A Study on Socio Economic Status on Nutritional Status among College Students

The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of socio economic status on nutritional status of college girls (18-21 years) of East Khasi hills district of Meghalaya. A total number of 150 college girls from different college were selected. The study was undertaken with following objective in order to assess the nutritional status and to find out the eating pattern of the selected respondent. The present study the would also help to assess the impact of socio economic status on the nutritional status of the selected areas by recording anthropometric measurements and by determining the food and nutrient intake . The interview schedule was including which leads to the fulfilment of the objectives of the study. The interview schedule was enclosed with general profile of the respondents including name, sex, age, education, occupation and family income for knowing the respondents socio-economic status. The anthropometric measurement of the respondents i.e. height (in cm) and weight i(n kg )were taken. Dietary intake was determined by 24 hours dietary recall method and the average nutrient intake was calculated and compared with RDA (ICMR). The average dietary intake of all nutrients by the respondents was less by Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) except energy, calcium and vitamin A which was found to be satisfactory based on the results. The results of the study showed that majority of the selected adolescent girls were belonging to Upper Middle Class. The mean values of BMI revealed that a large proportion (90.67%) of college girls were normal (BMI 18.5-25). The prevalence of underweight were only (4%) based on BMI and overweight were( 5.33% ).None of the college girls were found to be obese. Maximum (95.94) per cent of college girls belonging to upper middle class were having the BMI <18.5-25 followed by lower middle class, upper class, upper lower class and lower class. The association between socio –economic status and Body Mass Index was comparatively significant by using frequency and percentage.