Cross-Sectional Analysis of Nutritional Status, Knowledge and Uptake of Nutritional Services Among Adolescent Girls in Western India

Somen Saha,1 Apurvakumar Pandya,2 Yogini Kandre,1 Devang Raval,1 Deepak Saxena1 1Department of Public Health, Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India; 2Parul Institute of Public Health, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, IndiaCorrespondence: Somen SahaDepartment of Public Health, Indian Institute of Public Health, Opp. Air Force Headquarter, Gandhinagar-Chiloda Highway, Near Lekawada Bus Stop, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, IndiaTel +91-968-7207549Email ssaha@iiphg.orgPurpose: Malnutrition status of adolescent girls remains a major public health problem in India. The present study assessed nutritional status, associated factors contributing to malnutrition and their access to health-care services in Dev Bhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat situated in western part of India.Materials and Methods: The study was carried out using descriptive cross-sectional design. A total of 1252 adolescent girls from all four blocks of Dev Bhumi Dwarka district were interviewed by field investigators. The data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, physical activities, diet, and anthropometry. The WHO classification for body mass index (BMI) was used to assess underweight, overweight, and obesity among adolescent girls. Chi-square analyses were performed to identify significant determinants of under-nutrition.Results: Mean age of the study population was 13.82± 2.31. Of the total, around 34% of the adolescent girls were out-of-school. The prevalence of underweight (