Assessment of Nutritional Status among Adolescent Garo in Sherpur District, Bangladesh

Authors

  • Sonia Tamanna Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka
  • Md. Masud Rana Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University,
  • Aysha Ferdoushi Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University,
  • Shah Adil Ishtiyaq Ahmad Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University,
  • Mustafizur Rahman Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka
  • Atiqur Rahman Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v12i3.15423

Keywords:

Nutritional status, Adolescence, Anthropometry, Garo, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Garo is one of the largest indigenous communities of Bangladesh. Adolescence is a golden period of time for nutritional promotion. Adolescent nutrition did not receive adequate attention in Bangladesh. Tribal people like the Garo are even more unaware about the importance of adolescent nutrition.

Objectives: To find out physical growth as well as nutritional status among adolescent Garo children in Sherpur district on the basis of anthropometric indices.

Methods and materials: This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among 384 adolescent Garo children (boys and girls) aged 10- 18 years. A structured pre-tested questionnaire and a checklist were used to collect data through interview. Anthropometric survey of randomly selected adolescent was carried out and compared against the NCHS/WHO reference indicators such as BMI-for-age, Height-for-age and Weight-for-age. Standard methods were applied to measure the height and weight of the adolescent and BMI was calculated. Associations of nutritional status with socio-economic status, maternal working status, family type and family size were determined.

Results: In most of the age groups it is notable that the mean height and weight of both boys and girls were lower than the WHO/NCHS standards. The prevalence of thinness, stunting and underweighting was 49.74%, 15.1% and 7.29% respectively.

Conclusions: Significant association between malnutrition and socio-economic parameters was observed. So socio-economic status, maternal working status, family type and family size are important determinants of nutritional status of adolescent. Therefore, comprehensive programmes are required to be undertaken for the overall nutritional development of the Garo population with special focus on the adolescents.

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 12 No. 03 July 13 Page 269-275

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v12i3.15423

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Published

2013-06-23

How to Cite

Tamanna, S., Rana, M. M., Ferdoushi, A., Ahmad, S. A. I., Rahman, M., & Rahman, A. (2013). Assessment of Nutritional Status among Adolescent Garo in Sherpur District, Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, 12(3), 269–275. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v12i3.15423

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2013)

Section

Original Articles

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