Pervasiveness Of Anemia In Adolescent Girls Of Low Socio-Economic Group Of The District Of Kurukshetra (Haryana)

During adolescent, due to growth spurt anemia appears to be more for both sexes and risk is high in girls due to onset of menstruation and may continue later during their reproductive life. In the perspective study, one hundred ten adolescent girls between ages 13 -16 years of low socio-economic group of district Kurukshetra (Haryana) were screened out for their hemoglobin level and for nutritional as well as socio-economic status. Data regarding socio-economic status was collected through pre-structured questionnaire cum interview method. Nutritional status was adjudged by their anthropometric measurements (height, weight and BMI) and nutrient intake. Dietary intake of selected subjects was adjudged by 24 hour recall method for three consecutive days and intake of nutrients from the diet was calculated with help of nutritive value of Indian foods. Hemoglobin level of each subject was measured by using Sahil's technique. Out of one hundred ten girls, more than two third (81.81 per cent) girls were suffering from various degree of anemia as their Hb level ranges between 6.6 g/dl to 11.0 g/dl. The dietary data revealed that nutrient intake especially iron intake was very much less than as recommended by ICMR for adolescent girls. Due to low dietary intake, their weight was found less and the subjects were in energy deficit state. Analysis of data further disclosed that prevalence of anemia was directly related to family size and type of family as that affect quality and quantity of food consumption. Thus, inspite of various welfare programmes, it appears from the study that these girls are not benefited from any scheme run by government such as ICDS .