ABSTRACT

This study is aimed to evaluate the household food security dietary pattern and the nutritional status of adolescent girls in Umudike districts, Abia State. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 253 households having at least one female adolescent of age 10-19. Household food insecurity was measured through an interviewer-administered Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist and hip circumference) were collected using standard procedures and BMI-for-age was considered in evaluating the nutritional status of the adolescents. Association between HFIAS scores and anthropometrics were also determined. The result indicates that more than half of households visited (77.06%) experienced some degree of food insecurity (mild: 26.80%; moderate: 36.59% and severe: 13.66%). Underweight was 28.11%, whereas overweight and obesity were 15.8 and 7.51% respectively. Although no significant association (P>0.05) was recorded between HFIAS and the anthropometric data assayed, but most (59%) undernourished female adolescents where from food insecure households. The high level of food insecurity and emerging cases of nutritional abnormalities observed in adolescents in this study calls for urgent needs to respond in necessary ways which include increasing access to healthy food to avoid the worst outcomes. These results argue for increasing access to food especially during key developmental periods of rapid growth. This could help improve optimal nutrition and health status of adolescent girls and as well reduce the long-term implications for health. Secondly, appropriate intervention programs should be formulated to improve the food security and nutrition status of adolescent girls in the study area.