A Study on Socio Economic Status on Nutritional Status among College Students

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of socio economic status on nutritional
status of college girls (18-21 years) of East Khasi hills district of Meghalaya. A total number of 150 college
girls from different college were selected. The study was undertaken with following objective in order to
assess the nutritional status and to find out the eating pattern of the selected respondent. The present study
the would also help to assess the impact of socio economic status on the nutritional status of the selected
areas by recording anthropometric measurements and by determining the food and nutrient intake . The
interview schedule was including which leads to the fulfilment of the objectives of the study. The interview
schedule was enclosed with general profile of the respondents including name, sex, age, education,
occupation and family income for knowing the respondents socio-economic status. The anthropometric
measurement of the respondents i.e. height (in cm) and weight i(n kg )were taken. Dietary intake was
determined by 24 hours dietary recall method and the average nutrient intake was calculated and compared
with RDA (ICMR). The average dietary intake of all nutrients by the respondents was less by Recommended
Dietary Allowance (RDA) except energy, calcium and vitamin A which was found to be satisfactory based
on the results. The results of the study showed that majority of the selected adolescent girls were belonging
to Upper Middle Class. The mean values of BMI revealed that a large proportion (90.67%) of college girls
were normal (BMI 18.5-25). The prevalence of underweight were only (4%) based on BMI and overweight
were( 5.33% ).None of the college girls were found to be obese. Maximum (95.94) per cent of college girls
belonging to upper middle class were having the BMI <18.5-25 followed by lower middle class, upper class,
upper lower class and lower class. The association between socio –economic status and Body Mass Index
was comparatively significant by using frequency and percentage.