Nutritional status, psychological status and quality of life of adolescents in selected childcare institutions in the Galle district of Sri Lanka.

INTRODUCTION

Adolescence is a most unique stage of human development and lays the foundation for future well-being and good health. Institutionalization is considered a protective means for children when they are not protected and cared for by their original family.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess nutritional status, psychological status and quality of life (QoL) of adolescents in child care institutions in the Galle district.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted enrolling 320 subjects in childcare institutions (n = 12) in the Galle district. Nutritional status was assessed via BMI and nutritional intake was assessed via dietary recall. Psychological status and QoL were assessed via validated Sinhala versions of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS 21) and Peds QLTM Generic 4.0 core scale, respectively.

RESULTS

Among the participants (response rate: 90%), 60.6% (n = 194) were females. The age range of the subjects was 10-19 years. Poor protection in society, poverty and disobedience were the most common reasons for entering child care institutions. With respect to educational status, performance in selected subjects were average except English language. The nutritional status of the majority of the participants was satisfactory (57.8% were normal weight), and only 11.3%. had been underweight. Recommended servings for cereals/starchy food and pulses were obtained by only 34.7% and 29.7% of the adolescents, respectively. The majority of the participants had mild to extremely severe depression (n = 224, 70%), and half of the participants experienced anxiety (n = 166, 51.9%). The prevalence of stress was low in this sample (n = 97, 30.3%). The mean scores for all four domains of QoL were above 50%, indicating satisfactory QoL. There was a statistically significant association between parental status and psychological status (p < 0. 05), and stress was significantly (p < 0.005) associated with three domains of QoL other than social functioning.

CONCLUSION

The majority of the subjects in this sample were females. Poor protection in society was the most common reason for entering childcare institutions. The nutritional status of the majority of the subjects was satisfactory whereas the majority of them were not getting recommended servings of cereals/starchy food and pulses. Depression was prevalent in the majority of the subjects, and half of them experienced anxiety. The prevalence of stress was low in this sample. The overall QoL of the adolescents was satisfactory. Three domains of QoL were significantly associated with stress (p < 0.005), and parental status and psychological status were significantly associated (p < 0. 05).