Nutritional status of adolescent girls of a slum community of Varanasi

In order to assess nutritional status of adolescent girls of a slum community of Varanasi and factors influencing them, this study was carried out on 70 girls belonging to the age group 13 to 18 years. The study subjects were selected from Sunderpur, an urban community of Varanasi, by adopting appropriate sampling methodology. The approach adopted for the study was a cross sectional one. The tools in the study were pre-designed and pre-tested schedule, weighing scale, steel anthoropometric rod and measuring tape. The techniques of the study included interview method, clinical examination and anthropometry. In all, 70.0% adolescent girls had BMI < 20%; 51.43% study subjects were suffering from Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED). Stunting (Height for age alpha 90%) was present in 10% of adolescent girls. Their average Weight, Height, MAC were 83.45%, 93.08% and 82.05% of the corresponding estimated reference values. Significant association of common parameters (viz., age, caste, income, type of family, working and literacy status) with nutritional status of study subjects was not observed in this study. However, lesser undernutrition in large families (> 6) indicated role of familial support in prevention of undernutrition in adolescent girls.