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.