Nutritional Status of Adolescent Girls in Tribal Blocks of Maharashtra

CONTEXT: Undernutrition among adolescents in tribal areas is an area of concern in India. AIMS: This study aims to assess nutritional status of adolescent girls and to study their hygienic practices and awareness regarding adolescent programs. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Two blocks (Palghar and Dahanu) in Palghar district of Maharashtra. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The present study was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted among 240 unmarried adolescent girls in ten villages of the study area. RESULTS: The mean age of adolescent girls was 14.5 ± 1.62 years. Mean body mass index was 18.13 ± 7.11 kg/m(2); 55% of them were wasted and 67% were stunted. Mean hemoglobin was 9.57 ± 1.4 g/dl and 81.6% had moderate anemia. Ninety-two percent reported hand washing with soap after defecation. Only 2.5% had awareness regarding adolescent government programs. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated very poor nutritional status among tribal adolescent girls. Interventions to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition and anemia in this age group is the need of the hour.