A Path Analysis on the Nourishment Directed Haemoglobin Status and Resulting Endurance Capacity of Adolescent Indian...

A significant positive correlation of blood hemoglobin status and the endurance capacity as the function of nutritional status of a cross-sectional population of adolescent rural girls (13-15 years) of Thrissur district, Kerala State, India has been reported. Anthropometric measurements revealed that mean body weight and height of adolescent girls were low compared to Indian standards and BMI indicated a high prevalence (44 per cent) of chronic energy deficiency-Grade III. Very high portion (88.7 per cent) of the rural population of adolescent girls had energy intakes below normal standards. The prevalence of major deficiency diseases like dental caries, pigmented skins, glossitis and anaemia were also studied as functional responses. More than half of the population was suffering from either or more of the deficiencies and among the clinically identified symptoms, iron deficiency anaemia was most prevalent (30.0 per cent). Only 40 per cent had acceptable levels of haemoglobin (> 12g/dl). Though none of the adolescent girls had excellent or even good endurance capacity, two-way frequency analysis revealed a consistent increase in the same with acceptable levels of haemoglobin (Y = 3.33X + 26.11) and the nutritional status. The alarming status of malnutrition and its implications on rural girls is detailed hereunder.