ABSTRACT
Poor
dietary pattern is amongst the major causes of morbidity and mortality among
adolescents especially in the developing countries like Nigeria. This study
examines the the dietary pattern and malnutrition among in-school adolescents
in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. The study was a
cross-sectional study. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a
total of 300 adolescents aged 10-19 years. Data on socio-demographic/economic
characteristics, feeding habits and anthropometric status of the respondents
were collected using structured and validated questionnaire. The IBM SPSS
version 23.0 computer programme was used to analyze the data. Significant relationship
was judged at p < 0.05. Data obtained were described using frequency,
percentage, mean and standard deviation. WHO anthro plus was used to obtain the
anthropometric status of the adolescents. Pearson correlation was used to
analyze relationship between the relationship between dietary habits and
anthropometric status of the adolescents. Result from this study revealed that
(42.0%) of the adolescents studied were between 17-18 years old. Almost half
(41.3%) ofthe adolescents skip meals and the meal mostly skipped is lunch
(46.0%). Majority (89.3%) of them consume snacks. Family likes/preferences are
one of the major factors (54.0%) that influence the choice of food of the
respondents. The anthropometric status of the adolescents showed that majority
(98.3%) of the adolescents were not stunted while few (3.7%) of the adolescents
were stunted. Some (17.3%) of the adolescents were overweight, 4.3% of them
were obese while very few (1.0%) were thin. There was a significant positive
relationship between educational qualification of mother and meal skipping
habits of the adolescents There was also a significant negative relationship
between occupation of mothers, educational qualification of mothers and BMI-for
-age ofthe adolescents. Adequate nutrition education is needed at both primary
and secondary level; this will enable the adolescents to make good food choices
and positively influence their eating habits thereby ensuring better
nutritional status.
-- (2024). Dietary Pattern And Anthropometric Status Of In School Adolescents In Etim-Ekpo Local Government Area In Akwa-Ibom State:- Ekpenyong Nne-Ette A. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Nov 10, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-pattern-and-anthropometric-status-of-in-school-adolescents-in-etim-ekpo-local-government-area-in-akwa-ibom-state-ekpenyong-nne-ette-a-7-2
--. "Dietary Pattern And Anthropometric Status Of In School Adolescents In Etim-Ekpo Local Government Area In Akwa-Ibom State:- Ekpenyong Nne-Ette A" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 03 Oct. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-pattern-and-anthropometric-status-of-in-school-adolescents-in-etim-ekpo-local-government-area-in-akwa-ibom-state-ekpenyong-nne-ette-a-7-2. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.
--. "Dietary Pattern And Anthropometric Status Of In School Adolescents In Etim-Ekpo Local Government Area In Akwa-Ibom State:- Ekpenyong Nne-Ette A". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 03 Oct. 2024. Web. 10 Nov. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-pattern-and-anthropometric-status-of-in-school-adolescents-in-etim-ekpo-local-government-area-in-akwa-ibom-state-ekpenyong-nne-ette-a-7-2 >.
--. "Dietary Pattern And Anthropometric Status Of In School Adolescents In Etim-Ekpo Local Government Area In Akwa-Ibom State:- Ekpenyong Nne-Ette A" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2024). Accessed 10 Nov. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-pattern-and-anthropometric-status-of-in-school-adolescents-in-etim-ekpo-local-government-area-in-akwa-ibom-state-ekpenyong-nne-ette-a-7-2