Alleviation: An International Journal of Nutrition, Gender & Social Development, ISSN 2348-9340
Volume 2, Number 2 (2015) : 1-7
©Arya PG College, Panipat & Business Press India Publication, Delhi
www.aryapgcollege.com, www.apcjournals.com

Effect of Type of Family, its Status and Literacy Level on the Nutritional Status of Adolescent Girls

Abha Khetarpal
Associate Professor, Department of Home Science, DAV College, Yamunanagar
(Haryana), India
E-mail: abhakhetarpa@rediffmail.com

Abstract

Adolescence describes the teenage years between 13 and 19 and can be considered the transitional stage from childhood to adulthood. However, the physical and psycho-logical changes that occur in adolescence can start earlier, during the pre-teen or tween years (Between 9 to 12 years). Adolescence can be a time of both disorientation and discovery. The transitional period can bring up issues of independence and self-identity, many adolescents and their peers face tough choices regarding schoolwork, drugs, alcohol and their social life. Peer groups, romantic interests and external appearance tend to naturally increase in importance for some time during a teen's journey toward adulthood. Adolescence comprises nearly half of the growing period in man. With the beginning of adolescence, growth rate rises sharply until a peak is reached and it is followed by a decline. One hundred and fifty adolescent girls between 13 to 15 years of age were selected from various government schools of district Yamunanagar and nutritional status was determined by anthropometric measurements and by clinical examination. Adolescent girls who had higher nutritional status belonged to educated and nuclear families and had high economic status parents as compared to adolescents who belonged to less educated and joint families and had low economic status parents. Dental caries, signs of vitamin B complex deficiency and night blindness were found to be prevailing nutritional deficiency signs in the adolescent girls.

Keywords: Adolescence, Anthropometric Measurements, Stress, Nutritional Status, Diet.