@article{Rahman_2013, title={Anthropometric Variables and Nutritional Status of Adolescent School Girls in a Food Insecure Rural Area of Bangladesh}, volume={3}, url={https://spaj.ukm.my/ijphr/index.php/ijphr/article/view/168}, abstractNote={<p>Introduction</p><p>This study estimated the anthropometric variables and nutritional status of rural adolescent school girls of food insecure Bera subdistrict of Pabna district in Bangladesh.</p><p>Methods</p><p>The cross sectional study was carried out in rural adolescent school girls of 21 governments approved high schools of Bera sudistrict of Pabna district, Bangladesh. Anthropometric and socio-demographic information from 2,196 adolescent girls were collected during 2011-2012 academic session. Height and weight were measured using standard procedure and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. BMI was compared to the 2007 WHO growth reference. Height- for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ) and BMI-for-age (BMIZ) were used to evaluate stunting, underweight and thinness respectively, based on the National Centre of Heath Statistics (NCHS) < - 2 Z score values. Classification of severity of malnutrition was done based on WHO recommendation. Mean BMI-for-age were less than those of 2007 WHO growth reference for girls at all ages.</p><p>Results</p><p>The overall rate of stunting, underweight and thinness was 33.13%, 28.06% and 17.92% respectively. Based on WHO classification of severity of malnutrition, the overall prevalence of stunting was high (30-39%), whereas those of underweight 20-29% was high.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>This study concludes that poor anthropometric variables and nutritional status among the adolescents indicated a major public health problem in food insecure rural areas of Bangladesh. An intensive and comprehensive approach is required to improve the nutritional status of rural adolescent girls of Bangladesh.</p><p> </p>}, number={2}, journal={International Journal of Public Health Research}, author={Rahman, Mohammad Azizur}, year={2013}, month={Sep.}, pages={290–296} }