Magnitude and Determinants of Under-Nutrition Among Late Adolescent Girls in East Africa: Evidence From Demographic and Health Surveys (2010–2016)

Abstract

BackgroundAdolescent girls are vulnerable to undernutrition owing to their increased nutrition demand for growth and development, including sexual development and maturation. Despite its public health importance, undernutrition among late adolescent girls has received little attention in health and nutrition policies. Although undernutrition in adolescent girls has been investigated, most of the previous study reports were based on small sample sizes and limited geographic settings. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the prevalence and determinants of undernutrition among late adolescent girls in East Africa.MethodsSecondary data analysis was conducted among 10 East African countries using the most recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) reports. A total of 21,779 adolescent girls aged 15–19 years were included in this study. Descriptive statistics were conducted to describe the study population. The binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify the determinants of undernutrition among late adolescent girls. Variables with a p-value of <0.05 in the multivariate analysis were identified as statistically significant determinants of undernutrition.ResultsThe overall magnitude of undernutrition among late adolescent girls in East Africa was 16.50% (95% CI: 16.00–17.00), whereas the overall magnitude of obesity among late adolescent girls in East Africa was 2.41% (95% CI: 2.21–2.62). In the final model of the multivariate analysis, adolescent girls aged 18–19 years [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.51–0.60], having secondary education (AOR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.68–0.93), being from a rich wealth index family (AOR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.56–0.69), and being from a medium wealth index family (AOR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.72–0.89) were negatively and statistically associated with undernutrition. Likewise, having more than seven household members (AOR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.10–1.67), walking more than 30 min to a water source (AOR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01–1.20), and living in Ethiopia (AOR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.51–2.03) were positive determinants of undernutrition among late adolescent girls.ConclusionIn this study, undernutrition in late adolescent girls remains a considerable public health problem in East Africa. Age group, educational status, marital status, family wealth index, family size, time taken to reach a water source, media exposure, and country of resident were significant determinants of undernutrition. Therefore, devising strategies that improve the socioeconomic status of households and/or adolescents would help to reduce the risks of undernutrition in late adolescents.

The magnitude of stunting and its determinants among late adolescent girls in East Africa: Multilevel binary logistics regression analysis

“…Furthermore, previous studies have relied on small sample sizes and have been conducted in a restricted geographic area and some of these studies do not employ appropriate statistical method (i.e. multilevel analysis) that accounts for the hierarchical nature of data [ 20 ]. Thus, considering the previously mentioned constraints, the objective of this study was to utilize the latest Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data to estimate the occurrence and factors influencing stunting among late adolescent girls in ten East African countries.…”

Dietary diversity and nutritional status of adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria

“…Adolescents in low-and middle-income countries are at increased risk of undernutrition (because of inadequate food intake, irregular meal consumption, especially breakfast skipping) and overnutrition resulting from overconsumption of foods that are high in calories and fats but poor in nutrients. [ 1 2 3 ]…”

“…About 40% of adult deaths in developing countries and 70–80% of deaths in industrialized countries are linked to attitudes and behaviors adopted during adolescence. [ 1 ] Research suggests that an adequate level of nutritional knowledge is related to optimal nutritional behaviors, while dietary habits affect nutritional status. Dietary habit is one of the modifiable risk factors for obesity in childhood and adolescence.…”