A significant gap is observed between the proportion of individuals suffering from mental health (MH)-related conditions and those receiving adequate MH care services, especially in rural areas. This study highlights and contextualizes MH concerns and its extant knowledge as well as gender roles in rural Maharashtra (India).

Using in-depth interviews, MH themes were highlighted analytically among 72 female beneficiaries of Svatantra from the six administrative divisions (Konkan, Nashik, Pune, Aurangabad, Amravati and Nagpur) in the state of Maharashtra, India.

The notion that MH concerns exist among women from rural communities was well supported. Along with MH concerns, the participants reported somatic concerns in the context of adverse life experiences. Furthermore, systemic issues such as financial problems, familial concerns, presence of addictions and pressures of gender role-related responsibilities were significant triggers for MH problems.

Overall, this study aimed at improving the understanding of the MH needs of women in rural Maharashtra, which can further catalyze an exploration of their general MH and devise suitable interventions for the same.

To explore the perceptions of adolescents and their caregivers on drivers of diet and physical activity in rural India in the context of ongoing economic, social and nutrition transition.

A qualitative study comprising eight focus group discussions (FGD) on factors affecting eating and physical activity patterns, perceptions of health and decision-making on food preparation.

Villages approximately 40–60 km from the city of Pune in the state of Maharashtra, India.

Two FGD with adolescents aged 10–12 years (n 20), two with 15- to 17- year-olds (n 18) and four with their mothers (n 38).

Dietary behaviour and physical activity of adolescents were perceived to be influenced by individual and interpersonal factors including adolescent autonomy, parental influence and negotiations between adolescents and caregivers. The home food environment, street food availability, household food security and exposure to television and digital media were described as influencing behaviour. The lack of facilities and infrastructure was regarded as barriers to physical activity as were insufficient resources for public transport, safe routes for walking and need for cycles, particularly for girls. It was suggested that schools take a lead role in providing healthy foods and that governments invest in facilities for physical activity.

In this transitioning environment, that is representative of many parts of India and other Lower Middle Income Countries (LMIC), people perceive a need for interventions to improve adolescent diet and physical activity. Caregivers clearly felt that they had a stake in adolescent health, and so we would recommend the involvement of both adolescents and caregivers in intervention design.

To explore, adolescents’ and caregivers’ perspectives, about shaping of diet and physical activity habits in rural Konkan, India.

Five focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with adolescents and two with caregivers. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

FGD were conducted in secondary schools located in remote rural villages in the Ratnagiri district, Konkan region, Maharashtra, India.

Forty-eight adolescents were recruited including twenty younger (10–12 years) and twenty-eight older (15–17 years) adolescents. Sixteen caregivers (all mothers) were also recruited.

Three themes emerged from discussion: (i) adolescents’ and caregivers’ perceptions of the barriers to healthy diet and physical activity, (ii) acceptance of the status quo and (iii) salience of social and economic transition. Adolescents’ basic dietary and physical activity needs were rarely met by the resources available and infrastructure of the villages. There were few opportunities for physical activity, other than performing household chores and walking long distances to school. Adolescents and their caregivers accepted these limitations and their inability to change them. Increased use of digital media and availability of junk foods marked the beginning of a social and economic transition.

FGD with adolescents and their caregivers provided insights into factors influencing adolescent diet and physical activity in rural India. Scarcity of basic resources limited adolescent diet and opportunities for physical activity. To achieve current nutritional and physical activity recommendations for adolescents requires improved infrastructure in these settings, changes which may accompany the current Indian social and economic transition.

To assess the impact of an intervention modifying dietary habits for the prevention of anaemia in rural India.

Intervention study with data on anthropometric (weight, height) measurements, Hb and diet pattern. As per the cut-off for Hb in the government programme, women with Hb <11 g/dl had to be given Fe tablets and formed the supplemented group while those with Hb > 11 g/dl formed the non-supplemented group.

Three villages near Pune city, Maharashtra, India.

Rural non-pregnant women (n 317) of childbearing age (15–35 years).

After 1 year of intervention, mean Hb increased (from 10·94 (sd 1·22) g/dl to 11·59 (sd 1·11) g/dl) significantly (P < 0·01) with a consequent reduction in the prevalence of anaemia (from 82·0 % to 55·4 %) as well as Fe-deficiency anaemia (from 30·3 % to 10·8 %). Gain in Hb was inversely associated with the initial level of Hb. Significant gain in Hb (0·57 g/dl) was observed among women attending >50 % of the meetings or repeating >50 % of the recipes at home (0·45 g/dl) in the non-supplemented group and was smaller than that observed in the supplemented group. Consumption of green leafy vegetables more than twice weekly increased substantially from 44·7 % to 60·6 %, as did consumption of seasonal fruits. Logistic regression showed that women with lower participation in the intervention had three times higher risk (OR = 3·08; 95 % CI 1·04, 9·13; P = 0·04) for no gain in Hb compared with those having high participation.

Developing action programmes for improving nutritional awareness to enhance the consumption of Fe-rich foods has great potential for preventing anaemia in rural India.