Effect of physical health, dietary behaviour and personal hygiene on body mass index of school-going adolescents near Patna, Bihar: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Body mass index (BMI) is the most frequently used method to determine the nutritional status in adolescents. School-going population in developing countries like India are susceptible to undernutrition due to several socioeconomic, demographic, and nutritional factors. Poor dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles and improper hygiene can have a deleterious effect on their BMI. The aim of the study was to determine any association of BMI with physical health, nutrition, and personal hygiene among the school-going adolescents near Patna, Bihar. Analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 school-going adolescents, chosen by stratified random sampling. They were given Indian Adolescent Health Questionnaire which had close-ended questions about physical activity, nutritional, and hygienic practices. BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight. Pearson's correlation, independent <i>t</i> test, ANOVA, and Chi-Square test of proportions were done. Significance level was set at <i>P</i> < 0.05. Only 39.4% adolescents had normal BMI, and almost half were underweight. Pearson's correlation of BMI with age showed a weak positive correlation (<i>r</i> = 0.124, <i>P</i> = 0.118). Participants perceiving themselves overweight, did physical exercise to lose weight (<i>P</i> < 0.001), whereas who stated that they rarely consumed cooked vegetables, had the self-perception of being underweight (<i>P</i> = 0.009). This self-perception of their weight, physical activity, handwashing after using toilet/latrine and weekly frequency of brushing teeth significantly predicted the BMI in these adolescents (<i>F</i> = 10.895, df (4,155), <i>P</i> < 0.001, <i>R</i>2 = 21.9%, Adj. <i>R</i>2 = 19.9%). Malnutrition can lead to infection, impaired reproductive health, anaemia and other long-term morbidities into adulthood. Hence there is need of more objective nutritional assessment in adolescence for prevention of disease burden in the community.