Assessment of Nutritional Status Among Adolescent Females of Secondary and Higher Secondary Public Schools, At Faisalabad City

Abstract: Adolescence is the transitional period between childhood and adulthood. During this period or age individual progresses towards physical and psychological maturity, nancial independence and obtain their adult individuality. Objective: To assess the nutritional status among adolescent females of secondary and higher secondary public schools, Faisalabad city. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at secondary and higher secondary public schools in Faisalabad city and completed in 9 months using the convenient sampling technique. Assessment of nutritional status among 384 adolescent females was conducted with questionnaire. Anthropometric data were recorded and analyzed by SPSS version 21.0 and Microsoft Excel. Anthropometric measurements of the participants were recorded. The 24 hours' dietary recall method was used to assess the nutrient intake and it was compared with Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) chart. Results: Results of the current study showed that 42.7% female students were underweight, 51.6% were normal and 5.7% were overweight. Conclusions: The Nutritional status among adolescent females in this study was adequate in terms of caloric intake, through cereals, fruits, vegetables and pulses but was inadequate regarding the intake of milk, meat and meat products. The diet in these females was not balanced. Key Words: Anthropometric Measurements, Nutritional Assessment, Adolescent Health, Nutrition, public schools.