmed if any two out of the three findings are there: (i) Oligo-ovulation/ anovulation, (ii) Excess androgen activity, (iii) Polycystic ovaries, as per the Rotterdam criteria. 3,4 Signs, symptoms and their severity experienced by affected women vary. In adolescents, presence of oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea beyond two years of menarche is considered an early sign of PCOS.

Objective: To identify the influence of psychosocial factors on eating behaviors and to observe the eating disorder, emotional eating and the level of cognitive restraint displayed by the students in the age group of 18 to 25 years. Method: Cross-sectional study was carried out in eight institutes of a university in Pune. A total number of 222 students aged 18-25 years were selected by simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire comprising of factors influencing eating behavior, food frequency questionnaire, screening for eating disorder (Eating attitude Test-26), behavior intentional variables, and emotional eating variables was used to interview the students after taking written consent. Statistical analysis comprised descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test was applied to test difference in population,if any, and the level of significance was set as p=0.05. Results: 56% of the total participants reported affirmatively to lot of changes in eating habits since they started attending university. There was a significant association between genders and being afraid about overweight (p=0.013) suggesting females being more terrified as compared to males. 11% of the population was indicative of having an eating disorder. Happiness was observed to be predominant emotion to influence eating among 76.7% of the study participants. 11.3% students had high cognitive restraint, i.e.,they displayed high self-control around food and 30% students were unrestrained eaters, i.e., they were not really bothered by what they ate. Conclusion: Thus this study indicated that emotions, social and psychological factors did influence the eating behaviors among university students.