ISSN 0303-5212
 

Original Research 
RMJ. 2024; 49(3): 552-556


Assessment of factors affecting nutritional status of adolescent girls studying in Public Schools of Islamabad, Pakistan

Saima Umer, Raima Asif, Uzma Hassan, Hina Tabassum, Tamkeen Jaffry, Rubab Zulfiqar.


Abstract
Objective: To assess the prevalence and the factors associated with underweight, overweight and obesity among adolescent girls in public schools of Islamabad using WHO standards.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 288 adolescent girls 13–18 years old from classes 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th of public schools in Islamabad. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) were carried out to determine the proportion of girls who were underweight (BMI less than 18.5), overweight (BMI 25-30) or obese (BMI >30). Chi-square tests were used to explore the association of categorical outcome variables and associated factors.
Results: Mean age of girls was 14.98±1.41 years. The prevalence of underweight girls was 46%, overweight girls 13.2% and obese girls 7.6%. Maternal education (p=.010) residential status (p=.003), perception of healthiness (p=.002), perception about figure (p<0.001), buying food from cafeteria (p=0.012), maternal knowledge regarding micro nutrition supplements (p=0.044), age at menarche (p=0.049), respondent education level (p=0.037), occupation of mother (p=0.008), dieting practices (p=0.002), consumption of carbonated drinks (p=0.042) and sedentary life style (p=0.025) were found associated to nutritional status.
Conclusion: The study revealed that all aspects of the girls’ environment, including home, schools and community combined to promote unhealthy eating behaviors and lifestyle. This could impact on their diets and long-term health. This study underlines the need for nutrition interventions targeting adolescent girls.

Key words: Nutritional status, public schools, adolescents, underweight, overweight, Islamabad, BMI.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Umer S, Asif R, Hassan U, Tabassum H, Jaffry T, Zulfiqar R. Assessment of factors affecting nutritional status of adolescent girls studying in Public Schools of Islamabad, Pakistan. RMJ. 2024; 49(3): 552-556.


Web Style

Umer S, Asif R, Hassan U, Tabassum H, Jaffry T, Zulfiqar R. Assessment of factors affecting nutritional status of adolescent girls studying in Public Schools of Islamabad, Pakistan. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=140107 [Access: November 17, 2024].


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Umer S, Asif R, Hassan U, Tabassum H, Jaffry T, Zulfiqar R. Assessment of factors affecting nutritional status of adolescent girls studying in Public Schools of Islamabad, Pakistan. RMJ. 2024; 49(3): 552-556.



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Umer S, Asif R, Hassan U, Tabassum H, Jaffry T, Zulfiqar R. Assessment of factors affecting nutritional status of adolescent girls studying in Public Schools of Islamabad, Pakistan. RMJ. (2024), [cited November 17, 2024]; 49(3): 552-556.



Harvard Style

Umer, S., Asif, . R., Hassan, . U., Tabassum, . H., Jaffry, . T. & Zulfiqar, . R. (2024) Assessment of factors affecting nutritional status of adolescent girls studying in Public Schools of Islamabad, Pakistan. RMJ, 49 (3), 552-556.



Turabian Style

Umer, Saima, Raima Asif, Uzma Hassan, Hina Tabassum, Tamkeen Jaffry, and Rubab Zulfiqar. 2024. Assessment of factors affecting nutritional status of adolescent girls studying in Public Schools of Islamabad, Pakistan. Rawal Medical Journal, 49 (3), 552-556.



Chicago Style

Umer, Saima, Raima Asif, Uzma Hassan, Hina Tabassum, Tamkeen Jaffry, and Rubab Zulfiqar. "Assessment of factors affecting nutritional status of adolescent girls studying in Public Schools of Islamabad, Pakistan." Rawal Medical Journal 49 (2024), 552-556.



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Umer, Saima, Raima Asif, Uzma Hassan, Hina Tabassum, Tamkeen Jaffry, and Rubab Zulfiqar. "Assessment of factors affecting nutritional status of adolescent girls studying in Public Schools of Islamabad, Pakistan." Rawal Medical Journal 49.3 (2024), 552-556. Print.



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Umer, S., Asif, . R., Hassan, . U., Tabassum, . H., Jaffry, . T. & Zulfiqar, . R. (2024) Assessment of factors affecting nutritional status of adolescent girls studying in Public Schools of Islamabad, Pakistan. Rawal Medical Journal, 49 (3), 552-556.