Introduction: As per 2011 census, there are about 253.2 million adolescents in India, which accounts to 20.9) of the population. Adolescence is considered as a nutritionally critical period of life and among adolescents; girls constitute a more vulnerable group. They suffer from various nutritional deficiencies among which majority of them suffer from anemia of different severity mainly due to nutrition (inadequate intake/absorption). Improving the haemoglobin status will not only reduce the mortality and morbidity among adolescent but will also have impact on the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. The objectives of the present study was to determine the prevalence of anemia among rural adolescent girls and to determine the association between anemia and socio demographic variables.

Settings and Design: This is a cross sectional study, conducted in a rural area of Mandya district from August 2014 to July 2015. Methods and Materials: Adolescent girls (10 to 19 years) included in the study were 302 from randomly selected villages under the purview of Rural Health Training center, MIMS Mandya. The data was collected using petested semistuctured questionnaire and hemoglobin estimation was done by using Sahlis method.

Statistical Analysis used: Descriptive statistics and Chi square test.

Results: Prevalence of anemia was 87.1% (mild anemia­46.4, moderate anemia­40.7). None of the adolescent girls were having severe anemia. There was significant association between anemia and education level of adolescent girls, socio economic status, menarcheal status.

Conclusions: Prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls was high. Improving their socio economic status/affordability to consume more nutritious diet may improve their haemoglobin status

Keywords: Adolescent Girls; Malnutrition; Anemia; Nutrition.