Author(s): Dr. Jyoti Sachan

Abstract:
During adolescent period, rapid changes in physical growth and psychosocial development have placed these young adults in nutritionally vulnerable groups with poor eating habits that fail to meet essential dietary requirements. Health of adolescent girls has intergenerational effect. Objectives: To assess the dietary intake of various food items amongst adolescent girls and to assess the nutrient intake amongst adolescent girls. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 rural adolescent girls of Bhilwara District of Rajasthan, with the help of a predesigned and pretested questionnaire. Information were collected regarding socio-demographic features and dietary pattern, dietary intake and nutrient intake of girls who were willing to participate. Results were analyzed with the help of Microsoft Excel 2007 and SPSS version 16.0 statistical software. Result Intakes of cereals, pulses, green leafy vegetables, fats and oils and sugar and jaggery were significantly lower than the RDI. Majority of subject had protein intake less than 65%. The mean intake of food energy, protein, iron, ascorbic acid, beta carotene, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin in all the age group were lower than the recommended value. Conclusion: Majority of the adolescent girls have tendency to consume junk food and not enough food rich in iron sources and intake of nutritious food such as milk, protein-rich food, green leafy vegetables, and fruits was not enough according to ICMR standards.