Assessment of Dietary Practices and the Dual Burden of Malnutrition among Out-of-School Adolescents in Makurdi, Benue State: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Abstract
Background: Adolescence is a critical window for growth and development, yet out-of-school adolescents remain nutritionally vulnerable to the dual burden of malnutrition due to socioeconomic constraints and limited access to health information. This study assessed the dietary practices and nutritional status among out-of-school adolescents in Makurdi, Benue State.
Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of 200 out-of-school adolescents (Boys/girls) selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Dietary Practice was assessed using dietary practice questionnaire and food frequency questionnaire while anthropometric measurement such as weight and height were measured using a weighing balance and stadiometer. Data were analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software and W.H.O anthroPlus software (version 1.0.4). Descriptive and inferential statistics with significance level set at p<0.05 were used to present data.
Results: The findings revealed dual burden of malnutrition (54% overweight/obesity, 38% stunting/underweight) and poor dietary practices (34%) characterized by irregular meal patterns and frequent consumption of energy-dense staples; cereals (44.0%), roots/tubers (50.5%) and fat/oils (52.5%) more than five (5) times a week. Gender was significantly associated with nutritional status (p = 0.038); Obesity was more prevalent among males (28.0%) and females had higher proportion of normal weight (49.5%). Dietary practice was not significantly associated with nutritional status (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The coexistence of overweight/obesity and stunting/underweight among out-of-school adolescents in Makurdi indicates a substantial dual burden of malnutrition in among out-of-school adolescents in the study area. Community-based nutrition programmes including nutritional screening, physical activity promotion etc should be integrated into vocational training to reduce the burden of malnutrition.
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