An Assessment of the Nutritional Status and Eating Habits of in-School Adolescents in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria

Background: Adolescence is a vulnerable stage of life within which there is rapid growth and development and increased nutrients requirement. However, the period of adolescence has been characterized by poor dietary practices that may lead to health problems such as under nutrition and obesity.

Objectives: To assess the nutritional status and eating habits of in-school adolescents within Sokoto metropolis.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of adolescents selected through multistage random sampling. Data was obtained using pre-tested semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Subjects’ body mass index (BMI) was determined using Centre for Disease Control BMI percentiles. Data was analyzed using IBM® SPSS version 25.

Results: A total of 389 subjects were recruited with a mean age of 15.46 ± 1.67 SD and more than half of them 231(59.4%) were females. The BMI was normal among 276(71.0%) of the respondents, 93(23.9%) were underweight, while 4(1.0%) were obese. Most of the respondents 318(81.7%) reported taking at least 3 meals per day, 257(66.0%) reported breakfast as their heaviest meal. The frequency of skipping meals was 300(77.1%). The main reason for meal skipping was non-availability of food as at meal time by 99(33.0%) of them. Frequent snacking occurred amongst 330(84.8%) subjects. The independent predictors of BMI were age category (p=0.015), gender (p=0.012), tribe (p=0.031), father’s education status (p=0.002), mother’s education status (p=0.003), number of people in the household (p=0.004), social class (p<0.001), and frequent snacking (p=0.034)

Conclusion: Two-third of the respondents had normal BMI for age while about a quarter of them were underweight. A high proportion of them engaged in meal skipping and snacking. The BMI was associated with socio-demographics and frequent snacking.