Comparative Study of Nutritional Status and Academic Performance among Rural and Urban Adolescents in Sambalpur District

Background:Adolescence is a critical period of growth with increased nutritional needs, yet malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are rising. Adequate nutrition during this stage is essential not only for physical development but also for cognitive function, directly influencing academic performance and long-term health outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the nutritional status of adolescents attending schools in both rural and urban areas of Sambalpur District. A total of 120 participants, aged 13–16 years, were selected using a non-probability sampling technique, comprising 65 boys and 55 girls. Data were collected through a structured and standardized questionnaire, which included sections on socio-demographic characteristics, nutritional knowledge, eating habits, and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The collected data were systematically entered and analyzed using SPSS version 24.0 to evaluate nutritional patterns and related factors among the adolescents. Results: The results indicated that rural adolescents had higher rates of undernutrition, while urban adolescents mostly had normal or overweight BMI. Nutritional status was significantly associated with socioeconomic status and age, with better outcomes among older and higher socioeconomic urban adolescents. Academic performance was higher in urban and higher socioeconomic adolescents, and a significant positive association was observed between nutritional status and academic achievement, with well-nourished students performing better than undernourished peers. Conclusion: The study highlights that nutritional status, socioeconomic status, age, and place of residence significantly influence adolescents’ health and academic performance, with urban and better-nourished adolescents achieving superior nutritional and scholastic outcomes. These findings emphasize the need for targeted nutritional and educational interventions, particularly for undernourished and rural adolescents.