Calorie and Protein Intake and its Determinants Among Adolescent School Girls in Delhi

Is protein and calorie intake of adolescent school girls adequate?

What determines the dietary intake of adolescent school girls?

This study examines the calorie and protein intake and its determinants among adolescent school girls in Delhi.

Cross sectional.

A government and a private school in Delhi.

336 adolescent girls studying in class VIII to XII.

t-test, ANOVA, linear regression.

The calorie intake was analysed for 153 and 148 respondents from government school and 153 private school students. The average calorie intake among government and private school students was 827.9±191.2 and 1491.3±541.0 respectively (p<0.001). Corresponding figures for protein intake were 29.95±6.7 gm and 57.49±20.9 gm respectively (p < 0.001). Family size, number of siblings and income of family emerged as significant predictor variables for low calorie and protein intake.

The daily protein and calorie intake was found to be lower than the recommended dietary allowance. The deficit was more profound in respondents of government school, and lower socio economic group. Nutrition intervention in terms of education and awareness is required in order to improve dietary intake.