ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with stunting and thinness in adolescent females. METHODS: The survey-based cross-sectional study was conducted in randomly selected schools of the Kotri Taulka of Jamshoro District in Sindh, Pakistan, from October to December 2019, and comprised healthy female adolescents aged 10-19 years. Data about demographic and anthropometric factors was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: There were 393 subjects with mean age 14.93±2.18 years, mean weight 45.9±8.85kg, and mean height 151.6±6.25cm. The prevalence of stunting and thinness was 127(32.31%) and 42(10.68%) respectively. Stunting was more frequent in participants with father's income ≤15000 Pak rupees (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The increased prevalence of stunting and thinness in adolescent females needs to be addressed by the policymakers.