Assessment of the Dietary Intake Patterns of Adolescent Girls in Rural Marginalised Communities of Northwest Pakistan

Abstract

Malnutrition encompasses a spectrum of conditions related to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in an individual's consumption of energy and nutrients (World Health Organization, 2021). In 2020, there were an approximated 149 million undernourished children under 5 who were stunted (low height-for-age), and 45 million who were wasted (low weight-for-height) globally. In Pakistan, 4 out of 10 children under the age of 5 are stunted, and an estimated 18 out of 100 experience wasting (Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Government of Pakistan, 2018).

Malnutrition may be hidden, as multiple micronutrient deficiencies can develop despite adequate energy intake from a calorie-rich yet nutrient-poor diet (Lowe, 2021). This study ai ms to assess the dietary intake patterns of adolescent girls in rural marginalised communities of Northwest Pakistan and observe the 'hidden hunger'.