The study was confined to the 110 girls students who were studying in VIII, IX, X, XI class of Kurukshetra of Haryana. The age group of the subjects was 13-16 years belonging to low socio economic group and were selected by random purposive sampling technique.

1. Haemoglobin – Hb level of all selected subject was determined by Sahli's acid hematin method which is as follow:

1. Filled the graduated tube of haemoglobin meter to 20 marks with N/10 HCL.

2. Added 0.2ml of blood mixed well and left for.

3. Added distilled water drop by drop mixing between each addition until the colour matched with standard comparator (brown glass standard)

4. Read the lower level of fluid meniscus on gm/100ml of blood.

The classification of anemia as recommended by WHO (1992) and NIN (1986) was followed for categorization of the subjects.

Figure 1

Table 1: Classification of Anemia

2. Socio-economic information: For the present study, the data was collected from all the respondents with the help of a well designed questionnaire-cum-interview method which consists of:

General Information: It includes name, class, father's name and age.

Composition of the family: It included the total family members, their age, education level, relation to the respondent and occupation.

Dietary pattern: Information regarding the food habits, meal pattern fast sleeping, skipping of meals, food fads and fallacies are recorded.

General Health: It was divided again into two sub-parts. In first part, information was collected regarding the type of sickness, its duration medicine taken and second part included the information regarding the menstrual cycle i.e. regular/irregular, its duration, blood flow during menstruation and problem during the period and if medicines was taken for problem etc

3. Anthropometric measurement: The height and weight of the subjects were measured by the method of Jeliffe (1966) and BMI was calculated by the given by Garrow (1986).

Height: The measurement of height (in cm) was taken with the help of measuring tape to the nearest 0.5 cm. and the height was measured in centimeters.

Weight: The body weight is the simplest measurement of growth and nutritional status. The subjects were weighed on a simple weighing machine (bathroom sale). The reading was taken to the nearest 0.5Kg.

Body Mass Index: BMI is expressed as a ratio of weight in kilogram to square of height in meters.

BMI = Weight (Kg)/Height (m ² )

Figure 2

Table 2: BMI Classification

* CED – Chronic Energy Deficit

Based on classification given by Garrow (1986) and Naidu (1997) etc.

4. Dietary intake : Information regarding the food intake of the respondent was recorded by 24 hour recall method for three consecutive days and intake of nutrients from the diet was calculated with help Nutritive value of Indian foods ( Gopalan et al.,. 1991)

Figure 3

Following the NIN classification it was found that out of one hundred ten girls, only 20 (18.19 %) subjects were non anemic and remaining 90 (81.81 %) subjects were suffering from various degree of anemia as their Hb level ranges between 6.6 g/dl to 11.0 g/dl (Fig. 1). Perusal of table 3 cleared that among the anemic subjects , 20 per cent had mild, 73.33 per cent had moderate and 6.67 per cent of subjects had severe degree of anemia .

Figure 4

Table 3: Severity of anemia among anemic adolescent girls (N= 90)

General information: Majority (78%) of subjects belongs to nuclear families but size of family was found large All the selected subjects were vegetarian and all girls were religious having pattern of keeping fast. Some girls also skip breakfast. Sixty five per cent of subjects had monthly income less than 5000 rupees while rest 35 per cent subjects had monthly income more than 5000 but less than 10,000 rupees.

Anemia in relation to age: Available data revealed that severe anemia was more prevalent in girls > 14 years of age compared to girls <14 years of age. The approximate age at menarche was found to be between 13-14, thus higher prevalence in age group > 14 years seems to be due to menstrual loss. It was also noted that anemic girls suffer from pain during menstruation and also take medicine for relieving from pain.

Anemia in relation to type and size of family: Prevalence of anemia was found lower in nuclear families than joint families. Further, size of family also affect, higher the number of members in the family, higher the prevalence of anemia. As both quality and quantity of food consumption get affected by number of members in family especially with limited income sources.

Anthropometric measurements

Mean height of selected girls was found 151.012 ± 13.36 cm while mean weight was 40.69 ± 12.60 kg and from the above values, BMI (body mass index) was computed which was 17.40 ± 2.78 kg/m ² . The mean BMI value revealed that the selected subjects were in chronic energy deficit state Grade I (table 2).

The mean calorie and protein intake of the subjects was 1513.5 ± 6.94 cal and 45.5 ± 9.8 g, respectively. The corresponding values for intake of calories and protein were very much lower than that recommended by ICMR. Like calorie and protein, intake of calcium, iron and folic acid were also less than RDA than ICMR requirement and respective values of calcium, iron, and folic intake were 537.36 ± 203.66 mg, 15.43 ± 1.15 mg and 63.71 ± 7.77 mg. Contrary to above nutrients, consumption of fat (25.59 ± 2.91g) and vitamin C (88.56 ± 36.22 mg) were higher than recommended dietary allowances, respectively. Thus the available data revealed that iron and protein intake is not adequate to acquire substantial iron stores during this time.

Sincere thanks are owed to all the subjects who voluntarily participate in the research and gave their blood for testing. Also I acknowledge my thanks to Department of Home-Sceince, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra for providing facilities to complete this work.