Food Consumption Patterns in Relation to Adolescent Overweight and Obesity in Schools in A Semi Urban Area of Southwestern Nigeria
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Abstract
Background: Adolescent overweight and obesity are increasing globally and in Nigeria, with dietary patterns playing an important role. However, evidence on the relationship between food consumption patterns and weight status among adolescents in Ikenne Local Government Area (IKLGA), Ogun State, is limited.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,929 adolescents aged 10–19 years selected from 15 public and private secondary schools in IKLGA. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and food consumption patterns were collected using a validated interviewer-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were obtained and BMI-for-age was classified according to the WHO Growth Reference (2007). Principal component analysis was used to derive food consumption patterns. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multilevel logistic regression at p<0.05.
Results: The mean age of participants was 13.85±2.07 years, and 52.2% were females. Adolescents in the highest tertile of dairy consumption had higher odds of overweight (AOR=1.41, 95%CI: 1.00–1.99, p=0.048) but lower odds of obesity (AOR=0.48, 95%CI: 0.29–0.77, p=0.003). Compared with the lowest tertile, adolescents in the second and third tertiles of traditional leafy vegetable consumption had lower odds of overweight (AOR=0.62, 95%CI: 0.45–0.86, p=0.005; AOR=0.66, 95%CI: 0.46–0.95, p=0.024, respectively). Moderate consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods was also associated with reduced odds of overweight (AOR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.47–0.95, p=0.026).
Conclusion: Dairy consumption was significantly associated with overweight/obesity, while higher consumption of traditional leafy vegetables and moderate intake of carbohydrate-rich foods were associated with lower odds of overweight. Targeted nutrition interventions may help address adolescent overweight/obesity in IKLGA.
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