March - April, 2019/ Vol 6/ Issue 2 Print ISSN: 2349-4158, Online ISSN: 2349-4166 Original Research Article Public Health Review: International Journal of Public health Research Available online at: www.medresearch.in 53| P a g e Prevalence of under nutrition and associated factors among female higher secondary students in the schools of costal block panchayat in Kerala Eliza S.R. 1 , Nisha R.S. 2 , Philip S. 3 1 Dr. Sharon Raj Eliza, Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Kottayam, 2 Dr. Nisha R.S., Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Idukki, 3 Dr. Sairu Philip, Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, Government TD Medical College, Alappuzha, Kerala, India. Corresponding Author: Dr. Sharon Raj Eliza, Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Kottayam, E-mail: sharoneliza123@gmail.com ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... Abstract Introduction: The health status of an adolescent determines the health status in her adulthood. Adolescent girls in the age group 15-19 years are closer to their mother hood and thus the low birth weight girls become the next generation of stunted mothers thus, perpetuating the vicious cycle of malnutrition. Objectives: 1) To determine the prevalence of under nutrition among female higher secondary students in the schools of Ambalapuzha block. 2) To determine the factors associated with under nutrition. Methods: Cross- sectional study was conducted among higher secondary female students in the schools of Ambalapuzha Block. Sample size was calculated using the formula Zα 2 PQ/L 2 (Zα -1.96, P -33, Q -67 L -12% of P). Considering design effect (1.5) and 10% non-response, 559 adolescents were studied. Stratified and cluster sampling method was used. Information was collected using semi structured questionnaire. Weights and heights were measured and body mass index calculated and compared with Tim Cole anthropometric standards. Results: Prevalence of under nutrition was found to be 45.8%. Factors associated with undernutrition were Hindu religion, nuclear family, father manual laborer or fisher man and absence of media influence on nutrition. Father being a manual laborer or fisherman was found to be an independent predictor of under nutrition.Conclusion: Prevalence of under nutrition was found to be high among female higher secondary students in Ambalappuzha Block ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... Introduction Adolescence, a period of transition between childhood and adulthood, occupies a crucial position in the life of human beings [1]. About 21% of Indian population is adolescents [2]. Adolescent girls, constitutes nearly one tenth of Indian population and form a crucial segment of the society [3]. They are the future of the nation, forming a major demographic and economic force. Chronic undernutrition that causes stunting among young people delays growth and physical maturation, decreases the capacity to learn and to work [4]. Adolescentgirls in the group 15-19 years are closer to their mother hood and thus in the absence of effective nutritional interventions, the low birth weight girls become the next generation of stunted mothers, thus, perpetuating the vicious cycle of malnutrition. Manuscript received: 5 th March 2019 Reviewed: 15 th March 2019 Author Corrected; 21 st March 2019 Accepted for Publication 25 th March 2019 Nutritional deficiencies increase the risks that girls and young women face during pregnancy and childbirth [5]. An accurate and valid data is required regarding the girth of the problem before initiation of prevention and control measures. Lack of regular, representative national surveys and variations in the adopted methodologies preclude accurate intercountry and intra-country comparisons [6]. There is a lacuna in studies conducted in Kerala on the under nutrition status of their adolescent females based on National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) definition of under nutrition and association between domestic violence and undernutrition. Ambalappuzha is a coastal Block Panchayat in central Kerala which mainly constitutes poor fisherman families. There are more number of females than males with female to male ratio 1041 [7].