Nutritional status and dietary intake among adolescent girls

ABSTRACT

Nutritional status during adolescence plays an important role in human lifecycle. The aim of this study was Nutritional status and dietary intake among adolescent girls. In a cross sectional study, using two stage cluster sampling 256 adolescent girls were randomly selected from 8 Semnan secondary schools. Weight and height were measured and body mass index [BMI] was calculated. In adolescents, anthropometric indices were defined based on the CDC 2000 cut-off points for age and gender-specific BMI. Data of energy and nutrient intake was collected with the 24-hour dietary recall and food record questionnaires. The results showed that the prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese was 5.7%, 77.7%, 11.7%, and 4.7% in Semnan adolescent girls, respectively. In comparison with DRI recommended values, the intake of energy and some micronutrients such as vitamin B12, folate, calcium, zinc, and fiber was insufficient among adolescent girls in Semnan. Malnutrition [underweight and overweight] is higher than the expected rate. Findings of our study showed that micronutrients deficiency among adolescent girls is a major problem among adolescent girls in Semnan and prevention measures are necessary to induct