Dietary pattern, nutrient intake and growth of adolescent school girls in urban Bangladesh

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dietary pattern and nutritional status of adolescent girls attending schools in Dhaka city and to examine the association with various social factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Girls high schools in Dhaka city. SUBJECTS: A total of 384 girls, aged from 10 to 16 years, who were students of classes VI to IX of 12 girls high schools in Dhaka city were selected by systematic random sampling. Nutrient intake was assessed using the 24-h recall method and the usual pattern of food intake was examined using a 7-day food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of undernutrition among the participants assessed as stunting was 10% overall with younger girls being less stunted (2%) than older girls (16%), whereas…