Author(s): Dr. Vandana

Abstract:
Adolescent girls are future mothers of a nation. Growth and prosperity of a nation depends heavily on the nutritional status and development of adolescent girls as they influence the growth of the remaining population. The nutritional status and development of adolescent girls are integrally related to their nutritional requirements, dietary intake, dietary practices, cultural traditions and meal patterns. Increasing nutritional experts express their deep concerns and necessity of research on nutrients intake to identify numerous modifiable risk factors of nutritional deficiencies and food related diseases. The main objectives of the study are to assess the nutritional status, nutrient intake and relevant knowledge among adolescent girls. A random sampling technique was used for selecting 160 adolescent girls, Home Science and Non Home science, studying in Dev Semaj Post Graduate College for Women, Ferozpur city. The method adopted for investigation was interview schedule and observation method. Descriptive statistical tools were used to analyze the data. Results were shocking and revealed that the prevalence of under nutrition in the sampled adolescent girls was high and their overall nutritional knowledge was limited. Factors associated with the increased use of iron supplements were related to awareness of the girls about extra nutrients and their access to mass media and education. The awareness level among the students was not satisfactory as very few respondents were able to explain about organic foods and genetically modified foods. Community-based adolescent-friendly health and nutrition education and services and economic development may improve the overall health and nutritional knowledge and status of adolescents. The researcher suggested some guidelines so that adolescent girls can be made aware of tasty, aesthetically appealing, nutritious and genetically modified foods. In many underdeveloped countries the nutritional value of any packaged or frozen foods are not mentioned as prevailing business practice even till today. But many developing countries, like India are getting strict on mentioning every aspect of nutritional values on packaged foods and drinks along with preservatives and colors used if any.