Nutritional assessment of adolescent girls living in Cherah Union Council

Objective: To assess the nutritional status of adolescent girls living in the Cherah union council, Islamabad and to determine the association between dietary intake and iron deficiency anaemia. Methods: It was a cross sectional survey conducted in union council Cherah of Islamabad. Study participants comprised of 150 adolescent (11-19 years of age) girls selected by simple random sampling living in that area during the study period. Results: It was observed that 7% of the adolescents were overweight, 46% were underweight and 1% were obese. Minimum weight of the participants was 23kg, minimum haemoglobin was 5.6g/dl, 67% had mild anaemia, 9% had moderate, 1% severe and 48% had normal haemoglobin. Association of food groups labeled as in USDA guideline with the haemoglobin level, was statistically insignificant except in the case of beef and liver intake (meat group) showing association of beef liver intake with haemoglobin level. Conclusion: Adolescent girls living in the union council were under weight and had mild to moderate anaemia. There was a significant association of the intake of meat with the haemoglobin level.