A comparative study of nutritional status and foodstuffs in adolescent girls in Iran

Abstract

Background:The prevalence of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents is increasing world-wide. Obesity in children and adolescents is a major risk factor for diabetes, heart diseases, hypertension, and cancer in adulthood.Aim:The aim of the study was to compare the nutritional status and food-stuffs among high-school girls in Arak, Iran, in matter of body mass index (BMI) and associated factors.Subjects and Methods:A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 278 adolescents was conducted in six randomly chosen high-schools. Height and weight of students were collected using standard methods and the BMI calculated and BMI percentiles of these girls are compared with the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reference data. The 5th, 8th, and 95th percentiles of the CDC were adopted as cut-off points for underweight, overweight and obese girls, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS by analysis of variance and Chi-square tests.Results:On the basis of CDC, the overall prevalence rates of underweight, overweight, and obesity were estimated 10.1% (28/278), 12.9% (36/278), and 1.4% (4/278), respectively. There was no significant difference between nutritional knowledge scores and the rate of physical activities in various groups. The mean age at menarche was significantly higher among the obese girls (P = 0.02). Consumption of ice-cream and chocolate was significantly higher in the obese girls group (P = 0.03).Conclusion:According to the present study, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in high-school girls of Arak is lower than that of many other parts of Iran and some neighboring countries, which are at the high-risk of overweight and obesity. This study warrants the necessity of paying attention to promote healthy life-style and weight control. The earlier age of menarche is alarming.

Prevalence and factors associated with stunting and thinness among adolescent students in Northern Ethiopia: a comparison to World Health Organization standards

“…The prevalence of thinness among girls in our study was lower than studies in Northern Ethiopia (58.3 %) [ 12 ] and Bangladesh (26 %) [ 41 ]. On the other hand, our study found higher level of thinness among girls compared to studies in Seychelles (14 %) [ 42 ], Iran (10.1 %) [ 49 ], Turkey (11.1 %) [ 50 ], Qatar (5.8 %) [ 51 ] and China (5.2 %) [ 43 ].…”

Nutritional Status and Associated Factors Among School Adolescent Girls in North Shoa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…According to the study's results, school-aged teenage girls made up 9.6% (95% CI: 7.2–11.8) of the population. It was in line with studies conducted in Ethiopia (8.82%), 27 Iran (10.1%), 30 and Ghana (10%). 31 Nevertheless, it was higher than the research reported in Indonesia (5.0%) 22 and Ethiopia (1.4%).…”

Prevalence of junk food consumption, overweight/obesity and self-rated health and fitness in high school adolescent girls: a cross sectional study in a deprived area of Qom

“…Studies showed that differences in socioeconomic status, differences in individual, environmental, access to health care, beliefs and lifestyles are related to obesity/overweight [14][15][16] .…”

“…However, high prevalence of junk food consumption and low health literacy in health workers and families and differences in lifestyle among girls compared to other age-sex groups could cause a normal BMI rather than a high BMJ. 14,20 . Results of other studies showed that fast food intake is associated with high salt and high caloric intake, fat and food poverty 15,21 .…”