Assessment of the Nutritional Disorders among School Going Adolescents in Rural Bankura District of West Bengal: A Cross-Sessional Study

Abstract

Background: Adolescent is very crucial period of life for growth and development of body and mind. Nutritioninfluences growth and development throughout infancy, childhood and adolescents.Aims: To find out the prevalence of nutritional deficiency disorders and dietary assessment among adolescent agegroup.Materials and Methods: Community based descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted among 6 ruralschools of Bankura-I community development block in Bankura district from February to May 2014. With the helpof pre-designed, pre-tested, semi-structured schedule total 600 adolescent students were interviewed and clinicalexaminations were done.Results: Mean age of study population was 13.2± 2.19 years. 7.0% of pupils were vegetarian and 93.0% was nonvegetarian.More than one fourth students consumed fast food /junk foods ≥ 3 serving/ week in this study. Total442 students were eligible for mid-day meal. Out of that 5.7% student did not take mid-day meal from their school.Iron folic acid (IFA) tablet was given only to girl students. 55.6% girls consumed IFA tab but rest did not consumeIFA tablets. Pallor was detected clinically in 33.5% of adolescents.Conclusions: School based as well as Community-based adolescent-friendly health and nutrition education andservices and economic development may improve the overall health and nutritional knowledge and status ofadolescents.