Relationship between Body Mass Index and Eating Behaviour among Adolescent Girls: Impact of a School-based Nutrition Education Intervention

Adolescence is a critical stage of development in which there is rapid growth, nutritional demands and behavioural transformations. The role of eating behaviour in this age is critical in defining nutritional status and health-related outcomes in long-term. The current research paper focuses on the correlation between the Body Mass Index (BMI) and eating behaviour in adolescent girls and these are the effectiveness of a school-based nutrition education programme. The research was carried out on 400 adolescent girls (13-18 years) who were chosen by simple random sampling in government schools of the rural and urban areas within the Jhajjar district, Haryana. The participants were separated into the intervention (n=200) and control groups (n=200). Structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements as well as a 24-hour dietary recall method were used to collect data. The intervention group was provided with a structured nutrition education program. Statistical tests were done mean, standard deviation, paired t-test, and ANOVA. There was a strong correlation existing between poor eating habits and deviant BMI groups (p < 0.05). The levels of nutrition knowledge improved greatly after the intervention with a difference between 42.5 ± 6.8 and 68.2 ± 5.4 (p < 0.001) which is a high level of intervention effect. Statistical significance was also witnessed on improvements in dietary habits such as intake of more fruits and less fast foods. The changes observed indicate a medium to high level of effect size, indicating the effectiveness of the intervention. The evidence highlights the significance of school-based nutrition education programs as an intervention to enhance dietary behaviours and nutritional status of adolescent girls. These interventions can be very important in achieving preventive health and avoiding nutritional disorders in the long-term.