A Cross Sectional Study to Assess the Physical Growth of Adolescents in Urban Vadodara

Adolescence, a period of transition between childhood and adulthood, occupies a crucial position in the life of human beings. Anthropometry is especially important during adolescence because it allows the monitoring and evaluation of nutritional status of adolescents.A school based cross sectional study was conducted to assess the nutritional status of adolescents in urban Vadodara. Seven hundred and sixty seven children were enrolled from two schools studying in standard V to XI. Nutritional status of a total of 443 boys and 324 girls between 7.5 to 18 years was assessed using standard anthropometric measurements for age, weight and height assessment. Mean age of the children was found to be 12.25+2.03 years. Prevalence of thinness was 10.8% while15.4% of children were overweight. Prevalence of malnutrition was more in boys as compared to girls which was mainly during early and mid adolescence. On comparing with the reference data for BMI for age it showed a clear shift towards left. Stunting was seen in 13.6% percent of the subjects.Thus, there is a clear indication that dual burden of malnutrition exists in the urban settings and there is a strong need for proper nutrition during the early years of adolescence.