A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF RURAL ADOLESCENT GIRLS AND BOYS 11-18 YEARS) IN ANDHRA PRADESH
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Date
1991
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ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, RAJENDRANAGAR, HYDERABAD
Abstract
A comparative study on the nutritional status
of adolescent girls and boys between the age groups of
11 and 18 years living in the rural areas of three
regions of A.P. i.e., Telangana, Rayalaseema and
Coastal Andhra was carried out. A brother and a sister
from the same family were selected to control the
socio-economic variables at the family level. A total
of 150 adolescent girls and 150 adolescent boys were
covered for the study.
Data on anthropometric measurements of height
and weight showed that the values were more closer to
the ICMR standards (1972) for boys than for girls.
Among girls, the deficit in weight for age was more
pronounced than height for age. The mean body mass
index was found to be lower in girls compared to boys
of the same age group. The number of subjects having
lower body mass index were significantly higher in case
of girls except in 13-15 years age group.
Clinical examination showed that the
prevalence of anaemia and B-complex vitamin deficiency
was more in girls than in boys. Haemoglobin levels
were found to be lower in girls compared to boys of the
respective age group. The gap between girls and boys
with respect to haemoglobin levels \'lidened with
increasing age. Incidence of anaemia was 94 per cent
and 91 per cent respectively among girls in the age
groups of 11-12 years and 13-15 years. This could be
due to rapid growth and increased losses of iron in
girls.
Dietary intakes were assessed on a subsample
of adolescents (50%) by 24 hour recall method. Data on
food intake showed a deficit of all foods except
cereals among girls. Boys in all the age groups had
better food consumption especially Milk and vegetables.
Severe deficit of all nutrients especially vitamin A
and iron were observed among girls compared to their
brothers although the intakes of both girls and boys
were below the recommended allowances.
Socio-economic factors were found to significantly
influence the nutritional status of girls.
Family size and birth order were negatively correlated
with the anthropometric measurements, hemoglobin levels
and nutrient intakes of girls. The findings
demonstrate that boys in all the socio-economic groups
enjoyed comparatively better nutritional status whereas
girls especially of lower socio-economic strata were
nutritionally deprived. This may possibly be due to
the lower priority received by the girls in the
families.
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Keywords
COMPARATIVE, STUDY, NUTRITIONAL, STATUS, RURAL, ADOLESCENT, GIRLS, BOYS, 11-18 YEARS, ANDHRA PRADESH