A Descriptive Study to Assess the Growth Pattern of Adolescent Students of Selected School of Indore in the Year 2016–2017

Abstract

Adolescence is a stage which marks the developmental transition from childhood to adulthood, during this time many important social, economic, biological, and demographic events set the stage for adult life. The nature and quality of young people’s future lives, as well as a country’s future social and economic development, depend largely on how well adolescents navigate this transition. The present study is an effort to assess the growth and development pattern of adolescent student with objective to assess the growth pattern of adolescent students of selected school of Indore. A descriptive research design was used, 129 students were selected conveniently. Among 129 students, majority 92 (71.3%) were male, 33 (25.5%) were of 16 years, almost students belong to middle and lower class family. Majority of the students 81 (62.79%) were found under weight (BMI<18.5), and 5 (3.87%) were found overweight (BMI= 25–30). There was no significant association found between selected demographic variables and BMI. Majority of the students have normal visual acuity. Study findings suggest that almost students are apparently healthy but underweight; being adolescent they need proper guidance and supervision to inculcate healthy habits and life style. Because adolescence is a time of tremendous biological, psychosocial and cognitive growth and development, nutrition interventions need to be tailored to the developmental level of each individual adolescent. Health professionals should allow adequate time during the first session with a teen to determine his/her degree of biological maturity and level of cognitive development.