ABSTRACT

 This research aimed at assessing the diet quality and anthropometric status of inschool adolescents in Umuahia North LOA of Ahia state. Data on socio economic and socio demographic status, diet quality and anthropometric status was obtained through the use of a structured questionnaire and a total of 222 questionnaires was recovered and analyzed. The result showed that the majority (73.4%) of the inschool adolescents were between 15-19 yrs of age (late adolescents), while 26.6% of them were aged l 0-- 14 yrs (early adolescents). (58. 1%) of the adolescents were female, while 41.9% of them were male. It was shown that 35. l % (fathers) and 50.9% (mothers) were farmers, while 25.2% (fathers) and 28.8% (mothers) were civil servants. The result showed majority (83.8%) the adolescents consumed food made from grains. white roots and tubers or plantain the previous day (preceding the study), 42.8% of them consumed food pulses (beans. peas or lentils) compared to 57.2% of them that did not consume pulses. the previous day. Majority (54. 1 %) of the adolescents had nuts/seeds, while 45.9% did not. Some (32.9%) of the adolescents had milk or milk products the previous day, while 67. l % of them had no milk nor milk products. Most (64.9%) had organ meat/meat/poultry/fish/seafood, while 35. l % had none of the food the previous day. It was also observed that 22.5% of the adolescents had eggs the previous day, while 77.5% of them had no eggs. More than half (51.8%) of the respondents had dark green leafy vegetables the previous day, while 48.2% had no dark green leafy vegetables. For vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables, roots and tubers, 42.8% of the adolescents had such food the previous day, while 57.2% of them had none. Some (50.0% and 33.3%, respectively) had other vegetables and other fruits the previous day. Table 4.2b shows the minimum dietary diversity status of the in-school adolescents. The result showed that some (31.5%) of the in-school adolescents had minimal adherence to dietary guidelines (that is, consumption of at least one vegetable, fruit, pulse/nut/seed, animal source food anc.l starchy staple), while 68.5% of them had less than minimal dietary diversity the previous day. However, the mean minimum dietary diversity of the in-school adolescents was 3.78 ± 1.60. The study showed that 17.6% of the male in secondary school had normal heightfor-age compared to 27.5% of their female counterparts, 16.2% and 8.1%, respectively, of the male were stunted and severely stunted, while their female counterparts were stunted (18.5%) and severely stunted (12.2%). The study further showed that 0.9% of the male and female secondary school adolescents were thinned, while 41.0% (male) and 57.2% (female) had normal body mass index for age. There was a negative significant relationship (P <0.05) between minimum dietary diversity and height-tor-age of the in-school adolescents, the correlation was 0. 148. However, there was no significant relationship (P >0.05) between minimum dietary diversity and body mass index for age of the in-school adolescents.