The Effect of Lifestyle Modification Program on Growth Parameters and Mood Status among Adolescent Girls Having Anemia

Abstract

Context:: Anemia is a significant public health problem that persists worldwide, not only among pregnant women, and young children but also among the adolescent girls contributing to high maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity in the future life.

Aim: The study was conducted to assess the effect of lifestyle modification program on growth parameters and mood status among adolescent girls having anemia.

Methods: A Quasi-experimental study design utilized at one preparatory school and one secondary school affiliated to Shebein Elkom town-Menoufia governorate. One hundred thirty-two adolescent girls included in this study. Four tools used to collect data of this study, they are socio-demographic Structured Interview questionnaire, growth parameters measurement scales, Hemoglobin level measurement scale, and Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale (KADS).

Result: The study population was adolescent girls their mean age was 14.10 ± 1.15 years, the main findings of this study revealed that adolescents having mild anemia pre-intervention (74.2%) falls to 5.30% and 4.50% in the post and follow up intervention respectively. Also, adolescents having severe anemia pre-intervention (6.80%) improved ultimately to none of the participants had severe anemia in the post and follow up intervention. Adolescents who underweight pre-intervention (23.5%) have standard weight post-intervention and at follow-up test 43.9 % and 47.7 % respectively. High statistical significant differences were found between pre, post, and follow up test regarding adolescents' mood status, which the number of affected adolescents has fallen from 93.2%to 34.1% at post intervention and 32.6% at follow-up.

Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, it can conclude that the dietary modification program has a better effect on the improvement of anemia, mood status and growth parameters of the studied adolescent girls. The study recommended that all adolescent girls should urgently adhere to a healthy lifestyle modification regarding their dietary regimen for the proper prevention and management of iron deficiency anemia. Also, for promotion of their mood stability and their growth and development.