Assessment of Adolescent Girls regarding Nutrition Education Program conducted in Government Senior Secondary School (up to the age of 10 to 15 year) through Anthropometric Measurements

Original Research Article

Abstract

Nutrition plays a critical role in the adolescence phase. This study focuses on assessing the nutritional knowledge and status of 40 school- going girls from two schools at Bhilwara. The research aimed to evaluate knowledge on key concepts such as body mass index (BMI), the importance of vitamins etc. Data collection was done using structured questionnaire. The findings revealed that 80% of the students at Gulmandi were aware of the nutrition education program, while only 30% of the students were aware at Bapu Nagar School. The students' knowledge of BMI was notably higher at Bapu Nagar School (90%) compared to Gulmandi School (25%). The majority of students at both schools expressed strong support for the continuation of nutrition education programs. However, the overall knowledge regarding nutrition was found to be average, with significant gaps in understanding specific nutritional concepts, especially in the areas of weight and height measurement and the role of vitamins. In terms of nutritional status, Gulmandi School had a higher prevalence of underweight students (70%), while Bapu Nagar School showed a more balanced distribution. Based on the findings, a nutrition education booklet was developed to address the existing knowledge gaps. The study emphasizes the importance of continued nutrition education in schools to improve adolescent girls' nutritional knowledge and health outcomes, fostering their overall well-being and promoting healthier lifestyles.