NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF SCHOOL GOING ADOLESCENT GIRLS RESIDING IN SLUMS

Dr. Omesh Khurana*, Dr. KavitaLal, Dr. D. Arora

ABSTRACT

The present study was undertaken with aim of assessment of nutritional status of school going adolescent girls of 11-18 year of age residing in slums of Durg district. Anthropometric evaluation was done by recording weight, height. BMI was calculated. The caloric intake of girls was by a 24hr. dietary recall. Physical examination was done to assess the common nutritional deficiencies prevalent among the study group like anaemia, angular Stomatitis, eye changes, dyspigmented hair and skin changes. Being a Govt. school located in urban slum, most of the girls studying in this school are from lower middle and lower socioeconomic status. The girls selected for the study belonged to families with: a) Less financial resources, poor socio economic status. b) Poor literacy rates of parents. c) Large families with averagely more 3 sometimes 4 children per family with grand parents, staying together & father being only earning member in most families. d) Lack of parental awareness about the nutritional values of food and importance of balanced diet & nutrition of adolescent girl. 400 adolescent girls (11-18 years) were undertaken for study. Total 8 group were taken with 50 girls in each age group. The girls were interviewed with respect to knowledge about food, nutritional values, calorie consumed in 24 hrs. Mean age of onset menarche was assessed through history and was also compared with other studies.

Keywords: Wt, Ht, BMI, Hb, LBW.