Correlates Of Nutritional Status Of Adolescent Girls In The Rural Area Of Varanasi

Abstract

Research Question: To find out correlates of nutritional status of adolescent girls in rural area. Objective: To find out the association of demographic, socio-economic, personal characteristics, environmental variables and energy balance with the nutritional status of adolescent girls. Study Design : Community based cross-sectional study. Setting: Chiraigaon Community Development Block of Varanasi district. Participants: Two hundred and seventy adolescent girls between 10-19 years of age. Materials and Methods: The primary tools in this study were predesigned and pretested interview and examination schedule for recording of family as well as individual information. Nutritional status of study subjects , was assessed on the basis of BMI. Their energy intake was computed by 24 hours recall oral questionnaire method. Estimation of energy expenditure was based on physical activity which was noted by 24 hours activity recall questionnaire method. Statistical analysis : Univariate analysis ( X2 test ) and Logistic Regression Analysis (Multinominal).Results and conclusions: On univariate analysis age, highest education in the family, literacy status of study subjects, literacy status of father, main occupation of the family, SES, menstrual status and history of passage of worms were significantly associated with nutritional status of adolescent girls. However, on logistic regression analysis, out of these nine parameters only literacy status of father, main occupation of the family and menstrual status of study subjects significantly influenced the nutritional status of adolescent girls. Compared to menstruating adolescents non-menstruating girls had 3.59 (CI = 1.44-8.93) times higher risk of being under-nourished. Adolescent girls belonging to labour class had 3.39 times higher risk (CI=1.29 -8.90) of being under–nourished when compared with the business class. The risk of under-nutrition (odds ratios) in adolescents with their father’s literacy status primary to middle and high school to intermediate were 3.66 (CI = 1.12-11.89) and 3.05 (CI= 1.05-8.81) when compared with adolescents, with their father’s education graduate and above.