Assessment of Nutritional Status among Early Adolescent Girls (11-14 Years) Attending Government Schools of Visakhapatnam City

Abstract

Introduction:Adolescence is a transition period between childhood and adulthood and they constitute 21.4% of the total population. Adolescent health and nutrition are important issues which have not received the attention it deserves in our country, especially in the context of a girl child. Hence an attempt was made to assess the nutritional status of early adolescents attending government schools.Methodology:A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among 102 early adolescent girls (11-14 years) attending government school in Visakhapatnam city.Study variables were age, religion, education of the mother, birth order, type of family, BMI, etc.Results:. Nearly 3/4 th (76.46%) of study population were in the age group of 12-13 years and their mean age was found to be 12.67 years.Regarding birth order, 38 were first born, 43 were second born, 20 were third born and one was fourth born.Weight of our adolescent girls ranged from 19 kgs to 64 kgs with mean weight of 36.5 kgs. Nearly 3/4 th (74.5%) of adolescent girls were having chronic energy deficiency (BMI <18.5). 24.5% were having normal BMI and one girl was overweight.At the time of study, on clinical examination 10 were found to be pale, 13 were having dental caries and one child was identified as having Bitot’s spots.Conclusion:It was found that large proportion of adolescent girls were undernourished. Changes in food habits of adolescents are required for bringing the improvements in the nutrition status of adolescents.