Nutrient intake amongst rural adolescent girls of Wardha

Abstract

Objective:To assess the nutrient intake of rural adolescent girls.Materials and Methods:The cross-sectional study was carried in four adopted villages of the Department of Community Medicine, M.G.I.M.S., Sewagram. A household survey was carried out in the villages. A list of all the adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years was prepared by enumeration through house-to-house visit. All adolescent girls were included in the study. A pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic variables and anthropometric variables. A 24 h recall method was used to assess nutrient intake. Data generated was entered and analyzed using epi_info 2000. Nutrient intake was compared with ICMR Recommended Dietary Allowances. Nutritional status was assessed by BMI for age.Results:The mean height of the adolescent girls was 142.9 cm. Overall, 57% of the adolescents were thin (BMI for age <5th percentile for CDC 2000 reference) and 43% of the adolescents were normal (BMI for age between 5th – 85th percentile for CDC 2000 reference). The average energy intake, which was 1239.6±176.4 kcal/day, was deficient of RDA by 39%. The average protein intake was 39.5±7 gm/day. It was deficient by 36% and the average iron intake, which was 13.2±2.5 mg/day, was deficient by 48%.Conclusions:The findings reiterate the dietary deficiency among adolescent girls which adversely affects the nutritional status. If the poor nutritional status is not corrected promptly before they become pregnant, it adversely affects the reproductive outcome. If we have to meet out the goals of Reproductive and Child Health Program, intervention strategies to improve the dietary intake of adolescent girls are needed so that their requirements of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals are met.

Nutritional status of adolescent girls in urban slums of Moradabad: a cross sectional study

“…Unmet nutritional needs lead to several public health problems such as stunted and retarded growth, impaired mental development, anaemia, complications during pregnancy and low birth weight babies. 3 It is well documented that short stature in adolescents indicating prolonged under nutrition is associated with lower lean body mass, deficiencies in muscular strength and productivity.…”

“…This particular group of population is likely to increase in next 30 years due to population moment effect. 3 Recent reports of the WHO suggest that in South East Asian Region a large number of adolescents, who constitute 20% of the population in these countries, suffer from malnutrition and anaemia, which has adverse impact on their health and development. Anthropometry is a good indicator to assess nutritional status and health risks of this group.…”

“…Anthropometry is a good indicator to assess nutritional status and health risks of this group. 3 Nutritional status is now recognized to be a prime indicator of the health of individuals. The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that ultimate objective of nutritional assessments is the improvement of human health.…”

Nutritional status of adolescents in urban and rural area of Kanpur

“…Unmet nutritional needs lead to several public health problems such as stunted and retarded growth, impaired mental development, anaemia, complications during pregnancy and low birth weight babies. 3 It is well documented that short stature in adolescents indicating prolonged under nutrition is associated with lower lean body mass, deficiencies in muscular strength and productivity. In adolescent girls, short stature that carries on into adulthood is associated with many concurrent and future adverse health and pregnancy outcomes.…”

“…Growth in stature, muscle and fat mass during the peak of adolescent growth spurt calls for the need of extra nutrients. 2,3 Inadequate nutrition during adolescence can have serious consequences throughout reproductive years and beyond. Extra nutritional requirements include increased intake of calcium, iron, iodine, minerals and proteins.…”