Anthropometry based nutritional status of unmarried adolescent girls (15-19 Y) of urban Vadodara, Gujarat, India

Abstract

: The word ‘adolescence’ is derived from the Latin verb ‘adolescere’, which means “grow to maturity.” The World Health Organization (WHO) defines adolescents as young people aged 10-19 years. There are about 1.2 billion adolescents, a fifth of the world’s population. Nutrition is key to unlocking the potential of investment in the health of women, children and adolescents. After obtaining necessary permission from Vadodara Mahanagar Seva Sadan 250 unmarried adolescent girls aged 15-19 years were enrolled in the study. Data on Socio-Economic background (SES) for enrolled girls’ families, Weight and Height was collected using pre-tested semi structured questionnaire. Thinness was assessed using age and sex specific WHO cut-offs for BMI for age (5-19Y). Stunting was identified using WHO cut-offs for Height for age criteria. Mean age of the adolescent girls was 16.3 years. 62% of the adolescent girls were attending school. 70% of adolescent girls were belonging to reserve category (SC/ST/OBC). It was found that 15.2 % and 6.4% of the girls were moderately and severely thin respectively. Only 13.2 % adolescent girls had normal BMI for age. Prevalence of stunting was 80.8%. Thinness and stuntingin unmarried adolescent girls (15-19 years) of urban area is a cause of concern.