Adolescents living in boarding houses in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria I: Meal patterns, nutrition knowledge and nutrient intake

The meal patterns, nutrition knowledge and nutrient intake of 287 secondary school adolescents aged 13–18 years, living in boarding houses were determined. The meal patterns and nutrition knowledge were determined by questionnaire. The dietary intake study was conducted on 50 adolescents over a 7‐day period and nurient intake calculated from the nutrient composition of foods consumed. Ninety‐two per cent (92%) of the adolescents depended on both school meals and snacks. About 87% skipped school meals at some time. Meal skipping depended on such factors as availability of money to purchase snacks, availability of food in adolescent's locker, school regulations regarding school meals, the quality of food served and the adolescents attitude towards certain foods. The most popular snacks were “Okpa”, a pudding made from bambara groundnut (Voandaeia subterranea) and soaked “garri” (fermented cassava product) with or without groundnuts. The energy and calcium intake (337–398 mg/d) for both sexes were below FAO/WHO standards. The energy intake of the male adolescents (35–37 kcal/kg) was higher than that of the female adolescents (28–30 kcal/kg). However, anthropometric indices showed that the female adolescents had better nutritional status compared to their male counterparts. Intakes of protein and iron were above FAO/WHO standards but were marginal for phosphorus. The adolescents had a fair nutrition knowledge with a percentage mean score of 56.1 ± 14.5. However, nutrition knowledge was not significantly related to nutrient intake.

Key words:

• Adolescents
• Nigeria
• nutritional knowledge
• nutrient intake