rnMethods: It was a cross sectional study carried out in rural areas of Muzaffarpur District, Bihar. The study was designed to include all eligible aged 13-19 years adolescent girls. Three hundred twenty adolescent girls were selected randomly for the study. Data on socio-economic conditions, Dietary intake, food habits and knowledge about the food was obtained with interview schedule. Food consumption of the subjects was assessed using a 3-day 24-hour Dietary recall method. Under nutrition was assessed in terms of BMI (Body Mass Index).

rnResults: The present study showed that a little more than half of the respondents 58 per cent belonged to Low income group. Seventy five per cent of Adolescent girls had unsatisfactory knowledge about the healthy/ balanced diet. It was evident that adolescent girls diets were largely deficient in macronutrients and micronutrients, with the mean intake of energy and protein being 1300kcals/d and 18.6 g/d respectively. The intake of cereals and millets was 33.3% more than their respective RDA. Roots and tubers intake was double than their respective RDA. Adolescent girls take 43.5 per cent less amounts of green leafy vegetables. The intake of other vegetables and fruits was 47.8 per cent less than the RDA. A substantial proportion of the girls did not take milk than their respective RDA. Mean intake of iron rich foods was half of the RDA. Chronic Energy Deficiency Grade of adolescent girls shows that 40 per cent was Normal, 36 per cent having Mild Energy deficiency/Underweight (Grade I) followed by 21 per cent Moderate Energy deficiency/Underweight (Grade II). Three per cent having severe Energy deficiency/Underweight (Grade III).

rnConclusion: In rural areas of Muzaffarpur district of Bihar, adolescent girls face health problems due to low socioeconomic conditions, poor nutrition and gender discrimination. There is an immediate need to address the high burden of hunger and under-nutrition in adolescents girls by instituting routine annual monitoring of nutritional status, Nutritional counseling for underweight adolescents and expanding research on the causes and impact of under-nutrition.