Nutritional status and micronutrients adequacy of food consumed by adolescents in school in Abeokuta

Abstract

Background: Micronutrient and nutritional deficiencies remain a serious nutritional problem of significant importance in low-income countries especially Nigeria. Adolescents are vulnerable because they are at a stage of biological and psychological growth and nutrition inadequacy at this stage will have serious nutritional and health consequences.

Objectives: The study assessed the nutritional status and micronutrients adequacy of food consumed by adolescents in school in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Materials and Methods: The study design was descriptive and cross-sectional involving multistage sampling for the selection of 200 respondents from public secondary schools in Abeokuta North and South. Data were obtained on socio-demographic, socioeconomic characteristics, nutritional knowledge, nutrients intake and anthropometry of the respondents using a structured self-administered questionnaire, repeated 24-hour dietary recall and standard procedures. Data were analyzed and presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical significance was established at p≤0.05

Result and Discussion: Result revealed that majority (94%) of the respondents were within the age range of 14-19years, 42% of the respondents consumed breakfast in school, 57.5%, 37.5% and 5% had good, fair, and poor nutritional knowledge respectively. The nutritional status estimation revealed that 31% of the total respondents were stunted, while 50% were thin. There was significant micronutrient inadequacy of vitamin A, carotene, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, folate, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, iron, and zinc. 

Conclusion: This study established substantial micronutrients inadequacy and increased prevalence of undernutrition among the study respondents.