Socio-Demographic Determinants of Mothers and Their Relationships With Adolescent Girl Nutritional Status in Urban...

IntroductionThe nutritional status of adolescent girls in developing countries like Bangladesh remains a major public health concern. Some studies have examined child nutrition and adolescent health in rural contexts; however, limited attention has been paid to variation across socio-demographic characteristics in urban and peri-urban contexts. This study aims to assess the distribution and variation in adolescent girls' nutritional status across selected socio-demographic factors, including religion, marital status, household income, and maternal education, in Sylhet, Bangladesh.MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) urban areas and in some closely connected union parishads of SCC as peri-urban settings. The study population included mothers of adolescent girls aged 10-19 years. A multi-stage cluster sampling technique selected 400 respondents, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistical tools are used for analyzing data. Nutritional status was assessed using Body Mass Index (BMI), applying standard WHO criteria to classify underweight, normal weight, and overweight.ResultsThis research demonstrates the variation in adolescent girls' nutritional status across women's socio-demographic features and residential settings. This study found that underweight was more common among Hindu adolescent girls in urban areas and those from joint families in peri-urban settings. In contrast, being overweight is found more frequently in peri-urban areas, particularly among Muslim girls and those from higher-income households. Specifically, maternal education and household income showed the strongest variation, because daughters of educated mothers were more likely to have a normal BMI. In contrast, underweight was higher among daughters of mothers with no formal education. Differences between urban and peri-urban contexts further indicate the influence of the living environment.ConclusionMaternal education, household income, and place of residence emerged as key factors in this research, contributing differently to adolescent girls in urban-peri-urban settings. Based on research findings, this study provides context-specific insights to inform targeted public health interventions, including nutrition education, school-based programs, and community awareness initiatives for vulnerable groups.