Paper short abstract:

The present study aims to ascertain the growth pattern and nutritional status of adolescent boys of Shin tribe of Gurez Valley. As per the results of the present study based on WHO (2007) standards 58.45% adolescents were underweight and 58.89% are stunted.

Paper long abstract:

The Shin people are a group of people predominantly found in northern Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, eastern Afghanistan and Jammu and Kashmir.The present study aims to ascertain the growth pattern and nutritional status of adolescent boys (10 to 19 years) of Shin tribe of Gurez Valley. The cross-sectional sample of 900 adolescent boys was collected from various government and private schools. Anthropometric and physiological measurements of every subject was recorded using standardized techniques. The nutritional status was assessed on the basis of BMI classification given by WHO 2007. Information on socio-economic status, dietary habits and physical activity was obtained using interview based schedule. Height, weight and BMI of adolescent boys showed an increase in the mean values with the advancing age. The maximum annual gain in height, weight and body mass index was witnessed between 13 and 14 years. One way ANOVA reveals significant differences in height, weight and BMI between various adolescent age groups. As per the results 58.45% adolescents were underweight and 58.89% are stunted. The study clearly indicates that nutritional stresses due to poor socio-economic status especially during childhood and adolescence are more important than high altitude hypoxia for higher rate of under-nutrition in the present sample. When compared with affluent Indians, rural adolescent boys of present study were found to be lighter and shorter at all ages. However, sample boys stood taller and heavier than Ladakh and Spitian counterparts.