Abstract

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) IN RURAL AND URBAN ADOLESCENT GIRLS

*Dr. Manjusha C. Potdar and Dr. Arti R. Firke

Abstract

In the past few decades, world is observing revolutionary changes in science and technology. Life of human beings has become easier due to gadgets & machines. In addition, impact of foreign culture, wrong dietary concepts and habits like fast food, hoteling, excess use of electronic devices have adversely affected lifestyle in urban population. Adolescent urban girls between age 10-19 years are also exposed to these ill effects of urbanization. In case of school going adolescent girls, mental stress also has been increased due to high expectations by schools and parents. On other side in rural population requirements of people are minimum. Children live less stressed life with more exposure and closer contact with nature. So, the lifestyle is simple but active. They are less exposed to electronic gadgets and wrong habits like fast food. This difference in lifestyle may be affecting the health status of children in both, the urban population and rural population. The objective of this study was to compare the BMI of adolescent girls in rural and urban population. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out in school going adolescent girls of age 10-19 years. Half the subjects were from well-known private schools in urban population schools where well to do families send their children; while the rest half belonged to rural government schools where parents from middle and lower socio- economic background send their children. Weight and height of all children was measured and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. After comparing BMI of adolescent girls in both rural an urban population, it is found that BMI of urban adolescent girls is more than mean BMI of rural adolescent girls.

Keywords: BMI, Adolescent, Lifestyle, Rural, Urban.