A Study Of Anthropometric Variables On Growth And Nutritional Status Of Rural Adolescent School Girls In Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal

Objective An attempt has been made in this study to evaluate the growth and nutritional status among early adolescent school girls (age group of 10 to 14 years) of Dantan-II Block, Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal. Methods A cross sectional study was carried out in rural adolescent school girls of 18 government-approved upper primary schools of Dantan-II Block, Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal. Anthropometric and socio-demographic information from 3693 adolescent girls were collected during 2009-2010 academic session. Height and weight were measured using standard procedure and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. BMI was compared to 2007 WHO growth reference. Height- for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ) and BMI-for-age (BMIZ) were used to evaluate stunting, underweight and thinness respectively, based on the National Centre of Heath Statistics (NCHS) < - 2 Z score values. Classification of severity of malnutrition was done based on WHO recommendation. Results Mean BMI-for-age were less than those of 2007 WHO growth reference for girls at all ages. The overall rate of stunting, underweight and thinness was 33.13%, 28.06% and 17.92% respectively. Based on WHO classification of severity of malnutrition, the overall prevalence of stunting was high (30-39%), whereas those of underweight (≥ 30) and thinness (≥ 15) were very high. Conclusion The study shows that poor health and nutritional status among the adolescents indicating a major public health problem. An intensive and comprehensive approach is required to improve the nutritional status of rural adolescent girls.