Dietary Pattern and Prevalence of Malnutrition in School Girls (13 to 15 years) in Nagpur and Chennai

Out of 300 School goers (13- 15 years), 150 girls were selected randomly from Nagpur (Maharashtra) and
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) to study the dietary pattern and prevalence of malnutrition. Intake of energy,
carbohydrate, fat, protein, fiber, iron, calcium, magnesium and Zinc was deficient as compared to RDA by
ICMR in all the groups from Nagpur and Chennai. Significant difference (p>0.05,p>0.01) was found in the
intake of carbohydrate in normal weight girls of two cities. The consumption was high in Nagpur as
compared to Chennai. Intake of fiber was significantly different (p>0.05,p>0.01) Intake of iron was
Significantly different (p>0.05,p>0.01) in normal weight girls (p>0.05) thus iron was more in the diet of
Nagpur children than Chennai. In case of calcium and magnesium significant difference was seen (p>0.05)
the intake was high in normal weight, and underweight girls of Nagpur than Chennai.