health and remedies
Increased risk of premature birth and underweight babies associated with racial discrimination
Having an underweight and premature baby is linked to having encountered racial discrimination based on ethnicity, skin colour, or nationality, according to a pooled data analysis of the available evidence.
The research’s findings were disseminated in the journal “BMJ Global Health.”
According to the researchers, the study strengthens the body of evidence showing that racial discrimination increases the risk of negative health outcomes.
Race has been acknowledged as a social determinant of health and a risk factor for many diseases for a number of years. The evidence is mounting that upstream social, environmental, economic, and political factors are the primary causes of health inequities and that racism, not race, is frequently the underlying issue.
For instance, maternal mortality rates in the USA are 2-3 times higher for Black and Indigenous women than for White women. Similar disparities exist between Black and Asian women’s maternal mortality rates and White women’s maternal mortality rates in the UK.
The researchers searched eight electronic databases for pertinent studies on self-reported race discrimination and premature birth (before 37 weeks), low birth weight, and high blood pressure associated with pregnancy that had been published up to January 2022 in order to explore the patterns of racial disparities in pregnancy outcomes.
The final analysis included the findings from 24 studies overall, with an average of 39 to 9470 participants per study. The majority (20) of studies were conducted in
Participants in the study came from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds, including Black or African Americans, Hispanics, non-Hispanic Whites, Maoris, Pacific Islanders, Asians, Aboriginals, Romanis, native Germans, and Turks.
The analysis of pooled data revealed that for all the outcomes examined, racial discrimination was linked to a higher risk of preterm birth and having a baby that was small for gestational age.
Premature birth rates were predicted to be 40% more common overall. The odds of premature birth were decreased but remained 31% higher when low-quality studies were excluded. And while not statistically significant, the overall odds of a small-for-gestational-age baby were estimated to be 23 per cent higher.
When additional analyses of a few chosen data were conducted, similar outcomes were attained.
The majority of the studies included in the pooled data analysis were based in the USA and included few other marginalised racial or ethnic groups besides African Americans. The researchers also acknowledge that many of the studies were of low quality. They might not therefore be more broadly applicable to other racial and cultural groups.
However, they note that their findings “align with existing evidence on perceived racial discrimination as an important risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes.”
They say: “Racism permeates people’s daily lives and has profound effects on the experiences of people who are racialized. It influences other social determinants of health like employment, poverty, education, and housing as an upstream factor.
The availability of services and resources, such as referrals to specialised care, access to health insurance, and use of public health services, can be impacted by racism, which is more directly related to health.
The researchers emphasise a number of strategies, including the necessity of bettering clinician training, to address how racism affects health outcomes.
They propose that this can be accomplished by “universally removing well-documented examples of racial bias that continue to perpetuate health inequities.”
This includes the absence of instruction on dermatology and the various disease manifestations in non-White people, the unreliability of pulse oximetry technology, unjustified racial adjustments to renal function measurement, and insufficient instruction on personal biases and the social causes of health inequities.
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health and remedies
How to stay fit during Diwali 2024: Diet tips, easy workouts, tricks to manage stress during the festive season
Staying on track with your fitness goals during Diwali season can be challenging. These expert-recommended tips can help you stay active amid the festivities.
Diwali 2024: How can you stop feeling bloated, tired, and stressed out during the festive season? What should you eat at Diwali parties? How can you stay fit and look your best? If you, too, are wondering how to stay healthy during the festive season and control your calorie intake while also eating and doing what you want, you have come to the right place. Also read | Dussehra to Diwali holiday health tips: Stress management during the festive rush
Even the most disciplined people can find it difficult to stick to their health routines during the festive season. But you can make things different this year. All that eating and socialising does not have to set you back on your fitness goals.
To help keep you on track, we’ve enlisted the aid of leading experts in health, fitness and nutrition for some much-needed advice. If you tend to get a little anxious around the festive season, don’t miss these simple tips and tricks to follow:
Nutrition and diet tips for Diwali festivities
Payal Kothari, nutritionist and author of The Gut, has shared with HT Lifestyle her tips on how to enjoy Diwali parties without compromising gut health. She says, “The festive season is filled with irresistible treats and family gatherings, but it doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your health goals.”
She suggests opting for healthier alternatives without missing out on the joy of eating; but the key word there is balance. “Choose nutrient-dense snacks like roasted nuts, baked samosas, and fresh fruit platters over fried foods. Moderation is key — enjoy your sweets, but keep portion sizes in check,” Payal says.
Dr Kiran Soni, head of the department of Nutrition and Health at Yatharth Hospitals Greater Noida, adds that to maintain health and fitness during Diwali, you should focus on portion control rather than completely rejecting your favourite dishes.
“Fill your plate primarily with vegetables and lean proteins, leaving smaller portions for sweets and fried items. Stay hydrated; when attending parties, eat a small protein-rich snack beforehand to avoid overindulging,” she says.
Another one of your non-negotiables this festive season should be staying hydrated. Payal says, “Focus on staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water, herbal teas, and infused water to flush out toxins and curb overeating. Drink soup at home if you can, and then head out, or eat a small protein meal before heading out.”
Easy workouts to fit into your festive schedule
It’s not easy to fit in your workouts during the festive season, but even if exercise isn’t quite your top priority during the month of October, you can still move to stay active. Dr Soni says, “Maintaining physical activity is crucial during the festive season. Aim for short, high-intensity workouts when time is limited. Consider morning yoga or stretching sessions to energize your day. Take walks after heavy meals to aid digestion and burn calories.”
Payal recommends short, effective workouts, such as a 15-20-minute HIIT session, 20-30 burpees yoga stretches, or even a brisk walk. She says, “If you’re attending family gatherings or parties, use the opportunity to stay active—dance during celebrations. Being the first one to initiate the moves on the dance floor can help digest the extra food and burn those calories. Or go for a walk with your loved ones. Even 10 minutes of stretching in the morning can improve your energy levels and help you feel your best.”
How to manage stress during the festive season
Diwali season can bring a lot of stress and strain on your mental health, ranging from mild annoyances to the types of anxieties that keep you up at night. And as you probably know, exercise is a great way to relieve all of that. Another truth: what you eat matters too.
Payal suggests adding mood-boosting and stress-relieving foods to your diet, like dark leafy greens, almonds, and foods rich in Omega-3s, such as chia seeds and flaxseeds. She says, “Soups are great for gut-brain health.”
Dr Soni adds, “Managing stress is essential for overall well-being during busy festive periods. Incorporate stress-reducing foods into your diet, such as foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like fatty fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds), complex carbohydrates (whole grains, vegetables), and magnesium-rich foods (leafy greens, legumes). Prioritise sleep and maintain a consistent sleep schedule as much as possible.”
Other coping mechanisms? “Practise mindfulness by incorporating short meditation or deep breathing exercises into your day, even if it’s just for five minutes. Prioritise quality sleep, and try to set aside a few moments of ‘me time’ to recharge. By making these small adjustments, you can enjoy the festivities guilt-free while maintaining a balance between health and celebration,” Payal says.
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