Dietary habits and nutritional status of adolescent girls in environmentally vulnerable coastal areas of Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate dietary practices, nutritional status and micronutrient intakes of adolescent girls residing in coastal areas of Bangladesh. DESIGN: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study design. Data were collected through household interviews using a structured questionnaire that included socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and beliefs, 24-hour dietary recall, dietary history, anthropometric measurements, and Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) practices. SETTING: The study was carried out in four coastal districts (Patuakhali, Bagerhat, Noakhali, and Cox’s Bazar) of Bangladesh. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 640 adolescent girls aged 11–19 years were surveyed by trained female interviewers. RESULTS: The results indicated that normal weight (Body mass index (BMI)-for-age ≥ − 2 SD to ≤ + 1 SD), obesity ((BMI-for-age > + 2 SD), overweight (BMI-for-age > + 1 SD), severe thinness (BMI-for-age