Nutritional Status, Dietary Patterns and associated factors among out-of-school Adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Studies exploring adolescent dietary patterns (DP) and nutritional status often focus on in-school adolescents with limited data on out-of-school adolescents.
 Methods: We sampled 190 out-of-school adolescents on an apprenticeship in Agbowo community, Ibadan, Nigeria. Anthropometric measurements, weight (kg), and height (cm) were taken (to determine the height-for-age and body-mass-index-for-age z-scores) using the WHO AnthroPlus and WHO cut-off points to classify stunting and overweight/obesity. The frequency of food consumption was assessed using an 84-item food frequency questionnaire. The DP was extrapolated using principal component analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between sociodemographic variables, anthropometric indices, and DP at P<0.05.
 Results: Mean age was 16.9±1.9 years, 61.6% were females and 58.4% had mothers who had at least secondary education. Overall, 12.1% were stunted and 9.5% were overweight/obese. Stunting was significantly more prevalent (P=0.005) among males (20.5%) than females (6.8%). Males had higher odds for stunting [OR: 3.48 (1.39, 8.75) P=0.008], and a lower odds of adhering to a ‘healthy’ DP; [OR: 0.42 (0.22, 0.80), P=0.009]. Also, adolescents with mothers who had at least a secondary school education were less likely to adhere to an ‘unhealthy’ DP [0.26 (0.11, 0.59), P=0.001].
 Conclusion: Targeted nutrition education is needed to address unhealthy dietary patterns, particularly among out-of-school adolescent boys.

Why Acute Undernutrition? A Qualitative Exploration of Food Preferences, Perceptions and Factors Underlying Diet in Adolescent Girls in Rural Communities in Nigeria

“…Several quantitative studies have attempted to characterize the dietary pattern and nutritional conditions of adolescent girls in Nigeria [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. The prevalence of underweight among girls in these studies ranged widely, from 11.1–46.8% [ 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…Several quantitative studies have attempted to characterize the dietary pattern and nutritional conditions of adolescent girls in Nigeria [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. The prevalence of underweight among girls in these studies ranged widely, from 11.1–46.8% [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. The characteristic diets were high in refined cereals, and low in dietary diversity and animal protein consumption [ 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…The prevalence of underweight among girls in these studies ranged widely, from 11.1–46.8% [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. The characteristic diets were high in refined cereals, and low in dietary diversity and animal protein consumption [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Nonetheless, there is limited information on attributes that may affect food intake in this population.…”