Assessment of Nutritional Status of Adolescent Boys and Girls (13-16 Years) in a Select School in North Chennai and the Conduct of a Nutrition Education Program

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical stage of life characterised by rapid growth and development, during which adequate nutrition is essential for achieving optimum health and well-being. Unhealthy food habits, sedentary behaviour, peer influence, and poor nutrition awareness during this period can lead to malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and the early onset of lifestyle-related disorders. The present study was undertaken to assess the nutritional status of adolescent boys and girls aged 13–16 years in a selected school in North Chennai, India and to conduct a Nutrition Education Program. The study included school-going participants from both genders and involved the collection of demographic data, anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference. Clinical assessment included the recording of blood pressure, while dietary assessment was carried out using a Food Frequency Questionnaire and a 3-day food record. A pre-test and post-test questionnaire was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Nutrition Education Program. The findings revealed that the mean Body Mass Index, waist circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, and blood pressure of the participants were within the normal range. However, unhealthy dietary practices such as meal skipping, frequent junk food consumption, and sedentary lifestyle habits were common. Mean intake of energy, calcium, and iron was significantly lower than the recommended dietary allowance, while fat intake was higher than recommended. A statistically significant improvement in nutritional knowledge was observed after the Nutrition Education Programme. Positive correlations were found between energy intake and Body Mass Index, and between energy intake and waist circumference. The study concluded that although anthropometric and clinical parameters were normal, poor dietary practices and nutrient inadequacies were prevalent among adolescents. Early nutritional intervention and continuous school-based nutrition education are essential for promoting healthy dietary habits and reducing the future risk of non-communicable diseases.

Introduction

The text discusses adolescence as a critical developmental stage (ages 10–19) marked by rapid physical, mental, and social growth, requiring adequate nutrition and health support. It highlights that globally and in India, adolescents form a large population group but face a significant burden of malnutrition, including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, overweight, and obesity due to changing diets, urbanization, and sedentary lifestyles.

Poor nutrition during adolescence can lead to stunted growth, weak immunity, reduced academic performance, and long-term risks of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. These health risks are often linked to unhealthy dietary habits formed during adolescence, making early prevention and education essential.

The text emphasizes the importance of assessing nutritional status using anthropometric measures (height, weight, BMI, waist circumference), clinical indicators, and dietary assessments to identify risks and guide interventions. Nutrition education in schools is highlighted as an effective strategy to improve awareness and encourage healthy eating and lifestyle habits, despite challenges like peer pressure and media influence.

The literature review explains that adolescents have higher nutritional requirements for energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals due to growth and development. It also outlines key factors influencing food choices, such as family habits, peer influence, media, and accessibility of processed foods.

Common nutritional problems include the “double burden” of malnutrition (both undernutrition and obesity), along with widespread micronutrient deficiencies like iron-deficiency anemia, vitamin D, and calcium deficiency. These conditions negatively affect growth, immunity, and long-term health.

Conclusion

The present study provided valuable insights into the nutritional status, dietary habits, lifestyle practices, and health awareness among adolescent boys and girls aged 13–16 years studying at Dr. Radhakrishnan Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Kondungaiyur, North Chennai.The findings revealed that although the anthropometric and clinical parameters such as body mass index, waist circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, and blood pressure were within normal limits, the dietary habits of many participants were not fully satisfactory. Meal skipping, especially breakfast skipping, frequent consumption of junk foods and outside foods, regular intake of beverages, and low intake of nutrient-rich foods were commonly observed. The mean nutrient intake of energy, calcium, and iron was significantly lower than the recommended dietary allowances among both boys and girls. Protein intake was lower among boys, while fat intake was higher than recommended levels in both groups. Such imbalanced food intake during adolescence may lead to nutrient deficiencies, poor growth, reduced immunity, and increased risk of non-communicable diseases in adulthood. Although a considerable number of participants engaged in physical activities such as jogging and yoga, many also spent leisure time in sedentary activities like mobile phone usage and television watching. Therefore, strengthening healthy lifestyle habits along with proper nutrition is essential during adolescence. Importantly, the Nutrition Education Programme conducted as part of this study served as an effective intervention. It significantly improved the participants’ knowledge regarding balanced diet, My Plate concept, healthy food choices, water intake, breakfast consumption, and the importance of physical activity. The programme empowered adolescents to make healthier decisions for their present and future well-being. Hence, the present study clearly indicates that early nutritional intervention and continuous nutrition education among adolescents are highly important for promoting healthy eating habits, preventing nutrient deficiencies, and reducing long-term health risks. By improving nutritional awareness during adolescence, a healthier future generation can be developed

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Rashika Safreen M S, Dr. Sheba Sangeetha Jeyaraj. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.