2025, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part D

Background: Malnutrition among teenagers is a significant public health issue, especially in developing regions like West Bengal. Adolescence is a critical period for growth and development, and nutritional deficiencies during this time can lead to long-term health consequences. This study assesses the prevalence of malnutrition and identifies the related risk factors among school-going teenagers in West Bengal. Prior studies have identified socio-economic status, dietary habits, and physical activity as major determinants of adolescent malnutrition, but there is limited research focusing on this population in the context of West Bengal.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to (1) estimate the prevalence of malnutrition among school-going teenagers, (2) explore the relationship between malnutrition and socio-economic factors, dietary intake, and lifestyle habits, and (3) recommend targeted interventions.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 school-going teenagers aged 13 to 18 years from five districts in West Bengal. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire, including anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and BMI), and self-reported information on dietary habits, physical activity, and socio-economic status. Statistical analyses included a Chi-square test to assess the association between categorical variables, Pearson correlation to measure the relationship between BMI and dietary habits, and logistic regression to identify predictors of malnutrition. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.
Results: The prevalence of malnutrition was 32%, with 20.4% of participants underweight and 11.6% overweight or obese. Socio-economic status (p<0.05), inadequate dietary intake (p<0.01), and insufficient physical activity (p<0.05) were significantly associated with malnutrition. Pearson correlation revealed a moderate positive relationship (r=0.41) between poor dietary habits and higher BMI. Logistic regression analysis found that teenagers from low-income households had a 2.3 times higher risk of malnutrition than those from higher-income families (OR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.5-3.2).
Conclusion: This study reveals a notable prevalence of malnutrition among school-going teenagers in West Bengal, with socio-economic status, dietary habits, and physical inactivity being key contributing factors. There is an urgent need for interventions focused on improving dietary awareness and encouraging physical activity to mitigate the risk of malnutrition in this vulnerable group.