COMPARATIVE STUDY ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS OF DHARAN SUB METROPOLITAN CITY.

Abstract

Adolescence refers to the transition period from childhood to adulthood and the good nutritional status at that point would build the foundation for a healthy existence thereafter. Their dietary intake and dietary behaviors directly affect their nutritional status. Thus, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the nutritional status and dietary intake of adolescents studying in private and public schools of Dharan sub-metropolitan city, Sunsari district. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data of 280 subjects. Weight and height were measured by using digital weighing balance and stadiometer respectively. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-hour dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using WHO Anthro plus, SPSS and Microsoft Excel. Chi-square test was used for necessary analysis of the factors associated with the nutritional status. The analysis of the study revealed, the prevalence of stunting, thinness and overweight/obesity in private schools’ adolescents was 4.3%, 4.3% and 32.9% respectively and 16.5%, 10% and 15.7% respectively among public schools’ adolescents. The mean dietary intake of energy in both private and public school’s adolescents was found to be low as compared to RDA. In private school’s adolescents, consumption of green leafy vegetable and attempted weight loss were found to be associated with the stunting and age category, Perception about weight and attempted weight loss were found to be associated with the thinness and overweight/obesity. Similarly, in public school adolescent’s factors like caste, water purification, source of food and involvement in physical activity were found to associated with the stunting and family size, Perception about weight, attempted weight loss, attempted weight gain and consumption of fast food were associated with the thinness and overweight/obesity. Proper intervention programs should be implemented in order to correct the nutritional status, nutrient intake and dietary habits of adolescent of the target population.