Objective: Overweight/obesity among preschool children has become an alarming phenomenon in low to middle-income countries, including India. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of overweight and underweight among children aged 2-6 years in Paschim Medinipur and Bankura districts, West Bengal, India. Methods: We selected 497 children using systematic random sampling. The weight and height of each child was measured. BMI and Z-scores (WAZ, HAZ, WHZ) were calculated following standard techniques. Stunting, wasting, underweight, and composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) were evaluated. Data analysis included Student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA. Bibliometric analysis was conducted to evaluate the trends of research in this field. Results: Height and weight increased with age, indicating growth, but BMI declined slightly in older age groups. WAZ scores indicated prevalent underweight across all ages, with significant stunting observed in children aged 48-59 months. WHZ scores showed consistent negative values, suggesting ongoing wasting. The CIAF revealed that 50.91% of children experienced anthropometric failure, predominantly stunting and underweight. The study also revealed that 4.63% of the child suffer from overweight. Girls showed slightly higher rates of anthropometric failure than boys. Conclusion: This study underscores the significant prevalence of the double burden of malnutrition among young children in Paschim Medinipur and Bankura. Effective interventions are urgently needed to address these challenges, including improving food security, enhancing healthcare services, promoting nutritional education, and ensuring sanitation facilities. Tailored strategies considering local socio-economic contexts are crucial for improving child health outcomes and mitigating the long-term effects of malnutrition in these districts.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the nutritional status and socio-demographic factors affecting college students in Bankura, West Bengal, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 220 college students selected through simple random sampling with proportional allocation. Nutritional status was assessed using World Health Organization cutoff points for underweight and overweight. Statistical analyses included Student’s t-test, ANOVA for continuous variables and chi-square for categorical data with significance set at p<0.05. Further analysis applied Dunnett's post hoc test for specific group comparisons. Results: Among students aged 18-22, 27.3% were underweight and 10.9% were overweight. Binary logistic regression revealed that per capita income was significantly associated with chronic energy deficiency. The model showed significance underscoring a double burden of malnutrition linked to socio-demographic factors. Conclusion: The study highlights a high prevalence of underweight and overweight status among college students with socio-demographic factors. Family income has a significant role in chronic energy deficiency. This study underscores the need for targeted nutritional interventions in this population. Keywords: body mass index, nutritional status, malnutrition, students, socioeconomic factors, India

Dengue is the fastest-growing viral disease caused by an RNA virus, namely dengue virus, throughout India due to global warming. It has been declared a global threat by the World Health Organization due to the upsurge in cases as well as the deaths due to dengue over the last two decades. Most commonly, four serotypes of dengue viruses have high morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The major transmitting agents of this virus are the two species of the female Aedes mosquito, A. aegypti, and A. albopictus. In West Bengal, several outbreaks were reported at different times. Dengue-infected persons were categorized into different categories based on their clinical symptoms. Being a viral disease, it is only managed based on the clinical symptoms, and no specific drugs are available for the treatment of dengue patients. The common methods of management are fluid management and nutritional management to balance the body’s fluid and strengthen the body’s immunity. Several micronutrients, like vitamins D, E, and C, play a major role in dengue management. Other than these vitamins, micronutrients, like zinc and iron, were also successfully used for dengue management. At present, the only way to manage dengue patients is through supportive therapy and micronutrient supplementation.