[Evaluation of anthropometric features in adolescent girls of Rafsanjan, Iran - 2007]

ABSTRACT

Anthropometric measures are the most frequently tools for assessing both nutritional and public health status. These indexes help recognizing individuals who are at risk of obesity and underweight. Appropriate interventional approaches could then be achieved. The present study aims to evaluate nutritional status of adolescent girls [11-18 years] in Rafsanjan using anthropometric indexes. In this cross sectional study, 1221 adolescent girls were randomly selected using a multiphase sampling method. Study checklist was completed after receiving a written consent form, in a face-to-face interview. The weight, height and waist circumference [WC] were measured by standard scale tape accurately. BMI was calculated based on the weight, height and obesity as well as overweight was defined based on BMI scores using CDC chart. Abdominal obesity was also detected based on WC percentile for age. Data were analyzed using SPSS-12 software and Chi-square tests and Pearson correlation coefficient are used where appropriate. Mean age of respondents was 14.3 +/- 1.7 years, and 11.2% and 2.4% of subjects were overweight and obese, respectively. Our findings showed that 11.3% were malnourished. The proportion of respondents with overweight and obesity in the two groups of secondary and high school pupils were significantly different [P<0.05]. Respondents living in urban area were more frequently overweight than respondents had abdominal obesity. Results showed correlation between BMI and waist circumference [r=0.08, P<0.01]. Our findings showed that overweight, obesity and underweight are common health problems among secondary and high school pupils of Rafsanjan. Researchers suggest other risk factors including hypertension and metabolic syndrome are likely involved