Linking Socioeconomic Status With Adolescent Nutrition: Analyzing Dietary Patterns and Micronutrient Deficiencies Among Adolescents Aged 13-17 Years in Lahore

Background and objective Micronutrient deficiencies affect adolescents worldwide, particularly those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. These deficiencies can lead to significant health and developmental challenges. Understanding the relationship between dietary determinants and micronutrient deficiencies is critical for developing effective interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between micronutrient deficiency symptoms (related to calcium, iron, vitamin A, and zinc), nutritional status, and dietary determinants among adolescents of lower- and upper-middle-class socioeconomic backgrounds. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 230 adolescents aged 13-17 years, with 115 participants each selected from two private schools catering to upper and lower middle socioeconomic populations in Lahore, Pakistan. Socioeconomic status (SES) was measured based on the monthly household income of the participants. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Our study found that 65.5% of participants from the lower-middle socioeconomic background were underweight, compared to 22.6% in the upper-middle socioeconomic group. Micronutrient deficiency symptoms such as easy fatigue (65%), koilonychia (66%), brittle/fragile nails (61%), muscle cramps (53%), and PICA (eating non-food substances) (55%) were significantly more common in the lower-middle socioeconomic group (p<0.05). Lower SES individuals consumed fewer nutrient-dense foods, with 51.3% rarely eating whole grains, and more processed items like carbonated beverages (22.6%) and fried foods (31.3%). Conclusions The study reveals that adolescents from the lower-middle socioeconomic group are more likely to be underweight and stunted, with micronutrient deficiencies linked to reduced consumption of nutrient-rich foods. This highlights the significant role of socioeconomic factors in shaping dietary behaviors and nutritional health.