The study was undertaken to assess the Body Mass Index (BMI) of adolescent students to ascertain nutritional status, nutritional awareness level among the student and provide nutritional education to the vulnerable group. The anthropometric measurements like height and weight were recorded to compute the Body Mass Index (BMI) among 125 students studying in 8th and 9th Standard at one of the Government high school of Shorapur taluk, Yadgir district. The BMI was compared with WHO standards based on which inferences were derived. The data was also collected on Socio Economic Status of the students‟ family and was assessed by using socio- economic scale. A self structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge or awareness about the nutritional level among the students. The results indicated that majority were underweight () followed by per healthy weight ( %) and few were in overweight category ( %). The nutritional awareness level of the student was assessed before the intervention program where in majority of the students were unaware of the basic concept of the nutritional food for healthy living. Invariably a significant difference was found between male and female students. While after the intervention, significant increase in the knowledge about the food and nutrition was witnessed. Overall also, significant difference was found between the pre and post test assessment on nutritional awareness level of the students. The study concludes that students in Yadgir district irrespective of caste, community and economic status, they need sound knowledge about the nutritional food for healthy life which determines their career frequently. The adolescents must understand properly about their health and requirements of nutritional food, then only this underprivileged group can prosper in society. | Nutritional status and its awareness among school students in Yadgir district, India
