Determinants of Undernutrition among Rural Female Adolescents: Indian ScenarioDOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19160472

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19484540

Tanu Jain (Department of Home Science, Rajkiya Model Degree College, Arniya, Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh)

Nutrition plays a crucial role at every stage of life cycle. Nutritional needs changes as per requirement and age. If not provided in an adequate amount, it may lead to serious consequences like malnutrition, anaemia, calcium deficiency and other micronutrient deficiencies. It becomes more important in adolescence which is also considered a critical period especially for girls. Adolescence is characterized by physiological, psychological and emotional transition. A period which prepares a body to bear a child and reserve more nutrients in terms of fat, protein and micronutrients, failing to which may lead to adversities in future like infections, illnesses and low survival of child at birth, low birth weight babies etc. Therefore, proper nutrition in this age specifically for girls must be ascertained. Apart from it, peer pressure, family environment, society, economic conditions and availability of resources also influence eating behaviour and thus impact nutritional status of girls. The issue becomes more challenging for the girls from rural background. Illiteracy, poor economic status, low resources, hygienic conditions, sanitation facilities and a tradition of early marriages make this period more complex. The present review addresses the determinants of undernutrition among rural adolescent females aged 10-19 years providing insights that may play a crucial role in the eradication of undernutrition and improvement in nutritional status.