Nutritional Status and Anemia among Scheduled Caste Adolescent Girls of District Yamunanagar, Haryana, India

Background: During adolescence, nutrition is crucial for physical and cognitive development, yet socio-economic disparities and nutritional deficiencies, especially in girls, lead to health vulnerabilities, including high anemia rates. Despite recent data from the National Family Health Survey, there is limited information on adolescents aged 11-16 years, requiring targeted research. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the nutritional status, determine the prevalence of anemia, and explore associated factors among adolescent girls of the scheduled caste in District Yamunanagar, Haryana, India. Methods: The study sampled 450 scheduled caste girls aged 11-16 years from schools in District Yamunanagar, Haryana. Height and weight were measured to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). Data on micro-environmental factors, socio-economic and demographic variables, and dietary habits were collected through interview-based schedule. Hemoglobin levels were measured using Sahli’s Acid Haematin technique, and nutritional status was assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO) standards (Z-score method). Results: The study found increases in height, weight, and BMI with age, with notable spurts at 12-13 years for height and 11-12 years for weight and BMI. Significant differences in height, weight, and BMI were observed between age groups. Moreover, 92.2% girls were found to be anemic, with most of them suffering from moderate anemia. Additionally, the prevalence of stunting was 67.33% and wasting was 64.90% among the girls. Household size, number of family members and menarcheal status of the girls showed a significant association with the nutritional status and anemic of the girls. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need of regular screening and timely interventions to improve the nutritional and anemic status of adolescent girls.