Introduction Adolescents are considered to be a nutritionally vulnerable segment of the population. Due to enhanced growth during adolescence, the requirement of some minerals is of paramount important. A rapid growth rate combined with a marginal nutrient intake increases the risk of nutritional deficiencies in this population. Micronutrients such as iron and zinc are essential trace elements involved in the high growth rates of adolescents. 1 In Bangladesh, a large number of adolescent girls suffer from various degrees of nutritional disorders. 2-5 Poor nutritional status during adolescent is an important determinant of health outcomes at a later stage of life. Therefore, attention should be given to adolescent health and nutrition. Few studies have been done in the last couple of years to identify the extent and consequence of malnutrition in rural and urban adolescent school girls, and adolescent female workers of Bangladesh. 2- 5 Results of these studies particularly confirmed the higher prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency along with some other micronutrient deficiencies. Although few studies characterized the dietary pattern and nutritional status of adolescent school girls, we are not aware of any systematic report that has characterized the dietary pattern, nutritional status and prevalence of anaemia in adolescent college girls of Bangladesh. Most of the college girls in Bangladesh are in late adolescent stage; while few are in mid adolescent stage of their lifespan. Their health and nutritional status have great impact on the quality of the next generation and consequently the future of the country. The present study aimed at investigating dietary pattern, nutrient intake and nutritional status in urban adolescent college girls of Bangladesh, with a particular focus on the prevalence of anaemia and appropriate knowledge about it among them. Findings of this study could be critical to formulate the appropriate intervention programmes to solve nutritional problems among adolescent college girls. Subjects and Methods Sixty five female students between 15-19 years were selected randomly from Home Economics college of Dhaka. Those with any sign of chronic infection or metabolic disorder were excluded from the study after recording their history of occurance of diseases and examining the clinical signs of diseases by a physician. The study was approved by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh and was conducted after obtaining written consent from the parents of the participants. Information on socio-economic conditions, dietary Vol. 60, No. 8, August 2010 633 Original Article Dietary pattern, nutritional status, anaemia and anaemia-related knowledge in urban adolescent college girls of Bangladesh Yearul Kabir, 1 Hussain Mohammad Shahjalal, 2 Farzana Saleh, 3 Wahida Obaid 4 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, 1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jahangirnagar University, 2 Department of Food and Nutrition, Government Home Economics College, 3,4 Bangladesh. Abstract Objectives: To examine dietary pattern and nutritional status of adolescent college girls of Dhaka, Bangladesh with a particular focus on the prevalence of anaemia and appropriate knowledge about it among them. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted. Sixty-five adolescent girls aged 15-19 years were selected randomly from Home Economics college of Dhaka. A 7-day food frequency questionnaire was used to investigate the dietary pattern. Nutrient intake of the participants was assessed by 24h recall method. Results: Habitual dietary pattern indicated poor consumption of milk, liver and leafy vegetables. Food intake data revealed a deficit of 473 kcal/day in energy. Mean intake of carbohydrate and fat were lower than RDA; while protein, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C intakes were much higher. Anthropometric data indicated that 63% of the girls were stunted (height-for-age <95% of NCHS reference values) and 45% were underweight (weight-for-age <75% of NCHS reference values). The prevalence of anaemia (Hb<12 g/dl) among the participants was 23%. About 17% had low serum iron (<40 µg/dl), 23% showed evidence of iron-deficient erythropoiesis (Transferrin Saturation <15%) and only 8% had vitamin C deficiency (<0.29 mg/dl). About 65% of the participants had correct knowledge about the causes of anaemia; while 72.3% and 80% respectively, knew about the prevention and treatment of anaemia. Surprisingly, 73.8% of the participants were not aware about the sources of iron-rich foods. Conclusions: Results indicate an overall poor nutritional status of the urban adolescent college girls in Bangladesh and need for appropriate nutrition interventions to overcome the problem (JPMA 60:633; 2010).