An Exploratory Study on the Nutritional Status and Determinants of Malnutrition of Urban and Rural Adolescent Children ( 12-16) Years of Vadodara City

Approximately 21.4 % of Indian population comprises of adolescents. In India, large number of adolescents suffers from chronic malnutrition which adversely affects their health. The study assessed the nutritional status of urban and rural adolescents of Vadodara district and found the determinants of malnutrition. Anthropometric measurements, dietary history, activity pattern were collected on a sample of 376 children. Location specific factors that influence adolescence nutritional status and lifestyle were studied. There were 120 urban and 256 rural students. The overall prevalence of obesity ranged from 0.4-0.8 % in rural setup and 0.8-3.3 % in urban setup. Thus dual burden of malnutrition was seen in both the settings. With regard to dietary assessment, it was seen that nutrient intake of the adolescent children was grossly inadequate in relation to energy, protein, iron and fiber, which was more pronounced in the rural children than urban. The determinants for undrenutrition were mother’s education, Per Capita Income (PCI) and energy intake of the children. Dual burden of malnutrition scenario calls for health promotion approaches to tackle the problem in adolescent children.