Abstract
Background: Malnutrition, one of the most leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, is growing in epidemic proportions among adolescents in developed and developing nations. Adolescents are the building resources and future citizens of the nation. The well-educated and healthy adolescents are necessary for development of nation. In India adolescents comprises a population of 236.5 million which is 19.6 per cent of total population. With this background current study was framed with the two key objectives that is- to assess gender differences in the prevalence of malnutrition (Stunting, Thinness, and Overweight & Obesity) among 13-18 year old adolescents of Parbhani Maharashtra and the various socio-demographic factors that influence their malnutrition. Method: A cross sectional study of 300 adolescents of age group 13-18 years from various schools in Parbhani district of Maharashtra. Their anthropometric measurements were taken, and Z-scores were drawn using WHO Anthro Plus software. Besides calculating the percentages, t-test and correlation co-efficient were applied to determine the difference between two attributes. Statistical analysis was done using STATA14. Results: The proportion of stunting, thinness and overweight among adolescents was 32.3%, 8.7% and 3.7% respectively. The burden of malnutrition was higher among boys compared to girls. BMI-for-age Z scores were almost similar in boys (-0.84) and girls (-0.88). The height-for-age Z score was better among girls (-1.45) compared to boys (-1.72). BMI-for-age Z scores and height-for-age Z scores were inversely associated with age. A significant correlation was observed between socio-demographic factors and anthropometric parameters. Conclusion: The present study shows significant gender differentials in the nutritional status of the adolescents with burden of malnutrition being higher among boys compared to girls. There were significant variations of HAZ score and BAZ score across gender and age. Interventions that are economically and culturally appropriate for the elimination of childhood malnutrition should be supported.
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