ABSTRACT

This study assessed the dietary pattern, physical activities and anthropometric status of adolescents (10-19 years) in private and public secondary schools in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia state.  A cross-sectional survey and a multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a total of 200 adolescents. Data on socio-demographic/economic characteristics, dietary pattern and anthropometric status of the respondents were collected using structured and validated questionnaire. Dietary pattern was assessed using Dietary Diversity Score (DDS). The IBM SPSS version 23.0 computer programme was used to analyze the data. Data obtained were described using frequency and percentage. 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. Result showed that most (65.5%) of the participants were female adolescents, and about 64.5% were aged 13-15 years. More than half of the caregivers (53% fathers; 52% mothers) attained up to secondary education.  Also most (54.0%) of the caregivers (fathers and mothers) were traders. Results from the dietary pattern indicated that most (54.0%) of the adolescents do not skip meals. Frequent consumption of cereal products, roots and tubers and fats and oil was high among the respondents. The prevalence of stunting, wasting and obesity were 14.5%, 1.5% and 5.0%, respectively. There was a significant positive relationship between low level of educations for fathers and height for age Z score (<0.05). The result provides an insight into the anthropometric indices and socio economic status of adolescents in Aba, Abia state.