ABSTRACT

This study assessed the food security status and anthropometric indices status of adolescents in Mary Mother of Mercy high school and University Demonstration Secondary school, Umuahia North LGA of Abia State. A total of 270 students were selected from the two schools. Data on socio-demographic/economic status of their parents, food security status, food coping strategies and anthropometric status of the respondents were obtained using well-structured and validated questionnaire. Food security status was assessed using the 8- Items food insecurity Experience scale Survey module (FIES-SM) and it was classified into two categories which were food secure (70.4%) and food insecure (5.2%,). Food coping strategies were assessed using coping strategy index (CSI) and was classified into three categories which were low (93.3%), medium (6.3%,) and high coping strategy index (0.4%). The IBM SPSS version 23.0 computer program was used to analyze the data. Data obtained were described using frequencies and percentages. WHO Anthro Plus was used to obtain the anthropometric status of the adolescents. Pearson correlation was used to analyze association between food insecurity and anthropometric indicators of the adolescents. Significant relationship was judged at p ≤ 0.05. Majority of the respondents were females (54.4%) and between the ages 13 to 15 years (54.4%). About (92.2%) of the respondents were of the Igbo ethnic tribe and Christian. Most of the respondents father were civil servants (47%) and traders (38.9%) and earn averagely well 91.000 -120,000. Results from this study showed the prevalence of high coping strategy was (0.4%), the majority of the participants had a low coping strategy score (93.3%). Results from this study showed that the prevalence of food insecurity was (5.2%). Majority of the respondents (70.4%) were food secured. There was no significant relationship between food insecurity and anthropometry status of the respondents. The result also indicated that the prevalence of stunning) and overweight/obesity was 104% and 4.8% respectively. Results from coping strategy was (0.4%) and majority of the participants had a low coping strategy score  .It is recommended that nutrition programs to educate the adolescents should be provided to reduce the rate of obesity and overweight in countries where undernutrition already exists.