Clinical Assessment and Nutritional Awareness Among School-Going Adolescent Girls of Kanpur, U.P.

The study conducted in Kanpur among 400 adolescent girls aged 13-19 revealed significant health and nutritional awareness issues. A high percentage (97.2%) experienced hair problems, while other common issues included teeth (43%), nails (36.5%), and skin (31.5%) problems. General health issues like constipation and headaches affected 78% of the girls, with 35.5% reporting irregular menstrual cycles and 17.3% experiencing extra hair growth. Nutritional awareness was low, with only 9.3% knowing their hemoglobin level and 29.5% their blood group. Awareness of dietary facts was also limited, with only 16.5% knowing about cholesterol in egg yolk and 27.3% about vitamin A in yellow fruits and vegetables. Less than half were aware of the link between iron deficiency and anemia. The study concluded that immediate action involving families, peers, medical organizations, media, and schools was necessary to improve the health and nutritional awareness of these adolescents.